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Who else has IBS? How do you cope with exams?

Reply 20

katiecookie23

Original post

by dynamite_1

Original post

by dynamite_1

I know how you feel! I've had peppermint capsules but tbh they didnt help. I've noticed that mine is triggered by stress/anxiety. So basically when im calm its usually fine. However, every day for the past 2/3 months has been awful! and going into class has been such an effort (I'd tell myself I can't skip class, but I literally just couldn'go in)
Im so dreading these exams, but its not even the actual exam, just the situation of having to sit in a deadly silent massive hall. Arghhhh, and the thing is, this never happened to me in year 11 or year12 ?!?!
The GP has given me something for 2 weeks, to help with "anxiety" but it really is a short term solution (supposedly for the exam period...), and so far I dont know if they even work..

I'm the exact same! Mine was triggered by stress and nothing works for me either. I still get it, but I just kinda put up with it. Ach well :smile:

Reply 21

skipp

17

Know how you feel :sigh:

over the past few years I've had to cut out so many different types of food, missed or been late for god knows how many hours of school/uni etc. & after finally going to the doctors over christmas (probably should have gone before...but doctors creep me out) got some buscopan, which just made me feel sick and weird, although it did help with the spasming, anyone else had that problem with it? It's not even listed under possible side effects so maybe it was just the ibs and I've never noticed before with the spasms & everything :erm:

I tend to try to do everything I can to be calm at exam times, so planning exam day in advance, getting a good nights sleep, plenty of chamomile tea, food, water, getting anxious or stressed about the ibs or the exam is just going to make everything worse, so have to try and avoid that as much as possible...I also find that drastically changing my diet is a bad idea even if it is better stuff, so constantly being good with food as long term preparation is always a good idea unfortunately :moon:

Reply 22

Anonymous #3

My problem is nowhere near as bad as any of yours but I really sympathise with you; it's hard when it's beyond your control. Has anyone got any solutions for stomach noises in an exam? It's so offputting and just makes nerves worse :frown:

Reply 23

greeneyedgirl

19

I don't have IBS, but one of my friends who does has found going to the gym has got it under control. If she doesn't go to the gym she gets it quite badly, but as long as she goes once a week it's so much better.

Plus going to the gym will help your revision, healthy body, healthy mind and all that!

Reply 24

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post

by greeneyedgirl

I don't have IBS, but one of my friends who does has found going to the gym has got it under control. If she doesn't go to the gym she gets it quite badly, but as long as she goes once a week it's so much better.

Plus going to the gym will help your revision, healthy body, healthy mind and all that!

Woah your friend's brave! I'm too embarrased to tell any of my friends about it, only my family knows. I guess that's kind of immature of me tho seeing as it is a health condition lol.

Reply 25

greeneyedgirl

19

Original post

by Anonymous

Original post

by Anonymous

Woah your friend's brave! I'm too embarrased to tell any of my friends about it, only my family knows. I guess that's kind of immature of me tho seeing as it is a health condition lol.

I know a couple of my friends who have it! At the end of the day, it's no different to them knowing that I get intense period pain, have awful lungs and have a leaky left ventricle! Nothing to be ashamed of :smile:

Reply 26

madders94

18

I take mebeverine hydrochloride, usually marketed under the brand name Colofac. I get it on repeat prescription and usually increase the dose from 1 a day to 3 a day during exam times, because 3 a day is the suggested dose.

I also chew windeeze to help with the trapped wind element, they're peppermint chewable tablets. I hate peppermint but it really does help :smile:

Reply 27

katiecookie23

Original post

by Anonymous

My problem is nowhere near as bad as any of yours but I really sympathise with you; it's hard when it's beyond your control. Has anyone got any solutions for stomach noises in an exam? It's so offputting and just makes nerves worse :frown:

I'm the exact same. In class my stomach makes noises really bad. I felt embarrassed until I started to hear other people's stomachs too (because of IBS or hunger I don't know) and then I realised how common it is! Try and not be off putted by it because honestly there must be other people in the exam feeling the same way- I've heard IBS is as common as affecting 1 in 5 people! I've told people I have it and it turns out I've learnt 3 other people in my class have it and just have been too embarrassed to tell other people! Now that I'm not as bothered about it, it doesn't happen as often.

