I thought I would like to see if anyone else has IBS because supposedly it is quite common in adults.
Mine only really became a problem about five years ago.
I told a workmate I must be intolerant to dairy, and I was going through a crisis and said that alcohol didn't agree with me because I had read an article in a celeb mag about a model with bi polar symptoms who had to avoid drinking.
It was an embarrassing realisation as I had started to suffer from bad wind. Sorry, I will try and not get too technical or close to bone. But it basically smelt real terrible. I had joined a gym class and I think they must have noticed, and I quit.
When in hospital, one of the nurses was a proper "bit$h" and when my parents brought me a curry pot noodle (which for the record does nothing to my digestive system thankfully) she went "oof that is not going to help" so it was now common knowledge I was suffering from spells of wind. Even though I can only think of a handful of incidents it may have occurred at work.
After being so constipated my bowels nearly burst, I started to pay attention to what might be triggering it. I had a massive meltdown and the IBS just seemed to coincide with it.
It wasn't difficult to find the culprits, only a few things. The nurse I spoke to was surprised I could eat beans, spices, chilli, and greens no bother at all. They couldn't explain why it was these particular foods, which annoys me as when I tell people I just have to say it must be the way it is processed or a certain chemical/acid etc.
I am lucky that my bowels do not really speed up. In the past I have had that when I have been really nervous. I just mainly get the constipation.
There is meant to be a strong link between the gut and brain like when you are anxious.
I hadn't been looking after myself, and depression slows down the breakdown of food for some. So I had a long learning curve, trying to get my body back to a healthy state. I got an Aenima, and was given senna and two girls thought it was my methadone !
So if I have an interview in future I will be taking Valium the day before to calm me down, so my abused guts don't play up.
I have read of people with IBS who are too afraid to leave the house and I wonder why the doctors have failed to identify the triggers.
I am going to buy a kit where I can take a test when I get money. I only saw the nurse a few times as the advice was minimal - fibre. That was about it.