mini rant: 'better' and 'worse'

[XDjames]

Some folk close to me don't understand my IBS (actually I don't undertand it either, it comes and goes as it pleases) and say:

'It's getting worse' -no, I'm having some rubbish days but it's not a slope that goes monotonically down and down and down, it can flip back up to a good day just like that, I prefer not to be negative.

'I thought it was getting better' -well I had some good days, now I'm not having a good day.

'Get well soon' -that's fine, most folk think it's a gradual process of recovery and they mean well and I'm grateful for their best wishes, but it's not like that.

It's a question of good days vs bad days. So I had a run of good days while the sun shone: Hooray! Hopefully now more good days than bad ones.

[xjrs]

The "Get well soon" one made me laugh. So many times I've had family members say - "are you better now". Well, I may be better than I was, but I still have food intolerances and "no", I can't eat out at restaurants without feeling like a total numpty, with waiting staff rolling their eyes thinking I am a fussy eater and then only land up with a couple of potatoes and some fish and expect me to pay £16 - no thanks. As you say, most people (including us) don't fully understand IBS and for other people to get their head around it being a life long condition is like asking them to fly to the moon. I think it's a case of the only thing they can relate to, is if they ate something a bit dodgy, they felt ill for a day and were OK again, so they think that is what happens with us. Haha, only if :-).

[Dahliaforever in reply to xjrs]

Yes if only it was simple , it has taken me over 2 years to get my head around what triggers my IBS( stress )certain foods . You know ,but I try not to mention it at all so that I can avoid the advice and am now reluctantly a fussy eater. Your posts made me feel positive about the future going forward. All for one and one for all!

Thank you