elizabethmaslanka Posted July 27, 2021 Report Share Posted July 27, 2021 Hello all! I want to share my story and perhaps give some hope. I have been well for several years now but have been hesitant to post anything in fear I might jinx it haha; however I think now is the time to share my healing journey. I was diagnosed with IBS by a GI doctor and struggled with it for 7 years. I had both IBS-C and IBS-D. My symptoms started when I was 17 and worsened over the years. It got so bad that there were only about 20 foods that I could eat and not strongly react to. I tried everything to heal. I tried a host of Drs, meds, supplements, diets, chiropractic's, naturopathies, etc. Nothing seemed to help. I was at my lowest point 3 years ago and felt so anxious, depressed, alone, scared, and isolated. It was then that I learned about the connection between the mind and body and started to heal. I read a book by Dr John Sarno called the divided mind and another one by Dr Howard Schubiner called unlearn your pain (There are a host of other books on the same topic but those are the two I found most helpful). I began to realize that stress and suppressed emotions can cause a physical symptom such as diarrhea or constipation. I learned that I was focusing so much on my body and symptoms and ignoring the emotional hurt that I felt for so many years. I was unlearning what I was taught by my family and so many healthcare professionals saying there was something wrong with my body. I learned that suppressing my emotions and hyper focusing on my symptoms were the real disease. I experienced true healing that was heartbreaking, raw, and freeing. I have been a registered nurse for the past 5 years and work in primary care and can say that IBS is not caused from your GI tract but from your brain. This has been verified for me both from my observations with patients, chronic pain seminars that I've attended through my work, and my own personal experience. I am completely cured from IBS for the past 2 years and will occasionally get a flare up when under a lot of stress. When I do have a flare I do not get upset because I have learned that 100% of all humans will get a physical symptom when stressed whether its upset stomach, heart palpitations, back pain, blushing, hives etc. I know that IBS and chronic pain can make you feel so alone and scared. I know the pain and isolation because I have been there, but there is hope for healing. Whoever is reading this know that you deserve to live a joyful life and to be free of chronic pain. Healing may be painful when digging up emotional suffering, but the truth will ultimately set you free. I do not want to preach that I know all the answers because my healing was only made possible by the fruits of caring doctors, psychologists, and other people who have shared their success stories. Now it is time that I also will humbly share my story of healing in hopes that even one person may find it helpful, which would make the many years of suffering have some meaning. Thank you for those of you who read my long post to the end and God bless! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethmaslanka Posted July 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2021 PS: Also I can now eat ANY food I want and it is WONDERFUL. I will never give up gluten, ice-cream, or a good cocktail ever again!! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownin Posted August 4, 2021 Report Share Posted August 4, 2021 Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for your encouraging testimony. You remind me of one of my doctors who told me, when I said something has gone wrong with my stomach and he replied, that something has gone wrong in my brain! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethmaslanka Posted October 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2021 @brownin yes! Your brain can cause real physical symptoms. That is why so many people with IBS also have other problems such as chronic pain, anxiety/depression, menstrual issues, hives, migraines, etc. The mind can cause many symptoms to keep you from feeling unpleasant emotions. It also explains the placebo effect and why naturopathic supplements, diet change, or medication cause temporary relief but does not last long term. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blair4563 Posted November 20, 2021 Report Share Posted November 20, 2021 Hi, Elizabeth thank you for your success story. I will check out those books you've mentioned. Sadly I've discovered that my relationship, or I should say, my response to my relationship is likely a primary cause of my GI (undiagnosed). Noted by myself and my physician that while away for periods of two weeks or more I have most often been symptom free and found myself eating things I wouldn't dare eat at home. My husband has a probable brain injury that is stressful to deal with along with minor habits that add to my duties in our household (read between the lines). I had joined a brain injury support group that fell to the wayside due to Covid but will get back to it soon. Hopefully your suggested books can help. Thanks for sharing your success! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethmaslanka Posted December 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 @blair4563 I'm glad you found my post helpful! If you find the books helpful let me know I hope you and your husband both find healing 💓 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyAnne Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 Elizabeth, thank you for writing this. I have been having this issue for over 30 years and have just realized that it is my brain that is telling my stomach to act up. If I know I’m going to a restaurant that may cause an issue, you can bet that it will. After all, I’ve had all day to obsess about it 😳. I will definite read the books you have suggested. Again, thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleybarney Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 Hi Elizabeth, thanks for sharing your inspiring story! It has made me feel very optimistic. I too read Dr Sarno's book but I'm not sure how to un-suppress my trapped emotions. What methods did you use? Was it journaling? Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethmaslanka Posted July 25 Author Report Share Posted July 25 On 7/23/2022 at 5:54 AM, ashleybarney said: Hi Elizabeth, thanks for sharing your inspiring story! It has made me feel very optimistic. I too read Dr Sarno's book but I'm not sure how to un-suppress my trapped emotions. What methods did you use? Was it journaling? Thank you I'm glad you found it helpful! You can do whatever works for you journaling, meditation etc. The best tool I've used was pain reprocessing therapy. There is a great tool book about it called "the way out" by Allen Gordon. Wishing you the best! IBS is curable so stay strong and no need to be afraid ❤️😊 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethmaslanka Posted July 25 Author Report Share Posted July 25 On 4/9/2022 at 8:57 PM, TracyAnne said: Elizabeth, thank you for writing this. I have been having this issue for over 30 years and have just realized that it is my brain that is telling my stomach to act up. If I know I’m going to a restaurant that may cause an issue, you can bet that it will. After all, I’ve had all day to obsess about it 😳. I will definite read the books you have suggested. Again, thank you. Wishing you the best! Let me know if you found the books helpful or have any questions. I'd love it if my experience could be helpful to someone else who is struggling. ❤️ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabethmaslanka Posted July 25 Author Report Share Posted July 25 2 minutes ago, elizabethmaslanka said: I'm glad you found it helpful! You can do whatever works for you journaling, meditation etc. The best tool I've used was pain reprocessing therapy. There is a great tool book about it called "the way out" by Allen Gordon. Wishing you the best! IBS is curable so stay strong and no need to be afraid ❤️😊 Also there is an app that you can download onto your phone called Curable which has a lot of meditations, journaling, and educational/success stories. Would highly recommend Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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