Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi, I'm relatively new too. I'm a freshman in college and although I've had and suffered from IBS my whole life, it suddenly got really bad when I started college - literally D every day for my first quarter. I was diagnosed in 6th grade but like so many people was never taught the difference between insoluble and soluble fiber so I continued to suffer.

I went to the doctors on campus and, after every test imaginable, was re-diagnosed with IBS. They thought it was the stress of college and gave me anti-depressants and "seratonins" - which I found out is essentially Valium. I did not get better, worse if anything during Winter Quarter until I stumbled on Heather's site in March. I immediately changed my whole diet [ not without difficulty since I live in a dorm with no convenient access to groceries] and have been feeling better and better and I'm in the middle of finals week and I was able to go to two already with NO fear!

So what I recommend it A) Follow Heather's diet, even if you can't eat at the dinning commons [as I found out, it was 99% the source for all the IBS symptoms, since I have been eating ALL my own food based on Heather's guidelines I've had almost no problems even though I'm going through the most stressful week of the year!]

and B) My school, and I'm assuming your school as its a state university, has a disabled students program. I am trying to join mine over the summer because it will allow me to do two things: I'm still experimenting on what I can and can't eat [for example, I just found I'm not able to digest soy which made me really sick] so if there were days I get attacks, the University pays students in my classes to take notes for me. Also, for tests and finals, I could get a proctor - so I could run to the bathroom if I needed to, and take it at a time that works for me - mornings are when I feel worst.

Also c) You can talk to your professors before your classes begin and explain your situation to them - humiliating but a huge help. Mine have all been understanding - everyone understands D - I let them know before my finals this quarter and they all gave me special permission to use the bathroom during my finals - without even having to see a doctor's note. I have another final this Thursday, and although its a huge class [500 people] my TA will be walking around and we worked it out that all I have to do is raise my hand and she will let me out to use the bathroom if necessary.

So don't let IBS stop you from going to college - there are so many ways you can be successful. And college is so necessary for IBS patients in the sense that a college degree allows you to have greater flexibility choosing jobs that have lower stress or a more stable work life.

Good luck!

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IBS-D, Trying to make it through college

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