Hi my name is kira- im 15 and am going into 10th grade. I have been dealing with ibs-d for almost a year now and i dont know what it is, but i cant accept it! I went to a school for 7 yrs of my life and the teachers there hated me because of my spirit, they said to my mom the day i left, "We just couldnt break that outgoing strong spirit of hers." All it took to break my spirit was IBS- im one of those kids who deals with it everyday and its goten to the point where i dont laugh i dont have the joy i use to have. I use to be one of those girls who was just full of life and laughter and now im full of depression and sadness- to the point i cry 1 time evry week. My gastro specialist cant do much more for me so he's sending me to ucla to see if they know- the only thing i think is- all this for IBS! Some people can control theres by food or stress- well im not one of those people, yes nerves do make mine worse and when i get upset but i have been lying around in the house and eating very specific foods yet i feel like im worse off now than i was when it started.
I dont call my gastro anymore cuz he cant do anything more for me, i feel like im almost out of hope. I told God last night when i was in tears that i dont know how much more i could take of this. I feel like everytime i have a bad week or when i have those really bad days where i cant move or eat or even drink w/out an attack- i feel like it just reminds me how helpless i am and how im running out of sources. Im only 15! Cause i was scared of getting hurt- never had a first real date, never had a real first kiss, never have fallen in love, never got a new car, never had areal job- i feel as if i have nothing to look foward on. When i get depressed i try to think of things i would miss and all i have is the love of my family, church, friends, and school but this doesnt even come close to Heaven- where i would feel no pain, no more tears, no more sadness, basically NO MORE IBS!!! I just dont know how many more times i can go throught the horibble dia. and the severe shap pain. I cant imagine going through this for years to come.
I wrote this post to see if there are any IBS'ers that feel the same way i do and have it everyday and cant control it by food or medicine. Are there any people who have ibs-d like i do and feels at a time they just dont want to live anymore? Cuz i dont know anyone in my life that can relate to what im going through. please if there is anybody in my situation and dealing with the same feelings i am i would like to hear your story and it would help to know im not the only one that deals with these feelings.
thanks for your help- sad and depressed kira

Oh, I feel for you! I am sure you aren't the only one, as I've had many a day where I just am ready to kill myself! It sucks I know! I get these bouts of diarea that cause me to have to sit on the pot for hours on end and then I'm in sooo much pain! :( What type of IBS do you have and has it officially been diagnosed as such? My Ob-Gyn actually told me that I have it but I've had no tests done and i'm young, too. 23. Anyway my heart goes out to you and I hope you get well one day. I hear that something called IBX works wonders for ppl but i've yet to try it...

hey kira....
man let me tell you, i've been there... shoot theres days where i'm still there.... i always ask my mom why i have to go through this... there are so many people who do worse things than me, like drugs.... i'm just trying to eat a meal and not have to go to the br afterwards 5 times..... ive been dealing with it since i was 14-15.. i'm now 20 and in college.... let me tell you something there are many people out there that feel the same way as you, with ibs.... however, i always try and tell myself... i could have it sooooo much worse.... i know you talked about heaven, no pain, no ibs.... that is something i think of often, it would be so nice to just be in that place.. i am very spiritual as well... today actually was a very very rough day for me w/ the d.... very rough... its around 1:30 in the morning and im just not getting over it... w/ the help of immodium and an antispasmadic... but i know that this many make me NOT go for 3 days.... and start the cycle over again... but just know that anyone who suffers daily like people w/ ibs do... generally have thoughts of why me, i just wanna give up.... i can tell you though, it takes some experimenting w/ diet and different meds... it took me awhile to find something that has worked.... i mean i've had 2 bad days in like 21, and thats a lot better than everyday straight for 2 weeks.... take the advice of others on here.. take caltrate colon health calcium... take a probiotic, take a digestive enzyme, and cut out dairy and gluten.... really these are big trouble makers for ppl w/ this condition.... you may already know all this.. but try and experiment more w/ the diet, and seriously consider trying EVERY medicine even if its the same kind, but a diff. name...... it took me like 4-6 anti-depressants b4 i found one that worked.... i tried zoloft, imiprimine(for 2 days) then lexapro, now that im 20 and willing to take this medicine, im back on the imiprimine(tofrinal)... and i take donnatal 4 times a day..... this is what has helped ME, it may not help you.. but what i'm saying.. it takes experimenting.... you may be good w/ a medicine for a year, then your body builds up a tolerance, so you may need to try another.... my dad tells me about ppl he runs to at work.. hes in a business where the communication between him and the customers is pretty important... and actually pretty in depth at times... well he talks about my problems sometimes, which i'm okay w/, b/c hes just super sad for me and wants to vent, and several have been like oh i've been there..... for 20 years i went through this.. then i found some food i was allergic to and cut it out completely and im fine... i've heard of at least 5 of my parents friends who are 100% after suffering for years.. that gives me hope.... i've actually had people my mom knows want to call and tell me their story to give me hope..... hope this finds you well....

