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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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anthonyyyyy
New Member
Joined : Oct 2005
Posts : 2
Posted 10/13/2005 6:45 AM (GMT -8)
helo everyone, im 18 and i just got told today that they're 99% sure ive got IBS. i've had symptoms since i was 14/15 years old, and had nearly every test under the sun (and have been told ive had all kinds of problems, before getting told thats not actually the case). ive been drinking alcohol since i was roughly 16 and ive never noticed any particular pattern linking it to my symptoms, although deep down i knw it doesnt help. ive just started at university and although im trying cut down, its hard to explain 2 ppl why i am, therefore its not workin. even though i knw i shouldnt drink i still like to and im prob not going to stop. i was jus wonderin if there was anyone who had any ideas about which kind of drinks are better 2 stay away from, and if any arent as bad. thanks for ur time if u actually read this
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dbab
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2004
Posts : 4151
Posted 10/13/2005 7:25 AM (GMT -8)
Hi anthony,
Welcome to Healing Well :)

I just want to say that I understand where you are coming from. I too have had IBS since I was 14 so I know how hard it was at such a young age. We are all different here on how and what alcohol can be tolerated. Alcohol will not effect you any differently health wise than it affects non-IBSers but it can definitely affect your IBS symptoms. How you handle your symptoms with alcohol will be your ultimate decision on what you drink. I can not tolerate beer what so every because it causes a lot of gas. I'm not much of a drinker and my tolerance is pretty low so I tend to stay away from the hard liquor. A lot of people here say that their IBS symptoms aren't as bad with hard liquor vs. beer. On occasion, I will have a glass of wine or two and it pretty much doesn't adversly affect my IBS.
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7Lil
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 3269
Posted 10/13/2005 7:47 AM (GMT -8)
Welcome to HealingWell, Anthony!
It's true what dbab said, we all tolerate alcohol differently. I think, however, there could be a universal intolerance for Beer on this site. Anything "fizzy" is tough for people with IBS to handle. It causes way too much gas and bloating. I can't handle wine because it gives me heartburn (I don't think that is IBS related). I do know there are some on this board who can handle a couple glasses of wine. I am one of the people dbab mentioned that can handle hard alcohol.... BUT, only if it is a good day. On a bad day I can barely handle food, let alone any sort of alcohol.
My recommendation: Stick to "girly, fu-fu drinks" like daquiris (sp?) and margaritas.
Be well.
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Keriamon
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2005
Posts : 2976
Posted 10/13/2005 9:38 AM (GMT -8)
I'm 26 and went through college without every drinking at a party.  In fact, the only alcohol I ever had in college, my mother bought for me--I think I may have had about three shots worth out of that bottle of sake over the course of two years. 

Personally, I don't like the taste of alcohol and have never drank it on that account.  When I would be offered alcohol at a party, I simply told people, "I don't drink."  Everyone was fine with it (I am woman, though).  I didn't get kicked out for being a party pooper or anything.  This included both social functions in the U.S. and in Wales, so being okay with not drinking isn't just limited to people on U.S. campuses.  Although, I think you will find being at a party sober where the entire intent is to get s--t faced is pretty boring.  In fact, you look around and wonder why anyone wants to get drunk; they all look like idiots.  Not to mention getting drunk makes normal people have diarrhea and/or vomit; it can only be 10 times (or more) worse for you.

I have been at gatherings with friends in recent years where the intent was to have a good time and talk and getting drunk just sort of happened.  Those are good parties to be at since people talked and told stories and didn't get so drunk they couldn't stand-up straight; you can still have a good time sober around moderately-drunk people because it's all about the conversation and interaction, not about the booze. 

My suggestion to you would be to simply tell people you don't drink.  If they try and pressure you into it, admit that you have a health problem that prevents you from drinking.  You'll probably find other people with health problems that keep them from drinking too (people who have sezuires can't drink, nor can most diabetics--gravitate towards the tee-totalers for a better time socially).   

If you're in a frat house or something where you feel you need to keep up appearances, bring your own "drinks" to the party.  I.e. orange juice without vodka, caffiene free cokes without whiskey, non-alcoholic "wine" coolers, virgin pina coladas, that sort of thing.  You can even make tea that looks like beer (minus the head).  A few beer empty beer bottles with tea and cleverly re-capped and no one will ever know.  Of course, you can always show up a bit after the party's started, get yourself a beer and walk around all night without drinking any of it.  No one will ever notice, especially after they've had a few. 

Not only will your stomach thank you for not drinking, but you never have to worry about getting so drunk you wake up in bed with someone and wonder how you got there or what you GOT from them!  That and designated drivers become really popular on a drinking campus, lol. 

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GAWZ
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2005
Posts : 74
Posted 10/13/2005 2:57 PM (GMT -8)
I cant drink due to my IBS. Your lucky if you can.
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