Running a website on IBS has its difficulties, but in many ways IBS is an illness that's uniquely suited to the web. If we're uptight and embarrassed by our symptoms in real life then we can just cyber cry without anyone knowing who we are.
I am sure that the internet has been a saving grace for all kinds of people with embarrassing illnesses, from IBS to Crohn's Disease to impotence to testicular cancer. It allows us to be completely honest about our symptoms - all our symptoms - without ever worrying about people finding out who we 'really' are. And that's fantastic.
The only real problems I have with running the website are, first, that people sometimes ask for medical advice. I completely understand the inclination and I don't blame them at all - I just wish I had something more useful to tell them than "There is no cure for IBS but there are many approaches to treatment..." and recommending a few good books. Unfortunately I'm still suffering from IBS myself and so I'm totally unqualified to advise others in how to get rid of their own symptoms.
And the second problem? Spelling. Diarrhea or diarhea or diarrea? Took me years to work that one out. And not only do I have to work it out, I have to remember that the US version is 'diarrhea' and the UK one is 'diarrhoea', and that fiber supplements are OK in the states but fibre is best in the UK, and what do I do if it's going to be read by both sets of people?
It's a puzzle.
Leave a comment