IBS is really messing up my life

Hey JT, I am so sorry you are feeling so bad. Trust me I know what you mean. My life has totally changed. I take it day by day and hope for the best. I also understand about being lonely and scared. The thing is JT you are not alone. There are so many people out there with IBS. Yes it is difficult to deal with it, but you can't give up, because you never know what might happen tomorrow. As for why this has happened to you or I, honestly I dont know why, but it has. Just an opinion, but I would try and look at the positive things that you can do. Such as read about IBS and things you can do to improve your situation. Yes I know this is difficult, but trying JT is half the battle. Don't give up. As for a haircut see if you can find someone else to do it for you. Try and think positive, do things that make you happy even if it's one thing a day. Take a bubble bath, read a magazine, if your religious pray to God, read the bible. Also remember there are people out there that are worse off than you are. Yes I know it doesnt seem to matter at the moment, but if you surf online you might find things that interest you and will take your mind off of the IBS. I hope you feel better soon. take care HUGS ...Lora

I've been at this for 10 years so I can understand your frustrations. I didn't have IBS before my rectal cancer and colon resection but I have severe IBS/like symptoms as a result. So many situations tend to freak me out too. IBS has greatly affected my life too. My husband and I used to socialize more than we do now. At first I worried it was because of my symptoms but he's settled into being a homebody too. I keep asking if he wants a very busy, chock full social schedule like a few relatives and friends that we know our ages (early 50s), but each time he says no. He likes being home more. Which is a relief. But I do worry I've held him back! But there are times I worry too - for example, the hairdresser's chair. Sometimes I'm less chatty so she can concentrate on cutting my hair as quickly as possible or I'm saying silent prayers I don't let off offensive but hopefully silent gas. I just somehow get thru it. Same with the dental chair. OMG! I told my hygenist my worries one time and she said - oh please, we have to wear these masks, don't worry about anything. But there are no walls at my dentist's office, so smack dab next to me are other patients and hygenists on either side of me! Sometimes just the thought of an urgent bm or offensive gas, worries me to the point that my insides are churning and a mess. It's almost as if I wish I could hypnotize myself. I've missed Orchestra concerts because I had eaten dinner before a concert. Having to listen from a high school's lobby because I had to use the bathroom several times within 1 hour. But I finally learned that if I fasted, I could get thru almost anything. So my motto became - no input, no output. Not sure if that would help you or not. But it helps me. By now my family knows my routine - if we see a play, we do so ~before~ a meal. And I want the end seat, for a quick escape if necessary. My worst scenario would be to be stuck in the middle row of an old theater (tight, small seats, no leg room). If I have to leave a play in the middle of a row and in the middle of a play, OMG! That is enough to give me a full blown case of D. So I don't even sit down. If an usher says - oh here are your seats. I just look at that seat, look at my family and say - see you after the play.

I no longer apologize or try to make what used to be normal situations work for me, if I know they are impossible to make happen now.

I just back out. Flat out, say goodbye!

But it is hard to manage this day in, day out.

So please feel free to vent with us, anytime. I love this place. If I hadn't somehow stumbled upon this forum, I swear but I don't know what I would have done! I've never found an in person IBS support group in my town. I've only encountered 2 people in my area that have struggled as I do. One refused to give up her former diet and had so many troubles because she wouldn't try new diets, approaches, etc. I had to let her go and haven't heard from her in years. I mentally wish her well but I no longer want to hear from someone who doesn't even try to better her situation (major colon resection due a GYN surgery that went horribly wrong). The other had cancer like me and is elderly, 76. She doesn't use the internet and calls me from time to time for suggestions. Or just to vent. She's so sweet but worse off than I am. I just listen and lend advice if asked. That's it - two people in almost 10 years!

So thank you Healing Well for being here!

I'm done....my 2 cents worth anyway. If your GI tract is out of whack, it affects SO many other areas of your life. I never ever would have guessed my life would revolve around my GI tract and a toilet. Sigh.....but it does and will for the rest of my life.

I wish you my very best as you try and manage your symptoms jt80. It's not easy.....
Mary

purdylady - thank you. I manage, one day at a time. It will be 10 years this June (when my temporary colostomy was reversed) that all this IBS "fun" started. 10 years. Hard to believe. Back then I could barely leave my bathroom (until I went on a low residue diet and pretty much gave up all high fiber). I still eat this way at least 75% of the time. Can sneak in chocolate, more fresh fruit (but in moderation) but avoid berries, whole wheat products, etc.

Back to JT - we're here for you if you need to vent. It's a daily challenge managing all of this. What I find the hardest is trying to maintain IBS symptoms in a non-IBS world. If a person looks fine on the outside, everyone just assumes you are fine on the inside. They can't even begin to understand what we go thru. Sometimes I ask them how they feel when they have an intestinal bug. They describe it, in detail. When they're done, I say - well I feel like that, most days. Not all, but at least 50% of the time. Their eyes open wide! But then they quickly assume we can take meds to stop the symptoms. This is when I lose them everytime. Sure meds work for some of us but not all. I'm a firm believe now is preventing the symptoms from starting, not stopping them once they start. I prefer to eat foods that create as normal a bm as possible for me now. Does it work - more than half the time it does. But little things do mess me up. Stress, getting a cold, the wrong foods, etc.

