It feels like forever since I have written a post for this blog. It's 11:35pm here and I was about to fall asleep when I realized I need to blog! It's been a hectic few weeks, and in the grand scheme of life, I am starting to focus on getting to know myself and do fun things for me. I have decided to take up guitar lessons and tonight was my first lesson and I enjoyed it, however my delicate fingers are a bit sore from pressing down on the strings.
My IBS has been fairly good to me, I've had only one attack and it was definitely my fault, I had too much pepper and my body said ENOUGH, I shall punish you! Since I was a child I would pretend I had tiny little men working in my stomach as if it was a mining company and instead of digging up gold they were digging up left over food and sending it too fast to the chute. I love telling that story to my loved ones and close friends, I thoroughly enjoy their puzzled faces and eventual laughter at my weirdness. I've never actually given my IBS a first name, I should considering my stomach thinks it is separate from me. Anyways, next week I shall get back on track with my topics.
Tip for today: Never rely on Immodium as a daily or consistent remedy, that stuff will mess up your stomach in the long run. It constipates me for 3 days and then I have one day of an IBS attack to balance it out. So word of caution only take it if you cannot cancel plans, such as boarding a plane, train or anything else.
Good Night!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Restaurants and IBS
I go to restaurants to connect with friends and family and enjoy a good meal along with it. So when I am asked "Hey, let's go somewhere to eat Friday night", it's not as simple as just going wherever the crowd goes. After discovering the trigger foods that caused my attacks I started becoming more aware of what restaurants I could go to based on their menu offerings. My friends and family are very understanding and we will always pick a restaurant where I can eat at least one meal off the menu. Sometimes you cannot choose, for example birthday parties, and you end up eating French Bread with wine while everyone else is digging into that lovely lasagna that will send you to the the toilet in no time. I've learned to accept what I can and cannot eat, I no longer try to fit in with the crowd and no longer do I have the philosophy of just eat it now and deal with it later. I'd rather not spend my Friday night on a toilet for many hours thank you very much. I'm no longer afraid to tell people that I cannot eat certain foods, that I have a diet restriction. I do find even after I take all precautions sometimes my stomach still gets sick, for example if I eat too fast, or if I eat salad before my meal I get an attack. Therefore when I'm at a restaurant I eat slower than a turtle and people wonder if I'm even enjoying my food, I tend to forget that IBS also affects my mind. When I am not in the comfort of my own home eating and at a restaurant or at a friend's house I tend to not eat as much because I have thoughts of how sick I might get and they only have one washroom and if I get sick the restaurant closes at 11pm, will that be enough time for me to feel better, people will wonder why I keep going to the washroom, I will get stares. Just those thoughts alone put enough stress on your body and next thing you know you have worked yourself up for an IBS attack.
I remember the days when I was not on my IBS diet and I'd go for a nice hearty breakfast with friends. I would order a lovely plate of scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, sausages and toast. I would start feeling sick mid-way through my meal and would slow down thinking it was because I was eating to fast. At the time I was not comfortable with using public washrooms if I was coming on with an IBS attack. So when I felt an attack coming on, I informed my then partner that we had to rush home immediately. Our friends didn't know so they always thought I was the rude and obnoxious girlfriend that wanted to ruin the fun by immediately ending the party. I was too embarrassed to tell people what I was suffering with so I suffered in silence and I preferred that people think I was a snob or rude then to tell them I have IBS. I no longer go out for breakfast anymore because about 95% of the menu does not correspond with my diet so I do miss breakfast a lot considering it was my favourite meal of the day. It's just not the same going out for breakfast and ordering fruits with tea.
I have made it my mission these days to find restaurants that accommodate my IBS, there is this website called Go Dairy Free that lists restaurants that do not have dairy in certain menu items. That website helps with half the battle because now I know dairy will be eliminated, I just need to find something that also eliminates fried foods and red meat. Having IBS is about changing the way you think and changing your life long habits. It's hard in the beginning to put yourself on this IBS diet but once you train your brain, it becomes natural and you no longer deem it an inconvenience.
Do you still go to restaurants? Or do you prefer to get take out or do delivery?
I remember the days when I was not on my IBS diet and I'd go for a nice hearty breakfast with friends. I would order a lovely plate of scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, sausages and toast. I would start feeling sick mid-way through my meal and would slow down thinking it was because I was eating to fast. At the time I was not comfortable with using public washrooms if I was coming on with an IBS attack. So when I felt an attack coming on, I informed my then partner that we had to rush home immediately. Our friends didn't know so they always thought I was the rude and obnoxious girlfriend that wanted to ruin the fun by immediately ending the party. I was too embarrassed to tell people what I was suffering with so I suffered in silence and I preferred that people think I was a snob or rude then to tell them I have IBS. I no longer go out for breakfast anymore because about 95% of the menu does not correspond with my diet so I do miss breakfast a lot considering it was my favourite meal of the day. It's just not the same going out for breakfast and ordering fruits with tea.
