A question about IBS prevalence.....
#81099 - 06/19/04 02:41 PM
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Hi,
I have a pretty random question that I have been thinking about..
The first time I went to the gastroenterologist was when I was ehhh 17yrs old. (My first gastro mind you was my friend Neeraj's dad. I used to go over his house and think.. you know I really hope his dad doesn't come home and say, hmm I checked out Ashley's butt today.. she's got diarrhea like crazy. haha)
Anyways, he was a pretty good doctor, and I remember him telling me that IBS predominately affects WOMAN, ages 16-24. I also read a book (Your Gut Feeling or something like that, that also said that this was true). Anyways it seems like a TON of people on this board in HS TO COLLEGE aged girls. Thats not my question though..
He also told me (and the book did as well) that IBS almost always gets better with age. He said alot of people he has seen have IBS when they are between 18-24, and it often gets much better with age and sometimes dissapears all together.
Anyways, is this like what they used to think.. cause its been quite almost six years since I was 17.. or is this still true of IBS. I'm hoping that mine dissapears by the time I'm 25.. but I'm wondering if this is total BS, and has since been proven otherwise..
Also, how can IBS just stop if it is so dependent on diet etc?!?
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Good question, Ashley. The only thing I can think of is there's a definite hormonal link (the Research Library link above has a ton of articles about it), so that's what they mean about getting better with age, meaning after menopause?? Kind of a long time to wait though, innit?!
Personally, although I had some IBS symptoms in high school and they kind of gradually got worse over the years, I didn't start getting the disabling attacks of D until just a few years ago.
I think the TENDENCY to IBS always stays, but maybe it kinda gets enough under control that it just seems like it's pretty much gone.
Anyway, I don't think you can assume that it will magically disappear when you turn 25, as wonderful as that would be. Just think of it as nature's way of getting you to eat a healthy diet!! And at least we can console ourselves with peppermint fudge cake!! he he 
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Ashley, I don't know about those statistics. They certainly weren't true for me. While I noticed sudden problems with pork when I was 23, which were in essence the same as the IBS symptoms I ultimately developed, I just figured I had developed some kind of allergy to it, and cut it out of my diet entirely. I was fine with all other foods until I turned 40. Just rumblings, though, nothing serious until around 45. Then all hell broke loose. By the time I turned 55, I was ready for the looney bin.
Anyway, there IS hope. Check this out: Remission Story
I believe her. That's my goal -- to get mine in total remission. I don't ever plan to go back to eating dead cow carcass (ew) or dairy (I am SOOOO in love with soy), or even coffee (yeah, SoyFee is even better than coffee!), and I'll exercise until I hit the grave. But I hope to get to the point where I can socialize without cramping up. That would be my dream.
Does IBS get better with age? Honey, I'll be 60 in November. Does that answer your question? And better after menopause? Well, my menopause is finally over, but I'm still hanging onto the Big D. SOOOOO..... I think that pretty much wipes out that theory!
"Can it just stop if it's so dependent on diet"? I don't know, but I think the body has a natural ability to try to heal itself, and in some instances it's happened for me (and blown me away). I would not be surprised at all to discover my IBS in total remission one day. I think the body not only tries to heal itself, but in time it becomes acclimated to what you give it. Just my theory....
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Thanks.. I'll go with you theory.. its the same one my gastro believes in.. he seriously thinks one day you can wake up and your ibs is gone.. man oh man where can I sign up for that..
I do notice though that there are tons and tons of girls in their twenties on this site.. so I'm guessing that part of the statistic is true.. are there many more matured (ie slightly older) woman that have had IBS since their 20's... cause maybe you slightly older woman are the minority.. and we younger woman will grow out of it. I can't imagine dealing with this for the next fifty years.. well I mean I can..but I'd really rather not.
PS. he was online for 60 entire heart breaking minutes and I did not get in touch with you.. you people better be proud cause this is killing me! 
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OHMIGOD you did GREAT Ashley!! Now, how about removing him from your buddy list for a couple days????????? C'mon, you can do it.... Be strong.... We'll help....
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I totally agree. Removing him from the buddy list removes the temptation and puts all responsibility on him!
Hang in there!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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Ashley, are you gonna be able to go to Boston and be just a block or two away from this guy without falling apart?
Quote:
"He was online for 60 entire heart breaking minutes and I did not get in touch with you [sic.] ... you people better be proud cause this is killing me!"
You know, University of Maryland is BEAUTIFUL, and UVA has a fabulous curiculum. Also -- Georgetown rocks! Hey, what about Gonzaga? It's way up here in Washington State. That'd be good, yeah....
