Miney

[Purplewoman]

Hi has anyone got any help from benefits with anxiety, diverticulitis and Ibs? I realise it can be a touchy subject lol! I really struggle financially, single parent working part time for myself so I can be off work if. Need be , the only way I can earn a bit of money but if I don’t go then apart from some help we get ie wtc we really struggle , can’t physically do more hours (chemo 5 yrs ago left me pretty rubbish side effects ) songs e my own cleaning round 16 hours (mostly)

Been gf and df for over a yr. now and mostly has helped a bit but symptoms increasing again for some reason,

Constant nausea with occasional vomit, diahoriah more often,

No idea how often these things happen to be just part of what I have

I’m sure it could be managed better have dr on fri for what good it will do

Going to ask again about dietitian which I can. Never get

Keep a diary but can’t seem to see any link

Friend says maybe fat and gall bladder ?

Fed up of no money and feeling rubbish

Avoid all social things where possible just try to go out with son enough to keep it normal for him but it’s a worry and a struggle when out sometimes

Sorry rambling now xx

[Ibs17]

Hi you are not alone and you are doing a brilliant job I’m sure with your son. I have been IBS for over 30 years now. I have been gluten free, dairy free for about 15 , I have eczema too and have been backwards and forwards to GP recently as either bowels flaring or eczema. I ended up in A and E after a bad episode of sickness and diahorrea, Gp thought diverticulitis, this was confirmed in a CT scan, they also picked up,a very small gall stone, so yes ask GP about gallbladder especially if the pain is in the middle of your stomach in between your ribs and belly button or on the left. I have stopped using soya milk as had a massive flare of eczema after eating endame beans(soya beans!!) while on an elimination diet. I am still flaring and looking for answers, but now know that my flares are all due to my gut and I need to sort that out. I did see a dietitian many years ago but they couldn’t really help much. Hopefully others on here will give you advice too. Take care of yourself xxx Jackie

[Purplewoman in reply to Ibs17]

Thankyou for the reply I do often wish I could be “normal “ and go out more with him

I don’t even go to school events

Though I do parents evening lol

We try to go at least once every 3 weeks for a day out and I try to take him to a few hours here and there in between

He’s 13 now so not like I have to entertain a toddler

I’ve never taken him abroad usually a cottage or a caravan for a few days but havnt done that for 4 yrs

He goes away with school and scouts though

Just fed up most times they try to palm me off with anti depressants saying anxiety causes a lot of it

While I agree it is not the main reason I’m sure but the anxiety does inhibit me a lot but 3 different types havnt agreed with me so I refuse to take them

[Ibs17 in reply to Purplewoman]

Yes they get hooked on the anxiety but they don’t realise that the feeling of needing the toilet in an emergency causes anxiety. If they treated the whole system rather than one symptom we might actually get better. I’m sure just having days out with you is far better than a holiday abroad although a holiday in the sun would do us all good I think. If he goes away with scouts and school he is learning valuable lessons about being independent and thinking for himself. I was put on several different medications supposedly for my fibromyalgia but they just made me sleep so I couldn’t take them and work. I am so desperate I even emailed This Morning to see if Dr Chris Steele could help me,I am struggling to do 15 hours a week care Work. I used to be a teaching assistant doing 25 hours a week, but had to give that up as I just couldn’t cope. I wish I could find a solution and heal myself, then help others. There is great support on here though.

[Purplewoman]

I chose the cleaning after my cancer so I was always near a toilet lol but it’s hard in the houses people are in as it’s embarrassing but at least I can ring and say I will be there tomorrow not today but as u say even 16 hrs is a struggle xx

[Claire44]

Hi Miney

It sounds like you are doing an amazing job with your son. Please don't worry there are lots of us in the same boat. My GP puts my diarrhea down to IBS anxiety and trys to fob me off with antidepressants. I do know it plays a big part, as I used to be confident before it struck, now like you I tend to avoid things. It helps knowing that we are not alone and this site is so supportive. I wish you well and hope things improve for you. Xx

[Hippylongstocking]

Hi Purplewoman,

My heart went out to you as I read your post. I think you’re speaking for thousands of parents across the country who are in a similar situation to you. It’s hard enough to be a single parent juggling work and home commitments without adding chronic health conditions into the mix.

I think your first question was about benefits. I have some professional experience which means I know quite a lot about benefits and how the system works. I would be more than happy to help you with any questions you have. I don’t know if you want general information or you have questions about your own personal situation. If you can let me know and if it is more private then I’ll be happy to give you my email address. I don’t know if there’s a way I can message you confidentially on here.

I’ll wait to hear from you if you do want to talk to me.

Best wishes,

Liz

[Purplewoman]

On a bad few days nauseous sometimes vomit toilet a lot I havnt been monitoring fat at all as just keep a diary for gluten and dairy free