Sunday 3 May 2015

Because It's Never 'Just' IBS

Hi again Fodmappers

It seems that most weeks I find myself talking to someone who has been diagnosed with IBS but who is sure their doctor has got it wrong. They are genuinely suffering and feel sure something has been missed. They wonder whether they may have Coeliac disease or Crohns or worse.

And it seems to me that they are sure it can't be 'just' IBS because we've all been led to believe that IBS is a trivial illness.

IBS is the kind of thing that comedians like to poke fun at. Sean Lock is one comedian who jokes about IBS, but he also says ".. IBS isn’t that bad, is it? I’ve got a sister-in-law who has it." Some people have even had their doctors tell them it's 'just' IBS. For the record, I once saw a doctor who told me it would 'pass'. It seems doctors are comedians too. Just.

So let's get this straight. There is no 'just' about IBS.

IBS is a nasty illness which affects every part of your life. It's not 'just' the bloating and the way that, over a few hours, you can appear to have become several months pregnant. Neither is it 'just' the way your bowels develop a life of their own, apparently rebelling against you at every opportunity. It's certainly not 'just' the intense pain which the pain killers don't seem to touch. It's an awful lot more.

It's the way you begin to fear for your job as you are taking more and more time off work.

It's the way you're surviving on very little sleep as finding a comfortable position at night seems impossible.

It's the look on your friend's faces when you make another excuse not to go out for food.

It's the way you've had to give up on that yoga class as you can't trust your belly to stay silent for that long.

It's not being able to remember the last time you did anything spontaneously.

It's having to cancel that trip at the last minute.

It's being scared to eat.

It's the way you lack the energy to carry out the simplest tasks.

It's the way your whole life seems to revolve around knowing where the nearest loo is.

It's the way your friends and family don't quite understand.

It's the embarrassment of it all.

It's the way it knocks your confidence.

It's the way it drags you down. 

And yes, much of that is true for others who suffer with chronic conditions, but we wouldn't (I hope) trivialise those. Having said that, I have a lot of sympathy for people with M.E which, until fairly recently, was referred to as 'yuppie flu'. Talk about trivialising!

So this week I was pleased to discover a petition started by the IBS Network to 'recognise it's not 'just' IBS'. (You can find out more about the IBS Network here.) It strikes me that this is exactly what is needed. But because IBS is embarrassing I do wonder how much publicity this campaign will get.

So, if this is something you feel strongly about, please add your name to the petition and let's stop trivialising this awful condition. It's a small step but you never know, it might 'just' make a difference.

'Til next time Fodmappers - Stay Fabulous. x

16 comments:

  1. Bloating, stomach and back pain, food hangovers and travelling being an ordeal, constantly scoping out where the nearest toilets are. Having to drive on my own to everything, rather than joining friends on buses and trains. The indignity and embarrassment of losing control of ones bowels. It's definitely not "just IBS".

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    1. I didn't mention the back pain!! Thank you. I think so much of it becomes 'normal' that it's easy to forget what being well feels like.

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  2. Thank you for sharing. I do not suffer from this, but I know others that do. I am so sorry you have to go through this and its a big struggle. It is not just IBS! You are correct!

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    1. Thanks Michelle. I have to say that I pretty much have my symptoms under control now that I'm eating according to the low FODMAP diet. I was really surprised how quickly I felt the benefit of it. I know no-one likes to talk about IBS but if your friends are unwell, please tell them about FODMAP. You could change their life for the better. x

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  3. Oh boy, this so resonates with me. I had dreadful IBS when I worked in an office (for donkeys years) and I can relate to everything you share. My mum also had Colitis for years, and I worked with a young attorney who had Crohns Disease. All so very debilitating and I cannot believe anyone would make a joke out of it, or trivialise it. That is just so wrong. I'm stomping off now to sign that petition - thank you honey xx

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    1. It really is very debilitating Carrie! Sorry to hear you've struggled with it too. x

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  4. I feel for you with this. I can say I relate to a few above due to my weak bladder but I never truly understood what IBS is. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to have better insight.

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    1. And thank you for your kind comment. x

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  5. Hi Sue, I felt really moved by this and felt compelled to also write a post, have sourced yours as my inspiration...I hope you don't mind. Claire

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    1. I don't mind at all Claire. I'm touched that it spoke to you so strongly. x

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  6. Thank you for this post, Sue. While I don't have IBS, I do think it's so important not to trivialise anyone's pain, embarrassment, or suffering. Speaking up, even if it's embarrassing, is a great step forward. There are so many afflictions out there that because people can't "see", they just think aren't "real", and that sucks... especially when medical professionals do the same! So, I'm off to sign that petition!

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    1. Thank you so much Samantha. And yes this is just one of many problems where I feel sure people don't receive the support they need. It's really not 'just' IBS it's so many other issues too. Thank you for supporting the campaign. x

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  7. This is a great post. I don't have as many symptoms as this, but I do deal with a lot of them. Watching what I'm eating helps a lot, but sometimes I am puzzled when I can't figure out what I've eaten has bothered me. It's a continual process for sure. IBS is not something to just say 'it's just IBS'.

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    1. Thank you. :) It is definitely a continual process but the low FODMAP diet has helped me enormously. I see it as a map for finding my around what is bothering me. It's well worth a try.

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  8. Thank you for this post. I was diagnosed with IBS 30 years ago and have had many of these symptoms. Doctors have told me that I 'just' have IBS and dismissed me when I sought help. Recently though the low FODMAP diet has transformed my life. It helped me realise what foods to avoid and I feel well for the first time. If I eat too many FODMAPS the symptoms return and I remember the misery that I used to go through - hardly being able to walk because I feel so exhausted, nausea, bloating of the epic kind and all the embarrassment that goes with this condition. For the first time too I have been able to see that I have a chronic condition - I'm not causing it myself through being too anxious or stressed. I'll certainly sign the petition.

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    1. Thank you for reading and for your lovely comment. And thank you for signing the petition. Sorry to hear you've suffered with this for so long but very glad to hear that FODMAP is working for you too.

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