CrazyCats4

I think the first symptom of IBS I noticed was excessive gas. I remember going to the doctor for another matter and mentioning that starting around 4:00 every day, no matter what I ate, I would start 'tooting'. He told me that was nothing unusual, just the way my digestive system was working. It then progressed to extremely uncomfortable bloating with lots of stinky gas (I would chase myself out of the room) that would last all night.

Then it seemed that after I ate dinner, I would have to run to the bathroom. This happened once a week, then twice...then more. Certainly made me think twice about eating out.

I used to have a BM once a day, in the morning, after breakfast. I started having more, loose movements. Before breakfast. After breakfast. It would be an adventure driving my daughter to school and rushing back to use the toilet. I got to the point where I wouldn't schedule anything until after 11:00 am. For sure by then, I would have emptied my bowels and would be able to start my day.

But... over the years that has changed too. Now I 'go' whenever my stomach decides to go. Doesn't matter if I ate or not. Doesn't matter if I'm in the middle of a crowded mall with no bathroom available or if I'm sound asleep dreaming of sugar plums. When I gotta go, I gotta go!

Along with the loose bm's/diarrhea, I also have nausea, fatigue, just a general feeling of 'ickiness'. I used to be the type of person that would jump at the chance to do anything. Travel? Let me pack my suitcase! Try a new restaurant? Let me get my fork! Now I plan my day around bathrooms. What fun.

CC