IBS gets me bullied at School

by Michael (Aged 12)
(UK)

I was told I had IBS by my doctor last year. He gave me some medicine (Imodium) and said that there wasn't a lot more he could do.
My mum did some research on the internet and tried me on all sorts of diets where I have to cut out different foods like bread and sugary things and dairy products but none of it seems to be helping.

All the time I have had this IBS It has been causing me to get bullied at school. Some of the other kids make fun of me because I have to go the bathroom often; they think I'm weird and abnormal. Sometimes I have to leave during a lesson which is the worst, it feels like a walk of shame as I leave the classroom. Whenever that happens I know I will be getting grief after the lesson and more fun poked at me. I try to hold on until the lessons are over but it’s not always possible and I panic sometimes. One time I had a real near-miss and nearly never made it to the bathroom in time. Luckily I did make it, but if I hadn't made it, I would have died of embarrassment.

It is really frustrating, and it's starting to get me down now. I'm only 12, but I'm finding it harder and harder to hang out with my friends and just do normal stuff. When we do go out, I worry all the time about being near a bathroom.

We have a school trip coming up soon and I'm really worried about it. It involves being on a coach for three hours.

I wish this wasn't happening to me, but it is. All I can do is keep trying new and different things to try to lessen it. I'm glad I found this website; it's helped a lot with ideas on what I can try.

I just wanted to write this in case there are any other kids like me out there going through the same. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Michael

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IBS gets me bullied at School

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Oct 24, 2012
 HELP
by: Anonymous

LOOK UP HABBA SYNDROME HAS HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE WITH EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS
Apr 21, 2011
 iFeel you
by: Jose

Well i Know how you feel EXACTLY seriously iBeen Teased , bullied just cuz i went to the restrrom alot .and when i was 12 i went threw what yuh did i felt like i was loosinq my friends ! , so now im 15 and i lost them all i am usally in the house cuz of my ibs and h pylori .. i just wishh they was a cure right ? so everybody wiff this can live a normal life
Dec 06, 2010
 Let it not control us
by: Anonymous

Dear Michael,
Hi there, I am 17 years old and I have been dealing with IBS for the past three years. I want to let you know that you are not alone. I am so sorry that people bully you at school, you of course don't deserve it, don't let it get you down. I too have to use the restroom often, you are not alone. IBS is more common than people think. I've done research and it affects about 1 in 10 people. So I'm sure if your class is between 20 to 30 people you are also not alone in class. At least 1 or 2 other people have it too.
For some treatments I suggest you go to the doctor, a medicine that is working wonders for me is called DICYCLOMINE. I recommend that you ask your doctor about it. Also try to stay clear and far away from: chocolate ( even though it's delicious it is a trigger food), soda and any carbonated drinks, wheat, apples, oranges, carrots,dried beans, fried foods, fatty foods, keep dairy at a minimum, red meat, caffeine, coffee and tea. I know that's a long list, but those are trigger foods and if you stay away from those foods, perhaps get the medicine I recommended prescribed to you and take it, drink plenty of water and remain calm (stress, nervousness may also result in increased symptoms) then you should hopefully see a decrease in symptoms.
All the best-
Anonymous.
Oct 03, 2010
 I KNOW RIGHT!
by: Savannah

Thank You!!! I do the EXACT same thing. I am in 6th grade about to turn 12!!! IBS is so frustrating. I have considered homeschooling but mom and dad both work from 8-5 so I can't do that.
I have no solution. I have 2 really true friends that know about it. I just drink A LOT of water about 8-10 bottles a day, eat some yogurt in the morning and It lets me get through he morning ( BARELY) NICE TO KNOW I"M NOT ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS
Oct 01, 2010
 A life with IBS
by: Sacha

