Home
Forums
Digestive tract Forum
Living with digestive disorders
Photo Testimonial: Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living

Back

Patients Digestive tract

Photo Testimonial: Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living

103 views
16 times supported
11 comments

JosephineO

Community manager

12/02/2019 at 10:02

Good advisor

JosephineO

Community manager

Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

Joined in 2018

989 comments posted | 8 in the Digestive tract Forum

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Marie's testimonial
Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living

It has been 5 years now.

After many trips to general practitioners, hospitals and specialists, after hearing repeatedly "it's gastro" from general practitioners or "it's a contagious gastro, stay in the waiting room" at the hospital while I was in the middle of a pain attack, we finally discovered the name of this pain that arises without any warning sign.

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as "functional colitis", has periods when nothing happens and then, all of a sudden, it's back to seizures that paralyze you, major digestive disorders and cramps. The pain usually occurs during or after a meal. A constant feeling of bloating, a decrease in appetite but also terrible fatigue are associated with it.

These symptoms come to the point where you are afraid to leave home for fear of not feeling well, afraid to do certain things for fear you won't be able to reach a bathroom in time. I always have to have painkillers in case of pain attacks but they will only minimize the sensation and not completely eradicate it. On a daily basis, I have to pay attention to everything I eat, everything I do, I try everything to avoid crises and if they happen, to calm them down, but nothing does.

This testimonial is part of the graduation project of Gaëlle Regnier, a student in photography at the Agnès Varda School of Photography and Visual Techniques in Brussels. She chose chronic pain as the theme of this photo report to highlight the patients and their struggle.

Other testimonials
Claire: "Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis"

Alain: "The labour market excludes the chronically ill"

Delphine: "Years of diagnostic uncertainty facing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome"

Ornella: "Photo testimonial: KISS syndrome - from mother to son"

Virginia: "Maintain hope despite the side effects of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis"

Quentin: "Ulcerative colitis won't stop me from travelling"

All comments

Go to the last comment

JosephineO

Community manager

15/02/2019 at 11:53

Good advisor

JosephineO

Community manager

Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

Joined in 2018

989 comments posted | 8 in the Digestive tract Forum

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Have you read this testimonial? Can you relate to certain aspects of it? Share your opinion!

@sandie63‍ @gemdee15‍ @Karenanne66‍ @jennyg‍ @Astra1547‍ @Stormy‍ @laney365‍ @Cheerygal43‍ @smiffy62‍ @TinkerJulie‍ @Detailerdeb1‍ @Scotty 2‍ @Nicoladrng ‍ @Nat1988Jones‍ @spen369‍ @Sisdrenjen‍ @Oouchh‍ @Artist62‍ @suliza‍ @Nana Pink‍ @BoneShaker‍ @Duranie85‍ @maxian‍ @rachelpeapod‍ @McBreadle‍ @bluelin‍ @jjan3t‍ @Trudij‍ @ChibeeElf20‍ @Mblyth‍ @esdoyle‍ @Shazzie‍ @chrissie12‍ @Gillies‍ @SaffronMae‍ @Charlott3‍ @Bigbum91‍ @blueAngel50‍ @Barnsey‍ @mavis.dton‍ @gowiththeflo‍ @RavenQuinzel‍ @freedomxx‍ @Sisyphus‍ @Vixxie‍ @marierose‍ @Cocoloco‍

See the signature

Josephine, Community Manager

Photo Testimonial: Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/digestive-tract/living-with-digestive-disorders/photo-testimonial-irritable-bowel-syndrome-prevents-people-from-living-2720 2019-02-15 11:53:30

Scotty2

15/02/2019 at 14:35

Good advisor

Scotty2

Last activity on 15/06/2025 at 15:22

Joined in 2015

69 comments posted | 2 in the Digestive tract Forum

8 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@JosephineO I suffered from IBS, Irritable Bowel And Diverticulitis all diagnosed by GP's but never investigated. I tried every diet going, dairy free, gluten free etc. Then, Privately I had a colonoscopy. Yes I have diverticulitis, but the consultant told me that Ppi's I had been taking for 17 years were causing inflammation!

I am now much better. No more losec, went grain free and took hemp oil for a few months. It is a very slow progress, with stumbling blocks along the way, but it has been worth the effort.

This might not work for you, but there will be things to help, you must just keep looking.

BoneShaker

15/02/2019 at 21:16

Good advisor

BoneShaker

Last activity on 29/12/2024 at 15:05

Joined in 2016

8 comments posted | 1 in the Digestive tract Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I had my IBS diagnosed at the hospital. I've had camera's inserted from both ends and just recently a colonoscopy. I always keep Immodium close by and TenaLady pants just in case. I also have to self irrigate to help me stay regular, once you get used to it its not too bad... honest!

