We should not let this condition ruin our lives, no way.
To me, it's one of the worst things that’s ever happened. I hadn’t had issues with IBS for years—even though I was diagnosed in my 20s—but now I’m 50, and it’s come back. The psychological pressure only makes it worse.
I know there’s no real cure, since it’s mostly psychological, but I still manage to live a normal life.
Still, it makes me very sad sometimes—this condition can take over everything. It can feel like nothing else matters anymore.
But one thing I’ll say: this condition will not ruin my life.
To everyone living with this uncomfortable illness—let’s keep going, no matter what. What do you guys think? Let’s push forward—damn it.
Thank you for that. It's exactly what I do. I live a very simple life, am retired and live quite remotely in countryside. I loved being outdoors all my life, and I love my land and working on it and taking long walks. Because I am not rich, I have to do jobs myself here, and prepare about 2 tons of firewood for each winter in advance.
So yes, I hate IBS. Some days I have felt very unwell with it. On those days I just go out (not far from my bathroom!) and collect sacks of kindling.
On better days I just truck on doing all the other work that needs doing. I kept on doing that from the beginning of my IBS which started in 2018, went away for 2 years and returned in 2020. To be honest, working outside brings me joy and a sense of "being" and deep connection to Nature.
Sometimes I have started a day feeling like grunge, but have climbed trees that day to saw off dead branches, and been cheered up by doing that and felt a lot better by the end of it and ready for dinner.
Just trucking on isn't a bad idea. So long as we can. I do have a friend though who had terrible IBS, worse than mine once, and literally had to "live in the bathroom" as she was so unwell.
So...if we can, let's get on with life!!Thank you for sharing this, your words really resonate. It’s tough when IBS comes back after years of calm, and the emotional toll is so real. But your determination is powerful. I agree, IBS can be overwhelming, but it won’t define us. We will keep going.
I have been on my own chronic illness journey for almost 4 decades now and to see so many of you able to voice and overcome some of the daily st4ruggles of IBS and not let it define you is so uplifting. It took me so man years to figure out how to do it and the people around me, while well-meaning, often did not support me wanting to do... well.. almost anything besides give up and be disabled. Keep up the wonderful work, thank you all for sharing, and as always, let us know if there's anything we can do to help any of you! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
I don't really. I mostly get IBS at night, and I do burp a lot but burps do feel good.
Yesterday I went to a restaurant with a friend, and I had spicy meat then ice-cream. I burped afterwards and thought I had got all the gases out, but when I was in a store I felt another burp coming.
The store was small, quiet and rather posh, so I put my hand over my mouth to be polite. But the burp came out quite loud and I had to openly say "pardon me".
The people in the store looked a little awkward, and I did feel rude even though I couldn't help it, but my burps do often sound gross.
Then I felt another burp coming, so me and my friend got out of the store quickly, and I burped as we stepped outside. We just laughed. My embarrassing burps can cause some comical scenes.
My stomach may feel painful and uncomfortable at night when I usually get IBS, but stroking my stomach with my hand does help, and I even like to listen to the gurgling noises my upset stomach often makes when I'm in bed. And farts can be enjoyable when you're on your own, even though it can be unpleasant when in company.
