women suffering constipation - page one
The tale of...Rebecca
OK, where do I start with this...Well, I have had IBS now for 10 years. It is mainly the constipation and bloated feeling that gets to me most, however I feel that I am a textbook case when looking at the symptoms associated with IBS.
It is true to say that certain foods do not help, I try my best to find out what they are but behold I am still trying to find the enemy food...I have been to a private dietician and she has said that I am intolerant to wheat and yeast, but looking at labels in shops many if not all foods have either wheat, yeast or both.
When I have an attack of IBS I feel totally useless and most of all I feel a total burden on my partner, I constantly complain to him about how I am feeling but I am sure he thinks it's all in my head and that I am obsessed with the issue of my stomach...To be honest with everyone, I would not want my worst enemy to suffer from this awful illness, to me it is an illness, an incurable one.
For those who suffer from IBS I really know what you go through, especially the constipation type. Stress is also a factor and I have also thought that hormones also don't help very much as I always find that it is much worse each month after my period has finished...I have missed a lot of work and feel that I will lose my job eventually, it's not a very good one but how many more jobs can I go through because of IBS?
I graduated from university two years ago and feel that IBS is a never-ending saga which just creeps up on me when I feel I have finally got a grasp on it. I want a successful career but at the moment living everyday is all I can manage to get through, even that is often hard work and I find myself curled up on my bed with a hot water bottle (not knowing that this is really helping me!!!) and dreaming of the day when I can live a normal life with a normal bowel which works everyday, not when it wants to.
I am living in the south-west of the UK and would like to set up a help group for anyone in this particular area with IBS and constipation. Please get in touch, I look forward to hearing from you.
E-mail Rebecca: rtrimnelluk[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Misty
Well I've been suffering for about 10 years but just recently learned that my condition wasn't normal. It wasn't until I started talking to my friends that I learned you're actually supposed to 'go' once every day and I was suffering from bad constipation. I go once every 7-10 days, maybe longer. Food is my enemy.
If I have plans for the night, I try not to eat. I can't stay out very long anymore because my stomach will bloat, and I'll look six months pregnant. My stomach fills to the point that I get shortness of breath. I writhe in pain, and nausea. My son, who is three-years-old, is showing signs of IBS also. I just hope it's my over-protectiveness shining through.
I finally went to the doctor and he mentioned IBS and as soon as I read some stories, I knew, finally, what was wrong with me. It was such a relief, yet I cried because I know that I have to live with it for the rest of my life.
I thought that once I saw a doctor, he'd make everything better and I would finally have a life. No more hiding from my boyfriend because I felt like I was going to pop, no more turning friends down for a night out, and no more telling my boyfriend he couldn't stay the night because I felt sick. How do you explain your utterly embarrassing constipation problem to anyone, never mind your boyfriend? I am so jealous of people who can go to the bathroom, how strange is that?
I'm humiliated and scared. I feel like no-one understands. I take laxatives regularly, now I'm switching to enemas in hope of some relief. I can't even be social, because my stomach will make such loud horrible sounds and I'll have to go home to relieve myself of the pressure. Then sit there alone for the rest of the night.
I don't even know where to start when it comes to any kind of 'medicine' that will make me feel better. I'm trying not to be depressed but this is not only painful physically but mentally.
The tale of...anon
I have been reading these stories and information about IBS, and I am relieved a bit at what I have learned. I am in the process of seeing a specialist about my awful bowel habits. I have been seeing my family doctor for months about my chronic constipation, but yet severely painful bowel movements ending up in explosive diarrhea.
I have been seeing doctors about this for over 12 years and no-one has any answers for me except "You need to eat more fibre and everything will be fine." Ha Ha. If it would have worked I wouldn't be seeing doctors for 12 years!
Even this specialist two months ago told me to eat more fibre, and put my legs on a stool when I am having a BM. Whatever! I am so frustrated, and feel like there is no hope for me anymore. My stomach is sore and bloated all the time.
I have been asked if I am pregnant and my stomach looks at least five months pregnant. Most times I only have a BM every two weeks, and then it is so painful it feels like I am in full-blown labour. And I know because I have had two children naturally.
I am to go back and see this specialist soon, and I don't know what to tell him, other than the fibre and stool didn't work. What else can he do for me? Am I going to be constipated forever? Does anyone have any answers or advice for me? Please help!
E-mail anon: j.e.n[at]sympatico.ca