Author Archives: Administrator

Coming in my Graphic Memoir: A Diagnosis of Exclusion

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IBS is a catchword and is swept along with other words ( umbrella terms) under a large, unhelpful cover filled with FGIDs - functional gastrointestinal disorders... My FGIDs/IBS Umbrella Sounds like no help to me...just words. There must be someone out there who can help me! I still have hope...early in the game.

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Part II: Fantasy Cruising / A Ship For Us – I Propose: An IBS-themed Cruise

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Part II: Fantasy Cruising A Ship For Us - I Propose: An IBS-themed Cruise Special Features: 1. Latest speakers on what's available on the IBS research forefront 2. Lots to eat or nothing at all-your choice! 3. Meals on Demand- Whenever you want to eat...you eat! 4. A whole deck devoted to the most advanced toilets: different toilets and flushes from around the world! 5. Complaint Hour- Everyone has a chance to complain away and the audience is sympathetic and fascinated-sign up now, spaces are limited 6. A special room for non-IBS spouses, friends and family members for a much-needed break and much, much more! Also featuring: friendly, non-judgemental, licensed trained psychologists on board to treat phobias, coping mechanisms, family relationships-no extra charge! 1. Dr. Smith - phobia specialist Afraid of going on that excursion? Come on in! 2. Dr. Jones - cognitive behavior therapy and BS specialist Hours: Any time! 3. Dr. Cohen - Family Dynamics and IBS Hours: At Your Convenience Evening Entertainment Will Include: (comedian talking) "How embarrassing was it?" IBS comedians - Come on, there's a wealth of material here! All tour buses for excursions equipped with large, clean bathrooms (tour bus) Go-Go Tours "You can go with us" The poetically-named "Passing Wind Room" (sound-proofed, of course!) Welcome! IBSeas Passing Wind Room Electric Fans Speakers to muffle sound

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My IBS Journey – So Far: A Roadmap (with Road Signs Along the Way)

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My IBS Journey - So Far: A Roadmap (with Road Signs Along the Way) 1987 It begins suddenly AKA: Post-infectious IBS Sick in Hawaii 1. Visits to local Doctors Lots of tests 1988-89. 2. Diagnosis of IBS and Peptic Ulcer 1988 3. 1 year spent visiting a chiropractor 4. 1st Elimination Diet given by a holistic Doctor 5. (lots more icky tests) Visits to far-flung Dr's. doing IBS research 1990-1992 road trips (& flying) to: a) Dr. Marvin Schuster, Johns Hopkins, MD b) Dr. Arnold Wald, Pittsburgh, PA c) Dr. Miner, Kansas City, MO 6. 1 year of neuromuscular massage therapy 7. Many visits to an "alternative" chiropractor who used magnets and "applied kineseology" 8. 1st of many visits to a nutritionist 9. Many visits to Dr. Norman Sohn, NYC colorectal surgeon had a "Galvanic Stimulation" machine. Supposed to help a spastic puborectalis muscle. That plus other "cures" too awful to go into here. 10. Fiber supplements. First they worked, then not. 11. Trial of Rifaximin (2002) Antibiotic as per book by Dr. Pimentel 12. Bentyl, Levsin don't help (antispasmodics) 13. Eating less and less variety, anxieties grow. 14. Life is ruled by IBS 15. Visit to UNC to se Dr. Drossman *Blog coming devoted to this visit 16. 3 months Michael Mahoney IBS Hypnosis Tapes 17. 8 sessions Cognitive Behavior Therapy 18. And yet another nutritionist- this time to try gluten-free 19. Physical therapy for 1 year - Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 20. 5 days on Amitiza (infinity sign) Still searching now doing this blog very therapeutic Road Signs: IBS/D changes to IBS/C OMG! This is all guesswork They know nothing! I don't eat before I go anywhere I start skipping lunch FODMAP Diet does not work for me Tempted to do crazy expensive blood test Everything I try makes me worse Cipro seems to help but too risky to take long-term Solitary life has arrived Danger! Social anxieties mounting My IBS Roadmap Key: Desperate Crazy Detour Well-thought-out plan (researched) Recommended (advice)

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And Now Welcome to my Night-Time Chamber of Horrors

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Literal Transcription of Cartoon #5: And Now Welcome to my Night-Time Chamber of Horrors: I believe an army of demons enter my intestines as soon as I lie down at night and begin: Twisting and Turning Stabbing Hammering Setting off explosives Shaking, then pouring bubbly champagne Detonating bombs setting off TNT and Grenades Sending in Fire-breathing Dragons More Twisting and Turning My Heironymous Bosch vision of what is going on in at night when I lie down to go to sleep. The Demons come out to terrorize my intestines... It's the only thing I can figure is happening.

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