Sharabelle bakes

My Story I've had IBS for over 20 years now, when I was first diagnosed no one had heard of it.  Which meant explaining it was embarrassing.  Things have change which is great, however there is still a lot of confusion about it.  Sufferers of the condition get lumped together with people on fad diets.  I have a dairy and gluten intolerance.  There are also a whole range of foods I avoid as they can trigger either my IBS and Acid Reflux problems.  I was diagnosed with IBS by my Doctor, I did not just decide I had it.  I would love to take a magic pill and make these problems go away.  No one wishes to be in pain.   When I'm talking to people about my IBS and they come up with all these wonderful ways I can get rid of it.  I have the perfect answer for them ..... I'd previously had  E-coli  food poisoning. Unfortunately I was misdiagnosed by the Doctor who came to see me on a home visit.  He diagnosed me a...

Depression and me Weight I'm 5 ft 2 inches tall, at my heaviest I was 13 stone.  Looking back now I realise I comfort ate.  Another factor was I was afraid of not having any food in my digestive system, as not eating always set off a flare up of my IBS. I had tried losing weight in the past, however it always went back on.  That was until I was diagnosed with depression, and finally got help.  I started seeing a mental health nurse for therapy.   A friend at work started the weight watcher diet, and I joined her.  For the first time weight started to come off and stayed off.   Negative Stereotypes What people don't realise is being overweight is not just about being lazy or unhealthy eating.  This type of stereotype has caused prejudice in society.  Just telling someone they are fat or commenting on their weight is not really helpful. One experience I had meant I stopped eating for 3 days.  Others led to mor...

See Me Scotland Even if you're not from Scotland, check out their website.  There aim is to end Mental health stigma and discrimination.  For my part Iv decided to be more open about my own mental health problems with depression and anxiety. Many of us with long term medical illnesses like IBS, also have issues with depression and anxiety.  Not having control of your own body, never knowing when the next episode will be triggered.  Being scared to eat out, and apprehensive about travelling long distances without access to a toilet.  IBS is a hidden illness, talking about digestive problems like mental health is not seen as the "done thing."  However if we don't talk about them, we are left feeling isolated and lonely.   My mental health problems became worse last year when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  Dealing the IBS and mental health problems is hard enough, but adding on the extra health problems has overwhelmed me. Fibromyalg...