Sad

Digestive health
1

Hi , I was recently diagnosed with IBS.

Since then my life has changed - and not by my own conscious decision .

New life:

- pain , pain pain every single day. Yes some days the cramping and the pain is better then others but can we please not categorise mild pain and nausea as a good day.

A good day before was waking up doing a bit of exercise , having an actual meal of eggs and bacon or toast and peanut butter and coffee or whatever the he'll I felt for before setting out the rest of my day.

A day not filled with pain, a day where food does feel like torture. A day that's actually filled with some brightness regardless of the plans, cos I had an able body an able gut.

I exercised by my own choice, reduced the sugar in my coffee by my own choice and ate a side of vegetables instead of oily fried chips by my own choice.

Now I don't get a choice. Eat only this and avoid anything that smells or looks delicious cos it is now bad for me.. I want to sit in my room or runaway the moment I get the smell of "normal,regular" food because that's what I would rather eat.

I'm not saying all vegetable , or gut friendly foods tastes bad but I did not choose to be on this overly restricting diet ! So run , hide in my room or just avoid a normal social life cos it's torture being in a room filled with able bodies enjoying life , enjoying food ...

Exercise that's supposed to help deal with my sadness. Another method that's no longer my choice but something needed to relief IBS symptoms.

IBS and symptoms and diet and information and home remedies and this medication or that article or this website.... This is my new days. Nothing about this is bright. It's not a good day cos the level of cramping is less or because the meal I eaten was prepared excellently.

There is never a good day with IBS. It's just a new life. A life filled with rules and symptoms and diets. A life that "happiness" or brightness has to be measured on a different scale to regular normal way of life cos essentially nothing can compare to the freedom of your own meal and absolutely no pain.

So be grateful for my "good"days. Keep to my diet cos the cramping has reduced. Some how bring myself to exercise to control my anxiety to reduce a possibility of a flare up. An IBS full day and let's not forget about my constant occurring yest infection. .

I am struggling and I'm afraid to accept this as my new life. I miss my life.

2

I am so sorry to hear about your suffering with IBS.  The one thing that really helped my IBS to dramatically improve was my diagnosis and learning to laugh at stressful situations.  I am a writer and I lampoon situations that would have upset me in the past and even poke fun at myself. Stress is my trigger and changing my mood has kept my IBS in remission.

3

Hi, have you tried Chia seeds? I think Chia seeds are something special, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in a glass of water, soak for at least 20 minutes stirring well, they will go glutinous, add some juice for taste, juice I optional, and drink, repeat about 3 times per day.

4

It sounds to me like you might benefit from going on the low FODMAP diet.  It excludes a lot of food which ferments when digested, that can cause a lot of cramping. Look it up on line, you’ll find a lot of information . My dietitian recommended it to me and it’s helped quite a lot. 

5

No, this is not your new life!! Just a temporary period you are facing currently. This is a message to you from your body asking for change! But not limited to your.diet...More on inner peace! Please observe and understand... you will find a way!! Wishing you a good and healthy life...You will have it!

6

Hi all, thanks for all the advice.

*martin31040 I have not tried chia seeds but I do take Apple cider vinegar everyday and that seems to help with the cramps. Will look into the chia seeds, thanks.

*Fa54321 yes I do use FODMAP, the internet has been a great help with this and I am started to see an improvement with the diet.

Dealing with IBS gets really emotionally over barring with at times and I think I am struggling with this the hardest and I guess it does not help my condition when I can't push though the pain or find the motivation to exercise or try these simple yoga techniques i have read about.

7

Hugs... 

Have you tried the low fodmap diet?

Exercise is indeed good for stress and anxiety - wishh I can do that too...

I have recurring yeast infection too and it's down there, skin is too thin it has lacerations. 

8

Hi Taniiee

I'm sorry to know that you are going through the struggle of a yeast infection as well.

Have you tried ant natural remedies?