Ali B.

Which of the following do you have:

IBS-C (Constipation), Unsure (I want to know more)

Date of Birth:

August 18, 1986

Sex:

Female

City/State:

Raleigh, NC

Country:

United States

Relationship Status:

Single

About Me:

I'm a 22 year old design student. I took time off school to work for a year, and just recently returned to college. My IBS is bothering me more than ever now, and I am really struggling with it. I used to have terrible stomach aches when I was little, but my IBS changed as I got older. Now, I am bloated 24-7. Everything I eat, no matter what it is or how much of it I eat, I get so bloated that I look 8 months pregnant. It's really frustrating because I'm a very healthy eater, and have always been...but I don't look like it after I eat because my tummy gets so big.

Occupation/Work:

I'm at college getting a degree in fashion design. My IBS makes this even harder, because I'm in class all day learning about and making clothes, and I can't even wear anything but sweatpants and sweatshirts most days because I get so bloated. It breaks my heart.

What do you do for fun?

I played basketball and ran track in high school. I don't have a lot of spare time during school, but when I do I like to see movies, travel, read, and be with my family and friends.

How long have you lived with IBS?

I have had stomach problems for as long as I can remember. When I was little my mother told me I had an "anxious stomach" because any time I got nervous about something I would have such terrible stomach pains that I could hardly move. During high school I had issues with it on-and-off, but when I started college it really started to affect my life. I have such extreme bloating that it prevents me from doing a lot of things. I have to either choose to NOT eat, and feel somewhat ok for the day [minus the headaches and cranky mood] or, I can eat something and feel like a miserable whale for the rest of the day. I seldom go to dinner with friends anymore, and spend most of my afternoons/evenings laying down or resting because I feel so depressed and tired. I would love to exercise more because I hear it helps, but I just feel so uncomfortable.

When did you realize you had IBS?

I have had stomach issues all of my life, but they really began affecting me around age 18.

Most embarassing IBS moment:

It's all pretty embarrassing, but I think what saddens me most is that my life is being controlled by my freaking STOMACH! Ridiculous!

How do you do treat your IBS?

I used to take Zelnorm until it was pulled from the market. Nothing else has helped me feel as close to normal as Zelnorm did. I have tried tons of medications, diet modifications, therapy, all with no success. Now I'm just hanging on to the end of my rope until I find another solution. I wish they would bring Zelnorm back.