Sure wish there was a magic cure for us.

Hang in there.......at least here we all know what you're going thru. Even if we don't share your exact symptoms, most of us can relate in some way, shape or form.

MY HEART IS WOTH YOU IT IS THE WORSE ILLNESS EVER I SECOND THAT I HAVE CONSAPATION ALL TIME SO I DONT NO HOW YOU FEEL BABES

BUT ALL I CAN SAY IT GO TO A BARBERS THAT YOU NO IS QUITE AT SIRTION TIMES AND TELL HIM WHATS WRONG WITH YOU AND WERE TOLITE IS AM SURE HE WILL UNDER STAND

MAKE SURE YOU PLAN AHEAD HAVE MEDICATION WITH YOU AND HAVE A SOULBLE FIBER DIET DAY BEFORE AND NO SLIP UPS

I HOPE YOU GET WELL AND HAVE PEACE SOON

AM THE SAME DONT MOVE COS CONSAPATION SO BAD HATE IT I WANT TO BE DEAD

Hi guys thank you for your kind words and sharing with your experiences wow I really wish I were able to meet you guys in person then dealing with IBS would not feel so lonely.I could have someone to share my experiences with and would be able to relate that is what I really need you guys are a blessing to me really.I'm reminded every time I come on here that I'm not the only one, there are others out there like me dealing with this.It was worse in the past I've gotten my symptoms to where I know when to eat what not to eat and I always feel better after a good bm where I'm able to go out for the rest of the day knowing I will probably not need to go use a restroom in public.I still have not gotten a haircut my fro is ridiculous lol but I plan on trying to go on Thursday and get it done keep me in your prayers I'll be facing my fear head on and when it's over I'll feel sooo relieved lol.I will be sure to let you know how it went and the other fear I have taking public transportation I just have this fear of sitting down enjoying the ride then suddenly feeling the urge to go use the restroom and having to get off to go run and search for a restroom.I've had many a nightmares about this lol.Do you guys have nightmares relating to your IBS? I do at times lol at times it feels so real then I wake up right away and am like daaam even in my dreams lol.about my neighbors I'm not moving cause of them I'm moving cause I found out my landlord is not going to renew my lease in March so I need to start looking which I have been but the worry of not finding one in time sucks.Guys I really appreciate you you all are like people I come to make me feel better and not so alone you truly each are blessings to me and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.Well as always wishing you all good digestive health take care all. x0x0x0

jt...I really feel for you. Although I'm a woman...I can really relate! I've had diarreah for 10 years..but I found a remedy...I usually say a cure...but it's not really a cure..but it is control and I'm thrilled with that. I just posted my long story to anohter thread, so I wont' post it here again....but do read it and Dr. Habba's site..(habbasyndrome.com).I think you'll find some answers there.  I too questioned..why me?....I still do not know and maybe never will...but I do hope I can help a few people get better....here's a brief part of my post ......................

What I'm now taking is: a power you mix with water, 2 times a day, named  Cholestyramine. I also keep on hand, all made up in the frig, the beet recipe(which I hardly ever need now, but it's like a security blanket for me, so I keep it all made up in my refrigerator :). The beet recipe is 1 grated up organic beet, juice from 1/2 a lemon, and 2 table spoons of fresh flax oil(you can get the oil at a health food store), but you will need to go to the web site (gallbladderattack.com) to see how often you need to take it and in what amount.

In my case I needed all 3, the diet, the Cholestyramine, and the beet recipe. I'm now feeling fine and eating many foods I've not been able to eat for many many years. After all my reading, I think (and hope) this is really an answer to my problem. I hope you all have as good luck as I've had......my best wishes to all of you...I know how you feel!

hey marsky and everyone else, i have had ibs for three years this coming summer. It's a bugger I tell ya. I hate the abdominal pains. sometimes i can barely get through the day. i try to keep myself busy, but some days it just takes a hold of me. i consider  myself lucky because i am ibs-c. i do eat high fiber cereal. i mostly drink water, but like human beings i do eat chocolate and drink an occasional coke and sometimes other foods i shouldn't. not sure about you guys but it is difficult to keep a positive attitude. like we said one day at a time. i do hope everyone is doing well. take care all..hugsss lora

Hi JT

Is your IBS food triggered or emotional or both? I've had IBS for about 2 or 3 years now and I really get what you're going through. For me, it's an emotional thing. It started out because of a stressful situation that I guess I internalized a bit TOO much, and now it's turned into an anxiety issue. I understand what you mean about playing through the "what ifs" of every situation. What if I go to the mall and I have to go? What if I'm in someone else's car and I have to go? Do I tell them to stop at the closest coffee shop? Do I tell them WHY?! It's stressful and embarassing. BUT I recently have done a couple things that have done me a lot of good. First was I went to see a naturopath. My family doctor was really not helping me, so I took matters into my own hands. So far so good with my naturopath, she's brought me a long way in just a few short weeks. Secondly, I was more honest with my friends about what was going on and why I had seemingly become somewhat of a homebody. Not one person was judgemental. It's like the book says, everyone poops! So if you need a haircut, I think you should really try what others have suggested and call ahead and explain that you may need a washroom while getting your cut. People are kinder and more understanding than we all assume, especially to someone with medical issues. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you get that haircut soon. It would be a milestone on a longer road. Baby steps.