My journey with IBS, Gluten-Sensitivity, Lactose-Intolerance, Insomnia and Wrinkles, or "I turn
I remember when the commercials for "IBS" started coming out in the early 2000's. I was still in my 30's, morning my 20's, but for the most part I was healthy and in pretty good shape. Sure I may have been 10-15 lbs overweight, but I was within my healthy range of BMI, and although I was no longer wearing the crop-tops and "Daisy Duke" shorts of my youth, I was fairly happy with myself.
I had learned about IBS, otherwise known as "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" on television and in some of my favorite trash celebrity magazines. IBS is is defined by the Mayo Clinic as: “A common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). commonly causing cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that will need to managed for the long term”.
Ick! How gross and sad for those people I thought. At least I didn't know anyone who really had it, and in its early days it was believed by some to be a "mental disorder" and brought on by stress, i.e. public speaking, etc, where people would have gastric reactions brought on by the stress. I also remember in about 2002 famous people started talking about and tried to become the "face of IBS" crediting it as a "real disease." The most famous of the ladies with IBS being Camille Grammer (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills actress and Kelsey Grammer’s Ex-Wife and Tyra Banks - Former Model and Talks show Host). I didn't know much about the disease back then and bought into the "mental illness" idea for IBS. I mean why else would people be plagued with diarrhea and gas? I remember when I was bullied in the 5th grade, it made me feel physically ill. I would throw-up or have stomach cramps every morning before school, so the idea of bringing illness on yourself was not lost on me. I just never thought of adults being plagued by the same thing, and that many would be suffering in silence.
Fast Forward nearly 15 years later, and at age 43 I am the one suffering from bouts of gas that could clear the room. I'm plagued with episodes of constipation and diarrhea and now such bad stomach cramps that I am unable to sleep some nights. So what do I do? I do what every suffering American who is too embarrassed to go to the doctor does.... Spend my time Googling symptoms until I find a cure, only to find out that there is no cure and that diagnosis of my disease is not easy or simple. The symptoms are also inconclusive. Am I suffering from Celiac Disease? Am I Lactose intolerant? Do I need a cleanse or a detox? Am I allergic to artificial sweeteners? All of these problems are prospects and so begins my quest to find answers.... Stay tuned!
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