I would like to share with you something about my current medical situation. Ordinarily I would not do so, as I am an intensely private person, but I now accept that my physical limitations have quite possibly impacted my high school performance in a negative manner, and I feel that it is only fair that you have this information. Therefore, I am reluctantly going to allow access to information that I would never, otherwise, speak of.

For the past several years, I have been afflicted by a physical situation that has sometimes interfered with my ability to focus, both in the classroom and out. I do not wish to be too specific about the symptoms of my disease, except to say that they are digestive in nature and sometimes require me to spend long periods of time in the Ladies’ Room. Despite my terrible discomfort, I refused to accept that there might be something wrong with me, and would not seek treatment. I know now that I should have been less determined to suffer in silence and more willing to accept help. Finally, my parents insisted on bringing the matter to the attention of a physician. I was tested, over a period of several weeks, for colon cancer, Crohn’s Disease, intestinal obstructions, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Heliocobacter pylori (commonly known as ulcer), celiac sprue (commonly known as wheat allergy), lactose intolerance, gallstones, bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis (the narrowing of the bile ducts), “Sphincter of Oddi” dysfunction and pancreatitis. You can imagine how relieved I was to learn that I had none of these terrible diseases.

Finally, I received the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is sometimes known as spastic colon, nervous colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis, and is distinguished by abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhea (loose stools), constipation or sometimes, as in my own case, both. It is well known to experts in this field that periods of stress can intensify the severity of IBS. I have certainly found my busy schedule of six honors/AP classes, Varsity field hockey, swimming and track teams, performing lead roles in three consecutive Spring Musicals, volunteering at the local animal shelter, tutoring at-risk children, and working three evenings a week plus all day Saturday at The Gap to be, at times, stressful, but of course it is impossible to say what has caused me to be afflicted with this very horrible syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS or spastic colon) is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements. Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or they may alternate (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-A, respectively). IBS may begin after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI), a stressful life event, or onset of maturity without any other medical indicators.

Although there is no cure for IBS, there are treatments that attempt to relieve symptoms, including dietary adjustments, medication and psychological interventions. Patient education and a good doctor-patient relationship are also important.

Several conditions may present as IBS including celiac disease, Fructose malabsorption,[3] mild infections, parasitic infections like giardiasis, several inflammatory bowel diseases, functional chronic constipation, and chronic functional abdominal pain. In IBS, routine clinical tests yield no abnormalities, though the bowels may be more sensitive to certain stimuli, such as balloon insufflation testing. The exact cause of IBS is unknown. The most common theory is that IBS is a disorder of the interaction between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract, although there may also be abnormalities in the gut flora or the immune system.

IBS does not lead to more serious conditions in most patients. But it is a source of chronic pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, and it increases a patient’s medical costs, and contributes to work absenteeism. Researchers have reported that the high prevalence of IBS, in conjunction with increased costs produces a disease with a high societal cost. It is also regarded as a chronic illness and can dramatically affect the quality of a sufferer’s life.

In fact, doctors do not know what causes IBS, or why people who share my disease feel the need to have a bowel movement soon after eating, causing diarrhea, or why the prolonged spasm of the large intestine causes stool to stay in one area for too long and get dried out, resulting in small hard stools (constipation). As of today, palliative treatments are only in the experimental stage, and the hard truth is that there is no cure for IBS.

It has been very difficult for me to accept this diagnosis at my young age. I do not know what the future will h

I would like to share with you something about my current medical situation. Ordinarily I would not do so, as I am an intensely private person, but I now accept that my physical limitations have quite possibly impacted my high school performance in a negative manner, and I feel that it is only fair that you have this information. Therefore, I am reluctantly going to allow access to information that I would never, otherwise, speak of.

