Catherine’s Story

To see Catherine's video, click here

Many IBS sufferers end up with a dreadful situation almost every day.  There are times when they are afraid to leave home because they may only have a few minutes’ notice to find a toilet.  Once in a while, they take Immodium (loperamide) and carry on.  However, there are many people who are taking loperamide every day.  Some people have given up their jobs because they simply could not carry on taking 40 minutes out of each day, visiting the toilet.  It is embarrassing, and conscientious employees feel they are being unfair to their colleagues and employers.  Some people quit their jobs because they are trying to reduce stress in their lives, to see if this will also help their problem.

Catherine tried everything to find a cause

Catherine tried everything to find a reason for her IBS.  She could be in the supermarket when that pain came to tell her to find a loo quickly.  She always planned ahead wherever she went.  While she was travelling in a car, Catherine was especially nervous in case she became stuck in a traffic jam.  She was even worried when she took the children to school, just in case that pain came while she was on the way.  Every time Catherine planned to go anywhere, she would begin to feel panic – just in case things went wrong.  Sometimes the panic seemed worse than the IBS, and sometimes she wondered if it was causing her IBS.

Catherine noticed that she felt the first sign at a certain place, just below her stomach.  Then it would seem to disappear for a while, and she would wonder if it had gone away.  Then it usually came back much stronger than before, and she would be making plans to get herself to the loo in about ten minutes’ time.

Catherine tried many different changes to her diet but any benefit seemed to disappear very quickly.  She noticed that she was particularly prone to an attack at certain times.  When there was a sudden change of plan, for instance.  As soon as the new change of routine was discussed, there would be that accompanying feeling inside her.  Catherine felt this as a feeling, almost like butterflies in the stomach, but much stronger.  She wondered if she was suffering panic attacks, but she was not really sure of what panic attacks were. 

There were other symptoms

Often, Catherine’s bouts of IBS were much more than a trip to the loo.  She would often feel nauseous and she would feel a violent headache.  She wondered if she was having a stroke. She would also feel terribly ill, and she could take half a day to recover.  Catherine was suffering IBS at its worse.

A feeling of panic began each attack

Catherine made an appointment to see me to see if she could help her with her panic attacks.  On hearing all about her problems, I realised that Catherine’s problem was Neurological Wave Syndrome. 

The Resolution programme can be hard work in the early days

  After the initial session, Catherine received regular telephone coaching to make sure that she was following the procedure correctly.  Gradually, Catherine got the hang of her new routine, and began to see improvements.  The intensity of the attacks reduced, and became less debilitating.  Gaps became wider too, leaving Catherine with the first completely clear days.  Catherine made great strides in her progress, and with further telephone coaching she found herself getting more and more back to normal.

Getting back to normal

Two months after beginning her therapy, Catherine had the confidence to book a holiday abroad with the children.  How many other people are afraid to book a flight because they know they will have to wait several times in long queues?

In November 2008, Catherine remains well and is enjoying being back at work once again.