Hi Denyse , Good for you, talking about it. I've got it and I've never spoken to anyone about it. I've learned to deal with it in a pretty simple manner. Based on my weekly diary, twice a week I take 2 Senna Soft tablets. Obviously the plan is to have what some may call " a good clean out" on a day when I don't have any other plans. I've been able to time it so that life is very little affected . It has worked pretty well over time. Roy and I travelled extensively in the 15 years after we got together, and by using that plan, I was able to work around this annoying condition with no issues. Even in countries which have few-and-far-between public toilets, like China and Egypt ( which had none) .
I do hope you are able to find some help - I know it's a horrible condition ! Best wishes in your search for enlightenment xx
Thank you Stella, to share is to know we are not alone.
Your story is inspirational and I applaud your management. That is awesome.
I've had an up and down time with I.B.S. and it has struck at very inconvenient times travelling and so I won't even consider that now.
I am getting to understand more about the emotional toll my body and mind has carried for the last 10+ years and to be accepting of that first is now my goal.
You are one very creative and clever woman for your approach and that's wonderful to know.
Hi Denyse. Thanks for a very courageous post. Being a caring and compassionate person can take a toll on our lives, much of the cost being revealed to us later when the situation has changed. Understand how you can feel isolated too.... seems its a real buggar of an illness to manage and can be very limiting. Learning to be compassionate towards ourselves after a lifetime of serving others is an ongoing shift for me. Being a child of 50s and 60s of the
'seen and not heard' generation, overcoming that conditioning is tricky. I'm sure you've researched this but are there IBS support groups online? cheers liz
I feel like my whole life ...career as a teacher too, then being a mother and grandmother...was/is about caring and putting others first.
Brought up like that too...as a child of the 50s with conservative parents...
However, as someone who has a times since 2014 in particular, been PUZZLED by my body's reaction gut wise to events and changes I have sought to know more and help myself.
But I did not share much...despite being a 'natural' sharer because of the nature of the condition.
I did look into groups way back and believe me, left them pretty well straight away as there was an element of competition ...worst symptoms etc.
Now I am going to do more self care and compassion as I notice symptoms will emerge when I take on too much.
Just had a new book arrive called Take Control of Your IBS written by a dietitian who also has IBS and I can listen via Audible too.
totally agree about some groups. Being in groups can take energy and yes... you put it right ' competition'. Also I found some groups can be into control and seem to do a lot of 'storming' .making them quite toxic spaces. ... You were writing about a beautiful blue butterfly you saw out on your walk. Are you familiar with Julia Bairds book 'Phosphorescence'. It does have some lovely writing on awe and its impact on human spirit. I think we are more fortunate than our mothers as we have the skills and resources to gather info for ourselves about our bodies, be informed and hopeful work together with a GP etc to find a workable plan for conditions. Your new book sounds positive. hoping you get some strategies to help you. ... Liz :-)
Yes I have both of Julia's books & I grew up where she lives now so know a lot of her places but her cancer .. such an awful one.. and her writing about it in the second book more related to Awe & Wonder. I admit I've become even more of a noticer in nature particularly as we'd been away from this area in Sydney where we've returned for 8 years. I love my solo day trips & with a new car look forward to more. Trouble is the weather has been hot or wet & I'm still feeling my way back to relative fitness.
Hi Denyse - it takes courage to talk about "unmentionable" topics, and it's good that you're willing to be more open. There's a fine balance between sharing and over-sharing too as we get older. I'm very aware that my MIL has reached a point where her conversation is predominantly about her various health issues, whereas my mum focuses on what she 'can do' rather than on her limitations. The more we focus on our limitations, the more they seem to impact us and bring us down.
That was a little bit of a long winded way to say that it's good to not be shamed by something, but also good to not let it define us. I hope you can put it in its place and get on with living a full and happy life despite it. xx
Doing my best Leanne. It’s better having the issue out there now and I certainly don’t let any of my health conditions dominate but, there is something to be said about being compassionate too when others are fearful of their health. I know that’s a view I formed when Dad was in his latter years. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Always appreciated.
Thank you for your courage in sharing and owning up to you IBS, Denyse. It can be debilitating can't it. You should never feel shamed for something that is not within your control. Take care of yourself and have a beautiful day. We are here for you xx
Hi Denyse , Good for you, talking about it. I've got it and I've never spoken to anyone about it. I've learned to deal with it in a pretty simple manner. Based on my weekly diary, twice a week I take 2 Senna Soft tablets. Obviously the plan is to have what some may call " a good clean out" on a day when I don't have any other plans. I've been able to time it so that life is very little affected . It has worked pretty well over time. Roy and I travelled extensively in the 15 years after we got together, and by using that plan, I was able to work around this annoying condition with no issues. Even in countries which have few-and-far-between public toilets, like China and Egypt ( which had none) .