For the past several years, I have been afflicted by a physical situation that has sometimes interfered with my ability to focus, both in the classroom and out. I do not wish to be too specific about the symptoms of my disease, except to say that they are digestive in nature and sometimes require me to spend long periods of time in the Ladies’ Room. Despite my terrible discomfort, I refused to accept that there might be something wrong with me, and would not seek treatment. I know now that I should have been less determined to suffer in silence and more willing to accept help. Finally, my parents insisted on bringing the matter to the attention of a physician. I was tested, over a period of several weeks, for colon cancer, Crohn’s Disease, intestinal obstructions, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Heliocobacter pylori (commonly known as ulcer), celiac sprue (commonly known as wheat allergy), lactose intolerance, gallstones, bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis (the narrowing of the bile ducts), “Sphincter of Oddi” dysfunction and pancreatitis. You can imagine how relieved I was to learn that I had none of these terrible diseases.

Finally, I received the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is sometimes known as spastic colon, nervous colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis, and is distinguished by abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhea (loose stools), constipation or sometimes, as in my own case, both. It is well known to experts in this field that periods of stress can intensify the severity of IBS. I have certainly found my busy schedule of six honors/AP classes, Varsity field hockey, swimming and track teams, performing lead roles in three consecutive Spring Musicals, volunteering at the local animal shelter, tutoring at-risk children, and working three evenings a week plus all day Saturday at The Gap to be, at times, stressful, but of course it is impossible to say what has caused me to be afflicted with this very horrible syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS or spastic colon) is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause.[1] In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements.[2] Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or they may alternate (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-A, respectively). IBS may begin after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI), a stressful life event, or onset of maturity without any other medical indicators.
Although there is no cure for IBS, there are treatments that attempt to relieve symptoms, including dietary adjustments, medication and psychological interventions. Patient education and a good doctor-patient relationship are also important.

In fact, doctors do not know what causes IBS, or why people who share my disease feel the need to have a bowel movement soon after eating, causing diarrhea, or why the prolonged spasm of the large intestine causes stool to stay in one area for too long and get dried out, resulting in small hard stools (constipation). As of today, palliative treatments are only in the experimental stage, and the hard truth is that there is no cure for IBS.

It has been very difficult for me to accept this diagnosis at my young age. I do not know what the future will hold for me and other IBS patients, and I understand that I may be facing a long battle, but I am committed to facing this challenge with the same determination I have faced every other challenge in my life. I am not a quitter, and I am not a complainer, and you should know that, if I am admitted, I will never allow my illness to have a negative impact on my academic, athletic, charitable, creative and social activities in college.

I would like to share with you something about my current medical situation. Ordinarily I would not do so, as I am an intensely private person, but I now accept that my physical limitations have quite possibly impacted my high school performance in a negative manner, and I feel that it is only fair that you have this information. Therefore, I am reluctantly going to allow access to information that I would never, otherwise, speak of.

For the past several years, I have been afflicted by a physical situation that has sometimes interfered with my ability to focus, both in the classroom and out. I do not wish to be too specific about the symptoms of my disease, except to say that they are digestive in nature and sometimes require me to spend long periods of time in the Ladies’ Room. Despite my terrible discomfort, I refused to accept that there might be something wrong with me, and would not seek treatment. I know now that I should have been less determined to suffer in silence and more willing to accept help. Finally, my parents insisted on bringing the matter to the attention of a physician. I was tested, over a period of several weeks, for colon cancer, Crohn’s Disease, intestinal obstructions, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Heliocobacter pylori (commonly known as ulcer), celiac sprue (commonly known as wheat allergy), lactose intolerance, gallstones, bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis (the narrowing of the bile ducts), “Sphincter of Oddi” dysfunction and pancreatitis. You can imagine how relieved I was to learn that I had none of these terrible diseases.