I have made it my mission these days to find restaurants that accommodate my IBS, there is this website called Go Dairy Free that lists restaurants that do not have dairy in certain menu items. That website helps with half the battle because now I know dairy will be eliminated, I just need to find something that also eliminates fried foods and red meat. Having IBS is about changing the way you think and changing your life long habits. It's hard in the beginning to put yourself on this IBS diet but once you train your brain, it becomes natural and you no longer deem it an inconvenience.
Do you still go to restaurants? Or do you prefer to get take out or do delivery?
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Work and IBS
Exhausted with a burning bum. That's how I feel this morning after running to the washroom 7 times. I feel exhausted and all I want to do is crawl back into bed and go to sleep. My reckless eating habits in the last week have finally caught up to me and my stomach is making me suffer. When I have an attack I always seem to realize I am mortal. What would make things any more worse? Having to go to work right after an attack.
This morning's events have lead me to write today's topic. Work and IBS. The last time I checked I was human and like most people on this planet I have to work for a living. I have never been able to hold down a job, the longest job I had was 2yrs (I was able to work from home when sick). The biggest challenge for me having IBS-D is not using my sick and vacation days before the year is up. Or how about the embarrassment of bosses and co-workers asking why you are always sick and the last thing you want to tell them is that you are IBS-D so you come up with different sicknesses; oh I had the flu, oh I had a migraine, I think I had food poisoning, my back was stiff I couldn't get out of bed, or I just felt like taking the day off. The problem is we live in a society that doesn't find bowel movements of any nature socially acceptable. We have been taught that a natural function of our body is not to be talked about unless you are a comedian wanting to make jokes. It's no joking matter, this is my life and it not only affects my every day living but it affects the jobs I have. When I was in high school and deciding what I wanted to do as a career I tried to pick careers that had a bathroom close by and careers where people didn't have to depend on me (Bus Driver, Pilot, Surgeon, etc;). Imagine living your live not for you but for your stomach, you get angry and you start to resent always having to accommodate your stomach. I remember before I went on my IBS diet, I would be scared to eat lunch at work because if something didn't agree I would have an attack within 30 minutes. I think the hardest part about having a job for me had to be the drive to work. I would map out all the bathrooms a long the route to work and have to tell myself it's okay to be sick there's many bathrooms on the way. I would start to have panic attacks when traffic was bumper to bumper and I had no control over it. Just thinking about it now I can feel a slight panic attack happening. My life is much different now, 3yrs ago when I started my IBS diet, I decided to start my own computer repair business where I travel on-site to businesses and sometimes client's homes. I can only imagine the horror on your faces (the IBS sufferers), not because of my career choice but the bathroom arrangement I have created for myself. I know that the majority of my attacks happen in the morning so I book my client's in the afternoons. So far it works and I feel much more relaxed because I control my schedule. I find when you have IBS you want to control every aspect of your life to cater your stomach.
Have you chosen your career based on your IBS?
This morning's events have lead me to write today's topic. Work and IBS. The last time I checked I was human and like most people on this planet I have to work for a living. I have never been able to hold down a job, the longest job I had was 2yrs (I was able to work from home when sick). The biggest challenge for me having IBS-D is not using my sick and vacation days before the year is up. Or how about the embarrassment of bosses and co-workers asking why you are always sick and the last thing you want to tell them is that you are IBS-D so you come up with different sicknesses; oh I had the flu, oh I had a migraine, I think I had food poisoning, my back was stiff I couldn't get out of bed, or I just felt like taking the day off. The problem is we live in a society that doesn't find bowel movements of any nature socially acceptable. We have been taught that a natural function of our body is not to be talked about unless you are a comedian wanting to make jokes. It's no joking matter, this is my life and it not only affects my every day living but it affects the jobs I have. When I was in high school and deciding what I wanted to do as a career I tried to pick careers that had a bathroom close by and careers where people didn't have to depend on me (Bus Driver, Pilot, Surgeon, etc;). Imagine living your live not for you but for your stomach, you get angry and you start to resent always having to accommodate your stomach. I remember before I went on my IBS diet, I would be scared to eat lunch at work because if something didn't agree I would have an attack within 30 minutes. I think the hardest part about having a job for me had to be the drive to work. I would map out all the bathrooms a long the route to work and have to tell myself it's okay to be sick there's many bathrooms on the way. I would start to have panic attacks when traffic was bumper to bumper and I had no control over it. Just thinking about it now I can feel a slight panic attack happening. My life is much different now, 3yrs ago when I started my IBS diet, I decided to start my own computer repair business where I travel on-site to businesses and sometimes client's homes. I can only imagine the horror on your faces (the IBS sufferers), not because of my career choice but the bathroom arrangement I have created for myself. I know that the majority of my attacks happen in the morning so I book my client's in the afternoons. So far it works and I feel much more relaxed because I control my schedule. I find when you have IBS you want to control every aspect of your life to cater your stomach.
Have you chosen your career based on your IBS?
