teenagers suffering diarrhea - page three
The tale of...Joanne
I am a 19 year-old IBS sufferer. I have had IBS since...well birth, I can't remember not having it. I have horrific memories of my mum being called into primary school to hold my hand on the toilet. But right now, I am at the lowest point in my life. I have never experienced pain like this...
I was diagnosed by a homeopath when I was 10 and have avoided wheat, yeast, dairy and sugar ever since (mainly dairy - God, that's a killer!). I have seen an improvement since then.
However, about nine months ago things went from bad to worse...I was constantly getting thrush (does anyone else have this problem?? I was wondering if they're linked), bladder infections, agonising stomach cramps, I couldn't have sex without pain...Through all my years of keeping my IBS silent, I knew this was something big - this was no ordinary IBS attack.
So obviously I got tested for everything I could on the NHS and private health. No STDs, clear colonoscopy, it's just a bladder infection they told me! I have been in and out of every doctor surgery since...nothing, nada. I had an ultrasound scan that showed I had ovarian cysts - hurray, a find! But then I was told they don't cause that much pain??? So again, back to the drawing board.
So far I am clear of everything according to the doctors...BUT HOW IS THIS NORMAL?! I cannot live like this...every day gets a little bit worse. I am so glad I found this website so I can empathise with others - I just can't believe IBS can cause this much pain with no real diagnosis or cure.
Tonight for example has been another random, unexpected night of sheer agony...rolling on the floor, streaming with tears, punching my stomach just hoping this torture will end. Reading others' stories has helped me but I still fear the next attack. I can't live like this and was wondering what I can do???? I need support. I fear no-one understands my pain and they think I'm making it up for attention, because as many will know, at stressful times it gets worse - I'm talking "take me to the ER" worse.
I guess it's nice not to be alone, but I wish I was for the sake of all you sufferers out there, because no-one deserves to go through this and the fear of having it every day. I feel for every one of you and I hope we can lean on each other because I really need support right now.
E-mail Joanne: amazo_me[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Jesse
I am 15 years old and was diagnosed with IBS in 7th grade. I missed over half the school year due to my fear to go to school because of all the diarrhea I was having and then the pain from constipation. I had the worst doctor, he wouldn't give me a diagnosis, and when all my tests from the hospital came back normal he told my mom I was just saying all this to get out of school.
My mom was furious and switched me to another doctor who has IBS herself. She was totally understanding and diagnosed me right away after seeing my tests were normal. She suggested I saw a psychiatrist to help with the anxiety that was causing my IBS and put me on a dietary supplement for IBS called Digestive Advantage.
I began to see a psychiatrist but since he was a male I wasn't comfortable telling him all my stresses, and so my IBS just got worse since my anxiety wasn't going away. I became even more depressed. My mom was getting frustrated with me not talking to her and being shut up in my room all day crying.
I was afraid to hang out with my friends for fear that I would have an accident. I refused to go to school for the same reason. I was being home-tutored to keep my grades up. My mom's frustration made her less sympathetic and made me feel all alone. I finally told my mom I needed serious help because I didn't want to live any more.
She took me straight to the hospital where I was able to be in group therapy with people who had similar problems, and I also had a one-on-one therapy session and a family therapy session. Finally I was getting the help I needed. I had a doctor who helped me learn to handle my anxiety and learn how to live with IBS.
I was out of the hospital in two weeks and was a totally different person. I could laugh again and I was back to being the crazy fun person I was. I didn't have another IBS attack for a year and when that one come over me I was able to know how to handle the situation and take deep breaths. I do have to take my medicine regularly or my IBS does come back, but with regular visits to my new psychiatrist (who I love and can tell anything to) and my medicine I am able to control my condition.
I just want all you people to know that you can beat this, that it is possible, and when you feel you don't want to go on as I felt in 7th grade remember that there is so much for you to live for and with the right help you CAN beat this! If you ever want to talk to me about your experiences please email me, I love to talk to others who have been through the same as me.
