The Disclaimer of IBS

Now that I have painted a picture of what a flare-up experience is for me; there are a few issues that I wanted to cover before we get too much farther into this journey:

1. IBS IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY PERSON

When I write and describe my experiences, those are unique to me. Person A with IBS may have a completely different set of symptoms than mine. Person B with IBS may have some similar symptoms and then a few off the wall symptoms.

Some people with IBS can't tolerate dairy. I can tolerate dairy in moderate amounts. Some peope with IBS can tolerate lettuce. I cannot and do my best to avoid it. This is one of the things that makes this issue so difficult to pinpoint; every experience is unique.

It should also be noted that there are different sub-types of IBS. I personally have IBS- D. This means my symptoms present as diarrhea prominent. There is also IBS-C which is constipation. And IBS-A which is alternating (or referred to as IBS-M for mixed). You can find plenty of debate on the internet about which sub-type is worse, but I think we can all agree that any type is not exactly the definition of a good time.

2. THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR SELF-DIAGNOSIS

I plan to write about my own personal experiences. The symptoms I discuss are NOT a way to self-diagnose. If you see yourself in what I write or are having issues; see your medical provider.

Yes, I know that can be an uphill battle. I know that sometimes trying to get a doctor to believe in symptoms that you can physically show can go beyond the definition of frustrating. And I do want others to find comfort in knowing they are not alone with what I write here.

But let's face it: IBS has too many facets. What I experience may be similar to something you experience, but you may have something different. And it is really important to get assistance the best way possible.

3. THERE IS NO SECRET CURE IN THIS BLOG

This is a biggie for me. There is no currently known cure for IBS. There are people out there that will proclaim that have a cure or that 'x' diet is the way to go or these supplements or juice fast and so forth. 

These may have worked for some people. They may have reduced their flare-ups to almost nothing for long periods of time. But they are not cures.

I won't be giving out any cures. I may refer to 'meds' that I take, but I have no plans to give specifics. All meds that I take, any diet that I try, or anything else that I attempt have all been discussed with my doctor beforehand. It is in an attempt to find out what works for me. Which may not work for you. It is a personal journey.

Now, I may share some stomach safe foods that I make or recipes that I found that I enjoy. But they aren't a cure. Nor are they a way to medicate. 

I wish I had an answer for anyone reading. That I could point you in a direction with a large billboard that proclaimed the magical cure for everything ever. But that just doesn't exist. Yet.

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It is very easy to go on the internet and plug in your symptoms then get a million and one answers (and yes, all of them will tell you that you have cancer or are currently dead).

I want to share what it is like to have this illness. I want to also acknowledge that this illness may not be as serious as other illnesses out there; but it still affects my daily life. When something is that much a part of your life, sometimes you have to strive to understand it better.

My first two posts were raw. And they may have been difficult to read for some. That was the point. I wanted to show a true life situation for me. 

Please understand, this is not the every day life for me. Prior to this flare-up (which lasted a grand total of three days), I had been in a stretch where the flare-ups were settled down a bit. I went from 1-2 a week, to maybe 3 within two months. And that is how it happens. 

For a brief, fleeting moment it was easy to believe that maybe I had fallen into a way of life where this wasn't in the forefront. But of course, that it was happens. As with any chornic illness you can get small breaks and then back it comes for revenge.

But at the end of the day, I made it through. Despite that raw pain, the frustration, and the sense of embarassment (a feeling that I am a burden or no one believes me); it is currently finished. This will be a weekend full of stomach safe foods and lots of rest. 

The beast may currently be asleep, but I will still have to tiptoe for a few days.

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