Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi there!

I don't have any really useful tips for you, and I do tend to stay away from things where I am in the spotlight too much since my IBS got bad, but I am hoping that will change soon. (I don't have normal sphincter control due to a paralysis condition I had as a child, so that adds to my problem. I am hoping to get good help with that soon though and then things should be much easier for me.) On a positive note though I am a PhD student myself and I have been teaching classes in the past where I had students who where 10 - maybe 15 years older than me. I have also had to teach classes where I was literally having to learn the material 1-2 weeks before the students. I had IBS back then but it was before it really kicked in. Back then I had a few attacks every now and then. I just wanted to let you know though - I am one of those people who get really nervous before giving a presentation, but who love it once their standing there... I gave a presentation for a filled auditorium once after having a pretty bad IBS attack the same day and still not feeling very good when it was time for me to speak. I had to sneak out to the bathroom just in case, during the presentation immediately before mine. But you know what? I made it, and not only that, but I have never received as many compliments on a presentation as I did that time. So you can do it! Try to focus on the fact that you like giving presentations and talks. As long as you don't get yourself too worked up about it there is no reason why you should have more attacks while teaching than you have when you're not. Try to enjoy it.

Good luck!

/Ulrika, IBS-D

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