As to get rid of the stomach noises, just try and see what food is triggering it and then eliminate that food. I know someone who went down to a basic diet of rice and then slowly started introducing food into their diet until they found out which food triggered them, but that would be quite difficult to do!

:smile:

Reply 28

B.Rah

Hi I recently found out that I have ibs and it does explain so much (like why I keep having to miss school). I keep missing in-class exams and just normal lessons and I am worried that my teacher thinks I'm not going in because I don't want to do the exam. I feel I need to tell her but I'm worried that it will be really embarrassing.
Is it right to tell her?
Or would it be really embarrassing for her?

Reply 29

username2295565

18

I personally rate Immodium very highly, but I guess it affects everyone differently. (e.g. it works/doesnt)

Reply 30

username2295565

18

Original post

by B.Rah

Hi I recently found out that I have ibs and it does explain so much (like why I keep having to miss school). I keep missing in-class exams and just normal lessons and I am worried that my teacher thinks I'm not going in because I don't want to do the exam. I feel I need to tell her but I'm worried that it will be really embarrassing.
Is it right to tell her?
Or would it be really embarrassing for her?

I've had to take time off work previously due to IBS, and it wasn't embarrassing at all for me, nor my boss.

Tell her, it'll be absolutely fine, and she will understand.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 31

bloomingdumpling

I know this thread is pretty old but with something like IBS I want to help anyone that needs help, I am currently in my last year of a levels and I am in the period of my last term before going on study leave for exams. I've pretty much had it since summer of 2016 where it started of as minor bloating but progressively got worse towards my winter mock exams in December 2016/ January 2017, I went to the doctor in January and was told I have IBS symptoms most likely due to stress which is common at my age (17, I turn 18 in exactly two weeks time).
I've tried a few medications from boots that haven't helped. As you know there isn't a cure for IBS and it is hard to get it under control, I've literally had to get prescription medication for my IBS (it works better than what is sold in boots but it isn't a cure) I still struggle with mine on a day to day basis (mine isn't food related as any food seems to set off my bloating) but do not be embarrassed to tell those around you and your teachers/ employees. I've let my close friends know and they totally understand and didn't think it was disgusting (you can't exactly help the way your gut behaves with IBS), i've let my subject teachers know so they understand the reasons why my attendance is lower and will not penalise me for it, I've also made exam arrangements to do mine in a separate room from everyone else with access to a toilet. I make sure to sit by myself close to an open window not too close to people in case I get a flare up (I get the weird stomach gurgling noises or flatulence often).
I suggest everyone going through IBS during exams does the same, I felt embarrassed to tell people but once you do most people will understand and be accepting (if those close to you truly care then the fact you have IBS should not change their opinion of you) (also willing to help and advice you to make your exam experience more comfortable). If you cannot find medication in store I suggest asking your doctor for prescription medication, I take mebeverine (also drink peppermint tea and take peppermint oil capsules). I still suffer from bloating daily (specifically after eating or when I go a while without eating) but it has help work better than other medication, I still sometimes restrict myself from going out especially if I know eating is involved, going to someones house or in quiet areas but try having a positive mindset and not always thinking about having a flare up. Try different remedies that may help with your symptoms, try to see if any foods trigger your IBS or may cause a flare up and let people know so you can make arrangements that can make your exam experience better and less stressful, try not to stress out and have a positive mindset.

Reply 32

Wannabebapilot

Hi, I am in a similar position to you I had to repeat my year because when I got ill I thought it was temporary and the doctors are not sure what it is. One doctor said it could be IBS but because I am getting blood she was not sure I am redoing the year and it’s difficult having to go toilet so much during lesson it is embarrassing. It only one month into school and I have less than 50% attendance idk what to do I can’t sleep at night and I am barely getting any work done and just want to get my finals done but I’m struggling. Anyone got any ideas???

Who else has IBS? How do you cope with exams?

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