October 9, 2004

Conference

IBS sufferers hate tours, carpooling, or any sort of trip that takes the control over destination out of our hands*. So this week, of course, I volunteered to drive myself to an annual conference directly from the office, leaving at a later time than the other attendees.

I wake up in the morning with less than 6hours sleep, which immediately throws my stomach into knots. My morning strategy is to have a calming time to drink a glass of cool water (usually acts as a mild stimulant)and try to have a bowl of oatmeal later on at work (works as a major stimulant - hence my wait to be settled).

My morning commute is 1/2 hour so I have to make sure that I won't have an attack during that time. Of course, this particular morning, I was running late. I skipped the water and ran out the door in my pinstripe suit. When I arrived at work, stomach cramping a bit, my boss shows up at my office and announces that I shall be traveling with her (thankyouverymuch). At this point I'm stuck. Do I eat my oatmeal and run the chance of getting an attack (a "good" attack) during my commute to the conference with my boss (frightening!)? I decided no and went with the "let's stay hungry because its better than getting sick" approach.

Thank goodness the trip there was quick and painless. They had plenty of lifesaving sourdough bread (great way to calm your insides). And NEVER ask for the vegetarian option at lunch - it almost always means some sort of past stuffed with ricotta cheese.

The day continued rather eventless and I quickly returned to work, my "home base" for the rest of the afternoon.

*Personally I find it difficult enough to maintain control in Los Angeles so I am really baffled at how IBS sufferers handle it in more public transport cities. I hyperventilated the last time I was stuck on a bus in Hong Kong.

Posted by Christine on October 9, 2004 9:38 AM

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