Sarah is 17 and found out she has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS). She's been brave enough to share her story...
Like any teenage girl, I was always thinking about the future and all its possibilities. I knew my body would change when I hit puberty - and was prepared for that eventuality. But I never thought it would change in the ways it did.
It was a day like any other and I felt right as rain. I'd spent the weekend with my boyfriend and had a fantastic time. I was about to start a new term at college the next day and was really excited.
But when I came home I got this horrible pain in my stomach. It felt as if someone was twisting my stomach tighter and tighter. I thought it was my period so I got a wheat sack and went to bed.
“Her words were echoing in my mind all day”
Terrible Pain
I got up the next morning to find my pain was a lot worse and I felt sick and bloated. My mum knew something wasn't right and took me straight away to see the doctor. My GP asked me about my diet, my eating patterns and my urine and stools. She laid me on her bed and felt around my stomach.
She sat me up and turned round to me and said "It sounds like IBS." I was so shocked and it just didn't compute in my mind at first. Her words were echoing in my head all day. Why did I have to have something wrong with me?
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Medication
The doctor has given me some pills for the pain. They last for a few hours, but it can still hurt sometimes. I still need to go to the doctors for check-ups and let her know if my symptoms worsen.
My life is a little bit hectic. I can't quite face the idea of telling my friends about it. It can be an embarrassing illness because I have to think about when I need to use the toilet. Sometimes, certain things I eat like sugary or spicy food causes pain and a lot of discomfort.
If you have IBS
My advice to anyone who has cramping pain, bloating, diarrhea, excess wind or anything similar to these symptoms - talk to your doctor. Although I'm still struggling with my diagnosis I'm doing so much better now I'm being treated.
IBS is one of the most common stomach conditions, but it is treatable! Don't be afraid to tell your parents or someone you trust.
More:
Find out about IBS in this NHS factfile
Advice on visiting your GP.
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Ella, 16
i get the most of the symptoms and get terrible stomach pain, i looked it up a while ago and think it is IBS but i'm to scared to go to the doctors, this has really helped! thank you
shannon , 13
yes, i do have really bad pains sometimes but i don't really know what it's for. i mean i get it when i am on my periods but i also get the smae pain when i m not on my periods. anyway i think it is really brave of sarah's to share her experiance. :)
Kate, 19
Hey, I'm in exactly the same position, I haven't been diagnosed officially but I'm pretty certain it's IBS, when it hits it's soo painful & embarassing! Good luck with it, all the best :-)
Frankie, 16
I havee IBS too!, and its such a bummer:(, i cant eat what i rely likee? such as curry? pastys? any pastry? all the goood stuff! but ivee recently been using somee great tablets and i havent had it for a couple of months so :) i hope it all works out for you :D, you just need to find the rite medication for you :D x x
Kat, 16
I also suffer from IBS and it can be a real pain, especially when it comes to meal times, my friends can eat pratically anything they like at diner times but im restricted to brown bread sandwiches or ill be in sever pain hours after ive eaten. My friends are supportive but always see the funny side, which after a while can be quite annoying.
May, 15
I have been diagnosed with the same thing. It is extremely painful and like Sarah says it suddenly just hits you. My mum was so worried that in the end she took me to casualty where they diagnosed me with IBS. They did give me various painkillers and pills which did help but didnt make the pain go away completely. IBS is a real pain as you have to watch everything you eat to make sure there isnt to much of somthing in it and just about anything can set the problem off again. Diet, stress everything.And when you get the pain you just have to sit it out untill it eventually goes away and be more careful next time.
Kirah, 14
I know Just what living With IBS is like. A few months ago i was diagnosed after having period like symptons, only they were much more painful than any time id ever been on. My advice would be to get any pains that your not used to checked out. Would you rather be in agony or see a doctor who sees things like this everyday?
Kate, 18
I know exactly how you feel. And my heart goes out to you. I suffer from a condition that one of the symptons is IBS, it's an awful thing for any young person to have to deal with.
emily, 15
my dad has that, and ive seen first hand how difficult it can be to live a normal life because of it. I think it's really good of you to share your story like this because most people would find it embarrasing, its good to raise awareness like this!