Finally, I received the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is sometimes known as spastic colon, nervous colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis, and is distinguished by abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhea (loose stools), constipation or sometimes, as in my own case, both. It is well known to experts in this field that periods of stress can intensify the severity of IBS. I have certainly found my busy schedule of six honors/AP classes, Varsity field hockey, swimming and track teams, performing lead roles in three consecutive Spring Musicals, volunteering at the local animal shelter, tutoring at-risk children, and working three evenings a week plus all day Saturday at The Gap to be, at times, stressful, but of course it is impossible to say what has caused me to be afflicted with this very horrible syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS or spastic colon) is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause.[1] In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements.[2] Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or they may alternate (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-A, respectively). IBS may begin after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI), a stressful life event, or onset of maturity without any other medical indicators.
Although there is no cure for IBS, there are treatments that attempt to relieve symptoms, including dietary adjustments, medication and psychological interventions. Patient education and a good doctor-patient relationship are also important.

In fact, doctors do not know what causes IBS, or why people who share my disease feel the need to have a bowel movement soon after eating, causing diarrhea, or why the prolonged spasm of the large intestine causes stool to stay in one area for too long and get dried out, resulting in small hard stools (constipation). As of today, palliative treatments are only in the experimental stage, and the hard truth is that there is no cure for IBS.

It has been very difficult for me to accept this diagnosis at my young age. I do not know what the future will hold for me and other IBS patients, and I understand that I may be facing a long battle, but I am committed to facing this challenge with the same determination I have faced every other challenge in my life. I am not a quitter, and I am not a complainer, and you should know that, if I am admitted, I will never allow my illness to have a negative impact on my academic, athletic, charitable, creative and social activities in college.

I would like to share with you something about my current medical situation. Ordinarily I would not do so, as I am an intensely private person, but I now accept that my physical limitations have quite possibly impacted my high school performance in a negative manner, and I feel that it is only fair that you have this information. Therefore, I am reluctantly going to allow access to information that I would never, otherwise, speak of.

For the past several years, I have been afflicted by a physical situation that has sometimes interfered with my ability to focus, both in the classroom and out. I do not wish to be too specific about the symptoms of my disease, except to say that they are digestive in nature and sometimes require me to spend long periods of time in the Ladies’ Room. Despite my terrible discomfort, I refused to accept that there might be something wrong with me, and would not seek treatment. I know now that I should have been less determined to suffer in silence and more willing to accept help. Finally, my parents insisted on bringing the matter to the attention of a physician. I was tested, over a period of several weeks, for colon cancer, Crohn’s Disease, intestinal obstructions, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Heliocobacter pylori (commonly known as ulcer), celiac sprue (commonly known as wheat allergy), lactose intolerance, gallstones, bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis (the narrowing of the bile ducts), “Sphincter of Oddi” dysfunction and pancreatitis. You can imagine how relieved I was to learn that I had none of these terrible diseases.

Finally, I received the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is sometimes known as spastic colon, nervous colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis, and is distinguished by abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhea (loose stools), constipation or sometimes, as in my own case, both. It is well known to experts in this field that periods of stress can intensify the severity of IBS. I have certainly found my busy schedule of six honors/AP classes, Varsity field hockey, swimming and track teams, performing lead roles in three consecutive Spring Musicals, volunteering at the local animal shelter, tutoring at-risk children, and working three evenings a week plus all day Saturday at The Gap to be, at times, stressful, but of course it is impossible to say what has caused me to be afflicted with this very horrible syndrome.

In fact, doctors do not know what causes IBS, or why people who share my disease feel the need to have a bowel movement soon after eating, causing diarrhea, or why the prolonged spasm of the large intestine causes stool to stay in one area for too long and get dried out, resulting in small hard stools (constipation). As of today, palliative treatments are only in the experimental stage, and the hard truth is that there is no cure for IBS.