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Heartbreak and IBS
Breakups are hard especially when you are on the receiving end. You know IBS people are human too and when we are hurting some of us turn to bad food to comfort us. In that book I mentioned in my last post Eating for IBS, it says the main trigger foods are fried foods, dairy and red meat. This week alone I've had foods that would naturally sending me running to the toilet. I had deep fried sweet potato fries and the next day I was completely fine, which never happens. I wonder if it's the oil they use at Hero Burger or my stomach is in such despair it has no desire to react. You think I would have smartened up and go back on my IBS diet pronto... nope. So for the last 3 days I've had curry, which depending on the spices they use will make my stomach act up, which again I had no reaction. In fact for the last two days I've been IBS-C which most of us know as IBS Constipation, which I am not, I'm an IBS-D. It's almost like I'm testing my stomach, I want to be tortured because my heart is hurting. Hey on the bright side I'm eating comfort food that my stomach under normal circumstances would send me living on the toilet. Perhaps next week will be telling, I'll be sure to keep everyone updated. It's funny when you have IBS,you tend to talk a lot about your washroom adventures.
Tip for today:
Tell your stomach I love you even when you're bowled over on the toilet in tears. You won't work up as much energy as if you were yelling and scolding your stomach. :)
Tip for today:
Tell your stomach I love you even when you're bowled over on the toilet in tears. You won't work up as much energy as if you were yelling and scolding your stomach. :)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Welcome to the wonderful world of IBS
I have decided to do a blog about my life with IBS. I have always wanted to do a blog to share my experiences with others who are either suffering or has a loved one suffering with IBS, however I always stopped myself thinking a) who would even read this and b) I am not a good writer. However with the support of someone I love and admire very dearly, I feel even more motivated to share my thoughts and struggles with IBS.
For as long as I can remember I suffered with what they called a nervous tummy. I can remember as far back as Grade 5 eating a nice bowl of cereal with milk and feeling sick afterwards and still having to go to school. I remember my Mum and the school having a meeting to discuss how I was making excuses not to go to school. In high school I switched to toast and tea with cream for breakfast, and I was still feeling sick. My Mum used to drive me to school, luckily very early in the morning so I would sit on the toilet at school until I felt better without interruption from other students. I never discussed my stomach with anyone because as we all know, talking about bowel movements is not socially acceptable unless you're a man and want to gross out your friends. I lost friends because they couldn't understand why I would cancel plans at the last minute. I continued to live this way until 2008. This was the year it was at its worst, I was very stressed with my job and was sick almost every day. I decided to be proactive and so I went to a specialist to diagnose what was wrong with me. After a year of various tests, the doctor diagnosed me with spastic colon aka IBS. Once it was confirmed that I had IBS I tried to find information about how I could live a better life with IBS. I came across this life changing book called Eating for IBS by Heather Van Vorous. In her book she talks about trigger foods that affect our stomach and even has recipes. IBS is not only affected by food but it is affected by stress, lack of exercise and sleep. This book has honestly changed my life, I am not cured of my IBS but I for once in my life have a better control over it then ever before. Of course I still have days that my stomach gets sick even after all precautions are taken. But I've learned to love my stomach because at least it's telling me what is good and what is bad to eat. I haven't had McDonald's in over 8yrs and I don't miss it one bit.
The title of this blog is a bit of sarcasm but with a bit of love because it's better to embrace and love then to have anger.
For as long as I can remember I suffered with what they called a nervous tummy. I can remember as far back as Grade 5 eating a nice bowl of cereal with milk and feeling sick afterwards and still having to go to school. I remember my Mum and the school having a meeting to discuss how I was making excuses not to go to school. In high school I switched to toast and tea with cream for breakfast, and I was still feeling sick. My Mum used to drive me to school, luckily very early in the morning so I would sit on the toilet at school until I felt better without interruption from other students. I never discussed my stomach with anyone because as we all know, talking about bowel movements is not socially acceptable unless you're a man and want to gross out your friends. I lost friends because they couldn't understand why I would cancel plans at the last minute. I continued to live this way until 2008. This was the year it was at its worst, I was very stressed with my job and was sick almost every day. I decided to be proactive and so I went to a specialist to diagnose what was wrong with me. After a year of various tests, the doctor diagnosed me with spastic colon aka IBS. Once it was confirmed that I had IBS I tried to find information about how I could live a better life with IBS. I came across this life changing book called Eating for IBS by Heather Van Vorous. In her book she talks about trigger foods that affect our stomach and even has recipes. IBS is not only affected by food but it is affected by stress, lack of exercise and sleep. This book has honestly changed my life, I am not cured of my IBS but I for once in my life have a better control over it then ever before. Of course I still have days that my stomach gets sick even after all precautions are taken. But I've learned to love my stomach because at least it's telling me what is good and what is bad to eat. I haven't had McDonald's in over 8yrs and I don't miss it one bit.
The title of this blog is a bit of sarcasm but with a bit of love because it's better to embrace and love then to have anger.
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