<p>I've been experiencing pretty bad IBS since last year (I started stressing out a lot more because of my increased workload). Now I'm a senior and I am very likely attending an Ivy next year. I'm worried that my IBS will worsen, and I'm not sure how to cope with it. It can be very distracting and embarrassing. Does anyone have experience in dealing with this??</p>
<p>My daughter was diagnosed with IBS. She is taking a daily Pro-biotic supplement to regulate her intestinal function. Also she started to see a counselor to learn how to relieve stress, because just like you, her IBS works up when she is stressed out. Have you talked to your physician about it? She should have good information on supplements, nutrition, how to cope with stress and might refer you to someone who is more knowledeable about the issue.
Our counselor suggested the book called “Anxiety workbook for teens” and she is working on it.</p>
<p>My daughter wanted to go to college far away from home, but now she is considering staying close because of her IBS and anxiety caused by it. I really feel for you. Good luck.</p>
<p>I’ve been taking a fiber supplement, which used to help but now I have more intestinal problems than before. My physician told me to watch my diet, but other than that, I don’t know what else to try. </p>
<p>It’s very concerning to me, because most students won’t know what I’m going through and it’s just an embarrassing issue in general. </p>
<p>Thank you for your wishes :)</p>
<p>You need to register with your university’s disabilities services office as soon as you know where you will attend . They will have forms for you and your doctor to fill out. Once that is done you meet with them to discuss what kind of accommodations are necessary. My daughter gets a room with a private bath. She has the option to take tests at the testing center with clock stopped if needs to use bathroom, though she has not used that option. Since she has a case file with disability services, if she needs to miss classes on a bad day, the office will verify to profs that she is actually ill and not just skipping class. Depending on your illness and your school, you might request other accommodations, like priority scheduling to get into later day sections if the illness is worse in the morning. Or permission to live off campus if you are sensitive to prepared foods and need to have a kitchen and cook. My daughter lives on campus with a meal plan because she doesn’t want to bother with cooking, but her symptoms are much less when she is eating simple non-processed foods at home. I don’t what it is exactly that triggers things, but processed food plays a part. Knowing that the support is there for you at school tends to relieve the anxiety a bit so that symptoms are not as bad as they might otherwise be. My daughter went far away despite the IBS/anxiety concerns. Things would have been easier if she stayed here, but she wanted to go away.</p>
<p>Is IBS considered something serious enough for the disabilities office to get involved with? It definitely affects my livelihood and makes a huge (negative) impact on my lifestyle, but since it’s not really something that can cause major health problems, can I still request a private bathroom, etc.?</p>
<p>Try a fat free vegan diet for a month and see if it helps.
I first tested to make sure I didn’t have glutten, lactose intolerance or any other food allergy etc.</p>
<p>Then, in the first week, I think I ate baked & boiled potatoes and baked apples, lightly sprinkled with sugar. Also, some boiled white rice. I ate small helpings every 2 to 3 hours. This gave the liver, gallbladder and pancreas rest from producing bile. I drank a glass of water every other hour, but not with the meal.</p>
<p>Second week, I started cooking a sauce of fresh sliced cilantro & fresh tomatoes. Added salt to taste. The trick was to cook it a long time (30-40 minutes) to make it very soft. Again,I cooked without any oil or butter or meat etc- It has to be fat free & animal protein free. Then use this sauce to flavor your foods such as boiled or baked potatoes and other vegetables such as squash to prepare meals. I slowly added fresh fruits such as apples to the diet. Also added bread to the diet. There are fat free breads. Whole Foods has them. Also, many middle eastern breads are fat free. I keep dates to pick on all day because l feel hungry very often throughout the day on a fat free vegan diet. I try to eat small helpings every 2 to 3 hours. </p>
<p>I have a friend with IBS that made no progress with her symptoms for a few years. What ultimately was a huge help was a combination of a gluten-free diet and thyroid medication. </p>
<p>This obviously won’t work for everyone but is something to consider if you haven’t tried that yet. </p>
<p>Have you been tested for Celiac Disease? </p>
<p>I don’t know about OP, but my D was tested for celiac and other things first time she went to GE doctor. They interview extensively to understand how it impacts your life and are happy to fill out paperwork recommending special accommodations for the university disability office, if you want any. </p>