Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation. Typically no abnormalities appear during standard medical testing, and so irritable bowel syndrome is identified by the symptoms. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause serious discomfort, the intestines are not harmed.
Hi. I was diagnosed with IBS (& Fibromyalgia) around 2004, right after being treated for an advanced case of Lyme disease. I had to take months off from work & claim temp.disability. Fortunately at the time I worked in a place that was like a second home & my small group of coworkers were family to me. But due to a host of other health issues, I no longer work there. I miss it but I don't miss the anxiety I would experience before & during work.
I've always had "bowel issues". I remember being given Ex-Lax as a young child, because I refused to void. I also have memories of being given enemas & how humiiated I felt....amazing that I remember that because I was only about 3 or 4. Anyway, I've often wondered if that habit of 'holding it in' contributed to developing IBS. (Of course I know that IBS is common for people with fibro, but like I said, I have had bowel issues all my life.) Any thoughts?
I've always had "bowel issues". I remember being given Ex-Lax as a young child, because I refused to void. I also have memories of being given enemas & how humiiated I felt....amazing that I remember that because I was only about 3 or 4. Anyway, I've often wondered if that habit of 'holding it in' contributed to developing IBS. (Of course I know that IBS is common for people with fibro, but like I said, I have had bowel issues all my life.) Any thoughts?
I have IBS but I also have candida which incidentally goes hand in hand.
Im not really able to offer any advice as I am new to this . but i wish you alll the best in your recovery
Your comment about "holding it in", I believe, is very telling. I'm one who doesn't believe in the suffering in silence thing. I think when life stresses us, we need to voice it, let it out, so to speak.
I can really relate to your writing about how your IBS affected your job. I worked at AT&T for 18 years before being downsized in 2002. During those years, because the money was good and I loved what I did, I had few problems with my IBS. When I did have IBS attacks, because I had been with the company for so long, my taking sick days or days when I had more bathroom visits than normal wasn't a problem. But, new employers and/or companies you haven't worked at for that long, aren't that understanding. I've been out of work for 15 months, and my IBS is definately something I think about as I look for a new job. At my last job, because the pay was much lower than I earned at AT&T, and I basically felt overworked and underpaid, sometimes I would have several IBS attacks in one day, which meant frequent trips to the bathroom. My manager never said anything, but, sometimes I wonder if that wasn't part of what lead to my being fired.
It's tough dealing with IBS. It just affects so much of your life, and it can be difficult to make people who've never suffered from it understand what you're going through.