I was speaking to a researcher from Channel 4 television the other day about a programme they are planning - hopefully they are going to produce a show about IBS, and particularly about the social aspects of IBS such as the problems it causes with embarrassing noises, smells, conversations and the rest of it.
The programme's still in its early stages so I don't know whether it will go ahead or not, but I think it would be good to see some of us on the telly!
I had to emit a wry chuckle though when I finished talking to the researcher and glanced down at the notes I had made on a post-it. You know what they were?
"Flatulence/fecal incontinence."
Ah, it's a glamorous life.
Jesus...it's a gorgeous life for all of us.
Sophie
Came across your web site and nice to know that there are other people with the same problem. All my family, fiends and work colleagues know that I have IBS but still not the same as hearing from other sufferers. I am 36 years old now and have had this since I was 16. Had all the tests done, at least once but all the Dr's have said 'its IBS' and there is not much they can do for me. I watch what I eat as much as possible, do not drink alcohol any more and try to get through each day as it comes. Best of luck. jim
Hi Sophie,
I just wanted to say great blog! I just read through every word, and it is good to know I am not alone. I am 35 and was diagnosed with IBS-D my first year in college. Uggh! At one point I could not even make it to the grocery store w/o having to turn back home for the bathroom. That was the worst episode of my life. I have good months and bad, have just learned to live with it mostly. Same reactions that all here have experienced, the docs all say not much they can do and take Immoduim AD. Of course, they panicked when I came in crying to say that I was taking a box a week and it wasn't helping. Still no help, so I haven't gone to the Dr. in about 5 years now.
Anyway, I saw a health show this last weekend where they were talking about a huge study that was just completed (7 years long or something like that). I guess they have found a link to IBS and serotonin levels in the digestive tract. I only caught the last 10 minutes of the show, so did not get all of the info., but they were not trying to sell anything, so I am more inclined to believe them. Have you heard anyting on this? I got online tonight to look it up and stumbled across your website. 1 hour later, here I still am. BTW... I have been suffering terrible this last 2 months with diahrea, and finally made an appt. to see the dr. this week. I am hoping in 5 years they have come up with something better than 'just think positive and it will get better.' I am again to the point where I cannot go out anywhere that involves not being very close to a bathroom. It hits me so fast these days. And I get horrible hot flashes with the pain! I got a kick out of one of your posts where you mentioned not wearing pants. Well, many a time have I been locked in a public restroom, sitting on the toilet and ripping my shirt off over my head b/c I was so hot I thought I was going to pass out. LOL!! Not funny when it is happening by any means, but funny to think back on it for sure. Hope we all get a real cure very soon! Helen
Hi. My name is shawni and i have a problem. I have really bad diarrehea. Im only 14 but ive had this problem since i was 11. I hate it so much. I hate going to school. I take this pill everday. It is not subscibed by a doctor. Im addicted to it. If i ever have to stop taking it, i think i would have a break down. I feel like noone knows what i go through everyday. I wake up every morning wishing i was home schooled. It is so embarrassing at school. When i ask the teacher if i can go to the restroom they always say no. Then i get so sick to my stomach and say i dont feel good just so i can go to the restrrom. When i get back, im gone for like 20 min and everyone stares at me so i say i barfed so i can go home. I've missed so many days of school. Some times i think about suicide but i dont want to do that. If i had one wish it would be not to ever have IBS again. Please help me. Give me some advise. Email me. Thank you.
I would like to see a proper documentary on IBS so that when I have to tell someone then they can go 'oh I saw something about that on the telly, it must be really horrible, you poor thing'. Well it's got to be better than 'what's that then?' or 'that old excuse'.
I'd also like to say to shawni (you can delete this out if you think it's inappropriate sophie). The most important thing is not to panic. I know it's really embarrassing but the sooner you tell someone and get it properly diagnosed, the sooner they can help you. You can get a doctor to write a note to your school explaining that if you need to go they should let you and then just tell people you have a chronic illness and you don't want to talk about it. That usually works for me when they start asking about why I'm off ill so often. If the school knows then they will take it into account when they sort out your grades and there will be support for you. One day in the future there may be a cure, but as you can see there's a lot of people on this site that all know what you are going through so you are not alone. If possible sit near the back so you can leave quietly and come back quietly but the most important thing is that your school knows what is going on so they can help especially now you are getting to the point where exams start to be an issue.
As a last note... how do you get new lines in the blog? I can never get it to format properly...
I just wanted to say that I also spoke to this researcher because I work in film/TV, and they are going to start work on it, it seems at the end of the month. So the more people they can get on TV, then it will def get made -and in a v sensitive manner at that.... how good would this be- to see every non-sufferer, sit back shamefully and go
"ohhh,I had no idea.I will be far more sensitive from now on!"
Hi Helen - there's been a lot of work done on serotonin over the past few years, and two of the first real drugs specifically made for IBS, Lotronex and Zelnorm, work on serotonin receptors in the gut.
It's definitely an interesting area, because 95% of all serotonin found in the human body is in the gut, and it has a clear affect on intestinal motility. If there is too much serotonin then you get diarrhea; too little and you get constipation. I like simple explanations like that!
To Shawni - I'm really sorry to hear about your problems, but please don't despair. The most important thing to start off with is to make sure that you have a definite diagnosis of IBS from your doctor. Try to get your parents onside if they don't already know - please don't be embarrassed about your symptoms, IBS is a genuine medical condition, and you deserve just as much sympathy and help as someone with any other health problem.
If you would like to then feel free to give my email address to your parents if they have any questions (or don't believe you when you say how sick you are...). I've had IBS since I was 12 years old so I know what you're going through.
Once your parents are onside then hopefully they can help with talking to the teachers about the fact that you MUST be allowed to leave class when you need the restroom, and also helping you with the doctors and making sure you do have IBS and not something else like lactose intolerance.
Please don't give up!
And to Liz - do you mean that it doesn't put in paragraphs when you press return? Hm, not sure about that, mine seems to format OK...have you tried pressing return twice or three times at the end of a line? Does it just delete the paragraphs after you submit a comment?