if you wanna ask me questions or keep in touch just post a message for me on here, i check this site quite often daily, i dont have a job, school doesn't start for awhile.... but i can lend a helping hand, im pretty knowledgeable about this stuff, i research it all the time... and i can tell you what has helped me... and what stuff effects me.... STRESS is huge w/ me... HUGE.... but i think DIET is MUCH MUCH BIGGER..... the combination of the 2 sometimes is dreadful... but thats what the meds are for... ive went from 185-195lbs.... 205 when i was trying to bulk up for weight training.... to 155 lbs..... so i know what its like to eat to survive.... you're not alone... but like i said post a message on here if you have and questions or anything at anytime for me... bye

Hi Kira,

I've had my terrible days too luv. I know I used to want to commit suicide because of the pain, fatigue and general feeling of apathy. Even though I know how to control my IBS now, I still occasionally feel like I wish I could just die: But occasionally I feel exactly the opposite.

I'm especially happy, when I've just defeated all my troubles. If you do ever feel like completely giving up - meaning you are going to jump off a cliff or try flying like batman from the top of a tall building - let me know first and then hear me out. Don't kill yourself overdosing on meds either.

IBS definitely isn't worth dieing over, especially if it really is IBS - and not cancer or ALS (Lhou Gherig's (sp?) disease) ..... The same goes for anyone suffering from fibromyalgia.

Cheers, Raju.

when i had the bad ibs-d last year i too began to think that dying was actually not a bad idea. I think stomach pain is the worst anyone can have at least it completetly turns me off. I got real desperate about it because I kinda imagined why I got it (late side effect of very unhealthy medication that I knew was dangerous) Anyways the doctors did not helped but I tried hard on my own to find a cure. I found stuff that helped. The ibs got really controlled and now the ibs is so mild I could say its gone. So things can really get to be better over the years. I would like to address that of diagnosis because i know my dad was sick of the stomach for over 30 years and the gastro doctor did not found anything yet a family physician found the cause which was a food absorption issue. He recovered in full and has not suffered stomach problems ever since. I guess this is matter of trying hard and not let this beat you.
Should I have continued the problem I would have tried liver flushes, making sure the gallbladder is entirerly out of stones and start experimenting with antidepressant drugs like remeron (it really worked for me) there is a myrad of drugs to try.
Anyways what worked for me is diet low in fat (i cannt tolerate very fatty stuff like the skin of chicken). It worked taking orange peel extract capsules for the horrible heartburn, pure ginger tea, zantac(ranitidine) and inmodium.
Do not give up!

((((Kira)))), I feel for you honey. First, know that you are not alone. There are so many ibs sufferers out there. I give thanks for boards like these all the time, especially when I'm feeling particularly low, or just fed up with living with IBS-D.

I'm older than you are (in fact, have a child around your age) and I can imagine how left out you are feeling because your IBS. Even at my age, I cry when I watch my family go out without me, or I have to say no to my friends when they ask me to join them for breakfast (in fact, I've said no so often, they don't even ask anymore).

I've tried just about everything out there to 'cure' me and nothing has worked, in fact, most of the 'cures' made my ibs worse. My gastro is no help once he performed the tests (colonoscopy, endoscopy, cat scan, ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, blood, urine, etc) and found nothing 'wrong'. In fact, I just went to him for a blood pressure check and the conversation went like this:

Doc - "Still have a bum stomach?"
me - "yup"
Doc - "Thats too bad".