It has been very difficult for me to accept this diagnosis at my young age. I do not know what the future will hold for me and other IBS patients, and I understand that I may be facing a long battle, but I am committed to facing this challenge with the same determination I have faced every other challenge in my life. I am not a quitter, and I am not a complainer, and you should know that, if I am admitted, I will never allow my illness to have a negative impact on my academic, athletic, charitable, creative and social activities in college.

i wud lyk 2 share w/ u somethin about my currrent medical situation. ordinarily i wud not do so, as i am an intensely privite person, but i now accept dat my physical limitations hav quite possibly impacted my hi skool performance in ah negative manner, and i feel dat it is only fair dat u have dis information. therefore, i am reluctantly goin 2 allow access 2 information dat i wud never, otherwise, speak of.4 da past several years, i hve been afflicted by a physical situation dat haz sometimes interfered w/ my ability 2 focus, both in da classroom and out. I do not wish 2 be 2 specific about da symptoms of my disease, except 2 say dat dey r digestive in natore and sometimes require me 2 spend long periods of time in da ladies’ room. Despite my terrible discomfort, i refused to accept dat there might be something wrong w/ mei, and would not seek tretment. I know now dat i shud hve been less determined 2 suffer in silence and more willing to accept help. finali, my parents insisted on bringing da matter 2 the attention of a physician. i was tested, ovr a period of several weekz, 4 colon cancer, Crohn’s Disease, intestinal obstructions, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Heliocobacter pylori, celiac sprue, lactose intolerance, gallstones, bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis, “Sphincter of Oddi” dysfunction and pancreatitis. u can imagine how relieved i was to lern dat i had none of dese terrible diseases. finally, i received de diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (ibs). ibs is some time known as spastic colon, nervos colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis, and es distinguished bye abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhea (loose stools), constipation or sometimes, as in mie own case, both. et is wel known 2 experts in dis field dat periods af stress can intensify de severity of ibs. i hve certainly found my busy schedule of six honors/AP classes, varsity field hockey, swimming and track teams, performing lead roles in three consecutive Spring Musicals, volunteering at da local animal shelter, tutoring at-risk children, + working 3 evenings ah weak plus all day Saturday at da gap to be, at times, stressful, but af course et is impossible 2 say wat haz caused me 2 beee afflicted w/ tdis veeeeerrrry horrible syndrom. in fact, doctors do naut know wat causes IBS, or y ppl who share mie disease feel da need to hve ah bowel movement soon aftr eating, causing diarrhea, or y da prolonged spasm of da large intestine causes stool 2 stay in 1 area for 2 long and get dried out, resulting in small hard stools (constipation). As of 2day, palliative treatments r only in da experimental stage, and the hard truth is that there is no cure for ibs. it haz ben veary difficult 4 me to accept this diagnosis at my young age. i do not know wat da future wil hold 4 me and otha ibs patients, an i understand dat i may bee facin ah long batle, butt i am comited 2 facin dis challenge w/ de same determination i hve faced every otha challenge en mye life. i am not ah quitter, an i am not a complainer, an u should know dat, if i am admitted, i wil neva alow mie illness 2 hve ah negative impact on mie academic, athletic, charitable, creative + social activities en collej.

I am having a rough pregnancy. This is #4 and I am feeling really sick and uncomfortable. I was diagnosed with crohn’s disease 3 years ago and was told that I had hypothyroidism with my second pregnancy. throughout that pregnancy, my thryoid issue got better and for a while after that my thryoid was fine. Soon after I had my second child, I found out that I have crohn’s disease. In 2007, I had my 3rd child and had no issue with my thryoid. I am now 8 weeks pregnant with my 4th and was told that I have hypothyroidism. I had been experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism a few months before I got pregnant again. I have been dealing with spastic colon, diarrhea, nausea, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, and feeling extremely cold almost all the time. I am currently on levothyroxine for the hypothyroidism and am taking a prenatal vitamin. I am just looking for some advice or information on my situation or someone else who has dealt with this. I don’t have time to be going to the dr everyday. Has anyone been in this situation or are you dealing with it now?
I only want answers from people who actually want to help me. I don’t want just for someone to tell me that they have never been there or don’t know what I’m talking about. That is a little rude.

One of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease is skin changes. I have looked on the web but i cant find anything. Does anyone with this or knows how the skin looks?

