Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Do you tell people about IBS?

Do you talk to people about your IBS? I used to be mortified at the thought, but a few months ago my workplace hired a young woman (about 19 or 20) who has Crohn's. We all know she has Crohn's, because she talks about it quite openly, and without a hint of embarrassment. It struck me how candidly she could just talk about something like that � and I wished that I could be that open. It took a few months, but about a two weeks ago, completely and utterly fed up with it all, I finally just decided that I could. If she can talk about bowel issues, dietary restrictions, and all the rest so confidently, then why can't I??

I've since told a few people I never would have dreamed of telling � a couple of co-workers, a "friend-of-a-friend" acquaintance that I see semi-regularly, and even a total stranger that I just met on the weekend. It's been so liberating. And the even more surprising part? A couple of these people admitted to me that they also have IBS, or that they have a loved one with IBS! This affliction is so ridiculously common, it's not funny! And here I was hiding away from everyone for YEARS, embarrassed and afraid to talk about this HUGE part of my life.

Of course I won't tell everyone (at least until I get even braver � LOL), but even this has been such a release on my stress. Stress is a MAJOR trigger for me and it's so wonderful to just be able to tell people honestly that, "no, I can't eat that because ____", or "no, I can't commit to that event because I have ____ and haven't been feeling well lately so I won't know how I'm feeling until closer the date", and not feel like I'm making up lame excuses!

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IBS-A since age 12, and fructose sensitive; with the exception of my pregnancy, have been following Heather's diet since Nov. 19, 2007.
Taking 12g of Acacia per day. Relatively stable since March 2008!

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