It's whispered about and often made light of, but as Sophie Lee will tell you, there is nothing funny about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-a chronic medical condition characterized by often intense abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. The stigma attached to this disorder prevents many people from seeking help or sharing their problem with family, friends and coworkers. This is unfortunate, since it is estimated that more than 60 million Americans suffer from this devastating illness. Sadly, patients who do seek medical help often find themselves up against ignorant doctors and even those who believe that IBS is a psychological condition.
Sophie's Story: My 20-Year Battle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome chronicles a brave young woman's fight against the IBS "monster," offering valuable insights on coping with, and even controlling, the symptoms. Partly an offering of hope to other IBS sufferers and partly her way of fighting back against those who told her that IBS is all in her head, this no-holds-barred narrative discusses the many psychological, physical and social effects of living with this disease. Sophie also writes about which conventional and alternative treatments were most effective for her and how the right diet made a difference, as well as her successful, personal formula to conquer IBS.
Let Sophie's Story be your road map to finding your own personal formula for relief. With a special chapter on IBS treatments Sophie has tried-and her top tips for sufferers-you'll come away with an action-packed game plan . . . and a lot to discuss with your doctor. Relief is possible.
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
1 A Difficult Beginning for a 12-Year-Old 3
2 Surviving School and University 11
3 My Diary 21
4 IBS Experiences Around the World 29
5 Finally Seeing a Gastroenterologist 37
6 Clinging to My Job 49
7 Hypnotherapy, Gluten, Fiber and Magnesium 57
8 Coming Out of the IBS Closet 67
9 New Job, New Home, Old Guts 87
10 Money Worries and Intestines in the Media 95
11 On the Blog 103
12 The Emotional Effects of IBS 111
13 Food Intolerance and Bad Bugs 119
14 On the Blog, Part Two 129
15 Relief at Last 139
16 Remedies I've Tried 145
17 Top Tips for IBS Sufferers 153
About the Author 158
Overview
It's whispered about and often made light of, but as Sophie Lee will tell you, there is nothing funny about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-a chronic medical condition characterized by often intense abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. The stigma attached to this disorder prevents many people from seeking help or sharing their problem with family, friends and coworkers. This is unfortunate, since it is estimated that more than 60 million Americans suffer from this devastating illness. Sadly, ...