Weird. I’m writing my first ever blog about irritable bowel syndrome while sitting on the throne. Ok, I’m not actually typing on a laptop while on the toilet! That would just be gross!!! For the record I never thought I would be writing a blog. I always felt blogging was a little self absorbed. Why would I assume anyone would take interest in my boring life? All they would have to do is watch an episode of “The Office” and throw in some reruns from “Friends” and that sums it up right there. So, why am I blogging at all, much less about IBS, you ask? Keep reading.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the GI tract. Simplified, it means you either have chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea or a combination of both possibly being accompanied by pain, gas, bloating, or cramps. In other words, it’s a pain in the ass!!!! (For a more detailed definition of IBS and its symptoms, go here.) What it actually means to me, and many others with this condition, is probably as much the same as it is different for each of us.
As far as me, I’m lucky enough to have the combo. “Uhm, Yeah, I’ll have the spastic colon with a side of flatulence, please.” What it boils down to is either having a ticking time bomb go off that sends you sprinting to the nearest bathroom OR being doubled over in pain like a bloated whale. Fun, huh?
The real fun comes when you are trying to explain to people why you sometimes don’t do certain things “normal” people take for granted due to your unpredictable bathroom habits. For example:
- ROAD TRIP- Next rest stop 500 miles??? Are you kidding me?!?!?
- FLYING- When’s the last time YOU tried to hold gas in for 5 hours from LA to NY? Not to mention climbing over 3 people to get the bathroom just to get back to your seat and find out you weren’t exactly done yet. “Oh, crap!” is an understatement!!!
- DATING- Guy: “So, what’s your sign??” Me: “Restroom.”
All these and more precarious situations make living with IBS funny to those of us with a sense of humor but it’s also extremely difficult, frustrating and SCARY!!! In society today you’re not supposed to admit to having digestive issues, talk about them in public, blog about them without an alias, or discuss them in any manner that could make someone uncomfortable. You would think everyone is crapping out potpourri!!!!
So, that brings me to the reason for this blog. I’m coming out of the “water closet” to tell the world that I have IBS whether you want to hear it or not!!! 1 out of 5 people has IBS so you might as well get used to it. Chances are you or someone you know has it and it’s time we started talking about it! There is no known cause or cure for IBS. That could very well be due to the fact that no one talks about it and consequently no one is paying attention.
Keeping quiet about this not only causes it to go ignored by the general population and some parts of the medical community, it also stops those who have it from living productive and satisfying lives. Bringing IBS out into the open and raising awareness would be a huge step not only towards finding a cure to this disruptive ailment, but improving the quality of life for those afflicted and the people closest to them.
Silent sufferers could begin telling their doctors, friends and family without risking humiliation. I mean, let’s face it, life is difficult enough without throwing irritable interiors in the mix!! Let’s use our guts and get gutsy!!! Be bold for bowels!!! Pass gas in public!!!!! (Okay, that’s taking it too far.) You get my point. There is a change brewing. There is something in the wind. And for once it’s not me!!!! 
Stay tuned for more to come and please share your comments, suggestions, and ideas!!
23 Comments
February 26, 2007 at 2:05 am
You certainly hit the nail on the head for me. I don’t know how many meeting, movies, and Friday nights that have been “interrupted” by my IBS. To say the situation stinks is an understatement.
Doctors, of course, just tell you to eat right, exercise, and live a stress-free life. Try doing any of those things when the only thing on your mind is how many public restrooms are between your current location and home.
I laughed out load at the issue with getting back to your seat and realizing your not quite finished. (Sometimes I swear my bowel is truly enjoying itself and counting the number of times it can make me get up and down) You certainly have to take IBS with some sense of humor or it can truly be debilitating.
Thanks for the laugh and I enjoyed your blog.
Kelvin
(I also live in Portland so I guess its a good thing they are finally completing the new sewer project…when you think of all the sufferers, the Willamette just couldn’t take much more!!)
February 26, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Hi,
Nicole, I love your website…………….I am so glad finally someone has come out and said something.
