Some of my favorite links:
Mike (my husband)
Yesterday was better than Tuesday, as I had thought. It seems that every once in a while a water cleanse is just the thing. I wonder if people with normal bowels need that too.This writing thing is HARD. It's not the writing itself, as you can see from my periodic posts here. It's the letting go, giving voice, making myself heard. Especially in the professional arena.
When I was a kid, and my expression took shape in art and poetry, I never ever would show any of it to anyone. Too terrified of rebuke, rejection.
Now I am an adult and this is serious stuff. It's time to address this fear head on. In order to continue I need to write. This is imperative!
I know also, that my gut will thank me (after the initial trauma of facing this fear). I know that the constipation aspect, even the swing between constipation and diarrhea, is partly due to "keeping it all inside". I know, too, that this is but a manifestation of the IBS, and that as I heal emotional scars I will heal the symptoms of IBS.
I am NOT aknowledging that IBS is, as they say, 'all in your head'. Not at all. This is a physical condition (not a disease, altho there is lots of dis-ease) that is a result of genetic, environmental and contextual factors. The relationship between emotion and physical well being is as intertwined in IBS as it is in any other illness, such as a flu, or IBD.
My husband, who has Crohn's Disease, gets knotted up, has little flares, whenever he is under stress or emotionally unnerved. Does that mean it's all in his head? I don't think so.
The MDs just tell us it's our fault (all in your head) when they can't figure out what IS at fault. Shame on them! People with IBS have enough to worry about without that added bullshit.
That is this morning's rant. Gotta go to work now.
posted by LST 10/4/2001 05:24:46 AM
2.10.01
Today is a slug-tummy day.Stayed home. Felt it coming on. Ovulation hell. This morning turned into a 2-bag enema morning. Then, after eating and taking my morning fiber I realized that I should NOT have taken the fiber so soon after cleaning out. Result = all day bloat.
YUK
Slug-tummy day. Another result = no desire to DO anything. So, slug-tummy influences behavior. Is that what they mean when they say IBS impacts mood? Is this what they mean by an IBS induced depressive state?
I am NOT depressed. Well, maybe a little. But at least it doesn't last more than a few hours. By tomorrow I should be much better, even if I need to do another enema in the morning (which might happen).
On a happier note - Please notice the banner to the left of this text - Anyone living in or around Tucson, AZ (or those who just want a midwinter warm break) must come to the conference on intestinal health through diet. It's going to be a blast!
In the more immediate future, I am organizing a support group for IBS and IBD sufferers in the greater Tucson area. It will be held at my house, and you have to contact me if you are interested in attending. Use the mailto feature on the glassbird webpage to let me know you are interested, and I will give you the scoop.
I am off to write something.
posted by LST 10/2/2001 04:51:25 PM
30.9.01
Hi.Rational and emotional balance. What is that? Why on earth did I think I could define, let alone describe something like that? I must have been out of my mind.
I am sleeping better - still restless, but at least I am getting some full sleep, rather than dozing. The bags under my eyes have almost disappeared. :-)
Still.
The search continues. I am beginning to write. There is a need to communicate in some sort of long lasting form, so writing will be it. For the present anyway.
I am so amazed that I have healed myself to such an extent, that the severe trauma of the terror attacks has not impacted my system to any great extent. This is a really good indicator that it is possible to heal oneself if one sets one's mind to it.
Also a good indicator of the power we all hold - to heal, to love, to grow, to commit peace and harmony....
I had forgotten to write about a recent experiment, so I'll mention it now. I had been experimenting with the fiber (psyllium) supplement to see what effects, if any, would occur by changing the routine. For the past year or so I have taken a heaping teaspoon in juice, followed by a water chaser, every morning with my first breakfast of a raw apple.
The idea behind a change was to see if I could adjust my bowel routine, hopefully to include movements in the late day. As it stands I've taught my system to move in the morning, but it rarely moves later in the day.
So, I thought dividing the dose into two, taken in the morning as usual and in the evening either before or after the evening meal, might do something.No change as of yet. I have to admit though, remembering to take the second dose has been intermittent, and it does pose a problem if we go out to eat.
Also, I have had a few side effects in the evening, such as gas and bloating. Since I started this experiment a few days prior to the terror attacks, those side effects are likely NOT due to the fiber. Since I have calmed a bit, the bloating and gas have subsided.Anyway, I will continue with this experiment for a few weeks, or a month or two, and see if I get any results over the long term.
I think it would be really neat to open my system enough to allow for healthy movements after each meal (as it should.....).
I cannot expect immediate response, considering how long my system has been unhealthy, and how long it has taken to heal to today (35 years and 4 years).Later.
posted by LST 9/30/2001 10:22:11 AM