Troublesome tummy

For almost three months now I have suffered with a bad stomach.

I mean severe pain that has left me crippled, curled up in the fetal position in agony.

Doctors being doctors just sent me for blood tests etc... with no real interest or explanation.

So three months down the line of me cutting out foods, keeping food diaries and giving in because there is no real trigger for it, they have put it down to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

This is what I have thought it to be for a while but I did as the doctors said who did not seem to be pointing in that direction - I think it seems obvious given the symptoms but hey! What do I know? - Actually a lot.. No one knows their body better than themselves, chatting to people with IBS and doing lots of research I almost self diagnosed. But the Docs confirmed for me anyway, finally.

Now this is something that initially I thought was a little embarrassing - I think purely from other IBS sufferers feeling shy about it. But I don't see why I should be, It is common enough and there are loads of other conditions out there that people aren't humiliated by. It is only due to it being related to the bowels. Well guess what world, WE ALL HAVE THEM!

Some are just more delicate. Funnily enough, I have always had a strong stomach, I guess I will never know what caused it.

One thing I will say to those out there who do not understand it, do not underestimate it.
I think a lot of people think "oh is that it?" Well, I tell you what, it doesn't matter how common it is (1 in 10 people suffer, mostly women) It is incredibly unpleasant.

http://scarlettlondon.com/ibs-alone/ this was one blog I read that made complete sense to me and made me feel 100% about the situation.

I couldn't put in to words the way I felt physically but she does a good job. It has affected my work and social life - decisions have been made around my stomach and how I have been feeling, I have either missed out or forced myself to suffer so I can stay in the loop and really known about it the next day. It takes over my thoughts at work and when I have felt bad I have been helpless because it was too embarrassing to talk about - because I had no real explanation.

It has been an awful three months. I have felt fatigued, unhappy and generally not myself. It has affected my routines, food and exercise which as a gym bunny, has resulted in making me more miserable and feeling unaccomplished. But at least now I have an explanation I can begin to manage it and move forward.