need support, will give support!
06/24/06 12:19 PM
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Hi EVeryone!
I've been a lurker on this board for years, mainly because I have IBS symptoms that come  and then go  , for months at a time. I developmed stomach problems about 8 years ago after spending a lot of time in Central America, in my ealy 30's. I had food poisoning a couple of times, coupled w/ very high stress, and the result was intermittant (mild) diarrea and nausea/heartburn for a few years. I saw two excellent GI's who concurred I had a "sensitive gut" as a result of the food assaults and high stress. I would have mild diarrea almost every morning and once in a while throughout the day, but chronic nausea for weeks at a time (oh joy) which was awful. I would only vomit a few times a year though. I learned to cope w/ a diet that worked for me- mostly plain fish or chicken and rice and olive-oiled veggies, bread, non-greasy foods. I also started sleeping 8 hours a night and did a lot of self care, including acupuncture which helped me more than anything, and an occassional pepto bismol, pepcid, or Immodium on hand for mild-moderate symptoms. Rich, high fat foods triggeredt he worst problems. I am slim and stayed fit as I could, thought during the initial period of symptoms I was knocked out by the nausea and intermittant diarrea and not as active. About 4 years ago my symptoms subsided hugely, but I would have a "bad day" here or there, especially at my period or times of very high stress or fatigue. Food seemed less important- I could eat anything I wanted during rested, low stress weeks at a time, then get triggered suddenly at a higher stress time. I got pregnant 3 years ago and thank god my IBS symptoms were pretty under control, most of a very healthy pregnancy (I was worried pregnancy would really flare things up). The hormones of nursing seemed to help actually after the baby- I was symptom free most of each month (except as I say for high stress or at my period), with a "flare up" that might trigger bad diarrea or even vomiting one time, a few times a year.
OKAY so I managed IBS or "sensitive gut" as my GI called it very well for a few years, with lessening and lessenign symptoms...which leads us to NOW: I have a two year old, I am going through a difficult divorce on the legal front, I am working seeing 15 clients a week as a therapist, I had to sell my home this past month and find a new place to live, my son has had big sleep difficulties such that I only get about 5 hours/night and now I am on my own w/ this, AND my financial situation is much harder. Guess what? I have felt REALLY YUCCKY the past few weeks. Recurrance of nausea nd some a.m. diarrea. It is really not nearly as bad as years ago when I first got it, but it has been very upsetting to be under so much pressure and stress and have the IBS come back daily, where I had maybe a coupld days a month these past couple of years.
I really feel I am coping well- in therapy, have good friends and family, work I care about, a beautiful son, and know how to eat for my form of IBS. Mostly I jsut feel so sad and overwhelmed some days, and I am reaching out to all of you, if only to tell my story. It feels good to tell people who know the exhaustiona dn discouragement that stomach problems can bring. My symptoms are relatively mild but enough to put me over the edge as I try to pack boxes, work, take care of my son who is up at 5:30 a.m., grieve losing the marriage and my home, etc. Honestly the IBS is the WORST part of any of it, by far. I find it the hardest thing to cope with. So my heart and concern goes out to all of you.
BEST TO ALL,
Maggie
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