End of ibs discussion.

So what do I do.... my stomach tends to be messed up in the morning. Some days I can't be more than 5 feet away from the toilet. So, I don't make plans for the morning, or if I absolutely have to, I get up earlier hoping to get my bathroom issues out of the way. I don't eat until I'm home... even if it means not eating until 4 or 5:00. (I know this must be messing up my blood sugar but if I eat, I poop). If I'm going out at night, I will eat half a bagel or some dry toast mid afternoon, and pray that my stomach will behave. Oh, and immodium.... I couldn't live without it. If I'm going out, I take immodium. And it doesn't always stop the diarhhea either.

Eating.... carbs. In the time where low carbs or no carbs is the fad, I eat carbs. Seems its the food that my stomach tolerates the best. If I eat a salad (which I love), within 10 minutes I'm doubled over in pain and heading for the toilet. Sames goes with raw fruit or veggies. In fact, I've learned that before I put anything in my mouth, to eat a piece of bread first. I haven't had the 'eat half your dinner, and waddle to the bathroom coz you're squeezing your cheeks closed' syndrome in a long time.

I try to avoid spicy foods, and overly processed foods like pepperoni and keilbasi. I can't eat anything made with those soup mixes (lipton onion soup kinda thing).

If my stomach is horribly bad (happens every couple of months where I'm always sick, on the toilet, feeling nauseous, horrible cramps, extreme fatigue, lasts about 2 weeks) I eat very lightly. Chicken broth and noodles. Rice. A bagel. I only drink water, but if I have that tightness feeling in my upper stomach, I drink root beer... makes me burp and I feel better. If I'm really nauseous, I'll add ginger powder to ginger ale, and sip it.

And when I'm laying in bed, totally depressed, crying and asking God "why me?", I try to tell myself that I am fortunate that I don't have some awful terminal disease. That I can still think for myself, and do for myself. That I have a family who loves me, cats to keep me company....that tomorrow is another day and perhaps someone will find a cure for this.

Hang in there Kira.

:angel:

CC

crazycats there is got to be something that works out. No drugs like librax or antidepressants worked for ya? I dont know but if Im sure is that hopeless I would try the holy healing way, at least I have seeing people even cured of cancer by faith so how come not ibs.

Antidepressants made me... wacky. Really. I hope I never have need to take them. Librax didn't do a thing for my ibs, but I didn't realize how 'down' I was on it, til I came off of it and it felt like the sunshine came back into my life. I have tried all the antispasm meds (didn't make a difference one way or the other), all the 'natural' supplements (ended up 2x in the ER in the middle of the night). I've tried acupunture, even crystals (shaking head). If I could find someone local that does biofeedback, I'd try that. I do take calcium along with a multi vitamin (more for bone health than ibs).

I think I have come to terms with my lot in life and just try to work around my tummy problems. I know that the more upset I would get over my stomach, the more intense my ibs would become. I'm not saying I've accepted my ibs, just that I've learned to live with it. I will never stop searching for a 'cure'.

:angel:

CC

Don't think you're alone, I've felt exactly the same way. Maybe an antidepressant might help. I'm currently on Effexor and also taking Levsin for the IBS. Worth looking into.

