I think I should probably stop insulting doctors for a while, because as fun as it is it's not very positive, and in fact it doesn't really fit with my own health at the moment and my current, sympathetic nutritionist. For about the past two and a half weeks I have been distinctly, eerily well. I had an odd little episode this morning but was fine again within about 10 minutes, so I don't really count that.
The silly thing is of course that I don't actually need to be perfectly healthy, I just need to be better than I was. As much as I hate that old phrase "You'll just have to learn to live with it" that relatives and friends (and, yes, doctors - sorry, just can't help myself) love to throw at us at every opportunity, it does make some sense. IBS is a long-term condition for many people, and most of us have to accept that and make some adjustments in our lives.
The only thing I really object to is the fact that so many IBS sufferers are told to "learn to live with it" approximately 3.2 seconds after they have been diagnosed with IBS. At this stage they're probably suffering with terrible diarrhea or alarming stomach pains or intransigent constipation, and people all around them are telling them that that's the best it's gonna get? Nope, I don't buy it.
Yes, we have to learn to adjust, but we also need to learn to educate ourselves about IBS and look hard for some sources of improvement. Because I don't know about you, but when my IBS is at its absolute worst it's unutterably depressing - and that's not really living at all.
Wait - I've gone negative again. Sorry about that. But the main point of this entry is to say that I feel good right now, and the only reason I feel good is that I looked for some help and found it. God knows whether it will last, but at least I'm trying not to learn to live with.
I'm really trying to get control of my IBS this year as well. As the old saying goes, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
It might just be me but it seems by now doctors should be able to diagnose IBS without that much trouble and be able to offer some solid advice. I've had this for 5 1/2 years and I'm just now learning that soluble fiber is much better than insoluble fiber for IBS. That should be one of the first things that comes out of the doctors mouth.
It's estimated that 1 in 5 americans has IBS and the lack of knowledge from a large portion of the medical community on this syndrome is frustrating to say the least. Okay, I'm done ranting and raving as well. Here's to everyone's 2006 as a year in improved health.
Hi,
I've been suffering for IBS for about 4 years now. I think it's great that you made a blog about IBS. I'm wondering if you have one of my problems:
When I wake up earlier than usual in the morning, my IBS symptom kicks in. I have lots of gas and within the hour I have cramps and I have to go to the toilet. It happens 1/2 times. It's weird that it happens when I wake up early. It's like if my bowel is rejecting for me waking up early.
Also, that doesn't happen very often, but when I do, I suffer like if I've been tortured. Last time it happened was in February in college. I arrived in class and the symptom kicked in. When I went to the toilet, the cramps were really strong and when the stools came out, it was getting worse instead feeling better. Then, some sort of small rash developped right besides my belly button. Then I felt nausious. Several minutes later, while more stools came out, I had to vomit at the same time! So I had no choice to vomit on the floor (better vomit on the floor than the diarhea) and then all of the sudden I was feeling better. It lasted for 30 minutes! The rash stayed for an hour or two.
So yeah..the rest of the times are let's say "normal" diarheas. It's annoying, but I get use to it. I deal with a lot of stress with college and stuff so..Anyways, we'll talk later!
bye!
Hi IBS sufferer - that's great that you're trying to take control as well. Good luck!
Stefano - sorry to hear about your major attacks. Mornings are often the major problem time for us IBSers, I think because the intestines have been asleep with us all night and then get rudely awaken with breakfast or just us moving around.
I have to say I've never had a rash, although I do know of some people who vomit when they have a really bad attack. Have you asked your doc about these symptoms? Unfortunately they may just be part of the delights of IBS but I would ask just in case.
Hi,
Yeah I did ask my doctor awhile ago and she said at first it might be some alergic reaction on food or lactose, but when I tested and it happened again she concluded it part of the IBS. High level of stress can cause that. Anyways, thanks for replying. We'll talk later!
hey i love how i can talk ot you people without getting embarassed about any thing. i have had ibs since i was born basically. My symptons are feeling sick a lot and sometimes nearlly being sick, i get bloated and i have constipation normally. i ament usually sick with ibs but sometimes i feel as if i am going to eb sick. i have constant cramps and usually most of this disappers in the afternoon but sometimes it can go on all day. i can have long periods where i am fine but the i can have an attack for over 2 weeks and it gets really frustrating
Hi, nice to be in good company,
I have suffered for over 6yrs in and out of hospital. has anyone had a large yellow lumpy mass in the centre of thier tongue?
I have had it 4 times but with no diagnosis, doctors and a dentist just shook thier heads.
Any ideas anyone in ibs land?
Thanks.
Tony, does the mass look like an infection (meaning pus) or more like a coating of paste that could be scraped off? Does the rest of your tongue look healthy. Eastern medicine believes that the tongue is the window to your internal health. Fissures in the tongue especially deep ones indicate long standing vitamin deficiencies. Shiny spots indicate allergy. Any type of coating (other than a thin transparent one) indicates infection or other illness or indigestion. I've bought into the theory lock, stock and barrel. Whenever my tongue is coated (more white than yellow like yours) I'm absolutely convinced it's an overgrowth of candida. I'll put grapefruit seed extract or oregano oil (very powerful stuff) on my tongue just out of sheer annoyance. I know its systemic and that means what I"m doing is only cosmetic. You need to take that stuff with water several times a day to get at it all. But I want that stuff off my tongue immediately and it does get rid of it - albeit temporarily. Good luck. Sharon
hi, I just figured out last month I have ibs im 16 years old and I have had alot of the prombles named above . I had to quit school because my weak stomach just couldn't take it , also sum days I feel very sick and confused i start to think this is all in my head and start to get dizzy/ panic attacks. I worry alot im thinking that might be the cause why it gets worse. also is there anything that gets rid of it all together or am I gonna have to deal with the forever?
Hi Ryan - the first thing to do, which is very important, is go see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. There are a number of conditions which can cause IBS-like symptoms, and you need a definite diagnosis before thinking about any treatments etc.
If the doc does say it is IBS then there are a number of different treatments you can try, and hopefully your doc will talk you through them - if not please feel free to come back here and post a message on a new blog entry and we can give you some ideas.
I hope you parents are supporting you through this too.
Well I have been in and out of the doctors office and the hosptal they said it could be alot of things , I beilve they though it was a alser I got a upper GI test done, I was gonna go for the lower but never did. I dont ever remember them saying anything about ibs but they might of , and also my mom has a history of gastiortist is this differnt ? Also would they be able to do a certain test to give me the right answer if it is ibs?
HI Ryan - yeah, gastritis is different from IBS, so I wouldn't have thought that was related. There's no real evidence that IBS is inherited, although it does run in some families, but not others.
There's no test to diagnose IBS, what the doctors do is either diagnose you through your symptoms alone or run a few tests to rule out other disorders and then diagnose you if those tests come back negative.
I would definitely keep pushing for a proper diagnosis if the symptoms continue to bother you, you deserve it!
yes my family doctor said it is very possilbe that i have ibs . also i wanted to know if colocerin works?