I hate this stinky stuff and I am proud to meet someone who has the courage to write something about it and be honest and say what they think……
Keep the laughs coming……………………….
February 26, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Got the link to your blog from the ibsgroup forum. Have been living with the “combo” variety of ibs for many years but am a new forum member. My 13 year old son found it hilarious that his mom was a member of an ibs forum ! I’m going to have him read your blog – maybe he’ll understand his mom’s “gut rot” (as we call it at home) better and realize that I’m not crazy.
People don’t understand what it’s like to live with ibs – they don’t think of it as a real “illness”. Hopefully talking and laughing about it openly will make it easier for those of us who suffer from it and for those who have to live with us !
Thanks for being so honest,
Jodie
February 27, 2007 at 7:02 am
Hi Nicole,
I do not have ibs but i have people in my life that I love dearly that deal with this on a daily basis and i thank you for talking about it. I know how important support and understanding is to people who have ibs and i will make sure i pass this blog on to the people that i know and hopefully bring some awareness to this subject so we can get other people out of the water closet and start talking about it..I Cant wait for your next blog and thanks for the laughs:)
Thanks,
Abe
February 27, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Amen Sister, Amen. I loved the cartoon at the bottom. My husband gets very uncomfortable when I talk about my “issues” but I tell him to get over it. Thanks for the blog, had me laughing and I think this needs to be a better understood diagnosis instead of this catch all diagnosis. Like why do I have this? and how do I fix this?
Keep Bloggin’
February 27, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Hi Nicole,
I, like you started having symptoms at 19. First I was told that I had UC then as the years have progressed I have been told that it isn’t UC but IBS. I have symptoms that fall into both IBS and IBD diagnosis. I struggle most days to keep from passing gas but have come to realize that if people don’t understand then it is there loss. I have lost a lot of friends over the years that just don’t understand but am very grateful to find others like myself to talk to. Thanks for the encouragement. T.
February 27, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Hi Nicole,
Ah! The smell of honesty is in the wind and I might add, how refreshing (or is that my Caribbean mist Glade plug in). Anywho, I simply love your blog! IBS does suck, but digestive problems come with the whole eating food territory. Interestingly enough, I don’t seem to have a problem with my IBS, its the rest of the world that does. The truth is people can be more closed minded about taboo topics such as, IBS or anything that has to do with bowels or, dare I say, bowel movements than other less-than-sexy topic. Why is that? I mean if something goes in, it has to come out, eventually (I hope!). My stuff just comes out fighting :’).
Blogs, chats, and web pages are all important tools for those suffering with IBS. Not just to keep yourself abreast of all the new medical stuff out there, but also to fill the isolation void caused by IBS. Truly, the question should be, “is my IBS the problem, or is it society’s response to my IBS?”
Now that I am getting older (like I wasn’t before), I have accepted some absolute truths in my life.
1. IBS sucks
2. Life does not suck.
3. I have IBS.
4. My life does not suck. (Descartes would be so proud)
5. People who make fun of IBS suck.
6. My ex-boyfriend sucks. Lol.
Thanks for this blog and great pic!
March 1, 2007 at 2:56 am
You are so right. I found your blog very entertaining, as well. I, too, know the double-whammy that can come along with IBS. (Although I think it just may have something to do with over medicating myself so I can make it to school on time.) It would be wonderful if we could finally have some relief. I absolutely hate roadtrips. They are so painful and embarressing when you need to ask for a pit stop every two hours. (Appearantly my bladder doesn’t like me either.)
Keep that humor! We can get through this.
March 1, 2007 at 4:09 am
Hi~ came from your ibsgroup blog…
Your soooo right! ibs really sucks…
your blog’s sooo cool!
i enjoyed reading it very much.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
March 3, 2007 at 10:12 am
I just started a new job last Monday, and this week has been among the worst — new situation, lots of anxiety, lots of trips to the bathroom. Luckily, people like me exist out there, and I can read their stories to help me get through each day. At 26 and having suffered for about 10 years, I can say that I just have gotten comfortable enough to talk about it within the past two. I won’t let it stop me — slow me down as it may — from achieving my goals in life. I’m with Karla — I can spend my time saying “this sucks!” and let it dictate how I view life, or I can take some chances and see what happens. Sometimes I’ll end up back in the bathroom, but sometimes I just might enjoy myself! Great blog. I’ll check back for more
Thanks.