Dear Michael,
I know exactly the sort of thing you are going through. You're story really moved me, as I can completely relate to how difficult it is dealing with this illness.
My IBS symptoms started around 3 years ago when I was 13, and originally I thought there would be a miracle cure and it would all go away. I have now learnt, after years of mediacation and investigations, that there is no such thing. I too used to be hugely embarassed being in school and going to the toilet constantly. My stomach grumbled noisily and I would get great discomfort. Socialising was also difficult because, as you say, you always need to know where the nearest toilet is.
However, I have now decided that my IBS will not take over my life. I still miss days of school and occasionally have to give excuses as to why I can't go out with my friends, but I am beginning to enjoy life again. People our age can be really cruel, because they are ignorant and don't like things they dont understand. But I promise you, those people that really matter, and like you for who you are, will stick by you and support you. Those people who make fun are not even worth it. If you are confident in yourself people will respect that.
I feel that in many ways we, as IBS suffers, have an advantage. Firstly, our bodies in the long run will be more healthy, as we have to watch what we eat and drink. Secondly, and I feel more importantly, we are able to enjoy the little things in life. Because it is harder for us, we do not take life for granted. We make the most of those moments when we feel well and happy. We also have greater empathy for others and far less ignorance on matters such as this.
Hopefully one day we will find different things that will help relieve our problems. But I do firmly believe that highlighting the positives of our condition is a much better method to dealing with it, than dwelling on the negatives. Wake up in the morning, smile, and think of all the great things we have in life.
I hope this helps just a little bit.
Sacha x
Sep 10, 2010
 More from me
by: Chris

Hi again Michael,
this is my second post to you as I ran out of room in the first.

One other thing that I wanted to mention about IBS is in fact there may be another condition I have recently read about that can be mistaken for IBS. That condition is called Habba syndrome, named after it's proponent. I believe it is a relatively new discovery.

Do your homework on this condition and see if it could apply to you. But basically, it is something to do with a malfunctioning gall bladder, or indeed affects people who had their gall bladder removed. Mine was removed nearly 20 years ago due to the formation of large stones and it certainly caused me problems initially.

Questran lite can be prescribed for this and others have said that it works. I don't like to take medications usually but I did try this many years back. It caused me pains in the gut within a day or 2 back then and I stopped it. But I am considering giving it another go in a lesser dose since I have come across the Habba syndrome diagnosis on the web.

All for now then, Chris

Sep 10, 2010
 Comments from a long term sufferer ...
by: Chris

Hello Michael,
I have only just discovered this web site myself and am systematically going through everything posted here and have just arrived at your post. I would suggest you (and your folks) do the same, if you haven't already. Educate yourselves on IBS as it is a long term problem with no cure. From what I have seen so far, there is a lot of good and pertinent information here. In my case it has taken me years to compile this knowledge without the aid of computers and internet! (I know it's a small compensation, but you may want to consider yourself lucky in that regard). Plus, you have youth on your side. But you are starting from square one and it is important to understand what IBS entails. Nothing you do to try to overcome it must be half baked, it must be done meticulously. Personally, I draw the line at taking medications for it, but I do keep Imodium handy should I ever think I need it.

I will probably add my own experiences to this web site when I get the time, but until I do I would like to point out some things to you.

Firstly, if you have only seen one GP and weren't happy with his diagnosis then consider going to get another opinion. That's just to rule out anything that could potentially be more serious.
IBS should not be the diagnosis till all other possibilities have been excluded.

Next, IBS can get inside your head psychologically and become a factor in itself if you let it. With youth on your side I would make this aspect a priority and hopefully nip the anxiety side of things in the bud. I am currently considering the hypnosis and meditation things that Rick (web master) has outlined here. I have resisted these things up until now.

As I said, I am reluctant to take pills for this and have got good results from diet alone, though I have let it become too restrictive and am aiming to change that. But I know another guy who suffers with IBS and takes Imodium by the packet! This I would never do! For one thing, I think the more you take of that stuff, the less it helps you. So, Imodium only occasionally, if you absolutely must.

