After battling years of ‘tummy bugs’ every second week, I’ve just been diagnosed with IBS.

IBS is probably the last thing anyone likes to bring up in conversation but almost 10 percent of adults in Ireland are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There is no cure for IBS and with symptoms including: nausea, diarrhea and vomiting on a weekly basis. Most people suffer in silence with this accumulating into major anxiety and depression.

Ever since I was a baby I have always had problems with my digestive system, I refused milk and then began my mysterious illness journey.

Being prescribed different antibiotics for my curious illnesses that would arise took it’s toll on my immune system and my best friends were probiotics ( if you suffer from digestive problems there are lots of brands of  probiotics that can give your gut a helping hand), then came the hospital appointments and procedures all to prove it’s not just in your imagination.

I myself now find it hard to be able to know that I can go out with my friends for dinner and drinks without feeling fear that I’ll have to leave early with illness or wake up the next day with a flare up and end up missing more days in work.

I’ve been referred to the FODMAP diet for years now which is a pretty intense list of foods to avoid with obvious members such as : chocolate and sweets to the surprising: avocado and apple. A gluten free diet is also recommended and I’ve tried after years of thinking I was coeliac I realized that fibre is necessary in everyone’s diet and avoiding fibre like the plague was doing more harm than good to my system.

It’s all about eliminating your trigger foods and finding your tummy’s happy place! This is something I’m working towards and I know Rome was not built in a day.

However, I am determined to not let IBS stop me from doing things in my life, despite having to get bloods as often as possible to keep away possibility of disease , I know that I can continue my life as it was before diagnosis.

IBS may not be a walk in the park but I am extremely lucky to still have a full life ahead of me.

The stigma around stomach issues needs to be broken and with that I feel that levels of depression and anxiety connected with bowel disorders will be lessened.

There are TONNES of amazing societies and blogs out there that will ease your fears and answer your questions about IBS and your tummy troubles such the ISCC for those suffering and seeking help in Ireland.