Work and IBS-M
I'm really struggling as of late with work and flare ups. I work in retail so I am around food and somedays in the bakery which means I'm around fresh food, so when I have such a bad flare up and have to be sent home it really gets me down.
Over the last month or so it feels like it's getting worse, and it's making me feel so bad going into work only to be sent home an hour or so later cos I can't leave the toilet. I take alverine citrate twice a day and lopremide when I have a flare up but I feel like nothing is helping me. I don't know what triggers me and what doesn't and I have a phone call soon with a nutritionist to help me.
But I just feel so down about myself because I honestly can't do anything to control it. Does anyone else get like this? If so what do you do to help?
I really feel for you. I really don't know to be honest, how to control it. My IBS behaves randomly, not connected with 'trigger foods' particularly. I just get bad times and good times, on a whim and a fancy. Sometimes I do bad things (like eating potatoes with skins, strawberries and cream, chocolate or having a few drinks) and I am fine! Sometimes I am feeling good, and then suddenly will have days of flare ups. Until they decide to pass of their own accord. And nothing I take, or do, or eat or don't eat makes a blind bit of difference to be honest.
I find it hard to submit to it. It annoys me. It takes away the fun of eating. I enjoy my food. even the simplest bland food, very much. It's happy in my tummy....until about 4-5 hours later when my lower gut complains. and the next morning of course. I am fed up of feeling ominous about all of my food choices, and not being able to eat so many things. Not being able to eat onions or anything onion-y, or cheese, or pulses, any nuts, many vegetables, or even small portions of fruit, or wholemeal bread....However, I am extremely fortunate as I am old and don't have to work for a living.
I am so sorry you are in this fix with your job. I hope things get better for you.
Seeing a nutritionist sounds like an excellent idea. Maybe they can help navigate you through the low Fodmap diet? If so, I do hope you get some relief from that.At the advice of my gastroenterologist, I take 2mg of loperamide every morning. I used to have diarrhea 3-5 times a week and it has been reduced to 1-2 times a month. When I start to feel symptoms of a flare at work, I take another loperamide ASAP. Maybe you should reach out to your doctor and see if you can change your medications. I also occasionally get down but I remind myself that I’m doing my best to manage my IBS-D and a lot of it is out of my control. Good luck to you. , I’m sorry I understand how you feel. I don’t know when it’s going to “hit” but when it does ughhhhhhhhhh, my stomach pain feels like a bunch of sharp needles stabbing me repeatedly, then come the #2 when I know I don’t dare go anywhere because it’s going to happen and for awhile. I don’t see a nutritionist. My plate of life is very full. I’ve missed work sometimes. I’m a adult caregiver and they rely on me. I hate that when it active that the ibs is taking time away from me. I’m new to this form and group. I’m grateful I found it , still the only support I have besides family.
I don’t know what triggers mine either. My reply I hope helps in away.
