Meet my "French" IBS !

By frenchycharlotte

2 min read

Hi everyone, I'm Charlotte, I turned 36 last February and i'm French.

Here, in France, I saw many doctors through the years and no one told me I had IBS. I had many medical exams (fibroscopy, colposcopy), I tried probiotics but without any success. The doctors are used to say to me: "oh medical exams don't show anything wrong. It must in your head". Oh boy. I hate this sentence!

My main symptoms are diarrhea, gas, bloating, spasms mostly right after any meals. When it's too strong all my body is shivering and i'm only fine right after urging to the bathroom.

French IBS

Bathroom. Talk about it! It is the first thing that I check when I go to a new place (restaurant, bar...). I only eat outside if I know I could access to the bathroom. Here in France you cannot find bathroom easily. And when you find some, they are so disgusting. I went to Japan last year. The bathroom paradise! Bathroom everywhere and so clean!!

When a crisis is happening (My friends get used to it but when it's some new person, it can seem strange. Haha.) while I have a walk through Paris, I have to stop right away and wait. I have to contract all my body and especially my butt. (yeah under my fat ass I have a muscled butt ?). Then my stomach has to rumble and only that way the crisis goes away. It can come back 5 min or 4h later. I don't know.

Worsening symptoms

This IBS symptoms are increasing with the years. It's worse today than 7 or 8 years ago. I guess stressful life is not Good. I guess my eating disorder didn't help either. For years, I have been eaten too much sugar, fat food too. I'm also a sensitive person and I had always have diarrhea issues before school exams or job interviews.

Once, I tried Fodmaps diet. I didn't see any improvement. So I try to eat good stuff and home made. I don't see a lot of improvement but I guess I have to be patient. I'll plan to try intermittent fasting too during this lockdown time.

My love life is suffering with IBS because this IBS takes too much space in my life. I do dates but I don't drink alcohol anymore. I try not to eat. And I can't imagine having intimate relationships. I would love to but i'm too embarrassed with some symptoms...

Sorry for this long message, probably full of mistakes. ?

I hope you're safe and your loved ones are too, wherever you are!

Prenez soin de vous!
(means Take care !)

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tmholland Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="2282306" username="frenchycharlotte"/> , Welcome, Charlotte. Thank you for sharing your story and being so open. It is funny that 'French' IBS seems to be exactly the same as IBS from all countries 😀. I found what you said about Japan interesting. Your feelings about stress, dating and life in general are very common here on the site. You are definitely not alone. Thank you again, remember we are here for support and we always love updates and to know how you are doing. Hope you are well today. -Todd, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>IrritableBowelSyndrome.net</a> Team
frenchycharlotte Member
Cheers Todd for this welcoming message. I guess illness has no real nationality. Only how we handle it is quite different. North America, UK and Australia seem realising how IBS is important and try to find some solutions. In France, Fodmaps diet for example is becoming more popular here since maybe 1 or 2 years really. I don't think here in France we take the problem in its entirely. Only from the medical view. Medical exams show nothing. Then, you have nothing. My trip to Japan (in Tokyo to be more precise) has been more pleasant thanks to the bathroom free, cleaned and everywhere. You can be more aware and enjoying more what you are visiting when you know bathroom is not far. Really a peaceful thing for the mind. ☺️ So far, so good !
Amy Dodd Pilkington Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="2282306" username="frenchycharlotte"/> , Thank you for sharing your experience! I never thought about how other countries are more problematic when it comes to availability of bathrooms. While I have never been to Tokyo, I have heard many people make the same remark about the bathrooms there. It is too bad all countries do not have bathrooms as nice and clean as Japan. It would certainly make life much easier for those of us with IBS. 😉 Hope you are doing well! -Amy, Team member
k-laden Member
Bonjour, Charlotte! Ca va? (How are you?) I hope you feel better soon! It took me about a year to figure out what I can eat and what I cannot have. Your english is good. No worries, we all understand on some level what you are dealing with. While in Europe my IBS is better than it is at home, although finding bathrooms can be difficult. Please, excuse my casual french. C'est difficel pour moi. (It is difficult for me) Best wishes!
Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="2282306" username="frenchycharlotte"/> , Thanks for sharing your story! It's so nice to have you as part of the community. I am so sorry you are going through all of this, but know you aren't alone. I can relate completely. The urgency and gas and bloating gets old really fast. I'm sorry that in France it is hard to find a bathroom. That must be so difficult! I hope you find relief from your symptoms soon. Have you tried cutting out dairy from your diet? Maybe that will help? Also, maybe reach out to a Dietician that can help you? I hope you are well during this time. Stay safe! Elizabeth (team member)
Karina Moderator & Contributor
Salut <inline-mention username="frenchycharlotte" user-id="2282306"/>, I just had to reply to your story because I live in France, too and I completely understand your struggles! Bathrooms are horrible here and I've also had a lot of trouble being diagnosed until one doctor suggested I might just have "un petit intestin irritable"... then sent me home like it was nothing at all. What really helped me was cutting out gluten and dairy while also writing down everything I eat, so I could analyze which foods were responsible for my flares. All the best, Karina (Team member)