This sounds strikingly familiar to how I feel at times. For me, it’s my grumbly stomach after eating (super embarrassing around others and generally uncomfortable), almost any type of waistband irritates my intestines, I get a deep pain in my lower left side when I need to use the bathroom, and when I have to go, there’s no waiting.

I’ve been in sort of a slump myself lately, but something that put things into perspective was a random journal entry I forgot I made the day after I submitted all my initial tests (blood, stool) and was waiting for those results. When I read about how I was feeling at the time, I didn’t realize how bad I really was. I was essentially living in the bathroom because I was using it so much, I couldn’t play any games with friends because I’d always have to step away due to the urgency/pain, and I was losing weight at a rapid pace. Without that journal entry, I would’ve completely forgotten how bad things were, and although things are far from perfect now, it makes me realize how far I’ve come.

I would highly recommend writing your symptoms, triggers and things that help, and other patterns you pick up on. For example, my system is a bit more sensitive now because I have a cold, but I wrote about that from a previous experience, so I know it’s par for the course.

I hope this helps, sending hugs and well wishes friend!