Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi Guys,

I know everyone has there own problems to deal with, but I just need to vent. Feel free to skip:-)

I have been trying to keep this whole IBS thing in perspective since I was fully diagnosed in June, having originally started suffering in late April.

I am suffering from post-infectious IBS-D which I have to be honest has significantly improved from the early days, but it still a long way from under control.

Since mid-June I have been forced, for the most part, to work from home as I live almost an hour from the office which proves exhausting if not impossible by train when I have to constantly get on / off the train(s) to find a loo (It's also incredibly embarrasing as, although I know that no-one on the train knows why I am getting off the train at a different stop each day, and probably don't care, it must look peculiar.)

A few weeks back things seemed to finally be getting under control and I was able to get back into the office 1-2 times per week, and last week was the week before last was probably the best week in a long-time. Last week the tide turned and I seem to have recommenced the slippery slope into frequent attacks that tie me to the house again and I am just sick of it.

I have had a number of conversations with my boss recently about 'when I will be able to return to work' and am so frustrated that I have to keep repeating to him that this is not something in my control. I have also sent him a tonne of IBS information in the hope that he would read it and have some appreciation for my situation...but still we keep walking the same path every few weeks. Arrrrggghhh!! What can I do?

The really frustrating thing is that, if anything I am able to get more work done from home as I am not constantly disturbed by people coming up to my desk.

Although work has been pretty accomodating to date I can sense that tolerance is waring off and am so worried that if I don't get back into the office on a full-time basis soon I will be out of a job.

My wife has been really great in supporting me, but even she can want to try and push me to go in some days. I think the problem here is that, as there are no obvious physical symptoms (to her anyway) she cannot really appreciate the discomfort, stress and anxiety that venturing out puts me under.

I do believe that my symptoms are exacerbated by stress and the worry about possibly losing my job does nothing to aleviate that.

I have been trying so hard, adapting diet, meditation for relaxation, Mike's hypnosis sessions, accupuncture, chinese herbal remedies, and seeing a stress councilor for a while I just cannot seem to arrest these symptoms and am feeling so flat and despondent.

When I was diagnosed with IBS I knew that life would never be the same again, but I have always been very positive and driven to resolve problems...now I just don't know what to do and am so desperate for a break from this.

I have been able to get out of the house a little more over the past month but I have a constant anxiety which leads to rapid onset of attack unless there is a toilet on hand.

The interesting thing is that when I am at home I seem to be able to hold things together longer and calm the symptoms, but when I am out my GI-tract just goes insane and the calming exercises that work at home do nothing.

I have had a few close misses on the train in the past, but came so close to an embarrasing situation at the shopping centre this Saturday that I really don't want to go anywhere now for fear of a repeat.

Sorry guys if I have droned on. And if you have made it this far then I thank you for taking the time. I am not expecting any solutions...but it was good to get it off my chest.

Best Regards
Tim

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Tim

-A poor man's Jamie Oliver...without the attitude!

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