Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi,

I just wanted to put in my two-cents. Much of what I have to say is things everyone else who has posted had said, but I figured it would be nice for you to know that there's another person who completely understands how you feel. I remember when I first found this website and how overwhelmed I felt, particularly about the diet and how restrictive it seemed. But I also remember how thankful and hopeful I felt when people would reply to my posts -- to offer suggestions, hints, or to just express that they had been there too. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. That's what I thought when I was finally diagnosed with IBS about 5 months ago. This website made me realize that was not the truth.

Like yourself, I'm relatively young (24) and I remember thinking how unfair it was at this time in my life to be going through all this [censored] (no pun intended). I had the moments of "why me?" and depression and swearing at God and every other deity out there. In fact, right after I was diagnosed I seriously considered suicide. It was scary. It was particularly hard for me because I had moved away from home a year previously, so my support system was not strong. Luckily for me, I have very nosy parents who basically told me that life would get better. Did I believe them? Not really, and I even told my father straight out that I didn't think it would. Well, as what happens with most older people, he was right.

I am certainly not stable now after being on the diet and following Heather's guidelines for 3 months, but I feel a lot better. Like you, I was skeptical about everything -- it seemed to go against everything I had learned about so-called "healthy eating." But it gradually got better. It takes TIME, which is the most frustrating part of all. At first, you wish for a miracle drug to cure everything, but unfortunately we don't live in the world of Harry Potter.

Stress is a huge trigger for me, and I didn't even realize it because I was internalizing all my stress and my stomach was paying for it. I know you are skeptical about hypnotherapy, but honestly it has been one of the BEST things for my stress level. Even when I do have attacks (like right now because its my time of the month), because of the hypno I don't stress nearly as much and make myself even more sick. I also started yoga two months ago and I love it. Yes, accepting IBS as part of your life means making changes, many of which seem really difficult. But, as my mother says, "every little bit helps" and all the small things will start making you feel better.

Get a good doctor -- one you can trust who will truly listen to how you are feeling and will make sure that he/she is doing the best they can to give you options to improve your symptoms. There are a lot of prescription drugs out there that can help. My doctor is wonderful, mainly because he takes everything I say at face value and never ever acuses me of "imagining it." You deserve the best care to make you feel better -- insist upon it.

Does it suck to have IBS? Hell yes. I would be lying to you if I said no. But can you get better? Yes. A lot of it depends upon your attitude, and your willingness to not give up. That's what I decided -- this condition is not going to beat me. I know it can be uncomfortable, but tell the people in your life about your condition. I don't mean get graphic, but explain how it makes you feel and why it means there might be some days when you really need support. People are a lot more understanding and sympathetic than most of us realize. I know its overwhelming, but try and take it one day, one moment at a time. We are here for you, and whenever you need to come back and get advice or to vent, please do. We've all been there. I hope something I said helped, even in the smallest way. Take care.

Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant

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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."

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