That's great that you are getting into new hobbies and learning new things! I bet you never thought IBS could actually lead to learning something new! Still, I know what you mean about socializing...sometimes it can really be hard to say that you don't want to go out. For instance, today my friends had stopped to get ice cream (we have a really famous ice cream company here in Ithaca) and they don't make sorbet, but we all thought they did and were excited to go. I could have cried as watched them enjoy their ice cream! I sooo wanted some and felt left out a little. Sometimes it can be very isolating and frustrating because either no one considers what you can/cannot eat or everyone's paranoid and asking "Can you eat this? What about this?" Either that or you feel so sick you have to cancel all the time. But I've explained my diet to my close friends and they really try to make an effort to have snacks at parties that I can eat and to ask me before deciding on a restaurant. So really, I just have to say that I don't want to drink, but I still want to see them and talk to them. And, I bring my own pretzels to the pub and munch on those while everyone has beers. If your friends are really your friends they'll want to be around you, whether you can eat or not and should have enough sense to be understanding. If you had a life-threatening allergy or diabetes, they'd work around your needs. On the practical side, you can always eat beforehand at home or bring something along with you and just order a tea at a restaurant. Or maybe you could organize a get-together at your house, have your friends over for an IBS-safe dinner (and I bet they won't even notice that the food is "safe" and you'll be able to eat everything!) You can also sneak safe snacks into the movie theater (bring a big purse)and sit on the isle, just in case... I hope these suggestions help you and let me know if your social life picks up!
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Re: Decline in Social Life
