teenagers suffering diarrhea - page two
The tale of...Lizzy
I am a 15 year-old female sufferer. That's right just 15 years old. It kinda haunts me everyday. No matter what I eat or do I always get sick, I always have pains in my stomach and I always have to watch what I eat. My doctors don't know what to do, they have stopped caring.
I have had it since age 10 but didn't get diagnosed until much later. I live a high-stress life especially with high school. I hope one day they find a cure. Because as a teenager with IBS it is no way to live your life.
I have to make sure I don't get nervous or feel rushed in any way or it's just bad. Let me tell you, I can't even take PE class because if I get nervous or jump around a lot it upsets my stomach, so I have an alternative. I hate this stupid syndrome and I would give my right arm not to have it any more.
None of my friends know about it and I hope that I never have to tell a boyfriend. I have had oh so many embarrassing moments, too many to count. It is kinda hard to conceal especially when you're in class and ask to use the washroom and then everybody realizes you are gone for like 15 minutes, it kinda sucks.
I hope people understand that you may give this syndrome to your kids. Although my mom has it very mild and got it in her later years, I have it very strong and have it now as a teen. It really is no way to live. I accept it and do not mope over it because I know there will be a cure, in the meantime there are always anti-diarrheals.
E-mail Lizzy: GwA0014[at]aol.com
The tale of...Nicola
Having IBS has really ruined my life. I wouldn't wish it on anybody. I am too much of a nervous person. I often have panic attacks where I shake and feel like being sick. I am only 17 and have had irritable bowel syndrome for a year and a half. I have been to the doctor numerous times but every medication I have been put on has never worked. I get scared of going out to places because I am scared of becoming ill, having a panic attack or being sick.
I try to relax and eat healthy foods but it never seems to work. I just can't be myself any more. I always feel ill and tired and I get hot too easily and feel like fainting. I find it very difficult to sleep and I often look fat or pregnant when my stomach bloats out. I am looking to find some help, I just desperately want to get rid of my IBS and live my normal life again.
E-mail Nicola: nicola.cunliffe[at]lycos.co.uk
The tale of...Russell
When I first got IBS it was in the middle of 9th grade year. It just hit me at school out of nowhere, I started having all of this gas, but I was like what the hell man. I dealt with all types of crap that year. I am in great shape, eight-pack, muscular, I don't know why the hell this happened, I work out a lot.
Anyway I have had the a colonoscopy where they stick a camera up in your colon and see what's going on. They also went down my throat to my stomach (which hurt like hell when I woke up) to see if anything was wrong there. They found nothing.
I'm going back to a doctor this Friday. I'm trying primal defense but I haven't stayed on the strict diet for it to really do anything. I stay on a strict diet to stay at school though. If I don't I will fail my classes from missing too many days. Those teachers are harsh man.
I need a break from this. I'm in 12th grade now and I'll be graduating. I don't wanna put up with this in college so if anybody knows anything out there to help man you can e-mail me whenever. Thank you.
E-mail Russell: russell565[at]hotmail.com
The tale of...Jennie
I'm 17 years old and have recently found out that I have irritable bowel syndrome. I have always had a dodgy tummy but it really became a problem when I was 10 or so. I used to get very intensive pain in my stomach followed by diarrhea and vomiting, and on occasions I would pass out. I was later told that they were bowel spasms.
The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me, firstly they told me I had endometriosis and that I was infertile, then they said it was all in my head, even my parents started to disbelieve me.
At 14 I was in so much constant pain that I was unable to go to school, and when I was in school and had a spasm the teachers told me that I was faking it and that I had a mental problem (those were their exact words).
At the age of 16 I was so tired of fighting the pain that I couldn't cope, sometimes I was having up to three spasms a day, passing out on the bathroom floor. My 16th birthday was especially bad, I had a spasm that lasted five hours and spent the whole day vomiting and sat on the loo!
The pain was indescribable, and sometimes when it is really bad you pray to die. Eventually I was diagnosed with IBS and given medication. I still get occasional bouts of spasms and pain but thankfully it is better now, touch wood.
I never went back to school, instead I am now at college. They know about my IBS and are very supportive if I have a spasm there or am unable to attend. I was told that I would probably suffer from irritable bowel syndrome for the rest of my life, but now it's better, I cope.
It's very embarrassing when your out somewhere and have a spasm, especially when you pass out. When I do have a spasm though, I take codeine and spend the rest of the day on the loo. Doing breathing exercises helps, and the most important thing is a hot water bottle.
The medication that helped the most was something I was very shocked to be prescribed, antidepressants! The doctors told me that it would help slow down the pain messages to my brain and therefore help the pain; in my eyes though I thought that they thought I was crazy and had a mental problem, or that is was all in my head.
I was only put on a very low dose of the antidepressant Amitriptyline, 10mg three times a day, and to my amazement and relief, after a few months, they worked, and I swear by them know.
I still get pain and spasms now and again but not as often as I used to. I can get on with my life know, and even though exercising makes the pain worse, and I get tired a lot, thanks to my family and friends, and the medication and hot water bottle of course, I can cope with the IBS, embarrassing as it may be!
E-mail Jennie: jenniepierce[at]btinternet.com
The tale of...Maxine
I've shared my story before but am having a severe bout of IBS. I've just started uni and although change is meant to be invigorating and enjoyable I'm constantly stressing. As you are all aware this starts it all off again. I worry about money and work mainly.
E-mail Maxine: essex_girl80[at]hotmail.com