'My life was controlled by IBS until I found a miracle treatment aged 66'

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Marjorie was at her wits
Marjorie was at her wits' end two years ago when her GP said there was 'nothing they could do' (Image: Marjorie Bedford)

When Marjorie was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in her sixties, it didn't come as a shock - she'd experienced a 'funny tummy' for her whole life.

Stomach cramps, bad headaches, loss of appetite and nausea stopped her making plans with friends, made her hesitant to go out and made working in hospitality difficult.

But her diagnosis didn't come with a sudden solution - if anything, she found herself more stressed and anxious day-to-day, pushing for answers and cures.

Then the year she turned 66, Marjorie finally found a "miracle" treatment that made living with IBS much more bearable - she says it's "changed her life" almost overnight.

'My life was controlled by IBS until I found a miracle treatment aged 66' qhiukiuiqkzinvShe was advised by The IBS Network to try mild antidepressants and they worked almost instantly (Marjorie Gibson)

Marjorie is not alone in her battle against IBS - it's estimated that 40 percent of the global population has some sort of functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID).

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IBS presents itself in women twice as often as men, with the most common symptoms appearing as chronic, extreme stomach pain and abnormal bowel movements.

This IBS Awareness Month, Marjorie is sharing her story to raise awareness of IBS in women and the incredible support she received when she reached out for help.

Marjorie Bedford, from Northumberland, told the Mirror: "I always thought I'd inherited my father's 'funny tummy'.

"I spoke to GPs and specialists but nobody was willing or able to give it a name until recently, when I was told I had IBS."

Around two years ago, Marjorie found herself experiencing her 'episodes' more frequently - which she describes as waves of illness that can last multiple days.

'My life was controlled by IBS until I found a miracle treatment aged 66'The 66-year-old has been able to go several months without an 'episode' of illness (Marjorie Bedford)

"It starts with a very bad headache that leads to extreme lethargy and stomach pains. Sometimes I have bloating or constipation," she explained.

"I don't really want to do anything. I have to force myself to smile at people and carry on as if nothing has happened."

Like many IBS sufferers, Marjorie was advised to follow the FODMAP diet, but she says it made "absolutely no difference".

"I've always had a varied and healthy diet, lots of fibre and fresh fruit and vegetables. I walk daily and I've done yoga twice a week for my whole life," she explained.

"I was at my wits' end two years ago when my symptoms seemed to be getting worse every coming week.

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"My GP didn't want to see me anymore, I was almost getting an eye roll each time I visited.

"The worst moment was when my doctor told me, 'there's nothing we can do for you'. I couldn't go on like that. It was so debilitating."

'My life was controlled by IBS until I found a miracle treatment aged 66'Marjorie would experience bad headaches, stomach cramps and lethargy often (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

When Marjorie was at her lowest point, she discovered The IBS Network online and called up one of their volunteers.

"There's so much conflicting information out there, it can be very frightening," Marjorie said.

"We spoke about stress, anxiety, yoga and deep breathing, then she said it could be that I need some mild antidepressants.

"So armed with this, I went back to a GP, who turned out to be very clued up on the topic, and they prescribed me antidepressants.

"I didn't have depression. I was told the tablets suppress the signals that the brain sends to the gut. It was absolutely fascinating.

"They've been a huge success for me, it's like a miracle. I've been able to go several months without an episode."

In June, Marjorie will turn 67 and it's the first year of her life that she's not felt controlled by her IBS symptoms.

'My life was controlled by IBS until I found a miracle treatment aged 66'Mild antidepressants have been proven to effectively calm a sensitive gut (stock photo) (Getty Images)

Alison Reid, chief executive of The IBS Network, told the Mirror: "We are delighted to hear that Marjorie is experiencing some relief from her IBS symptoms.

"Low doses of amitriptyline have been proven effective in the treatment of IBS, as it gently calms the sensitive gut.

"The treatment for clinical depression and the prescription of anti-depressants is markedly different.

"It is important to recognise that IBS is a very individual condition and there is no one treatment that works for everyone. What works for one person, may not work for another.

"Effective IBS management is about self-care and finding out what works for you.

"As the national charity for people living with IBS, The IBS Network is here to provide help and support so that people living with this debilitating condition can learn to better manage their symptoms, take back control of their lives and live well again."

Do you have an IBS awareness story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.

Nia Dalton

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