Yep, that’s right. We’re talking about it. My colon, and yours too if you’re lucky!
I’ve been dealing with it for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until my early teens that we realised what it was – The cramps, the running to the loo, the sweats, the constipation (Oh yes, you can have both!), it “runs” in the family, soz. Before that we thought I was just sick a lot or that my nerves were to blame (totally legit thought though, especially since they can go hand in hand with IBS, but that’s another story for another time).
It really is “irritable” though.. I can and have gone for major long periods of time without a hint of IBS, or just a few “moments” as I call them here and there. It was always bad in school and college with the stress of it all, then going on holidays (change of routine), performing (used to act & sing), that kinda thing. But over the last few years it’s miraculously fucked off and I thought nothing of it until Hey Presto! It came back with a fiery (ahem) vengeance over the last month or so and I’ll admit, it’s been disheartening..
Now, I have gone through a rather stress-inducing period over the last 6 months with my injury case coming to an end (more on that later), having to go to court, seriously struggling with money and having loans hang over my head etc etc, so I’m not completely surprised that it’s reared (too easy) its ugly head again, but like, FUCK OFFFFF! I have so much to dooo and exciting holidays to go onnn, I don’t want to deal with this shit!
For any of you that’s unfamiliar with IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so gorge. Here’s the lowdown..
“Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term.” – mayoclinic.org
Fuck, sounds delish when you say it like that! It’s not, it sucks and I feel for anyone struggling with it. But, you’re not aloooone! Around 3 million people in the US visit their GP annually with symptoms of IBS. It’s also the most common, functional gastroinstestinal in the world, joy. There’s things that one can do to help the situation
- Dietary Changes
- Stress Management
- Medication
- Hypnotherapy ( More on this later also!) – aboutibs.org
I guess I feel the need to talk about it, cos’ not a lot of people do, but a lot suffer with it. Whether they know what it is or not. But seriously? It’s so normal! We all have gas, we all get cramps, we all poo! (Sorry lads, it’s true!) So, why not talk about it? A problem shared is a problem halved. If you do think you have it or want to know more about how to deal with it, definitely visit your GP first and foremost.
Hope I haven’t scarred anyone or scared you off for life, but really, this is only the beginning of the can of worms I’ll be opening on numerous topics – Most of them totally “normal”, but generally seen as gross, weird or just plain gas.
Enjoy!
*Image courtesy of www.health.harvard.edu
Victoria's Not So Secret.. 