I do hope you are able to find some help - I know it's a horrible condition ! Best wishes in your search for enlightenment xx
Thank you Stella, to share is to know we are not alone.
Your story is inspirational and I applaud your management. That is awesome.
I've had an up and down time with I.B.S. and it has struck at very inconvenient times travelling and so I won't even consider that now.
I am getting to understand more about the emotional toll my body and mind has carried for the last 10+ years and to be accepting of that first is now my goal.
You are one very creative and clever woman for your approach and that's wonderful to know.
Warm wishes
Denyse
Hi Denyse. Thanks for a very courageous post. Being a caring and compassionate person can take a toll on our lives, much of the cost being revealed to us later when the situation has changed. Understand how you can feel isolated too.... seems its a real buggar of an illness to manage and can be very limiting. Learning to be compassionate towards ourselves after a lifetime of serving others is an ongoing shift for me. Being a child of 50s and 60s of the
'seen and not heard' generation, overcoming that conditioning is tricky. I'm sure you've researched this but are there IBS support groups online? cheers liz
Thanks Liz for your kind words and insight.
I feel like my whole life ...career as a teacher too, then being a mother and grandmother...was/is about caring and putting others first.
Brought up like that too...as a child of the 50s with conservative parents...
However, as someone who has a times since 2014 in particular, been PUZZLED by my body's reaction gut wise to events and changes I have sought to know more and help myself.
But I did not share much...despite being a 'natural' sharer because of the nature of the condition.
I did look into groups way back and believe me, left them pretty well straight away as there was an element of competition ...worst symptoms etc.
Now I am going to do more self care and compassion as I notice symptoms will emerge when I take on too much.
Just had a new book arrive called Take Control of Your IBS written by a dietitian who also has IBS and I can listen via Audible too.
Your words are very comforting.
Thanks again,
Denyse x
totally agree about some groups. Being in groups can take energy and yes... you put it right ' competition'. Also I found some groups can be into control and seem to do a lot of 'storming' .making them quite toxic spaces. ... You were writing about a beautiful blue butterfly you saw out on your walk. Are you familiar with Julia Bairds book 'Phosphorescence'. It does have some lovely writing on awe and its impact on human spirit. I think we are more fortunate than our mothers as we have the skills and resources to gather info for ourselves about our bodies, be informed and hopeful work together with a GP etc to find a workable plan for conditions. Your new book sounds positive. hoping you get some strategies to help you. ... Liz :-)
Yes I have both of Julia's books & I grew up where she lives now so know a lot of her places but her cancer .. such an awful one.. and her writing about it in the second book more related to Awe & Wonder. I admit I've become even more of a noticer in nature particularly as we'd been away from this area in Sydney where we've returned for 8 years. I love my solo day trips & with a new car look forward to more. Trouble is the weather has been hot or wet & I'm still feeling my way back to relative fitness.
Hi Denyse - it takes courage to talk about "unmentionable" topics, and it's good that you're willing to be more open. There's a fine balance between sharing and over-sharing too as we get older. I'm very aware that my MIL has reached a point where her conversation is predominantly about her various health issues, whereas my mum focuses on what she 'can do' rather than on her limitations. The more we focus on our limitations, the more they seem to impact us and bring us down.
That was a little bit of a long winded way to say that it's good to not be shamed by something, but also good to not let it define us. I hope you can put it in its place and get on with living a full and happy life despite it. xx
Doing my best Leanne. It’s better having the issue out there now and I certainly don’t let any of my health conditions dominate but, there is something to be said about being compassionate too when others are fearful of their health. I know that’s a view I formed when Dad was in his latter years. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Always appreciated.
Denyse x
Thank you for your courage in sharing and owning up to you IBS, Denyse. It can be debilitating can't it. You should never feel shamed for something that is not within your control. Take care of yourself and have a beautiful day. We are here for you xx
Thank you so much for your kind and caring words Sue. I am indeed fortunate to have a lovely community who cares.
I am now, for the first time ever, letting the full story out and for me to be confident enough to 'live with what is'.
The last 2 years also seem to be catching up with me...for so many reasons, and I acknowledge that too.
Warm wishes
Denyse x