Work and IBS

[JH16]

Hi all, this is a bit of a random one but I’ve been thinking about trying to look further into how the world of work and IBS go together for a while now and I was wondering if anyone would like to share their experiences? Being someone who is yet to find the right balance with work and IBS, I’m interested in those who have and those who haven’t/why this is and what could be done to help. I thought it may help to share problems and solution ideas for myself and others.

[bburzycki]

This is always a touchy and annoying and sometimes terrible mess. I can only speak for myself but as time has gone on for me work in general (or the handling of stress at work) has become much more of an issue as it relates to my gut issues. I normally wake up each day to wonder if I can make it to work or will need to work for home. Working from home for me is an option on some days and its a IBS life saver. But it is also a flaw in my plan to get better. Because I have done this all for so long that it can turn into a way to hide.

Some days you just have to hide and curl up in a ball and on other days you can medicate and make it only to be destroyed the next day with medication side effects.

Finding the balance is key. I have yet to find the balance I want but I also have a company and owner that understand most of the time and is disappointed in the other times. I think if anyone is most dissipointed it is normally me as my failure to be able to do things at work is a personal failure more than anything.

It has to be a discussion and it is never usually a comfortable one. But it is one that needs to happen. Depending on the location of the job some places make concessions. Sometimes tenure at the job can make a difference. Sometimes you just need to move on and find a job that caters more to the situation. Like a work from home or more secure enviornment that allows for quick runs to the bathroom or more flexible days off for medical.

It is a huge balancing act that in the end wears on everyone and wears out everyone sadly.

[fenbadger]

sadly working from home isn't always an option. Despite taking lots of meds my last work was counting the number of times I went to the loo and used it against me. And this despite reminders about it being illegal to discriminate on medical grounds. Naturally this affects leisure time too, with planning to go where I already know there are open loos available. so many are closing these days. If you can get a home based job I think it would be ideal. Good luck

[Montykat]

Iv sruggled with ibs and every job iv had mainly because it hits so unpredictably so even though im worse in the morning it doesnt mean stomach pain wont flare up through the day aswell. And people look at u and think u look fine so u must be putting it on to get home. Theres only one part time job i lost becuase of it when I was younger i remember the manager telling me i just felt sorry for myself and they couldnt bear to watch me hanging over the sink for one more day (i had been doubled over with stomach pain at the time). I did have to take a break from work for a year as i began having panic attacks not knowing when i would feel ill and what would bring it on. Luckily my husband was very supportive. I also worked as a home carer so had to know every toilet that was open until 10pm around town. I think using public transport must be a nightmare for people with ibs i cant imagine having to commute in the morning i think if i did i wouldnt be where i am now. Im now really lucky to have a manager who knows me well and if im running late shes fine with it and if i have a bad day she understands but even she was questioning things when I told her how dismissive gastroenterologist was of me. I went through a stage of not eating anything unless i was at home as i was so scared id be flattened by cramping while out. Ibs changes your life completely anf u make choices that u feel u have to not because u want to.

[Kitkat28]

Hi

I think I may be lucky in working for a charitable organisation where I manage my own work which is office based and within the community. My manager is very understanding and when I discuss stress and flare ups she tries to help by reducing the stress and balancing the workload. No one monitors toilet breaks but I suppose this is part of working within an organisation that is very people orientated. I suppose with all policies that ensure service uses and staff are treated fairly and without discrimination, there has to be an understanding of illnesses and disabilities. Maybe it’s worth others checking these type of policies in the workplace, along side health and safety? I have never worked within a business , always within health and social care charitable sectors, where I have found them to be completely understanding of health and stress isssues at work. After all, ensuring staff health needs surely would be better in the long run, so that people have less time off sick ? (I haven’t been off sick for years !).

[Jamesbrightown]

I've had IBS for years and in some ways it's effected ever job I've had. Mine is usually anxiety controlled so over the years I've been on varying levels of anti anxiety/depression tablets. I've since taken myself off anxiety meds as I wanted to feel real emotions again. I've been between jobs of late and finally landed a job working with disabled adults, I should be feeling happy about it but all I'm feeling is worry. Taking them out in groups, using the mini bus, visiting thier homes etc all fill me with dread and I'm worried I've chosen a terrible job for someone with IBS D. I take an aweful lot of imodium when I know it'll be a situation I'm uncomfortable with just so I know I won't need the loo but what kind of life is that just drugging myself to go to work...