I am 25, and started having problems with IBS-d when I was 15. I was so sad and depressed. I didn't want to go anywhere because I embaressed to go to the bathroom anywhere but at home. I never had boyfriends really because i didn't want them to know about my problem. I felt so alone. My doctor and gastro doc. both said well there is nothing we can do for IBS so you will just have to learn to live with it. Still to this day I have problems. I have tried a couple of medications like dycyclomine, Lomoto, and immodium. The only one I can use with somewhat of a result is the immodium. I told my doctor that I take between 4-6 of them a day and he just says whatever works. I am not lactose intolorant but i treat myself like I am...because I cannot eat ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, or drink milk. If I do I will be in the bathroom for a day in a half. I tried taking fiber like the doctor suggested but that made the problem even more severe. Last Christmas I was addmitted to the Hospital because I had blood in my stools. Nothing ever came from that either.
When I was 18 I met a great guy and when I was 20 I became pregnant, we moved in together and could no longer hide my IBS from him. I told him about it in kind of a joking way and we both laughed. He could care less about it he loves me anyway. Now we have a 4 yr old and a 5 month old...both girls. I still get very depressed ( I am on Zoloft) because I can't go alot of places. I can't plan things in advance because I never know how I am going to be feeling that day. I have to make sure before I take my girls to the park that they have a bathroom there.
The problem may always be there sweetie but ending your life would be a awful choice. I tried on several occasions when I was your age and it did nothing but hurt my family, leave scars, and make stomach problems worse. I think it is safe to say hun, that we all have had the same feelings you do. Hang in there and let us all know how you are doing.

I

Zoloft is known to be bad for the stomach. I would change that antidepressant for one that is better like remeron (mirtazapine) This drug actually helped me so much for the ibs.

I been thinking given with this ibs-d is such a chronic disabling condition, wouldn't a colostopy be an alternative? I mean like cutting away the colon (no colon then no ibs) Of course that would mean like living with the bag but I
guess thats better than living in pain and suffering isn't it?


I am 25, and started having problems with IBS-d when I was 15. I was so sad and depressed. I didn't want to go anywhere because I embaressed to go to the bathroom anywhere but at home. I never had boyfriends really because i didn't want them to know about my problem. I felt so alone. My doctor and gastro doc. both said well there is nothing we can do for IBS so you will just have to learn to live with it. Still to this day I have problems. I have tried a couple of medications like dycyclomine, Lomoto, and immodium. The only one I can use with somewhat of a result is the immodium. I told my doctor that I take between 4-6 of them a day and he just says whatever works. I am not lactose intolorant but i treat myself like I am...because I cannot eat ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, or drink milk. If I do I will be in the bathroom for a day in a half. I tried taking fiber like the doctor suggested but that made the problem even more severe. Last Christmas I was addmitted to the Hospital because I had blood in my stools. Nothing ever came from that either.
When I was 18 I met a great guy and when I was 20 I became pregnant, we moved in together and could no longer hide my IBS from him. I told him about it in kind of a joking way and we both laughed. He could care less about it he loves me anyway. Now we have a 4 yr old and a 5 month old...both girls. I still get very depressed ( I am on Zoloft) because I can't go alot of places. I can't plan things in advance because I never know how I am going to be feeling that day. I have to make sure before I take my girls to the park that they have a bathroom there.
The problem may always be there sweetie but ending your life would be a awful choice. I tried on several occasions when I was your age and it did nothing but hurt my family, leave scars, and make stomach problems worse. I think it is safe to say hun, that we all have had the same feelings you do. Hang in there and let us all know how you are doing.

I

I have not tried any ant-depressants because im scared what might happen to me. I cannot have any dairy or lactose products. I dont eat bread or rice. I stopped eating meat alot, no spices, no macaroni, no cakes, no chocolates, no coffee, no oranges & alot of other things. I have tried & tested alot of foods to check what works for me. The end result was that all of those items made my stomach heavy, bloated & running to the toilet. It also used to make me sleep alot & also get very angry. I can say im much calmer now but also very depressed at times. I only eat SOYA items & have nutrional shakes everyday. I take the ones the body builders use. That gives me alot of engery. I also eat alot of bananas as this cools down my stomach & also is light. When i am really hungry, i luv to eat a nice plate of meal but i turn to something that just fills my hunger. I miss so many things. I dont have alot of pain now but i had to give up alot of foods. I only eat soya & fruits now. I get so tired of that. My body feels so weak at times that my hands & legs start shaking. I am losing so much of weight & i find it hard to think clearly nowadays & make decisions.

What makes it even more harder for me is that i am emotionally weak now. Is this normal?

One more thing, i still go to the toilet when i eat soya & fruits like about 10 times a day. Much better than when i used to eat other foods.

