I'm 21 years old and until recently was actively dating. The guy I'm with now is fantastic. He knew me before, though, although not that well. I dated his ex-girlfriend for a wee bit, and when they were together, we went on a few outings as a group. I remember this Canada Day, we went up to her cottage in LaChute (middle of nowhere, Quebec) and I was FREAKING OUT because I needed to find a pharmacy, nownownow. I have IBS-A and was feeling like...well, you know. Immodium ahoy. I had to explain this to her, her sister, her friend, and her boyfriend...luckily there was one pharmacy open in the entire town. I digress.
Because of that he sort of knew I had 'tummy troubles'. When we started dating I just outright told him. "I have a condition called IBS, you can borrow my book on it, I can't eat much dairy, high fat foods, etc, sometimes I bolt to the bathroom, and I feel bloated and gassy a lot."
His reaction? "Oh, does that mean we can fart in front of each other?"
He spends at least two nights a week at my place, in my single bed, even when I'm having attacks. I'm not ashamed when I take out my daily Metamucil, when I need to take a Gas-X or an Immodium, or, and this is the TMI but best part, when I need to pass gas.
We've been together for two months and I can see us being together for a long time. I don't feel uncomfortable around him.
My advice? If you're around my age, you might be a bit more in luck...guys tend to like a girl who is open about her tummy problems and (gross) isn't afraid to fart in front of her boyfriend. If you can't pass gas in front of your SO...there's something wrong in the relationship!
My friends and close co-workers know I have IBS, and they're fine with it. My roomies even know, and they went out of their way this weekend to make me a special IBS-friendly cake for my birthday.
IMO: if you go on a blind date, or on a date with someone you barely know, tell them up front that you have some tummy issues, nothing you can't handle, but you can get sick. If you go on a few more dates and sense that the guy or girl is interested in more than dating and so are you, just TELL THEM. Gently, of course. If they're too grossed out (don't be graphic), or if they laugh at you, or if they just can't deal with it...dump 'em. Plain and simple. They are NOT worth your time. If someone truly likes you and wants to form a relationship with you, they won't be bothered. By weeding out the bad ones early, you save yourself a lot of heartbreak.
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