E-mail Jesse: UnicornsRockMe[at]yahoo.com
The tale of...Melissa
At 15, all I want is a normal life. Unfortunately for me, I have IBS. I was diagnosed at nine, and since then my life has been a living HELL. No-one seems to understand and I feel alone.
My doctor thinks I am incapable of understanding what is going on in my own body, patronising me with a different medication or dose of medication each time I visit (which is almost every time I can grab an available appointment). I have had everything from Mebeverine to Buscopan (spasm relievers), but nothing has worked for me.
Personally, I cannot define what has given me this "disease"- stress?? Things have progressively worsened as the years have gone on. If only there was a way out. Drink water? Eat more fruit or vegetables? No-one seems to understand, except the people that go through it. I would appreciate advice and support from anyone in a similar position to me. I would like to wish every sufferer of IBS good luck for the future!
E-mail Melissa: melissa_220590[at]hotmail.co.uk
The tale of...Milly
Hi, I'm Milly and I have only just found out that I have IBS. It all started when I had fish and chips and got food poisoning on Christmas Day. I have always had a bad stomach from an early age, but not as bad as now!
Some days it is worse than others, but I always manage to have a crap even if it is little. The pain is really bad some days, I feel like staying home and dying on my bed as I feel that bad. I have had many doctors but put it all down to growing pains, but finally I had a doctor that did something about it and ever since I had her I have got better and started of with different medications.
At the moment my favorite place in my house is the bathroom and my bedroom. school isn't that bad as my friends help me along and I now have a great friendship with my school nurse.
So from having IBS I have become much stronger, and there is always the good sides of things so people with IBS I'm sure that you understand!
E-mail Milly: melissa03061992[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Rebbecca
I’m 19, and four years ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis. Following that I was given a laparoscopy and laser treatment. My pain went for a few weeks but soon returned and was a lot worse. I would have pain three or four times a week. But the pain that was once really low seemed to take over my whole stomach.
It was then that I realised the pain was often linked to constipation or diarrhea, or often both. I would get really hot and dizzy and felt like my whole insides were going to fall out or something. I was prescribed mebeverine four weeks ago and I can honestly say my life feels so much worse. The tablets haven't helped; the cramps are more frequent and more painful.
But along with this I feel so depressed I'm having panic attacks and can’t stop crying. It’s putting a real strain on my relationship with my boyfriend and I’m becoming really needy (probably due to feeling so low). Some days I feel like I can’t even get out of bed because I’m so tired and have very little energy.
I've lost over a stone which has put me down to under eight stone, my parents are getting on my back about my weight but don’t understand why. I need to find foods I can eat that won't hurt my tummy but don’t know where to start. I need advice from people who suffer with IBS not from people who think they know what will help. So if you have some real advice please email me.
E-mail Rebbecca: becky_1912[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Nicki
I'm 16. I just had my GCSE exams at school and had to do them separately...can't sleep at friends' houses or feel comfortable with boys. Scared and know I'll have it all my life.
E-mail Nicki: nixs222[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Sophie
Hi, my name is Sophie, I'm 15 and I think I have been suffering with IBS for roughly five months now. I suffer from constipation and diarrhea which alternates from day to day. I get very bad stomach pains which only last for a minute but they are very sharp. I do not like going to school with this and I am finding it very hard, although I have had help from friends and parents.
I constantly feel uncomfortable and I often cry about it as it gets me down a lot. My friends can all go out and have a good time with no worries but I always feel as though I haven't finished when I have been to the toilet, yet when I go to the toilet I suffer. All of my friends know about it and are very sympathetic although they don't know how IBS sufferers feel. I also don't like being with a group of people with what I have, and I do not like being in my exams with this. I have recently being feeling a little drowsy and having headaches.
E-mail Sophie: shnofie_bear[at]hotmail.co.uk
The tale of...Lorna
IBS makes you feel like you're the only one with it, it's horrible. I've had it since I was three, and I'm now 13, so it's kinda ruined my life. I'm just going into third year in high school and I've got tests to sit left right and center. I want to be a vet when I'm older so I'm trying not to let it take over my life. I get it bad but I suppose I just have to live with it.
E-mail Lorna: top_dog_32[at]hotmail.co.uk