The Struggle Between My Heart and My Colon

I finally decided enough was enough and called my doctor a few weeks ago. When the receptionist asked why I wanted to be seen I told her that I was stressed and it was causing stomach problems. She asked what was going on and I said "Oh, just full-time work, full-time graduate school, and planning my wedding that’s coming up in six weeks," to which she replied "I’d have stomach problems too!"

So my doctor officially diagnosed me with what he called a "textbook case of spastic colon," otherwise known as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I suppose it’s nice to actually have a medical reason behind my nervous tummy issues. He wrote me a prescription for an anticholinergic and a benzodiazepine for my anxiety. I’m a little nervous about the benzo, however, because it sounds like it will significantly alter my mood and possibly make me feel "hungover". I was also warned not to take it with alcohol, but let’s face it–I’m going to be doing some drinking on my wedding day. I just wish I could do something that would make me instantly feel better–no tummy issues, no dizziness, just the bliss my heart is feeling over finally getting married to a wonderful man.

It’s a battle royale. "In this corner, weighing in at approximately 8-10 ounces, slightly broken and battered, but back in better shape than ever, Megan’s heart!" *crowd goes wild* "And in this corner, weighing in at approximately 4 pounds with a huge attitude problem, hates spicy food and dairy, give it up for Megan’s colon!" *crowd boos*