Irish Visitors Click HereIrritable Bowel Syndrome
Living with IBS
IBS can seriously impact your quality of life. Besides having to deal with physical pain or discomfort, there are aspects of IBS that can affect you in very personal ways.
Diarrhoea
It (IBS) was affecting my sporting activities. I couldn't get into half my clothes, and I had to miss quite a lot of work because I didn't feel well enough to sit in a chair all day and experience those symptoms.
The need for fast access to a toilet restricts your movement and limits what you can do and where you can travel. Having to plan ahead in such detail can take the fun out of holidays or outings and can even cause you to cancel. Having to explain why can be difficult, but the fear of "accidents" often wins out.
Bloating
A distended abdomen changes your waistline. Some sufferers find that some of their clothes no longer fit and have to resort to loose-fitting garments. While hardly life-threatening, not having a free choice of what to wear can diminish your sense of being in control.
Gurgling noises
These can get quite loud and can cause social embarrassment. You may be able to laugh it off with friends, but it's another thing altogether when it happens during a critical business meeting.
Painful intercourse
No need to explain how this can seriously affect a relationship.
Tiredness and lethargy
IBS can leave you feeling drained and unable to face work, sports, household tasks or even just an afternoon's shopping with friends. Then, in a downward spiral, you feel guilty about staying home or in bed and feel even worse than before.
How to cope
A taboo surrounding any bowel condition leaves many people reluctant to talk about IBS. You may have to listen to colleagues and friends complain about their bad backs, stress and everyday troubles, but you find yourself suffering in silence.
The main thing to keep in mind if you have IBS is that you are not alone! With an estimated 10-20% of the UK population suffering IBS, you may find that you know quite a few fellow sufferers.
The other thing to bear in mind is that, while there is no outright cure, it is possible to manage a lot of the symptoms. The aim is to try and control IBS rather than letting it control you. Find out what you can do to help yourself.
- Find out what the symptoms of IBS are
- Going to see your GP about IBS can be embarrassing - find out what you need to prepare
- Find out how to relieve the symptoms of IBS
- Join a support group and talk to other sufferers - view our list of IBS support group links
- Not sure if you have IBS? Fill in our checklist to find out
