Living With IBS

This post is something slightly different and a bit more personal, but it's also something many people will be able to relate to, and also something many people might not be aware of. If you know me well you'll know that I suffer with stomach pains more often than not. The cause? IBS. IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is basically a disorder of the gut, where your gut doesn't exactly do what it says on the tin. Symptoms include severe cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and so on..

While it's not known what causes IBS, certain food and stress or anxiety are major triggers. Something people may not realise is that this 'illness' completely changes your outlook on life, and not in a good way. I use to love going out and socialising, now whenever I leave my house it's not without the fear of having a flare-up or feeling sick wherever I am. Something as simple as going to the cinema can be so daunting because I'm always thinking about my stomach in the back of my mind. Going for meals and drinks is a task in itself because I'm always trying to make sure I choose the right thing. Sometimes it's like the thoughts of having a flare-up actually triggers one. It's a bit of a viscous cycle & it's hard to live in the moment and not worry about the 'what-ifs'.

Coping with IBS is definitely hard to adjust to; it's draining physically & emotionally. Sleepless nights lying on the bathroom floor or the landing because the pain is just unbearable, feeling like you might faint & get sick all at once. It's also disheartening because, although there's medication to ease the symptoms, they don't always help and there's no definite cure. It becomes part of your day-to-day life and it's something you learn to live with. I'm realising its not something to be ashamed of and I'm doing all I can to manage it. It affects so many people , people who are afraid or embarrassed to talk about it with friends and family because it's something that can often be hard to explain, and hard to understand.

Over the part 2 years or so, I've tried numerous different tablets & medication to try ease the symptoms but nothing really worked for long periods of time. However, I've recently started taking Alflorex which is the only one of it's kind in Ireland. It's a food supplement which basically primes the gut where it is needed, and helps to reset your system. I can honestly say this has definitely helped with the cramps and abdominal pain, and I'm starting to get back to myself slowly but surely. I do still feel nauseous at times but I'm hoping that'll ease once my body gets use to these supplements. I'm not over-thinking as much as I use to and trying to get on with my day as normal.

I decided to write this post in the hopes that those who suffer with IBS won't be afraid to speak out about their own journey , it's still a learning curve but it helps when someone else understands what you're going through. It'll never stop me from travelling or doing the things I love, it's just another hurdle along the way!

R x