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AIBU?

About DH's IBS (sorry if TMI)

14 replies

QueenofLouisiana · 01/09/2014 09:28

DH has had stomach problems for about 4 or 5 years. He's had scans, scopes etc so we know it is nothing sinister, but it is bloody irritating for him. My DM has lived with IBS for my life, so I grew up knowing about urgent loo trips, various remedies etc. DH does not have very bad IBS, I know many people have it far worse. His is a "funny tummy" rather than crippling pain, constant pooing, rushing to the loo IBS.

However, whenever he has a flare-up (roughly every 2 months, lasting a week or so) he wants me to listen to an in-depth analysis of every shit he has- colour, consistency, amount.... He goes into a small, quiet, "woe is me" mood and expects us all to ask about his stomach every hour. He gets stroppy if DS or I use the downstairs loo for a quick wee in case he needs it (we do have another one).

I do try, I alter food when he's not well to avoid spice, I shop to make sure his items contains fibre, fresh fruit and veg, make sure that there is always something he can drink (has very limited tastes ie.swears tea gives him the runs as it contains milk, ignoring the milk he takes in other forms).

He won't accept the advice that he needs to find a way to relax and take moderate exercise. He won't try ginger or peppermint to help. I think that I want to point out that if this is worst ongoing illness he ever gets he'll be bloody lucky. Then I feel guilty about it.

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Branleuse · 01/09/2014 09:30

yanbu.

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DiaDuit · 01/09/2014 09:32

Yanbu at all! Who wants to hear about anyone's poo? Confused

Tell him straight it stops now.

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Hurr1cane · 01/09/2014 09:33

Oh I don't know. Both me and DP have severe IBS, mine is caused by something else but it's bloody painful. When he's here it's hard because in the morning one of us seems to be on the loo and the other is shouting 'please hurry please' but we only have one toilet.

I can make it upstairs though so he's being daft about that. Or I can lie on the bed in horrible pain while DP is using the toilet.

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Hurr1cane · 01/09/2014 09:33

We don't talk about our poos though. That's a bit weird. We normally just say, I need the toilet, now!

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EarSlaps · 01/09/2014 09:36

Yanbu.

Try a FODMAP diet for him (google it). It has made a massive difference to a friend of mine.

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basgetti · 01/09/2014 09:38

YANBU. I've been hospitalised a few times with bowel issues and I couldn't imagine anything worse than subjecting my family to in depth descriptions of my poo. Yuk.

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divingoffthebalcony · 01/09/2014 09:39

Oh my god, sounds like this is a new variant of man-flu: man-IBS Hmm

He needs to take responsibility for his own illness, figure out his triggers, take better care of himself, stop whining about other people using the downstairs loo when he's having an attack, and most importantly ease up on the lurid descriptions of his own faeces. Seriously, does he want you to pull a sad face and say "oh, poor you, poor darling" every time

I have bowel issues of my own and live in a house with one bathroom, so I'm not being unsympathetic - he is being a twat!

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whatever5 · 01/09/2014 09:44

YANBU. I have had IBS on and off for about 20 years and I don't discuss it much. I wouldn't get too involved in what he does and doesn't eat as it is something he needs to work out for himself. I think that it's probably different for different people. Regarding tea, it also gives me the runs but it must be something in the tea apart from caffeine or milk as coffee is okay.

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WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 01/09/2014 09:46

Why on earth does he think he should be telling you about his poo?

Oh and I hate it when people dh complains about an ailment but does nothing to help himself.

Yanbu

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whatever5 · 01/09/2014 09:50

I do hate it when people think you can't complain about an ailment unless you do what they think you should do to "help yourself" though. I think it is best to steer clear of advice (unless there is strong evidence that it works or he asks for advice) but in turn he really needs to cut down on the information.

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QueenofLouisiana · 01/09/2014 09:58

Ok, thank you for your thoughts. I'll shut up with the unsolicited advice Grin and point out that I don't need to hear about every or any poo.

It's interesting that it may be tea that causes a problem and I'm off to google a FODMAP diet.

Then I can pay attention to the actual child in the house, not the man-child.

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Iconfuseus · 01/09/2014 10:40

I think YAB a little U.

I don't think it costs much to show him a little sympathy. I think you should just indulge him, from what you've described his behaviour does not seem that annoying or unreasonable. I think I'd be pretty hurt if I found out my other half was unsympathetic to me about my IBS, it's pretty horrible.

Also as a side note peppermint tea never helped me and actually gives me awful heartburn.

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Iconfuseus · 01/09/2014 10:41

I meant to say my IBS is pretty horrible.

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whatever5 · 01/09/2014 10:52

I'm off to google a FODMAP diet.

I know that you mean well but despite saying that you aren't going to offer more unsolicited advice it sounds like you are going to continue!

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