Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Why do you think you have IBS?

The first time I remember having any symptoms was when I was pregnant with our second child. All I wanted the entire pregnancy was milk and fruit. I was drinking 1/2 gallon to a whole gallon of milk EVERY day. I would get sick and just figured it was my hormones due to the pregnancy. As we all know by now hormones affect your bowels.

After I had my son I could no long tolerate milk but other than that I would only have symptoms every once in a while. It progressively got worse until I finally broke down and went to the doctor. It probably took a good 6-7 years before I went to the doctor.

Before the pregnancy I don't remember ever having any problems with my digestive system at all. I loved steaks and any type of red meat and would eat cheese like it was going out of style.

I've always been a VERY stressful person. I worry about everything. My husband tells me to stop worrying all the time, but that honestly just makes it worse. I do have to say the older I get the less I stress about things. Most of my stress is about my kids. I worry that I am making the right decisions...probably just like any other parent...but it affects me differently because of the ibs.

Having said that, my mom tells me that I had a stomach ulcer when I was 3. REALLY? Who gets ulcers at the age of 3? I can't remember it. But that was when my parents divorced and my mom was talking to someone about being short on money all the time. My baby brother was putting pennies down the radiator-ok I'm old, but I'm not THAT old-and I freaked out. I was diagnosed with the ulcer then. I was given medicine and it healed. I've never had even the slightest problem with it, that's what is weird.

Anyway, I think for me it's because of the stress and pregnancies and a genetic disposition to ibs.

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