women conquering constipation - page three
The tale of...Keirsten
I was diagnosed with IBS with constipation about four years ago. Things had just been slowing down gradually until it turned into full-blown, periodic constipation. It came and went, but gradually got worse as I got older. I tried Zelnorm, which worked briefly, I tried adjusting my diet, which worked briefly, I tried Metamucil which worked for a while, but eventually nothing seemed to help.
Lots of gas and bloating too. I started having problems with my stomach too - it just wouldn't empty, I was throwing up after eating sometimes, and I had belching and heartburn all the time. I went to see a naturopath to see what could be done (I had had some previous pharmaceutical misadventures and wanted to avoid prescription drugs if I could - lithium caused terrible, intractable constipation), and in the course of routine blood tests we discovered I was in the low "normal" range for thyroid. I was aware of that, but was not taking anything for it.
I began thyroid replacement therapy (Levothyroxine) and my stomach and bowel improved immensely, to what it had been four or five years ago. The heartburn, belching and regurgitation subsided, as did the gas and bloating. Later reading on the internet revealed that an underactive thyroid gland can indeed cause reduced contractility in the stomach and reduced intestinal motility.
E-mail Keirsten: keirstenlee[at]yahoo.com
The tale of...Emma
I have suffered with IBS my whole life. Having talked at length with my mum she even recalls when I was a flower girl in the local fete at four years old and having to call the doctor the night before because I was writhing in agony with stomach cramps. The doctor could give no explanation for this sudden stomach bug.
My main triggers are excitement or stress - if I ever get excited about anything I always get a bout of IBS. Holidays are the worst as I can always guarantee at least a few days of feeling really ill whilst I am away.
I am 30 years old now and have lived through some really bad times with the illness. Sitting for my GCSE exams was a living nightmare, going on holiday to the Far East for the first time just as bad. I have had more stress counselling than I care to remember. The only good thing is that I have a very supportive doctor who diagnosed me at 16 so I have always been up-to-date with all the current treatments for the disorder.
But I don't let it rule my life. I am sat here today writing this feeling so bloated I feel sick; I have not been to the toilet for six days now. But I am still at work and I will still be going out with my friends tonight.
The reason for this current bout of IBS is that I am in the first stages of moving house, so I have already accepted that I am going to be ill with IBS for the next few months until I have moved into my new house. They do say this is one of the most stressful times of your life!
My boyfriend asked me to marry him two months ago and we have set a date for March next year. I am excited, nervous and most of all stressed about the day. The one day in my life that I would love to be IBS-free is my wedding day. After the shock of him asking me had set in, I was sat on my own in my bedroom and I cried for hours. I don't know what I can do to stop me being bloated, constipated and generally in agony for my big day.
I love organising but I know I am going to get stressed about things, and of course as soon as I start getting excited about it I know I will be ill. This will make the day hell and the honeymoon not much better. It is a vicious circle, though as a long-time sufferer I am aware of situations that are going to make me more susceptible to being ill, but the more you think about how to prevent it the more you get wound up and you just end up getting it worse for longer.
I have spoken to my doctor and we have agreed I am going to take Valium for the week before the wedding. This is the only way I can think of to chill me out enough to not get ill. But it is sad that sufferers all around the world are faced with these options to get through their lives.
But I will not let this disease rule me. Yes it is embarrassing when I look pregnant because I am that bloated, yes it is hard when I am in the middle of a senior meeting at work and have the urge to go the toilet, and let's face it when you have to go YOU HAVE TO GO! But I carry on, I have the support of my friends and family.
If people don't understand and think I am a wimp for my behavior, I smile and move on with my life. It is a real illness and I sympathise with other sufferers around the world. There are times when all your friends have gone out and all you want to do is curl up in bed and weep you feel so bad, but there are good days and you have to make the most of those.
You can live with it. I am looking forward to moving to my new house and even more so to getting married and I am determined it will be the best day of my life!
E-mail Emma: emma.j.stobbs[at]baesystems.com