March 7, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I HAVE SUFFERED ALL MY LIFE, FROM DIAPERS TO THE AGE OF SIXTY THREE WITH DIARRAHEA AND I HAVE LIVED MY LIFE AROUND BATHROOMS, DIRTY AND CLEAN ONES. IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER, WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO YOU HAVE TO GO. I QUIT MY JOB AT SIXTY BECAUSE I LOST MY PUCKER POWER AND SO MANY TIMES I COUND NOT MAKE IT TO THE BATHROOM. I WORKED AT THE SAME PLACE FOR THIRTY ONE YEARS AND MY FRIENDS WE AWARE OF MY PROBLEM AND THEY ALL HELPED ME, BY GETTING OUT OF THE WAY WHEN I STARTED TO THE BATHROOM AND HELPING ME CLEAN UP WHEN I DIDNT MAKE IT. BUT IT HAS ALWAYS RULED MY LIFE AND I HAVE EVERY TEST THAT COMES UP AND HAVE TRIED EVERY MEDICATION KNOWN TO MAN, AND SOMETIMES THEY HELP FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STOP. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THERE IS NOTHING TO HELP ME BUT A COMODE ON MY BACK. MY DIARRAHEA IS LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND THERE IS NOTING HOLDING IT BACK, ITS STINKY, LOUD AND EMBRASSING. IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW. DOLORES(always looking for a comode) MCKIN
March 8, 2007 at 5:37 pm
“I laughed, I cried, it moved me.” That’s exactly it when I found your website. I’ve had IBS for about 10 or so years now. I’m 25 and I remember first being diagnosed when I was about 15 or 16 and thought, “IBS– that’s disgusting!” I remember more than once the fear of not making it to the bathroom in highschool… and now at work. I work downtown and make client calls every day. Sometimes I have to cancel last minute because of how bad things are. Next month I have a training seminar that I have to do out of town. I have to FLY there and take a TAXI with coworkers. Now, if I were going somewhere with my husband, that’s one thing. He knows me inside and out and understands what’s going on. Even my friends at work know a little. But seriously, I don’t want them to know it ALL. What am I going to do if I can’t hold it in the taxi? What am I going to do if I can’t hold it while in the plane and we’re trying to take off or land and I’m not allowed out of my seat???!!! I’ve never not made it, but believe you me, I’ve been close. My question for everyone here— I can’t find a Doctor that will help me. The last guy I saw basically told me I’m going to need to suck it up and take Immodium the rest of my life because everything else is too “dangerous.” Is anyone else on any prescription drugs for IBS? I don’t think I need them every day. When I’m home or at work I’m ok if I get sick, but if I’m out on sales calls or traveling— it’s not ok. HELP!!!
March 10, 2007 at 6:35 pm
43/m/ny/single
Cudo’s to you and this site. Nice job!!!
I wish we could some how manage to get this on OPRAH OR THE TODAY SHOW or something.
I have been dealing with IBS/D for most of my life. I’m 43 now about to be 44. Toughest part for me now is meetings at work and TRYing to DATE…. Does anyone know of a site for singles with IBS?
Oh well, my best to you and thanks for having a website devoted to IBS.
Thanks,
Bobby
March 12, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Thanks for speaking up! I’m just diagnosed but I’ve been suffering with it for years I think. I just went to the doctor because the abdominal pain was so bad I thought I was going to die.
I’m tired of not knowing what to eat, I’m tired of having gas, having pain, constipation, explosions, missing parties, going home early etc….. on & on. No wonder I’m depressed!
Clearly it’s a disablity and I aggree that more people need to speak up about it. I don’t know how many days I’ve missed of work!! Thank God that I have an understanding boss who just tells me to go home when I look like ****!
