I hate ibs

A collection of reasons why we hate IBS!! All submitted by suffering IBS Tales visitors...Feel free to contact me with your own reasons!

"I'm 17 years old, this should not be happing to me - elderly people worry about if they have a bowel movement or not. It sucks that I have to watch what I eat and always be in pain because of it and nobody really understands me except other IBS sufferers."

"Other people are sick for a week and they get fussed over, food made for them, blankets brought to them, and generally an amazing amount of sympathy. I'm sick for years and years and somehow I'm less deserving than they are. Is that because I'm making it up? Or because IBS isn't real? Or I should just snap out of it?"

"Oh I have good days, and sometimes good weeks, and occasionally a good month even, but it always comes back and gets me. It's such a struggle to know that there's really no end in sight, that I'll have to deal with this tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow."

"I'm sure all my friends think I'm weird when I always refuse to go stay with them, or sleep over, or because of the fact that I never go on holiday. It's just one night, they think. What's the problem? What do you mean there might not be a bathroom, there are bathrooms everywhere! What do you mean you might not be able to have a bowel movement with the pressure of other people around? What pressure? Are you nuts?"

"The pain is usually so intense that focus on school or work becomes impossible! There are many days and weeks that I spend curled up in a ball because the pain is so intense."

"I hate IBS because people think you are just a worrier looking for sympathy, and that you could just ignore it, haha."

"I am usually constipated, but when I have to go there's no stopping me. One of these unstoppable occurrences happened the day of the Chicago marathon this year - and I was a participant. During my 18-week training program, I would often think that "it" could happen that day, but simply hoped it would not. Well, it did and it truly was unstoppable. It was so angering after such long, hard training. I finished the race, but not happy with my time or my comfort."

"The fact that it hits at the most inconvenient times."

"Walking through Wal-Mart or other large store...your heart beating faster as you approach the restroom....Will I make it in time? Only to the see the "This restroom closed sign" when you arrive. That horrible moment when you know you have to find a place to relieve yourself quickly or it will be the most embarrassing moment of your life. "

"I can really identify with this list of how "I hate IBS" because basically it has ruined my life the past year. I have lost a job, a house, most of my family and friends due to this crippling "so-called disease" that NOBODY UNDERSTANDS. If I appear angry that is because I am, terribly so. I also have crippling migraines and I am going for surgery for a severe carpal tunnel problem, next week. I live in chronic pain in the left side of my pelvis. It has made life very difficult to say the least."

"I just had company come from New York and I had to stay in bed during most of the visit because of IBS. They think that I am crazy. The gas and explosive bowel movements sap any living energy out of me. I am a single parent now living on social services which doesn't even cover my rent. I am sooooooo angry at my body betraying me like this."

"I am sick of living with constant fear and never being able to plan anything in advance. My long-suffering husband has to book holidays as late as possible, cancel theatre trips and always go for aisle seats or none at all. I'd just for once like to say "Yes, I will definitely be able to go that day" and do it."

"Can't have fun with my friends, because how do I explain having to go to the bathroom every half-hour, and oh!!!!! If I don't make it to one, that's it!!!!!! Ew messy messy messy!!!!!"

"No-one understands when I say I can't go out or I can't go on that trip. I am now trying to volunteer my time on the weekends and it is even interfering with that. I get nervous because there is no way I can use the bathroom without being completely humiliated. One time I even held up a plane because I was in the bathroom - talk about embarrassing. The pilot made the announcement as I was walking out of the bathroom to stay in your seats because we missed our take off window. I think half the anxiety that triggers my IBS spells is the anxiety of worrying when it will strike next! "

"Eating becomes something I must plan for fear of making a run for the bathroom immediately after (or even during) a meal, so if I know I have somewhere to go and haven't taken my Lomotil, then I won't eat until I know the med. has kicked in."

"I am 12 years old and last year I found out I had IBS. It stinks because I have to go to the doctor more than all my friends and I have to go to Wisconsin children's hospital every month or so. I have REALLY BAD days and I can have GREAT days but the bad ones are hard to deal with. I can't concentrate in school and I can do some sports that day or week or sometimes I have to even QUIT! I HATE IBS and I wish I never got it !"

"My name is Jesse, I'm a 34 year-old male IBS sufferer. My life has been a living HELL for the past 15 years. It started when I was in the air force. I haven't known a day without pain since then. At times, because of lack of sleep, I doubt my sanity. I have an appointment at the local Veterans' Hospital in Lubbock soon. I pray they don't dismiss this as a "mind" problem. I've been to the V.A. before without much success. I'm at my wits' end with this terrible condition. "

"I am 17 and I have been dealing with stomach problems since I was eight. A couple months ago my doctor said he thinks it's IBS. Through my whole life I have not been able to travel, and I miss more days of school than anyone I know. My stomach hurts mostly in the mornings, and forget about eating McDonald's.

I hate it mostly because of moments when I'm at somebody's house, and have to use their bathroom, and then the thought that I'm at somebody's house makes my stomach kill more, I don't even care about the pain though because I have not had many days in my life where I feel no pain, so I got used to it. "

"I have had this problem for almost a year. I have constant bloating, pain, discomfort, constant trips to the bathroom and everything else that comes with this problem.
I had every test in the hospital, only to realise that I have IBS. I've had many, many bad days when I just want to lie in bed and not do anything. I'll get fired from my job soon, I am sure of that. "

"I have many bad tales. I am a lecturer and I have to take many days off. I am in China now, but I am returning home to start a business because I can't do lecturing anymore. It is a big shame because I like it. Even on days when I have no pain I have chronic bloating. "

"I can't stand it. My stomach is always getting bloated and the effects of it (ie: releasing gas in the most inappropriate times and most of the time) are quite beyond my power. I've tried cutting out milk etc but it's not working, I'm on tablets but they don't help...aaargh!!!!!!! I'm only 16 and it just gets in the way when I want to have fun with my mates cos it makes me feel low and too uncomfortable to do much!!!!!"