men and constipation - page two
The tale of...DG
I'm a 31 year-old man, and began having symptoms of IBS in my early 20's. It has, quite literally, ruined my life. Despite being very physically fit, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising daily, developing a bathroom "routine", and avoiding all unhealthy habits, I still find myself grappling with it on a weekly, or sometimes daily, basis.
I've done everything I've been told to do by physicians, and regardless, still find myself a prisoner of my own body. Every meal is like playing a game of "Russian Roulette". Am I going to digest my food? Or am I going to bloat, become constipated, nauseous, cramp, and have to fight the urge to stick my fingers down my throat?
As a result, I now limit myself to one meal per day. Which, unfortunately, quite often includes a "side order" of laxatives. To make matters worse, some of the foods that aid in the digestive process (ie: bran), I can't eat, as I have a serious allergy to them.
Almost every facet of my existence has been altered by this, in some form or another. I'm afraid to eat out at a restaurant with my friends, because I don't know how I'll react to the food. I'm afraid to make plans with anyone, as I have no way to gauge how my stomach will be that day. And because of its embarrassing nature, I can't exactly explain why to them.
Having many times to rely on laxatives often means I'm essentially confined to the house for a spell, until relief arrives. Simply put, it's a lousy existence I live.
E-mail address: the_d1g1tal_gh0st[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Jerry
I am 49 and have had IBS since my teen years. My family has some history of IBS, but I have always had it the worst. I was in a serious accident when I was 15 and hospitalized for three months. It was during this time that I had the first real bad attacks of IBS.
Things calmed down in my gut until my early 30's. My wife had serious medical problems which caused a serious amount of stress in my early 30's and this set off the bad symptoms of IBS that I have suffered from ever since that time.
I have gone to many top gastro doctors and none of them helped. They told me that this is not a life-threatening condition, but I was never worried about that anyway. I have the serious constipation form of the disease and I can go up to two weeks without having a bowel movement. Then, usually out of the blue (but it usually is related to eating), I'll get intense cramps.
If I can't go to the bathroom on my own I will take an enema. It usually takes two to three hours and three to four Imodiums before I am finished. I usually feel better for a few days after that and then the cycle starts again.
I have tried things like Konsyl, Citrucel, etc as well as various drugs such as Levsin, Donnatal, Bentyl, etc. I also avoid spicy foods, red meats, dairy products and stick to a very bland diet of turkey, chicken, potatoes, rice, tea, bread (but very little pasta), some fruit and vegetables and avoid sweets (even though I love sweets).
I have had episodes in my life where the IBS was under control and I functioned normally, but usually something happens that sets it off. For example, I was taking several tablespoons of Konsyl a day and having regular bowel movements over a period of three to four months.
Everything was fine and then, all of a sudden, I started having terrible gas. I tried to adjust the amount of fiber and change to another brand, but nothing helped. I went off the fiber and the IBS came back.
I have also found that regular exercise helps and this is good for you in any case. Clearly, avoiding mental stress is also important. I tend to agonize over things and that can set it off. Keeping a "level head" is very important for those who suffer from IBS. But this is all "easier said than done."
At this point, I am just alternating between constipation and severe cramps and long episodes in the bathroom. I am not happy about it, but I view the IBS as a disability I have to live with. People survive with much worse things.
I try not to let the IBS stop me from doing things I want to do. For instance, when I was a teen I played in blues bands in high school and college, but stopped in my 20's. In my early 40's, I started playing again and got to the point where my band tours nationally. Two years ago, I drove cross country on a tour. It was difficult and I ate very carefully, I lived on Pepto and Imodium, but at least I did it. It is a drag to have to live your life around your gut, but, you have to focus on what is positive in your life.
E-mail Jerry: jssrecords[at]aol.com
The tale of...anon
My boyfriend and I are 19. He has had IBS for years and was always embarrassed by it. He told me about it after he had an attack on a date. I thought he had appendicitis or something, but he seemed to know he'd be OK.
He gets really bad stomach pains and diarrhea/constipation if he eats something that bothers his stomach. He never complains and just says he needs to lay down cuz he's 'not feeling too good'. It seems like once he's having pains it's too late. No pills or reassurance can help him, it breaks my heart to see him in such agony. He looks ready to cry sometimes and I always wonder if he should go to the ER.
His parents don't seem very concerned and think he's just doing it for attention. As if anyone would fake such bad pains and spend that much time on the toilet. He says he would get pains as a child but they went away after he used the bathroom, but now that doesn't work.
I took him to emergency last week because his stomach was so swollen. The doctor said it was 'just gas' and acted as if my boyfriend was just wasting his time. How can people be so cruel and insensitive to other people's needs and conditions?
It's weird cuz sometimes he's fine for months and everything's great, then (usually when he's stressed) he'll start having pain. He says it's like his stomach is just filling with air and he feels like he's going to die. The nurse said his case seems very severe and has taught him breathing techniques to help him with the severe abdominal cramping.