Living With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Coping With IBS

Coping with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) presents a number of daily challenges. While there is no cure for the disorder, treatments are available for this medical condition.

Before anything else, it is important to see your doctor to figure out the right treatment options for you, says Edward Blanchard, PhD, professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Albany.

"Manage your IBS first," he says.

Next, learn as much as you can about the syndrome. It helps to talk with your doctor. Ask him or her any questions you may have about the disorder, no matter how embarrassing it might be. The more you know about your condition and the type of IBS you have, the better you can deal with it.

Also, read books, pamphlets, and reliable sources of information on the Internet. Try the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) at www.iffgd.org, or call them at (888) 964-2001. There's also the Intestinal Disease Foundation at www.intestinalfoundation.org, or at (877) 587-9606.

These groups have plenty of information about IBS and referrals to doctors and support networks.

Know Your Triggers and Symptoms

Keeping track of your symptoms is another helpful tool. In a symptom journal, record when and where you experienced any stomach pain, discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Also write down what you were doing, how you were feeling, and what type of food or medications you consumed before and when symptoms showed up.

All this information may help you and your doctor determine what triggers your IBS. Then you can take reasonable steps such as dietary modification to prevent problems and take control of your life.

Talk Openly About IBS

Remember, you don't have to be alone in dealing with IBS. Seek out support from trusted family and friends.

"They could be your best resource," says Jeffrey Roberts, president and founder of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Self Help and Support Group. He says it will help loved ones to know that IBS is a real illness, which could impact not only your life, but theirs as well.

Roberts, who manages his own IBS, says there are times when the disorder makes him and his family late for an event. Because they know about his condition, they are more understanding.

At work, talking to a trusted supervisor or co-worker may make it easier for you to deal with the disorder.

Let them know that you have a valid chronic illness, and when symptoms flare up, you have no control over it, suggests Roberts. This might mean bringing in educational materials about the disorder.

At the same time, tell them that you've got a plan to deal with the syndrome (such as taking medication or going to the bathroom a few times), and that, despite it all, you'll remain a dedicated worker.

If you have a problem with your union or boss, it might help to get a note from your doctor, explaining the illness and what might occur with symptoms.

You may well find that most people are more supportive if you're upfront with them, says Lynn Jacks, founder of an IBS support group in Summit, N.J. She says more people today know about the syndrome and understand its implications. In fact, in an episode of the TV program The Sopranos, one of the characters, Adriana, is diagnosed with IBS.

Get Support

There are other sources of support if you don't feel comfortable talking with people you know. There are doctors, nurse practitioners, therapists, and dietitians who specialize in IBS and who can give valuable feedback.

Ask your doctor if he knows of any IBS support groups. The IBS Self Help and Support Group has meetings online at www.ibsgroup.org. You can also go to WebMD's Digestive Disorders IBS Support Group, which is available 24 hours a day.

Prepare for Situations

Coping with IBS also takes some preparation and courage. "You don't have to be afraid to go out," says Jacks. She says people may feel more comfortable if they do a little research before going to an event. "Know where the public restroom is."

For instance, if you're going to a wedding, concert, or movie, sit at the back or end of the row for easy access to the facilities. If you go to a dinner, find out what's on the menu so that you can eat beforehand should the fare be something that would be disagreeable.

Accepting embarrassing situations may also help, says Jacks. "You have to be honest and say, 'Sorry, but I have an illness.'"

She adds: If you don't tell people, they may imagine reasons for your behavior that are stranger than IBS.

And remember, it's human to have embarrassments. Situations may not be as bad as you think. You may find other people have not noticed your trips to the bathroom or that they're dealing with their own awkward issues.

"I encourage people to talk to their friends about their condition, and then they find often that (the friend) has, for example, an eczema that she's embarrassed about," says Mary-Joan Gerson, PhD, a psychoanalyst and family therapist at the Mind Body Digestive Center in New York.

Try to Reduce Stress

Meditation and other stress management techniques may also be valuable in dealing with uncomfortable situations.

"When you start to get that panic feeling, you can go into that other state of consciousness," says Gerson, noting that regular practice of things like meditation can help you even if you're in the middle of a meeting. "If you do meditation as a practice, you can take a couple of deep breaths and get yourself into something like that different perspective."

If you still have trouble dealing with your condition, see a therapist, advises Gerson. She and her husband, Charles Gerson, MD, a gastroenterologist, worked with 41 patients who received both psychotherapy and standard medical care. In two weeks, the patients reported a 50% improvement in symptoms.

Psychotherapy is part of an approach called behavioral therapy. Other types of this treatment include relaxation therapy, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

 Try to Reduce Stress continued...

Indeed, there are many ways to cope with IBS. Perhaps the best way to deal with it is to live your life, instead of avoiding it, the best way you can.

Roberts says people who avoid facing life and going out because of their fear actually raise the bar every time they turn down an opportunity. "This threshold gets higher and higher until they feel they can't do anything," he says.

"You can cope," he says. "It's a matter of trying to live with your symptoms rather than having your symptoms take over your life."