Lastly, things that I believe have helped me at times. I drink about 1 to 2 litres of water per day. I wash every meal down with a glass and try to have a glass between. Caltrate D, which is a calcium capsule with vitamin D to aid absorption of the calcium since I don't have dairy. Psyllium husk is currently my "thing" and it has helped enormously, though I have stopped it temporarily for other reasons.

I've written more than I was going to here but I hope it gives you some place to start.

Best of luck, work at it.
Regards, Chris.


Aug 25, 2010
 Hi Michael I know how you feel buddy
by: Norman Simpers Jr

I got my IBS around age 11 and can identify with everything you wrote. I suffered for 30 years with no help from doctors and LIVED off Pepto Bisol in the 80's and 90's and more recently Imodium during the last decade.
Recently in Nov 2009 I accidentally came across my own personal cure which worked for me and may work for you as well. Please watch my video with your Mom or Dad and see what they have to say. It is on youtube and you can find it under the title " Beat IBS with Whey Protein" My greatest hope is that it will perfrom the same miracle in your life that it did in mine.
Apr 08, 2010
 my heart goes out to you
by: Anonymous

i think it is easy for people to say don't be botherd by what others say but i think we all know how embarrasing this condition can get and ofcause people will react some may be more understanding than others but it doesnt make you feel any less embarassed i think there is so much focus right now on finding a cure for hiv and that is important because most of us are alive today because of that hope but then it neglets other conditions such as cancer, and IBS which really changes a life of a person over a day...i feel for you and pray to God every night that He help us find a cure for IBS
Mar 08, 2010
 travel tips
by: Anonymous

Dear Michael,
Take 2 Imodium caplets before bed every evening. Then take 2 Imodium caplets in the morning, 20 minutes to half an hour before eating anything. See if this lessens your symptoms. I've read a study in a medical journal which said Imodium works better when taken at night. I wish I could be more specific, but I cannot remember anything else but that fact (it stuck with me because I was shocked to find I had been taking it incorrectly for 15 years).

Additionally, I have found taking a calcium supplement with each meal will cause less running to the bathroom. Here in the US, I take tablets called Caltrate. It does not matter which UK brand you take, just read the back of the bottle and make sure it contains calcium carbonate.

Lastly, there is a medication called Buscopan, which lessens intestinal spasms (those are what cause you to need to run to the toilet). I am fairly certain it is available in the UK. I lived in France for a time and discovered a medicine there called Spasfon, which is the same thing. Both of these medicines are available at a pharmacy/ chemist's, and you do not need a prescription to buy them. When I am traveling and must take a bus (coach), I take 2 or 3 Spasfon to prevent spasms and to prevent that "I've got to get to the toilet" feeling.

I hope this helps. If all else fails, and you simply do not feel comfortable sitting on a coach for that period of time, simply do not go on the trip. Ask your mother or doctor to write a letter excusing you. It is up to them whether they want to explain why; they can always simply say you are "not feeling well." I myself have had to do this, and while I felt bad missing the group trip, I also felt immense relief that I would not have to risk an accident.
Feb 23, 2010
 Don't let people get you down
by: Anonymous

Hi Michael
Sorry to hear this. Other people can be so cruel sometimes. I know it's hard but try not to let them upset you as this will only make your IBS worse. Your family and true friends will care and support you. Other people don't matter.

With regards to long coach journeys etc, I recommend taking immodium as a preventative measure. It will give you so much peace of mind and stop any accidents.

Try to stay positive. Worrying is the worse thing for IBS. Try to figure out what triggers your attacks and don't give up hope. You may never stop it totally, but there's every chance that you will be able to manage your symptoms over time.
Feb 19, 2010
 So sorry to hear about your bullying
by: Olivia

Hi Michael,
Sorry to hear about what you are going through. I am still at school to and it sounds like we have very similar problems.
I don't know what to advise you but cutting certain foods out has helped a bit.
I can't believe your doctor was so rubbish - he should have at least reffered to someone.
Good luck with it all.
Olivia
xx

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