Comments | friendly_crips: Recognise it's not 'just' Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

sammason in friendly_crips

Recognise it's not 'just' Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

May 19, 2015 06:15

Recently I've been part of discussions about how it feels to hide certain disabilities, because they're embarrassing. Too Much Information (TMI) about time spent in the toilet, about being unable to leave the house because of needing to rush to yet another toilet, about clothes suddenly becoming far too tight. Even naming Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( ( Read more... )

visibility, conditions: bowel disorder, conditions: irritable bowel syndrome, petitions

Comments 4

nakedfaery May 19 2015, 10:02:35 UTC

Signed. As you know I can empathise with a lot of this :-)

sammason May 19 2015, 11:34:05 UTC

Yes. You've helped me to get past my fear of writing TMI. Also thanks to you, I joined the IBS Network and signed up for its regular emails.

nakedfaery May 19 2015, 11:37:56 UTC

As much as its taboo, I think that being able to open share things like this is important. It's hard having to hide one of the most debilitating parts of a condition. Everyone needs someone they can talk to about having accidents, if only to commiserate and offer empathy and understanding. I think it's also easier to recognise more serious issues and seek treatment when you can talk about things honestly.

sammason May 20 2015, 04:48:53 UTC

Yes it is important to talk about IBS. I felt this yesterday when I spent most of the day in the bathroom, and had to put clothes in the wash after an accident. To tell the truth I do see IBS (and other toilet stuff, eg yesterday's suffering was mainly dehydration) as 'serious issues' although they're not life-threatening. IBS is life-restricting. Therefore, among other things, it's income-restricting ( ... )