The Initial Illness
my ibs started after my first nervous breakdown, i have had two breakdowns, 24 years ago. it started with diarrhea, tummy pains, feeling nauseous. i had every test under the sun. all came back clear and i was told i had ibs. i vowed i would never undertake such horrible tests again in my life. My ibs has not improved over the years in fact i think its got worse. i also suffer with anxiety and depression. I also have upper gut problems - I had my gallbladder removed in july and am now left with bile reflux and feel ill all the time. i have read all i can about ibs but still can't seem to come to terms with it.
My Ongoing Symptoms
i still have all the symptoms of ibs - constant pain, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, joint pains, but do wonder if that might be my age, 58yrs. I eat limited food because a lot of things don't agree with me. i pretend to feel well all the time because unless you havs ibs people don't understand it.
Lessons Learned
- i dont know if i have learned any lessons as such, i tried to accept the ibs but find it very difficult. i find deep breathing helps and i like to go out -I hate being in the house. i find taking the dog out a big help, it takes my mind of things. i do sometime think if i was rich and could afford to go to top doctors, would i still suffer from ibs, i will never know. i can't remember what life was like before ibs.