March 13, 2007 at 7:49 am
Finally, I found people who understand what I am going through. I also have both sides of ibs and have had episodes where i have not made it to the bathroom in time. It is the scarriest thing not knowing in a crowd where the bathroom is and if you find it, will you make it in time or will you be standing there with people pointing and laughing at you? I finally told all of my friends and family and actually a lot of them understand, but a lot of them don’t (or won’t) even after 9 years of this some of them just can’t get it. I have just come to the conclusion that it don’t matter what they think or if they even care. I decided about 4 years ago i was going to take my life back and do what i wanted to do because i am only going to live this one life and i can’t let it control me any longer. (although i do have bad days when it gets me down still). I have been to Hawaii twice and Florida (disney world) with my family. My kids (3 great boys) are understanding more as they get older. It really helps me I think to have friends and family that do care and do understand what i am going through. My best advice is to not let it get you so down that you become depressed. That will only make it worst. The best way to deal with it is just as Nichole is doing, with humor and this blog to let everyone know there are others out there just like you. Thank You Nichole !!!!!!!
March 26, 2007 at 3:00 am
Hi Nicole,
I found your site through RevolutionHealth, impressed you’re blogging about something so personal. Have you ever been tested for celiac?
Rob
April 10, 2007 at 3:00 am
Found you through WordPress.com’s tags after I just found out and posted about April being IBS Awareness Month (I knew before but forgot). I’ve had IBS-(mostly) D for 17 years, it got worse and worse until my GP (GP!!! not gastro!!!) suggested an old standby, PAREGORIC (currently 2 tsp or 10 mL/day), which has me down to one D attack a month on average. I live in the I-95 Northeast corridor, so finding a restroom is usually not a problem (vs. “next rest stop 500 miles” Out West). But I still can’t work or socialize much. Entertaining blog, Nicole! Thank you!
April 13, 2007 at 7:41 am
I cannot believe this website! It is so wonderful to find you Nicole and all of you responding. I empathize with every single comment. I have had IBS for 30 years now! It basically rules my life if I allow it to, but even when I do all the things that help, it is always in the back of my mind when I need to leave the house. I’m not 60 yet but it’s not far off and after giving birth to 4 children – IBS REALLY caused problems. But I’m a fighter and I refuse to become a recluse due to my bowel patterns. So here is my method -
My IBS is mostly diarrhea (uncontrollable at times) and a couple of years ago I was experiencing incontinence (the most humiliating time of my life).
I drink a huge cup of coffee in the morning which makes me go first thing. Then if I have the gotta keep going feeling in my gut I take Immodium. I have taken 5 Immodium before leaving the house on a few occasions. I don’t know about the rest of you, but stress in my life (good or bad) rules my bowels. So, if I have to be somewhere early and it involves performance on my part (teaching) – I really have to have a regime to follow or I can have a real issue in the car on the way to my destination. And, there are not any bathrooms to stop in at 6a.m. on the way! So, if I have to be somewhere at the crack of dawn – I don’t put a single thing in my mouth in the a.m. before I leave because I don’t know about the rest of you, but I feel sometimes like I have this direct pipe. I put something in my mouth and after I swallow it, 2 minutes later I have to go!
So for now, I’m dealing with it by taking these measures.
Thank you for sharing everyone – it helps knowing I’m not alone!
April 16, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Sue and Everybody,
Let me recommend an (additional!) site with a wealth of information lots of people swear by, if you’re not aware of it already: http://www.helpforibs.com/, by Heather Van Vorous, patient-expert (as well as a patient expert!) and author on the subject (“Eating for IBS,” etc.). For one thing, she ID’s caffeine as a major IBS trigger, so that huge cuppa may be doing you more harm than good I’m afraid. But I find her bi-weekly (or so) email newsletter extremely valuable, especially for keeping up on research. Plus, she answers emails! She also hosts a message board. I’m thinking of trying that self-hypnosis audio program she’s pushing – nothing else to do in my life at this time!!!
