Health has always been a big issue for me. I believe that we should all strive to be in the best physical, mental, and emotional health we can be in. I have spent much time and effort working on those areas of my life and, for me, when I am off balance in one of those categories the others seem to suffer as well. Sometimes there is very little you can do to stay as healthy and positive as you'd like to. In my case, one of those obstacles to health is my IBS.
IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. Seems pretty self explanatory, right? It can be depending on the severity of each persons symptoms. IBS can cause gas, bloating, cramping, and extreme bowel issues such as going too frequently to not being able to go at all. And yes, these all effect me. Unfortunately when I get these symptoms they can reach such an extreme that I can be confined to my bed due to the pain.
Why do I bring this up? Sure, it's a personal issue. It's not something I like to explain to people as I am a kind of quiet and prudish person when it comes to certain topics. But after another episode of IBS I realize that to not address it does me and others a diservice. How? That's what you're here to find out.
I exercise 6-7 days a week. I eat fairly healthy and practice stress management. So when I ended up taking a family member to the ER the other night and stayed there for several hours by their side I thought nothing of it. I had a snack and something to drink while I was there. I nodded off now and again in their horribly uncomfortable chairs. I stayed as long as I could until I began to feel pain. My intestines were cramping and beginning to make it difficult to stay. And I was exhausted. So I came home and slept for a few hours before going back to the hospital. I went to the hospital later and by the time I came home felt horrid. Throughout the day the cramping became so severe it felt like someone was stabbing me from the front and through my back. My stomach was so bloated I couldn't wear regular clothes and stayed in pajamas. And that's when the yelling and even crying ensued. I called in to work knowing that being sick AGAIN was going to look bad. But this is my life sometimes and I do the best I can.
I have come to realize that very little is known about IBS by the general public. People think it involves strictly issues with going to the restroom. The severity escapes them. And not all people have such severe symptoms. Lucky bastards. But my life has been drastically affected by it. I have been let go from jobs, missed social engagements, and at my worst been bed ridden by the pain for a month while I slowly lost up to 30 pounds due to my inability to eat anything.
I was diagnosed in December of 2010. I take medication daily to control the acid reflux that always seemed to trigger my episodes. And other than that I do the best I can to stay as healthy as possibly. But sometimes stress takes a toll on me. Or a change in my routine. Or maybe my body just felt like kicking my ass for a day. Who knows. All I can do is the best I can by taking care of myself and by informing you about what it's like to live with something that can not be cured, only managed. So be patient with me, where my health is concerned, I'm getting there
*A Note To The Reader: the family member aforementioned is still in the hospital and awaiting surgery. Needless to say my love is with him and hopefully your prayers.
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