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, stomach pain, bloating, nausea and intestinal spasms. For more information about irritable bowel syndrome itself read the Introduction to IBS. NEW: full-length ebook about my struggle with IBS - only $9.99.

On this site you will find:

• stories from hundreds of IBS sufferers, including Sad tales, Happy tales, and Embarrassing tales
• articles about IBS, its diagnosis, symptoms and treatment, in the About IBS section
• products, fiber supplements and books recommended by sufferers in the IBS store
• my own IBS blog, containing the latest news on IBS and the views of Sophie the webmaster.

Are you a woman in the UK?

Then here's your chance to spread the word about IBS and help other sufferers get over their embarrassment and get some real help.

The Sun newspaper wants to interview/photograph women with IBS who are under 45 and live in the UK. The reporter wants to talk to women who have undergone unnecessary/embarrassing tests before establishing a diagnosis of IBS and, particularly, women who have had unnecessary gastrointestinal or gynaecological surgery/procedures because they had unrecognised IBS.

If that sounds like you then please email your name to sophie@ibstales.com as soon as possible and I will pass your details to the reporter (I am also being interviewed for this piece). It's so important to tell our stories - only by talking about our symptoms can we help each other. So PLEASE get in touch!!

To share your own IBS story just visit the Contact me page. Here's an example of the stories you can find on IBS Tales:

"I am 27 years old and have suffered with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for seven years now. I am amazed at what the human body, mind, and spirit can endure without dying. My IBS is predominantly constipation, although years ago when I first began having attacks, it was always diarrhea associated with large quantity, high-fat meals.

For the last few years, my IBS symptoms have changed from explosive, unpredictable diarrhea to having constipation at all times. I have experienced both, and honestly one is not any worse than the other for me.

With diarrhea, I would always get the relief from having the bowel movement, but the number of movements in one sitting could vary from one to dozens, painful cramps coming in waves before each loose stool. I already had two babies before my first episode, and for me, the pain of abdominal cramps during an episode is so similar to transition labor. It is that intense.

Now, experiencing cramps with constipation is totally different. The pain is identical, however I may or may not pass the bowel movement, which sometimes can be absolutely terrifying. Some episodes, while horribly painful, are so common to me that I know I will be okay. I have had about a dozen IBS episodes however where I was sitting on the toilet, cramping horribly, and totally unable to get anything out.

Non-sufferers can never understand the FEAR involved when you feel your first cramp (or whatever the symptom that tells you 'here we go again' happens to be). They don't understand the fear of finding a toilet, and FAST. The total urgency. For me, the urgency isn't even a matter of having an accident. I haven't yet, and doubt I will while in constipation mode.

However, the pain just makes you need to be alone in a locked stall, so you can just sit there and suffer quietly without people looking at you hold your gut and walk doubled over. I know the best bathrooms in every single mall, restaurant, plaza, and gas station in the entire city."

Recommended IBS products and reading

	Heather's tummy fiber works for both diarrhea and constipation and was developed by a long-term IBS sufferer.			Digestive Advantage IBS has been specifically formulated to help IBS sufferers.
	Listen To Your Gut is a book that can help you learn more about IBS and its origins and start to take control of your life.			The IBD Remission Diet can help inflammatory bowel disease sufferers get their lives back.
	Freedom from IBS Online Class This unique 8 week online class, designed by experienced biofeedback therapists, teaches natural breathing techniques to normalize intestinal motility, 24/7 personal coaching via discussion board and 3 months post class support.

Tsunami Relief

IBS Tales is grateful to be able to help promote a fund-raising CD called AID - Asia In Distress. The CD has been developed and co-ordinated by Michael Mahoney, MDHthp, of Cheshire England, who specializes in the treatment of patients with IBS through the IBS Audio Program 100, featured on this site, and his American associate, Marilyn, who has shared her IBS tale here.

"This CD is unique in that it brings together four distinct tracks, which I hope will provide something for almost everyone," said Mahoney. "After seeing the events unfold it was clear I had to help."

"We have brought together a team of experienced professionals, from many different companies and backgrounds both in the UK and USA, who have helped to make this CD possible. Musicians, sound engineers, CD duplicators, composers, graphic artists, packaging companies, school children for chorus backing, administration people and many others have freely contributed to its development and promotion."

This recording is an "extra" for those wishing to donate to the tsunami fund, in that they will also get something back in return, as it is meant to not only raise money for disaster relief, but also to bring the listener new information and understanding about this tsunami, provide a guided relaxation session to help mind and body along, and give spiritual uplifting and music for the listener to relax to in their own way. The CD can be obtained for a donation of $15 (which includes shipping and handling), over the internet from www.AsiaInDistress.com.

Everyone who participated in the making and promotion of the CD donated all of their time and resources, and all profits from the CD will go directly to the UK Disaster Emergency Committee and to Doctors Without Borders. Thank you for making a difference.

Link partners

Health and Fitness Directory

Regimint
Regimint is an herbal supplement that contains a fixed combination of peppermint and caraway oil in an enteric-coated capsule for relieving spasms associated with IBS. Take the IBS Challenge: receive a free one-month supply of Regimint and two self-evaluating questionnaires. Details are on the manufacturers' website.

Your link here?

Would you like to see your site on this page? If you have a health-related website, and can link to IBS Tales from a page with Google pagerank of five or higher, then send your link suggestions to sophie@ibstales.com.