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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hmm... let me think about it haha.. how would that help the situation?
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Hi,
Despite how pathetic I sound, I am a really strong woman. Basically its only been six days, and it hurts that he's chosen to write me out of his life. It sucks beacuse every other boy I've dated and broken up with wasn't a big deal. But I thought Vinnie was THE ONE. I couldn't tell you one thing I didn't like about him before recently, and we were bestfriends as well as in love.
I'm sure that with time it will get easier, and I'm sure that by the time I move to Boston I will be more used to the idea of not being with him. Yes it does suck because I am going to Tufts so far away from my family, but then I also thought i'd always have Vinnie. But.. it wasn't always that way. I applied to school.. 4 in Virginia and 1 in Massachusetts. Vinnie was going to move to VA with me if I got into a school here. William and Mary and Tufts were tied. I figured.. if I got into william and mary I'd go there because its a hell of alot cheaper.. well I didn't get into william and mary, or any of the other schools I applied to in virgina. Which is incredibly strange.. especially since I graduated college cum laude, with phenomenal experience and a great GPA. Before I was rejected from my other schools I interviewed at Tufts and FELL in love. Ironically Tufts is a waaaaay better school than the other three schools in VA I applied too, yet I didn't get into the other places.
I dunno I'm not really signish.. but I do believe that this happened for a reason. There is no reason that I was rejected from every other college I applied to. I had the grades, and I had the experience. So I feel like Tufts is where I have to go. After my interview actually I loved Tufts so much, the people, teachers, atmosphere, academics. I actually tried to convince myself not to like it because that was my REACH school. That was the only school I thought I'd have trouble getting into.
The world works in mysterious ways.. So I dunno if I can really turn my back on this phenomenal educational opportunity because a certain boy lives a few towns away. I don't think I would have gotten into tufts if it wasn't meant to be. (me going there)
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Yes, YES, YES!
"I do believe that this happened for a reason." You betcha! I also believe that, when one door closes behind you, a window opens elsewhere -- and you just have to be ready to climb through. That applies to everything that's been happening to you lately, Ashley (and there's a lot).
You'll love Tufts. Who cares if Vinnie is there or not? By then, you'll have a string of men after you! -- men who are a lot nicer than Vinnie.
"I dunno if I can really turn my back on this phenomenal educational opportunity because a certain boy lives a few towns away. I don't think I would have gotten into Tufts if it wasn't meant to be." AMEN! You don't WANT to "turn you back on this phenomenal educational opportunity." NO WAY!
Girlfriend, now you're thinking right. I like it. Proves that you've got it in you! Just use this same phenomenal thinking when it involves Vinnie. 'Kay?
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Throw that theory out the door! My IBS symptoms didn't start until about age 43 and have gotten worse as I've gotten older.
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hahahha thanks Bevrs..
I do think that everything happens for a reason.. and right now its hard to think out of the Vinnie box.. but I'm sure in time that will get easier.
One good thing is that i've moved 13 times in my life thus far so I can basically make anyplace I live enjoyable. I'm sure i'll make this work too....
and keep your fingers crossed... my mom and dad put an offer on a condo for me in boston.. And we should know if our offer was received by tomorrow. Which would be great, because instead of paying someone else i'll be paying my own mortage.. which will be alot cheaper than renting in boson. yikes.
plus my mom and dad are coming home tomorrow..so she'll whip me into shape.. its alot easier to mope around the house with the parents away.
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Yaay, Mom & Dad!
#81175 - 06/19/04 08:23 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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WOW! You gotta be kidding me, Girlfriend! Your OWN condo?! YIPPEE!
Have you seen it? Did you shop around before you left for Reston? Wow, I'm really impressed! How cool is THIS?!
Oh yeah. It's a window that's opening for ya, Girlfriend...
Your parents are really very special. I think I'd like your mom. You said she'll whip you into shape? Yeah, I'd like your mom a LOT!
This is all good stuff. I love hearing it. Maybe all our positive vibes are working in your direction, Girlfriend...
So, tomorrow, eh? Keep us posted!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi,
You probably would like my mom.. haha... everythime we talk she sounds like you.. she says I shouldn't dwell on this because if its meant to be it will be, and I should instead look forward to a new apartment.. a new school.. a new city. Luckily, I dont' get stressed out about starting new endeavors.. one positive attribute of moving so much as a child.. otherwise I'd probably be crapping my pants. There is alot coming up in my life... that i'm excited about.. it doens't lessen my hurt, but it helps me look forward to alot of things.
I actually have not seen the place at all.. I've been shopping around via emails and pictures.. but I am trusting my parents to find something good.
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