Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | newbie needing encouragement

Hi, I'm new to the boards, but not new to IBS (diagnosed six years ago). Another member suggested I post here. I'm in need of some encouragement, maybe some advice too.

I've managed to keep my symptoms in remission for the better part of the last few years, but I have experienced a lot of stress this year and so have been suffering a nasty flare-up for a couple of months.

The most frustrating symptom is my gut spasms, which come and go. My anti-spasmodic is helping me to survive. However, it's hard to keep working in this condition, especially since my job requires that I sit all day long. Also my diet is limited--I've pretty much been stuck in Heather's "What to Eat When You Can't Eat Anything" category. My recovery seems to be following the pattern of one step forward, one step back. If I stay up just a little too late at night or try to re-introduce a food too soon, my system goes haywire and I feel as if I'm back to square one.

The last time I got this sick I lost my job and had to rest a few months before I could even start job-hunting again. I wish I could take a month off to really give my body a chance to recuperate, but it's not an option for me right now. If anyone can give some advice or anecdotes on how to keep the nose to the grindstone while the colon is acting up, I'd really appreciate it.

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