17 year Old with IBS

Benup

I have been suffering with IBS for a good 3-4 years and it doesnt show any sign of getting better. Im currently at college but i find it hard to attend most days as im worried that i will have an attack.

IBS is running my life and i have to make choices for that day weather i take the risk and go hoping that i wont have to dash for the toilet every 10minutes or stay at home.

I have been looking for job and because of the recession its not easy and specially when you have IBS because you have to take into counter what sort of job you can do! I cant be behind a desk/till as if i do have an attack i cant just leave my station!

Im thinking about leaving college as my IBS seems to be getting worse but then i will receive no money at all! is there any benefits that i can claim?


I know that alot of people will read this and think im being lazy, but you try having severe IBS for 3/4 years and see how it affects your life!

~Ben

Benup

I currently trying to get a sick note but when i phoned them they just said no basically because to many people abuse the system so they cant just give them out.. Yes my parents are getting child benefit but i have 2 other brothers, its hardly enough.

Im currently taking 5 different types of medication 3 times a day.

Oldernotwiser

Getting benefits won't stop IBS ruining your life. You need to get on top of it now while you are young enough to have choices - follow GWJ's advice.

worriedmummy_2

I know how you feel exactly benup.

I too suffer from IBS pretty badly. Day in day out and even on an hourly basis, I dont know how bad it is going to be.

I have suffered this since my teenage years, (now late 30's) and will not see a doctor about it, for fear they will want me to have a colonoscopy. (I have a bad phobia with regards to medical interventions).

I work part time and every day im there is a nightmare, as I dont know how the day is going to progress. Sometimes im running to the toilet several times a day. I have had to tell my colleagues about this, because of this, which for anyone is completely degrading.
I try not to speak about it too much, for fear that people will think im playing on it, or looking for some time off work / or to claim benefits of any kind.

It is a complete nightmare and I know exactly how you feel. Sorry I can offer much advice, but maybe you should see a different doctor and explain your situation, see what he can recommend.

KxMx

Benup, are you currently under Gastro at your local Hospital. If so you need to tell them things are not good and look at other treatments to help you. You can discuss capability to work with them,

A diagnosis of IBS should only be made after all tests to rule it out (bloods, stool, colonoscopy) have been done and come back normal. If these tests have not been done then you need a referral to Gastro, you could have Imflammatory Bowel Disease which is much more serious, but more easily treated. I cannot stress this enough because I was misdiagnosed and am now very ill as a consequence.

Have you done a food diary to see if you have any trigger foods? Cutting these out may help, as can things like not eating after dinner at night if you need to leave the house early next day.

With regards to toilets, you are entitled to a RADAR key (free from council usually or £3 odd from RADAR website) to help access more toilets, and a membership of the Bladder & Bowel foundation will give you a Cant Wait card.

Benup

Sorry to hear WorriedMummy. You have had it for along time and i feel im going the same way, it just seems to be getting worse, i dont when its going to happen or whats causing and it varies each day, could come every 10 minutes, maybe every hour some days it wont happen at all and because of this i dont want to take the risk of working/college as how can i enjoy the course/job when im constantly worrying about it.

Just to let you guys know im not lazy! i would love to work, might not feel the same way after a few years thous. Just the idea of having my own money, buying my own things, doing what i want! Hopefully this day will come.

Jowo_2

Does your college offer any support/welfare services? Mine is very good with students who have health or emotional problems.

Do they offer a careers service where they would be able to help advise you on your job seeking and preference for certain types of roles?

Some employers may think your medical issue is a barrier but others won't and will accommodate your needs.

Have you joined any kind of support or advice organisation which could give you good tips on how to address your issues.

I really think you ought to stick with college to improve your employment opportunities and sort out all the associated anxieties rather than drop out of college into the NEET category which could harm your chances more than your sickness.

KxMx

worriedmummy, Colonoscopy patients are given relaxing drugs as opposed to anesthesia but I am sure they would make an exception in your case, one test could lead to a treatment which gives you a vastly better life.

If you will not see a doctor then you have no way of knowing it is IBS, it could be IBD or something even simplier like a deep set infection, please think about getting some help

Benup

KxMx wrote: »

Benup, are you currently under Gastro at your local Hospital. If so you need to tell them things are not good and look at other treatments to help you. You can discuss capability to work with them,

A diagnosis of IBS should only be made after all tests to rule it out (bloods, stool, colonoscopy) have been done and come back normal. If these tests have not been done then you need a referral to Gastro, you could have Imflammatory Bowel Disease which is much more serious, but more easily treated. I cannot stress this enough because I was misdiagnosed and am now very ill as a consequence.

Have you done a food diary to see if you have any trigger foods? Cutting these out may help, as can things like not eating after dinner at night if you need to leave the house early next day.

With regards to toilets, you are entitled to a RADAR key (free from council usually or £3 odd from RADAR website) to help access more toilets, and a membership of the Bladder & Bowel foundation will give you a Cant Wait card.

I have just been on medication as i was told i had Colic to start with but once it started to get worse i went back to the doctor and then was told i had IBS, im currently just on medication.

I dont have a food diary as such i just tend to remember what i eat as im on a rice diet. Each week i add a new ingredient to try and find out if any foods are the cause.

KxMx

You really need to ask for a Gastro referral then, no way should an IBS diagnosis ever be made like that, you need tests to rule out other conditions!

Benup

Jowo wrote: »

Does your college offer any support/welfare services? Mine is very good with students who have health or emotional problems.

Do they offer a careers service where they would be able to help advise you on your job seeking and preference for certain types of roles?

Some employers may think your medical issue is a barrier but others won't and will accommodate your needs.

Have you joined any kind of support or advice organisation which could give you good tips on how to address your issues.

I really think you ought to stick with college to improve your employment opportunities and sort out all the associated anxieties rather than drop out of college into the NEET category which could harm your chances more than your sickness.

At college i receive EMA which is a weekly payment to pay for equipment but because of my IBS i find it hard to attend some days, even if i miss 1 day that week then i will not receive the EMA...

I recently spoke to one of the people in charge for EMA and they said if i can get hold of medical certificate to prove that i have IBS then they can make some kind of deal where i can have a certain amount of days of a month and still be paid but! i phoned the doctors and asked for one and was told they dont give them out because a lot of people abuse the system...