God bless.
May 8, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Tiernan, Thanks for the link. I will check it out. You know, coffee has been a blessing and an enemy at times with my IBS. I actually love coffee, but what I have found is that I need to make it work for me in order to drink it and enjoy it. What I mean by that is that I could never drink it first thing in the morning, jump in the car and drive to work. There would be a major problem in the middle of the freeway with a woman panicking over the immediate need for a toilet! Instead, I either drink it way before I leave and allow it to work for me by making me go before I get into my 45 minute commute, which is helpful because I won’t have to go, or will not have to go as urgently if I go before I leave. This is how coffee can be my friend. Or, I just wait until I get to work and get started with my job and then sip coffee when I am near a bathroom. Taking Immodium – one daily keeps things not so urgent and not fluid which helps me have control.
I’ll be interested to see what this diet consists of – because the more carbs I eat the worse my IBS attacks become. So, I love the Atkins and South Beach way of eating.
Sue
June 14, 2007 at 12:21 am
Hi Nicole,
Maybe you can try my recipe.
It’s very easy and cheap recipe.
You can find it in this link:
http://www.colitisfoundation.com/dcforum/DCForumID13/2530.html
cheers,
Evan
July 23, 2007 at 11:13 am
This is as BLunt as it gets and it’s what everyone with IBS wants to say!
Speaking of road trips, I took one with my church for an event called… “The Call” from Las Vegas to Nashville… if you CAN imagine that. I knew 1 person (and I didn’t even know her that well) on the 12 passenger bus that consisted of 12 passengers, boys and girls YEAH! So, as you can see cramped (oh the world alone is so painfuL) in a bus with people I don’t know, cute guys (of course) and only 2 windows available at the front…… this was a NiGhtMaRe waiting to happen.
I had stuck to the only think I hoped and prayed for which was …. not to eat Anything. I thought I’d be safe knowing if I didn’t eat anything there would nothing forcing it’s way to come out right? Well, lets see shall we……. skip ahead to on the way back home. It starts, I get the excrutiating abdonmial pain, complimented by holding of the gas for about 4 hours. I start to sweat and move uncontrollably as though I had Ants-in-my-Pants.
Of course I have gotten to know these people pretty well on this Ever-long trip to Nashville and 4-day vacation so you see I had to let them know the sroty and I did. Kind and Loving church people thank God, they were so supportive and ppraying for me while making 50 million stops for trips to the bathroom.
You should not be embarrassed about IBS because it is something out of your control, had you just been gassy and gotten the runs and ruined everyones trip for satisfying your out of control fleshy desires for Mexican food then you could have been in for an embarrassing experience with none to blame but yourself.
I’m glad I found this sight, God Bless you all!
February 19, 2008 at 12:41 am
(Reposting from Tiernan O Faolain)
Found you through WordPress.com’s tags after I just found out and posted about April being IBS Awareness Month (I knew before but forgot). I’ve had IBS-(mostly) D for 17 years, it got worse and worse until my GP (GP!!! not gastro!!!) suggested an old standby, PAREGORIC (currently 2 tsp or 10 mL/day), which has me down to one D attack a month on average. I live in the I-95 Northeast corridor, so finding a restroom is usually not a problem (vs. “next rest stop 500 miles” Out West). But I still can’t work or socialize much. Entertaining blog, Nicole! Thank you!
Sue and Everybody,
Let me recommend an (additional!) site with a wealth of information lots of people swear by, if you’re not aware of it already: http://www.helpforibs.com/, by Heather Van Vorous, patient-expert (as well as a patient expert!) and author on the subject (”Eating for IBS,” etc.). For one thing, she ID’s caffeine as a major IBS trigger, so that huge cuppa may be doing you more harm than good I’m afraid. But I find her bi-weekly (or so) email newsletter extremely valuable, especially for keeping up on research. Plus, she answers emails! She also hosts a message board. I’m thinking of trying that self-hypnosis audio program she’s pushing – nothing else to do in my life at this time!!!
God bless.