Living

Someone asked me the other day how long a flare-up can last. I gave her the standard answer of two to four days. This is what my doctor told me...

I've always been very wary of chiropractors despite my general embrace of alternative and holistic medicine. I've been a patron of acupuncture, yoga, Reiki and massage since I was in/right...

I’ve been experimenting with something lately: Washing my hands more often and washing them better. First and foremost, to see if I have fewer flare-ups. But with others in mind...

I have Bi-Polar Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, ADHD (if that exists :-), gastritis, ulcers and IBS. Hmmm. I got relatively lucky with the Bi-Polar, in that I...

Recently, I explored what exercises are best for IBS on this blog. Not surprisingly (as confirmed by my personal experience), intense, prolonged and high impact exercises tended to aggravate IBS...

Over the years I’ve learned to listen to what my body and most importantly my gut, are trying to tell me. Which means I’ve come to know what it is...

As I posted not too long ago, sleep is often an essential tool in managing IBS. However, the bitter irony is that IBS in and of itself can often interfere...

It’s hard enough for someone with a chronic invisible-illness to fully accept their limitations, but to be sorry or apologetic about them as well is even more difficult. When I...

So which is worse? Diarrhea or constipation? How about, which is worse, diarrhea, constipation or…diarrhea and constipation. I think we all know the answer to that question (depending on the...

In recent years, science has become more clear that experiencing trauma--especially as a child--plays a prominent role in one developing health issues as an adult. One of the first major...

I have been listening to personal development podcasts for the past couple of years. Because reading often makes my migraines worse (anyone else?), I find podcasts and audiobooks to be...

Though it's been 20 years since I first developed and was diagnosed with IBS, I still remember very clearly how I struggled to find my footing and survive the next...

Wellness is a state, not only of the absence of illness but a state of good health. Have you ever felt that? Have you ever felt full of energy, had...

If someone was to ask me if I was thankful for having IBS, I would most likely answer no. IBS has changed my life completely and has meant I’ve had...

My IBS has had quite a large impact on the friendships I have. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very good impact. When you have a chronic illness that controls your everyday...

I’m sort of an expert on stigma. There is stigma associated with bi-polar disorder, stigma attached to anxiety and personality disorders, stigma attached to being overweight, and a whole ton...

When I first developed IBS mid-way through college, I was so sick so often that I wound up losing well over 20 pounds in a single semester. I was weak...

After years of contemplating this decision, I finally broke down and decided to give a try at applying for disability. Even though this is something that could really help me...

April is IBS Awareness Month and I am more than happy to do my part in raising awareness any way that I can. I have lived with IBS for over...

Ok, so we know IBS doesn’t ‘go away’. It may stay dormant for long periods, very long sometimes if we are really taking care of ourselves, but dormant. IBS cannot...