I have massive pain, bleeding, diarrhea, every time go to the bathroom there is cramps.I go about 3 times a week sometimes its more sometimes less. About once a month i get a rlly bad one where it last for hours and the pain is massive. Sometimes the pain is so bad i just wanna die.
I also have dark ashy spots on my hands toes and ankles. [no its not cause i need lotion] People say it looks like i been in a fight. Its kinda brown and its thick skin. It wont go away with anything the doctors have no idea what it is.

I had a colonoscopy about a year ago. He said i had a Spastic colon. A lot of the symptoms are the same as mine but idk something does not add up. My husband has IBS and his is nothing like mine. I just dont think i have IBS i think it issomethingg else. I do have Crohn’s in my family which makes me lean towards that. Any chance my GI doctor got it wrong? Even though i had colonoscopy? I have been dealing with the pain for 7 years. Sometimes idon’tt think i can do it anymore. Its like i am going threw labor once a month with these cramps!

Srry so long….Heres my questions again….Does anyone with this or knows how the skin looks? …Any chance my GI doctor got it wrong? Even though i had colonoscopy?

I had really bad cramps and then suddenly it turned into diarrhea. I have Crohn’s disease, and I no its not a flair. I tried a hot bath for the cramps, as I do whenever I have a flair. Any ideas?

Bottom line is, I suffer from a Bowel illness. The doctors are very tentatively giving it the title of "Severe IBS". It started 5 years ago, diagnosed with IBS, was never really a major issue besides the fact I had to watch what I ate. Fine. Over the years it’s gotten progressively worse. I’ve played doctors favourite guinea pig for two years now with no signs of slowing down. Good news is my latest Endoscopy’s (one down the throat, one through the bowels) show no signs of Crohn’s disease or colitis. Which is a bitter sweet pill to swallow because I’m happy It’s not either of those two, but would have been satisfied if we could just put a name to it.

Regardless, I’ve tried SO MANY Different diets by doctor has told me to stop for the time being, eat normal food, live normal for a while until he can see me again. Fair enough.. basically my daily routine is I wake up at about 1 PM feeling like someone beat the crap out of me while I slept, I don’t eat breakfast, Don’t eat lunch, I eat a bit of dinner, I take a tablespoon of soluable fibre twice a day, I drink a protein shake every day because My weight tends to drop during my worst times. Then I go to bed. My schedule is completely out of wack, I never know when I’ll be awake or when I’ll be sleeping. It’s bad in the mornings, it’s best late afternoon/evening and it’s bad again during the night. It’s not specific things, it’s just food in general, which is why I don’t eat a lot to begin with.

To top it all off.. I’m 16, Lost a whole semester of school to it last year, had to be homeschooled just to achieve 50′s (i’m usually an 80+ Average). I went back to school this year but again, haven’t been to school in three weeks for the simple fact that I go to school, but end up having to come home sometimes before first period is even over. It’s pathetic. I can’t even go to school. Not to mention I also had to give up my job for it.

and the best my specialist has done in recent months is sent me to a god damned shrink to "manage stress". And all THAT Did, was stress me out. I manage stress fine, I don’t know how he managed to find a stress shrink as a solution to a bowel disorder but i did what i had to do, and guess what, big suprise here, it didn’t do anything for me.

What else can I do to keep myself up? My spirits at least..

Remember, I’m 5 years into this, unless you have a really experienced suggestion, chances are I’ve tried it, but I appreciate all tips.

People look at me and go "Don’t let it consume you, you should go to school and live a normal life" I’m dead serious when I say it’s physically impossible to attend class in the condition i’m in. I’m not letting it consume me, I really don’t have a say in what it does.

How the hell do I control it, or what can I do to help my body feel normal.

I live my life feeling like crap all the time. The physical exhaustion starts to get to you, so does the depression and many other feelings.

This isn’t just a one dimensional illness, anyone who has suffered from anything remotely close to what I am, knows what I’m talking about.

Anyways, any input is appreciated, thank you.