Reading others experiences is helping though and I'm on the FODMAP diet as we speak...

[foursimplewords]

Funnily enough I am actually ok at work with my IBS as there are bathrooms around and don't tend to have flare ups that often. The only time I get anxious is if a flare up starts in a meeting.

[SophieC22]

I am a nurse so working and IBS have always been a big problem which most of the time I just push to the side. I work 13hr shifts 3x a week. I am lucky that I have a occupational health report stating that I don’t have to do night shifts (they completely ruin my gut) and that I can have smaller, but more frequent breaks. I am really really careful with what I eat and when, so I don’t ever have biscuits or anything sweet that are given to the staff by patients, I eat the bare minimum and usually live off very little. Luckily I am now used to this so can go a long day surviving off granola, an oat bar, yoghurt and a salad (not the healthiest I know). I struggle with going to the bathroom as I don’t ever had much time and privacy if I am in desperate need. I have had to work so so often with an awful tummy, in Agony/extremely bloated and uncomfortable, but sadly I can’t really do anything about this all so i have to suck it up!

[Supersonicwoman]

Great idea and I suggest tai chi - DVD set from Brett Wagland & Fontane IP - life changing stuff - 20mins every day and I no longer get freaked out!!

I was rushed to hospital with suspected kidney stones some years back but thanks to this forum have discovered the Ileocecal valve and discovered I have a faulty one so that is why I get pain in that area - pass blood all the time down to piles, but it may be more although exhaustive tests have not found anything.

I am also gluten free and have tried the FODMAP diet with limited success but I often fall off the wagon. Get a job where you have very little stress is what health professionals will tell you but if you manage your free time sensibly so you can chill, you should be better. Take care and thanks

[howarddavies]

I'm currently out of work and worried about the prospects of getting a job. As well as suffering from IBS I also suffer with anxiety & low self esteem/confidence, & the prospect of having to go on the toilet in the middle of the working day fills me with dread. So if anyone can come up with solutions to this problem, I'd be very keen to hear them.

[torcol]

I found that if I worked in a one person office I was better. No feeling guilty in front of others, no explaining. Less anxiety for me so I had less flare up.

[MagentaA]

I often think I found the balance, then things change. I work as assistant manager in a very busy restaurant, and frequently work 14 hours shifts. Luckily my manager is very understanding for the most part, but I constantly on edge that I will have a flare up when there is no one else around to manage, meaning I can't leave the restaurant. It also means the only toilets I have to use are the customer ones, which can be embarrassing. I often get "the look" from colleagues that think I am faking or being dramatic, but overall the boss is great, its just a shame we run opposite shifts. The pattern of eating late due to finishing frequently at 1am and being back in for 9am also plays havock, plus many shifts I miss meals altogether and go for hours with no food! I am currently exploring options for more regular working hours as I feel work is a huge contributor to my overall condition.

[Laxmik]

Hey I got recently diagnosed with IBS d and quit my job in December to look after my health. Took a five month break and have currently joined a new job. My last job had crazy hours and was very stressful. I think that’s what triggered the IBS. I was worried in the beginning when I joined the new job that I wouldn’t be able to cope. But the location is closer to my house and my new job has less stress then the previous job and regulated hours. So that has helped. May I also add my symptoms are not very sever. I suffer only from d no pain. The first day I went I was so nervous I thought I would fall sick. But as the first week went by I got better. It is going alright till now. I think you can just hope that you get understanding ppl at work. Nobody questions me regarding the number of loo breaks I take here. The only time I have a problem is if I need to go for a meeting outside office after eating my lunch. When I know I have a meeting out of office I usually eat a very light lunch. Only salad and yogurt. Hoping for the best for now. I think a lot of it also has to do with the anxiety of going to work for most ppl with Ibs. I find once I am at work besides the stress of course I am quite okie. Not 100 percent alright but okie to function.

[sweetsusie]

I had chronic diarrhea for years and finally found a doctor who prescribed me a drug called "Welchol." Stopped my problem immediately! It's very expensive, though, so he put me on another one called "Colestipol." Did the same thing! I feel free for the first time in YEARS! These drugs are used to lower cholesterol, but they are usually prescribed along with a statin, because they are NOT statins...they are bile acid sequestrants, hence the reduction or total stoppage of diarrhea. They are also used to treat Type II diabetes. I have neither of these and I'm doing fine. Ask your doctor and/or pharmacists about them..please! You will not be disappointed.