The inevitable has happened. I'm off work sick. Again.

[Briggsy0304]

So I'm off work sick again. I haven't been able to keep a job down without being signed off or quitting for my entire adult life. I'm feeling scared about the future and I'm not sure how I'm going to support myself. I'm not even in my 30's yet. I'm lucky I can stay with my parents, but I'm still worried about survival with this medical condition.

The idea of having to work for another 40+ years with this condition. I don't know how I'm going to be able to do it.

Does anyone else have this worry? I'm really at a loss. How have people managed to provide for themselves whilst managing symptoms?

[Linley]

Look I know not many people will agree with me but your mail sounds as if you are in a state of anxiety. I say this from one that knows. Not easy I know but my suggestions are

1.CBT

2.Speak to your HR dept ref your condition.

3. Contact the IBS network re work

I have practiced what I preach and it turned out o'k for me

Good Luck

[Munchkinfeet in reply to Linley]

Can I ask about the IBS network and work, what can they offer? I've now been off nearly 6 months. Luckily I'm in a position where I can afford not to work, but that's not the point, I'm in a professional fulltime role and unable to go to work, and there's no anxiety causing it. Can IBS network help me?

[Linley in reply to Munchkinfeet]

I am sure they can -its very comforting to know that some organisation is out there that really understands and if you join your questions can be answered by a medical professional

[Munchkinfeet in reply to Linley]

I am having more problems developing all the time so I'm sure I don't have ibs in isolation but as a secondary issue ... I've got kidney probs, gut probs, eye probs, and today my gp says secondary raynaud's. I'm getting v worried

[Linley in reply to Munchkinfeet]

Ah! I am so sorry-do hope you get yourself sorted a little at a time

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Linley]

Hi Linley,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm not usually an anxious person, but now that I'm off work, I've got a lot more free time so probably over thinking things. The future with this condition does scare me, so maybe this is something to speak about at my next CBT session.

I currently work in IT also and the work is very unpredictable. Internet goes down, telephone rings with an urgent issue, last minute cabling required so I have to crawl under desks, setting up conferences in front of 300 people, with 5 minute notice. It's all really tough to manage with my IBS. It's a bit like being a firefighter. You know a fire is going to come & you won't get much notice, you just don't know when.

My HR haven't really been very helpful unfortunately, but I'm hoping occupational health can find a way to help.

I'll look into IBS network regarding work. I'm thinking I probably need a career change. Something where the work is boring and predictable!

Thank you for your post.

[Linley in reply to Briggsy0304]

The IBS network is there for people like us and of course this wonderful site also.

I worked in a stressful environment, loved my job but I had an understanding boss

and HR team and to top it all a very good GP. So perhaps I have been luckier than some. My GP always listened to me and updated meds when necessary this included Mebeverine time release capsules for rumbling pains and after a visit to a Gastro said I could take Imodium long term. Ask your GP 1st. I got a radar key from the IBS network and that made me feel less anxious about going out. There is a controllable life with IBS and I wish you well Briggsy0304

[Whichfoods]

I totally understand what you mean. I have been working in this job for eight years and for most I have had some issues with IBS but coped. This last couple of years it’s been awful. I go to work and have to run off mid meeting . I tried to keep it low key but all my colleagues know and keep giving advice ( like I hadn’t thought of keeping a good diary etc) it makes me feel so ill but I keep going and then inevitably my weekends are spent exhausted And ill. I am lucky as I had six weeks of it being fine and now the worst episode ever ! Bad enough that I question if I will have to stop working. Nearly having accidents at work is so humiliating . I don’t want to take anti depressants as the sweats are awful on those. Trying mebeverine but not looking hopeful. Go said eat fibre , web site says don’t ? Due to see dietician so maybe that will help . Sorry just feeling low right now but I can say that when under control it is possible to work with an understanding boss.

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Whichfoods]

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.

Are your work helpful when you have the flare ups? My colleagues are good, but the several hundred customers I serve don't know so just assume I'm a healthy young person, I can't tell them all.

What anti depressant did you try? amitriptyline really helps my IBS-D. Do you use Imodium when you have these flare ups, I find it really helps a lot for me.

I hope the dietitian helps, they will probably just suggest low FODMAP, but it helps some people..

[Cat33]

My heart goes out to you it really does

I do agree with the Linley

HR should be able to help and support you and CBT is brilliant

The IBS network is excellent

Try to not look too far ahead keep a diary too

I'm wishing you loads of luck xxxx

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Cat33]

Thanks Cat,

I think I maybe need to speak with my HR some more & hopefully that can help. I do find CBT useful, but it's still really hard to manage things with the unpredictable nature of my job.

I'll look some more onto the IBS network

I have done diary's in the past & I'm back doing one again, but it's really hard as I've been unable to find a diet which really makes things manageable. I certainly have foods with make things worse - alcohol, caffeine, most fruit & veg, fish, garlic, any spices, herbs and so on. I'm best on plain chicken breast and white rice, but even then I still have symptoms every day.

Thanks for taking the time to reply

[Cat33 in reply to Briggsy0304]

Just try not to think too far ahead

I know how hard it is

It's an illness like any other and HR have a duty of care to you

Please keep smiling and try to stay positive

The IBS network are brilliant

Do you have a "cant wait" card and a radar key ?

Thinking of you and wishing you well 🤗

[Cat33]

I understand totally I've got my hairdresser here in a mo as I can't go to salons 🙄 So will chat when she has gone xx

[Unpredictabowel]

Hi Briggsy,

Sorry to hear what you're going through. I thought I'd reach out as I feel our situations are quite similar. I'm in my late 20's, still living at home and the future can seem quite unpredictable at times.

I'm a self-employed Software Engineer so I understand how stressful the IT industry can be. I found that I tend to have more symptoms when I'm on a contract working in an office, compared to when I work from home. When I work from home I'm relaxed knowing I can go to the toilet whenever I need to (and without worrying about people hearing the other side of the cubicle door) and I can prepare more suitable Low FODMAP meals.

I'm lucky in that the company I am contracting for at the moment are very understanding. When I managed to get my GP to refer me to a dietitian for help with the Low FODMAP diet, I spoke to the bosses about my situation and how it would really help for me to be able to work remotely in order to fully follow the diet prescribed. They have been really great and I've been working remote for a while now. Funnily enough, I'm not getting many symptoms re-introducing foods on the diet so it's making me suspect that maybe my IBS is triggered by stress and anxiety. I'm beginning to meditate to help that side of things using the Calm app.

I've read through your post and comments and it sounds like the unpredictability of your job is a major factor? Not knowing what to expect in the next 5 minutes could be affecting your gut sensitivity subconsciously maybe?

Is your job mostly hardware related that requires being there in person?

If so, are your skills transferable to a similar job that might give you a chance to work remotely? Or in a role where tasks are a bit more predictable so you can relax a bit more?

If changing jobs or career path is really a last resort, maybe meditation or CBT (as I saw you're doing) will help you in your current job?