Google Analytics

As I sat here, suffering, I was looking at Google Analytics for my blog. I looked at how many states I've had visits from, and I was kind of blown away by what I saw.

Bet you can't guess where I live. Anyway, I've reached 42 states! You have no idea how good this makes me feel and not because people are reading MY blog, specifically; it's because that many people are reading this blog and possibly finding something that helps them gain control of their IBS. If nothing here works for them, I hope that at least they leave knowing that there's one more person that knows what they're dealing with so they don't feel completely alone.

But, really, Alaska, Delaware, Oklahoma, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and New Hampshire? There has to be someone with IBS in your states! Help them find this blog! I'm especially upset with Delaware since I vacation in Rehoboth Beach every summer. Ugh. Whatevs.

So, with that out of the way, I am not feeling well today. I'm down to my go-to foods that never cause flare-ups these past two days, but now one of my two options isn't even working for me. So now I just have cereal to fall back on. Yay! (sarcasm)

Yesterday I was randomly nauseous, and today my lovely diarrhea came back along with more nausea and just general crappy feeling-ness. I'm not happy especially because I couldn't remember the last time I even had diarrhea. I was thinking that it was just because I started my period, which never bodes well for my IBS symptoms, but who knows. I like to analyze what may have caused my symptoms, but I'm just not sure what's causing me problems today. I just want it to be over with! It definitely doesn't help that I forgot to take my imodium last night. Bummer.

The last few days

The last few days have been anything but pleasant. I either a) ate something really wrong, b) got food poisoning or c) caught the stomach bug that's been going around.

It all started Thursday afternoon when I had cheese dip & chips then followed it with a PopTart. Yes, I know how foolish this was, but I was craving each thing & thought I'd reward myself by giving into my cravings. It did not turn out to be a reward whatsoever.

I spent most of the evening in the bathroom until the Pepto and Imodium kicked in. After that I felt so nauseous that I had my doctor call in an antiemetic for me. The nurse on the phone said that a stomach bug was going around (which I already knew) and tried to tell me to just stay hydrated and eat a bland diet. I then told her that I have a phobia of vomit, and asked her to please call in some medicine for me. Luckily, the doctor did & I got a little piece of mind.

I didn't end up having to use it, but just knowing it was there in case I needed helped calm my nerves at least. Part of the difficulty with IBS is never knowing just what causes your symptoms. I've had that cheese dip before & never had problems. Granted, it was about a week old & I might have had a bit much; adding a PopTart on top of it probably didn't help either. But it was just so sudden and severe that I can't say it was entirely due to IBS. So my poor boyfriend has been upset since it started because I've been avoiding him, just to avoid giving him anything I might have.

One good thing about the last couple days is that I only lost 2 pounds instead of my normal 5! I'm also recovering pretty well & have already started eating normally again with only minimal stomach upset. Usually after episodes or sicknesses it takes my body a lot longer to get back to normal. Let's hope it continues this way so I can be well for finals!

Nausea

Seems that a new symptom of my PMS is nausea. I don't know if this has something to do with my IBS or what...all I know is that it's horrible. It's also really strange- it's not the type of nausea that makes me feel like I'm going to actually throw up (THANK GOD!), but I just feel uber nauseous.

Luckily the nausea is only present the week before and the week during my period. I really wish that there was some type of anti-nausea I could take that has zero drowsiness. I took Dramamine last week (half the regular dose), and the drowsiness was unbearable. It was a good thing that I was ready for bed because it hit me hard & fast. It was like a blanket was being pulled over my eyes. It did wonders for the nausea, but I was absolutely worthless for like 30 minutes before I pretty much lost consciousness.

As someone who's deathly afraid of anything vomit-related, I can say that I almost prefer the nausea over that severe drowsiness. Almost.

Here's to hoping the next two weeks go by quickly!