Feast or Famine

About a month ago I received an email asking if I might be interested in doing a few product review type things.

This is what ran through my mind:

You bet!
Super fun!
Woo Hoo!
Things to blog about!
Products to try!

This is what I said:

"Oh, sure. That would be great."

Because I'm all about being low key.

After a few days, I received an email asking if I would like to participate in my first product review.

Bring. It. On.

I didn't care what that product might be.

I was ready.

MmmHmm.

Three words: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Yep.

Diarrhea and Constipation.

To those of you blessed with IBS, I am right there with you. You understand my willingness to try anything that might help.

So I agreed to use the product for 3 weeks.

In the back of my mind was the reality that I would have to blog about it at some point.

But I denied that reality for 3 weeks.

And now here we are.

Let me give you a brief history of how I've dealt with my IBS.

I haven't.

I tried a few medications in the past but they caused me to feel really (I can't believe I am about to type this word) gassy.

I have reached new lows in my blogging career.

Anyway. After the prescription medications, I found a product called The Experience.

Let that sink in.

You are supposed to take 1 to 3 capsules daily. I've never been able to take less than 3. For 2 years. I felt too dependent upon The Experience. If I skipped a pill, we were back to the famine. And I had lots of cramping. Nice.

The product that I was sent is called Align. It is a daily probiotic supplement. I have no idea what that means.

Honestly, I didn't really expect that it would work. I worried about how I might write a positive and happy blog about my diarrhea and constipation and the product that did not work.

Now I'm just trying to see how many times I can type the words diarrhea and constipation.

I was told that I might feel a little bloated the first week of trying Align. I didn't. I felt normal.

So maybe I'm always bloated?

After a week of Align I tapered my other medication down to 2 pills. And felt really great.

After the second week, I was down to 1 pill o' Experience. Feeling great.

The last week of Align Trial Period I skipped a day or two of The Experience. And felt great.

I didn't have any cramping. I had normal, um, system activation.

I can absolutely say that Align worked well for me. I have ordered a month's supply.

If you don't have IBS, then I am so sorry that you have had to read about my digestive system.

If you do have IBS, then I am so sorry that you have had to read about my digestive system.

And if I am ever asked to review anything else (which, I think we all would agree, is not likely) I promise I will always tell the truth.

Though I am thinking that you now wish that were not the case.

Comments

[Tiffany]

Au Contraire. I don't personally have IBS but am close to some who do. I'd love for them to try it so will send them over here to read about your bowels. Thanks for keepin it real:)

[Caprik]

You are funny! No IBS around here, but thanks for sharing!

[Bahama Mama]

I was misdiagnosed with IBS for many years until I discovered that I actualy had celiac disease (which doctor's think is rare but it isn't). Have you been tested for gluten sensitivity?

[Lisa@take90west]

Even though I knew this was coming, it didn't make this any easier to read.

But props on your solution, I'm glad you're feeling great! (And not bloated.)

[Fuschia]

No IBS, although I thought I did have it. Now we're on to treating diverticulitis...fun! Oh, yeah and lactose intolerance...fun, as well.
I, too, thank you for keepin' it real!

[The Roost]

What American doesn't have a little IBS with all our wonderful fast food habits! :I Good tip, Queen B.

[Alicia]

And you scold your mother for discussing the "girls". I'm beginning to see a genetic trait.

Glad everything "worked out" for you! :)

[Tammy]

From a girl who works in the medical field and who has experienced GI problems her entire life, I can sympathize with you. Worst experience ever was a nasty GI "bug" rearing its ugly head on my flight back from Japan. I thank the Lord continually that the really bad part of it did not start until, literally, 20 minutes after I walked through my door. If that had all started on the plane, oh my!!

I just may have to check out this Align product. Thanks for the tip.

[autumn dahlia]

I'm passing this along to one of my best friends. She's a poopin machine.

[Lisa @ The PW]

As a girl with GI issues - Can I tell you I'm laughing my fool head off? With you - not at you of course. I couldn't even imagine how you'd pull that post off and gosh darnity - it was perfection.

makes me think at some point we need to host a contest where people have to write posts about crazy things and see who can bring it...

cause girl, you brung it ! :)

[Lisa @ The PW]

I meant gosh darnit, not 'gosh darnity' but i kind of like it...lol

[New Diva]

Isn't it amazing the number of women that have IBS? Yes, you can include me, thanks for the reccomendation. Hope your next product is more fun! (for you I mean, not for us 'cause that was some funny stuff)

[Soliloquy]

Remember your first ever email to me? Something along the lines of separated at birth??

IBS. NOT a fun way to lose 15 lbs.

Actually, a NUCCA chiropractor is REALLY helping me. After 9 years of "issues" - and multiple chiropractors, he's the first one to really HELP me.

But I'll be checking back with you because I want to know if it continues to work.

I might have to get me some of that...

Can you call your product review people and ask them if they need anyone to review Breast Augmentation?

'Cause I'd agree to that....

[Kristin]

Someone's gotta talk about it -- might as well be the Queen B herself. You did a fine job discussing a situation no one really enjoys talking about. Thanks :0)

Kristin

[pattik]

T. M. I.

[Amy]

Too funny! I like the site but I loved the review.

[Janel]

Great review. I have Colitis. I wonder if it will work for that. hmmm

[Amy @ By His Grace]

Oh my goodness gracious...one knows that I have "issues" as well, so I might be trying the ALIGN.

[Darcie]

No IBS here. Thank God. We have enough to deal with as is thankyouverymuch.

I'm rolling about your first product review though. I mean, c'mon, surely there are some other PR firms out there who need product reviews right?

A new Canon product might come in handy right about now. Or, maybe Disney has a new resort that they need a good write up on.

[Kelly @ Love Well]

Wow. You start your career as a critic with IBS meds?

With that kind of luck, Viagra is next.

[Wendi]

Hilarious post.
I can't think of a better person to discuss such a product.
I am quite thankful at this time that your camera is in the shop.

[LadyCiani]

Funny post.

FYI, "Daily Probiotic Supplement" is the technical way to say it's a type of good bacteria - along the lines of acidophilus - which you take every day, and it's not intended to replace something in your diet, it is only in addition to, or "supplements," your normal diet.

I used to work in a vitamin store, so I know all sorts of fun things about vitamins and other "dietary supplements".

The good bacteria are supposed to balance your "intestinal flora," which can frequently be out of whack after antibiotics and other medications. But, as you found, by giving you good bacteria, it help the symptoms of IBS, too.

[kari]

I absolutely adore your blog already and it is only my first day browsing through. Thanks to rocks in my dryer...I linked to your blog.
thanks for a Great laugh today!

[alli]

I am not a grumpy person. I am a hip and fun girl who is usually over the top optimistic and perky.

Really. I really really am.

But, I always find your blog when I'm ridiculously grumpy and weepy. And, NOT in the mood to be cheered up.

That rarely happens.

So, I find your blog. I'm reading and almost smiling (because you're really cute and funny!), but refusing to crack a "for real" smile. I totally related to the gardening blog. TOTALLY. And, you definitely almost made me laugh when you asked us about if one side of the nose represented something or not.

Then I come to this IBS blog, and dang it! You made me giggle over poop! Seriously. I'm not a crude person. Well, I'm a "in the closet" kindof crude person. If you know what I mean.

Anyways, thanks for keeping it real, and allowing weirdo lurkers read your thoughts about your IBS.

[Carolyn]

I just found you from 90 West! THIS WAS HYSTERICAL! I WILL be back! And thank goodness the medicine worked-for you and for us!