puppyluv's Page

Which of the following do you have:

IBS-D (Diarrhea)

Date of Birth:

November 2, 1955

Sex:

Female

City/State:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Country:

Canada

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship

About Me:

I am a single mom of two teens. I have suffered with IBS for more than 15 years now. It has changed over the years. I took anti depressants for a while which helped but I stopped taking them about 9 months ago and now its back with a vengence. I suffer from diahreah which is always on my mind when planning my day or evening. The most devistating symptom is leaky gas. I will smell like I have passed gas when I haven't done anything. It comes and goes, right now its daily and without warning. This has made working in my office very stressful and also having a new relationship where I have not been able to share my problem. No one who knows me personally knows I have the leaky gas problem. I am sure they smell me, just most are kind enough not to say anything.

Occupation/Work:

Office/Supervisor

What do you do for fun?

Play with my dog and 4 cats. Decorating, cooking, yoga.

How long have you lived with IBS?

15 yrs plus

When did you realize you had IBS?

probably in my 30's

Most embarassing IBS moment:

There are several, all involving leaky gas and one involving uncontrollable diahreah and not making it to the bathroom in time.
I have been in pubs with friends when suddenly the area fills with a really bad, rotting food, dead meat, gas smell. I know, sounds lovely....I have since stopped going out with friends to pubs. It also happened at my company Christmas party a few years ago. I have never gone to a Christmas party since.

How do you do treat your IBS?

Hit and miss. Sometimes I focus on eating differently. I have kept food journals, changed habits. Nothing really helps. Right now the only thing I am doing is taking probiotics. I have not seen any change so far, still having diahreah and the gas is bad as ever. I only started taking them 3 days ago, maybe it takes time.
I have spent hundreds of dollars on so called "cures", have had colonoscopy, manometry test to test sphincter muscles, ultrasound. All normal. My doctor is sympathetic but I don't think he truly understands the problem.