See the signature

Tazzbar

25/02/2019 at 16:41

Good advisor

Tazzbar

Last activity on 05/05/2025 at 14:50

Joined in 2014

27 comments posted | 5 in the Digestive tract Forum

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I suffered with ulcerative colitis for over 10 years , completely ruined my life colonoscopy every year , life on hold needed toilet approx 28 times a day and was scared to go anywhere unless I plotted where the toilets were on route. Eventually had 15 polyps removed from bowel all were benign and since then I have had no trouble and can lead a normal life praise the Lord

See the signature

B Tazzini

Casacapa

05/03/2019 at 10:55

Good advisor

Casacapa

Last activity on 23/02/2021 at 14:38

Joined in 2018

8 comments posted | 2 in the Digestive tract Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Explorer
Newsfeeder

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I constantly cough up mucas ;. Diagnosed with reflux tablets not any use. Also non alergic rhinitis, take embastina anti histamine some days ,

i like to drink rose wine i know this causes sore ulcerated mouth , even when i have stopped drinking the symptoms of reflux dont go away,

I suffer with constipation, numbness in leg ,dry itchy eyes, dry skin.

JosephineO

Community manager

Edited on 06/03/2019 at 14:37

Good advisor

JosephineO

Community manager

Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

Joined in 2018

989 comments posted | 8 in the Digestive tract Forum

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@Tazzbar I'm delighted to hear your good news that you don't have to worry about having a toilet near all the time, it must be such a relief.

@Casacapa I'm sorry to hear about that :/ I'm sure there are a lot of members that can relate, feel free to post about it in our forum dedicated to digestive disroders:

https://member.carenity.co.ukhttps://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/digestive-tract/living-with-digestive-disorders-29

See the signature

Josephine, Community Manager

JazzyC

Ambassador

10/03/2019 at 07:44

Good advisor

JazzyC

Ambassador

Last activity on 04/05/2024 at 07:55

Joined in 2016

293 comments posted | 2 in the Digestive tract Forum

13 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I have had IBS and diviculatus for many years due to the constant prescribed use of predisinole for asthma. My digestive system is shot and they haven't yet been able to do a successful endoscopy because residual food waste Upto a year ago I would never go out oor eat at New places I took a conscious decision with my sons help and support once I weaned myself off the predisinole that I was no longer going to let it dictate my life and now I go out with a group of understanding friends 2 or 3 times a month.

See the signature

Janet Collins

LynnDoherty

16/04/2019 at 11:45

Good advisor

LynnDoherty

Last activity on 09/04/2021 at 12:52

Joined in 2017

7 comments posted | 1 in the Digestive tract Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

That's brilliant news so happy for JazzyC being able to go out & eat & being part of the social scene can be only a very positive boost to your life 😊

lesmal

Ambassador

22/04/2019 at 13:12

Good advisor

lesmal

Ambassador

Last activity on 29/06/2025 at 11:24

Joined in 2018

1,488 comments posted | 7 in the Digestive tract Forum

73 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I have been allergic to wheat, dairy and protein for many years, but adjust my diet accordingly. I spoke to doctors in South Africa for years regarding cramping after a meal, telling them I thought I had IBS or another diagnosis. This, I am sure, wasn't helped by the use of Diclofenac which the doctors put me on previously; my pharmacist told me it causes ulcers and other gastric problems so I stopped taking it.

Since relocating I haven't had a chance to have this seen to properly, as my epilepsy testing is more important at present. When experiencing cramp, I take Buscospan now which certainly eases the situation within 5/10 minutes. Once my epilepsy testing etc. is over, I will take this subject further with the doctor.

Thank you for giving us further information; always greatly appreciated!

See the signature

Les

Tazzbar

19/05/2020 at 11:36

Good advisor

Tazzbar

Last activity on 05/05/2025 at 14:50

Joined in 2014

27 comments posted | 5 in the Digestive tract Forum

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I will share a tip that helped me during 10 years of ulcerative colitis I read that a divot recommended taking desiccated coconut daily. I did find this helped

See the signature

B Tazzini

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

12/02/2019 | Advice

Photo Testimonial: Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living

12/01/2016 | News

Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis tied to anxiety and depression

28/06/2025 | News

Screens and the brain: What are the risks of overuse and how can you protect yourself?

21/06/2025 | News

Women's health: Why is medical research still falling short?

14/06/2025 | Advice

Can you train your brain to feel happier, scientifically?

09/06/2025 | News

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): A way to better live with your thoughts and emotions

31/05/2025 | News

Sports and medications: 10 drugs that could harm your athletic performance

23/05/2025 | Advice

The fear of flare-ups: How to stop waiting for the worst and take back control

Photo Testimonial: Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living

Marie's testimonialIrritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living

All comments

Give your opinion

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

How do you use Carenity? Share your experience!

How were you diagnosed?

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

Marie's testimonial
Irritable bowel syndrome prevents people from living