Minded-Have you spoke to a doctor about this problem? There is something that you should have your doctor look into. I only mention it because you said you have a problem eating pretty much everything. You should have your doctor test you for Celiac Disease. There is a blood test that they can do and if that comes back abnormal then they do a endoscopy & colonoscopy. It is a disease that makes the villi (villi absorb the nutrients from food you eat) flatten so your food pretty muck goes right through you.
Celiacs Disease means that you have a gluten allergy. If you want to find out more you should look it up on the web.
Symptoms are:
-diarrhea
-abdominal pain
-weight loss
-weakness/fatigue
There are alot of illnesses ou there that have these symptoms. But to answer your question "no" what is happening to youu is not normal and you should see a doctor about it.
Good Luck :angel:

Hey girl,
I know what you are going through, im 26 and have two small children, :angel: and it kills me, not to be a very active mom because of IBS, thats why im on here right now, couldnt sleep cause of the pain.
I found a website (www.digestrin.com) you really need to go look at this site. I just found it and I am going to order some myself and see if it works. I have also been on Zoloft, it helps some but not always. Just remember life is a gift that only we can enjoy, even thou there are obstacles. I just think about how my kids would feel if I wasnt here. It keeps be going everyday,
Take care
Trisha

Thank you for your advice starlet32079. I have read some info. on Celiacs Disease & have reviewed the safe list of foods to eat. However the foods that are suppose to be safe for people who have Celiacs Disease is bad for me. Alot of items like Milk, rice, lactose, etc... are items that worsen my stomach & make me run to the toilet. I have taken so many vitamins that help me calm down & think clearly but my body gets immune to the vitamins & they no longer work. I want to take something that will help me ease my mind, stop the worry/stress & also think clearly & remember more stuff. I have taken ginko, ginseng, glutamine, vitamin b, folic acid, omega 3,6 oils, etc... They worked for the first week or so but after that my body got immune to it & they no longer worked. I however still take vitamin b everyday hoping it will work but i can think & read properly now. Can anyone recommend anything or any medication to go on that will help my nerves & brain.

Thanks everyone.

I cant even type properly. I meant the vitamin b only helps me to stay awake but i still cannot think & read properly. I used to be good but no longer am.

Can anyone recommend anything?

urmyss1-thank you so much for telling me that. Sometimes I feel like I am cheating my kids. I see all of these moms taking their kids to the park and walking around the lakes and I want to do that. Why shouldn't I be able to do something so basic like that? You are right though...you just keep going because you have to and my kids love me so much. It's just hard. But I don't have to say that twice to anyone here. Thanks again :angel:



Minded-I also cannot eat well pretty much anything that will not send me running to the bathroom. I feel for you. Well I am glad that you checked out the celiacs website. Sorry it didn't help any though. I hope you find some relief soon. Take care :wave:

Hi Kira,

Well we might be very different ages (I am 41) but I have IBS as well. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and it took me some time to get used to living with it because I did not see why I had to change my diet etc.. etc.. etc... I have also been diagnosed with an ulcer in my stomach and an inflamed small intestine and menieres disease which is fluid retention in my ears that causes me severe dizziness or vertigo so I very often get nausea and it means I have to have time away from work and my husband and I constantly feel like we are playing catch up on the bills that keep piling up.

I am also due to go back to the hospital next week to see a gastrologist because I am now having pain where my gallblader is so who knows what will come out of that.

There have been many times when I have questioned what the point is to being here on gods earth, he is certainly testing me as he is you. The only thing that so far has kept me here is my three beautiful children who I love very much because I know they need me here as I need them in my life.

The reason why I am saying that is because I am sure your parents love you very much too and feel that same way I do about my children, I don't know what I would do without them, as I am sure your parents would not know what to do without you in there life.

I guess what I would like to say to you, is Yes, there will be days that will be hard to get through and you will question why this is all happening to you - I certainly do. But my advice would be to perhaps find something you are interested in and set yourself some goals. Even with IBS, goals can be achievable, they may be a little harder to get to because of set backs but they are acheivable.

So you go Girl and don't you let anyone get in the way from stopping you - even that darn IBS and don't worry about others around you and what they might be thinking - it's not about them, it's about you - you are what is important.

Keep your Chin Up

Karen :)