This one is a kind of personal post, something I don't discuss with many people because personally I find it extremely embarrassing. I have IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome), it's an extremely common problem, 40% of people have mild cases, but for some reason I feel like I can't talk about it? Realistically it's something I need to get over because everyone poops, like it's not a big deal, but why does it feel like one?
I know there are worse things out there and it's really not a big deal, but it really does effect your life. You are restricted in what you can do, where you can go and your whole life revolves around the toilet. It's difficult to be able to go out and have a normal 20 something life without it playing on the back of your mind. I have managed to control it 97.5% of the time. I don't know if it's just me but I'll wake up and I'll just know if I am going to have a good day or bad day. If I am having a bad day, it's bad. As IBS isn't something you talk about (unless you're speaking with someone else who has it) I thought I would share some of my symptoms and side effects.
The Standard Annyoing Side effects
- You can't eat specific food. You learn what you can and can't eat over time but if you slip up, your body knows and it gets really pissed at you. For me it's things like beef, quorn beef weirdly, processed sauces and take away pizza (which is a issue).
- Tea, coffee, caffeine? Nope nope nope. Am I even allowed to be on Instagram if I cant post a basic bitch photo of my skinny iced frappe latte with an extra espresso shot. Caffeine is just a hands down no from me and my insides. I am not being rude when I decline your offer of a tea or coffee and it's the main reason I drink squash 90% of the time. It's not me I swear ... it's my guts.
- Constant nausea and feeling sick.
The Annoying
- Eating out in a restaurant is hard... well impossible and people don't tend to understand that. No matter where I go, what I eat, the food will go straight through me and I will be preying that the restaurant's toilets are private.
- The same with being invited over to people's houses for dinner. I love cooking, I love eating and I love it when people feed me but I have to politely decline people's tasty dinner invites unless I know exactly how they've made it and what's gone in it. "Yes gurl I know you're a good cook, but I can either destroy your bathroom or stay home and lie on the sofa eating safe food"
- Dressing yourself is hard because you're bloated 24/7. People ask why I live in baggy jumpers and cami tops, I look pregnant ALL OF THE TIME.
- If you get to hot ... urgh this one is one of the worst. Luckily I am a cold person but you know that feeling you get when you're really embarrassed and you can feel yourself getting red, hot and clammy? That's just a standard thing that happens when you get too hot with IBS, then you get that feeling makes your insides go crazy and feel awful.
- The same thing with stress. Even when you don't feel stressed mentally, your body knows it and makes your bowels twist up into a pretzel and leaves you in agony.
- Sex ... who thought it would ruin sex? But it does, your whole downstairs area gets so uncomfortable, painful and irritates you so much. It's just a massive no, this is probably my least favorite side effect.. I honestly couldn't deal with being single and having this issue, how awkward is that conversation? "Sorry we can't have sex tonight because your penis is irritating". URGH!!
- Alcohol ... oh my sweet babboo <3 this is one thing I do not give any fucks about, even though I usually pay for it the next day, I love having a casual drink with my babes and IBS will not stop me.
- You're gassy and you get pain in your gut when you need to poop.. it's annoying.
- When you do poop, sometimes you're literally there for days. So settle down, take your phone with you and try not to cry because trust me, you will want to.
The Embarrassing
- If you're a girl who goes to clubs / bars / pubs or whatever. When you pee, your whole squad comes along for the ride and you make an activity out of it. You always socialise the most in the toilet on a night out, everyone just gathers by the mirrors, chats, re applies make up, takes selfies of whatever but this is literally my idea of hell on a bad day. Sharing a stall makes me feel uncomfortable, who knows what's gunna happen.
- Not knowing the protocol about using the disabled toilet. Like I know it's not a disability but are you allowed to use them to save embarrassment? Or will you get severely judged by others. I just want some privacy!!
