if so...how do you handle it while in classes/clinicals? this terrifies me.

not a student at the moment..but long standing ibs...i use citrucel fiber caps ...one q am; and if i think i will flare i take an extra. has worked well for me.

I have IBS. I've been lucky it hasn't interfered with clinicals (knock on wood.) I take the "smooth texture" Metamucil. It is a little gloppy, but you get used to it. It was recommended to me because I was having gas problems with other fiber supplements. I also really try to watch what I eat and drink. For instance I can't eat much more for breakfast than cereal most days and coffee can overstimulate me.

It's doable.

Malia

not a student at the moment..but long standing ibs...i use citrucel fiber caps ...one q am; and if i think i will flare i take an extra. has worked well for me.

IBS sufferer as well. I use the Citrucel caps also.

i don't have IBS, but I have an ulcer, and a very nervous stomach. If I get too stressed I can't keep anything down. I keep having repetitive nightmares that I get sick in the middle of a med pass LOL. That would be horrible.

if so...how do you handle it while in classes/clinicals? this terrifies me.

Yes, IBS sufferer here. My doctor prescribed me Cholestyramine which actually works very well. Before clinical I eat only very. very small meals and I try not to eat a big lunch either. I can't eat anything high in fat or heavy. I have had attacks at clinical before....thank goodness for the private bathrooms....it's sad but I always have to seek them out beforehand so I know where they are should I have to go.

I'm a sufferer as well, I just watch what I eat the day before and during clinicals and days of class!

Wow... it is sooo comforting to know that I'm not alone in this. I mean, I'm so sorry that you all are sufferers too, but I really have been wondering if it's even possible to be in nursing school with it. I had a doctor laugh and tell me it'd be next to impossible. He was so rude, like it was my fault. BoonersMom, you described how I feel exactly. Always having to know where the bathrooms are. It's caused a slight agoraphobia. I'm actually hoping nursing school well help me to learn how to deal with it so I can live normally. Thanks to all of you for your replies!

For years I had what you refer to as a "nervous stomach." At least that's what I think it was. I never went to the doctor for it. When I got nervous or even went out to eat, I'd get cramping followed by diarrhea.

Then I lost a lot of weight, got my gallbladder out, & discovered I was lactose intolerant. As long as I didn't have dairy I was fine. Then..... I started nursing school & got a very demanding clinical instructor. The nervous stomach returned each time I had clinical. I no longer have her but still carry Imodium or Pepto Bismo just in case. That does the trick.

Dixie

I had IBS like symptoms until I figured out I was gluten intolerant. Now that I cut out all gluten (wheat, rye, barley, and oats) out of my diet I feel much better.

three fiber capsules before any meal I eat and then only eating light, non greasy-fatty meals. and always knowing where the bathrooms are and the fastest ways to get to them.

three fiber capsules before any meal I eat and then only eating light, non greasy-fatty meals. and always knowing where the bathrooms are and the fastest ways to get to them.

Do instructors generally care if you have to leave class (or clinicals) for bathroom breaks?

depends on the instructor and/or the class.. usually instructors are okay with it during classes, except during test time...at clinicals some instructors will only let you go on your meal break...you will learn quick how to manage to go during clinicals if this happens...try not to worry...where there is a will, there is a way..cheesey but true...