IBS Tales

ibs tales - personal stories of ibs

IBS Tales is a site for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers to tell their stories and read about the experiences of others. Symptoms of IBS include diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. For more information read the Introduction to IBS or the Frequently Asked Questions.

Please note that none of the info on this site has been written or checked by a doctor, and is not intended as medical advice.
This site is run by Sophie, who has had IBS for 18 years. Read more about the webmaster here.

On this site you will find:

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what's new?

8 May 2008

Read a new sad tale from Trish in the diarrhea section.

4 May 2008

There's a new happy tale from Deirdre in the diarrhea section.

29 April 2008

Read new sad tales from LJ in the constipation section and Samantha in the diarrhea section.

20 April 2008

There are new sad tales from Katie and Roxie in the IBS and constipation section.

11 April 2008

Read a new sad tale from Marilyn in the IBS and constipation section.

5 April 2008

There's a new happy tale from Connie in the IBS and constipation section, and a sad tale from Stacey in the IBS and diarrhea section.

25 March 2009

Read a sad tale from Clark in the diarrhea section, another sad tale from Pat in the women and diarrhea section, and a happy tale from N in the women and constipation section.

 

top ten stupid things said to ibs sufferers

To get a free copy of the complete Top 10 list, plus a 60-page ebook version of my own IBS story, just join the mailing list.


1. “If it is caused by something you eat then you should avoid that food to feel better.”

Now, on the face of it, this is a perfectly logical thing to say – if you are doing something that hurts you, such as ramming a skewer through your foot, you are best advised to stop that activity.

However, the trouble with this particular piece of logic is that it assumes three things. First, that food is the cause of all IBS symptoms; second, that you know exactly what food is causing the trouble; and third, that you can easily eliminate that food without causing any more problems. None of these things are true.

This particular quote does make me angry because it also assumes that you, the IBS sufferer, are such a complete and total moron that you don’t even have the mental capacity to stop eating, say, oranges, even when every time you eat an orange you get sick. It is just not that simple.


2. “You should go to the toilet before we leave so we don’t have to stop on the way.”

This one shows that the speaker has not really grasped the phrase “irritable bowel”. It is not a bowel that malfunctions but then pulls itself together when we need to go visit Great Aunt Flo. Nor is it a bowel that can be relieved and then put back to sleep.

If I am going to have diarrhea in the car then that is where I am going to have diarrhea, whether I have been to the bathroom beforehand or not.


3. “Why don’t you just try this lovely bread/pizza/chilli, I’m sure it won’t hurt you.”

A rough translation of this is as follows:

“Why don’t you just eat a little of this food that gives you stomach pains that feel like there’s a chainsaw-wielding hacksaw-waving madman inside your intestines, I won’t be the one who has to deal with it and I’m a generally insensitive burke.”

Or words to that effect.


To get a free copy of the complete Top 10 list, plus a 60-page ebook version of my own IBS story, just join the mailing list.