1. EachPod

IBS rant. It’s not you, it’s them!

Author
Heather Van Vorous
Published
Tue 08 Apr 2025
Episode Link
https://heathervanvorous.substack.com/p/ibs-rant-its-not-you-its-them-775

IBS rant. It’s not you, it’s them!

It’s not your IBS questions that are stupid. It's so many of the answers you're given...

Have you been made to feel like IBS is somehow your fault?

Have your questions and concerns been ignored, diminished, or even thrown back in your face?

It’s not you, it’s them!

I’ve lost track of how many rude, belittling, and flat-out wrong answers I’ve been given about IBS over the years.

And I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve heard from who have endured the same thing.

So you need to know that it’s not your IBS questions that are stupid. It is so often the answers you’ll be given.

Here’s a short list of my favorites over the years. I honestly can’t decide which one is the worst:

This is your new normal.

You have diarrhea 10-15 times a day? You’ll have to learn to live with that.

You’re always constipated? Just stay on laxatives. Forever.

Quit whining.

It’s just pain.

IBS isn’t that bad, you can’t die from it.

Eat whatever you want.

Diet doesn’t matter.

You won’t be able to deal with stress so don’t go to college. Or law school.

Eat lots of bran.

There’s nothing wrong with you.

It’s just stress. Try to relax.

All your tests are negative. You’re fine!

It’s all in your head.

The next time someone says something this insulting to me, I’m going to show them the IBS brain scan and ask them if they know where they can stick it.

You are most definitely not alone.

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P.S. If you have any questions or comments I'd love to hear them - just reply to this email to reach me directly. I am overwhelmed with emails but I try to answer everyone. If you need immediate help please join my private IBS coaching.

XOXO

Heather

Heather Van Vorous Over 40 years dealing with IBSGet full help for IBS here



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