Over the last few weeks, my IBS has been extremely painful and I have been trying everything I can to elevate the symptoms. I can't tell you how many times I have adjusted my diet, introduced different supplements, removed, what I think are offending items and generally done all I can to feel better. Usually I can do something to help and by a process of elimination  can manage my symptoms quite well. Recently I just haven't been able to get to grips with the pain and if I am honest, it has been getting me down.

I suppose the throbbing I experience is worse than most; I also have Diverticulitis and a hiatus hernia to contend with, all part of a digestive nightmare, that is unrelenting; I have persistent stomach cramps every day. From the moment I wake up, until the time I go to bed, I am continuously dealing with what I can only describe as niggling discomfort. On a bad day, it will turn into full-blown agony.

Stress, worry and circumstances also play a big role in how bad or not I am feeling. As someone who suffers with anxiety, I am forever adjusting my lifestyle and way of thinking, in order to compensate for the uneasiness I have to deal with. Each of the 'minor' conditions I have, require a slightly different diet and yes that does include anxiety. I generally try to follow a low FODMAP diet, but it doesn't always work as well as one would expect. There has been times, where I have tried to introduce a new or different food into my diet and the consequences have been dire; I have literally been left doubled up in pain.

The day before yesterday was a bad day for me. I had been sick, probably due to the hernia, and I was feeling run down. I decided to phone the GP surgery. Not something I often do these days, since Coronavirus has taken priority, but the pounding was so difficult to contend with, I felt I didn't have a choice. My GP phoned back yesterday and offered me some advice, I hadn't been given before. I am guessing from the conversation we had, she also suffers with IBS, speaking very knowledgeably on the subject. After describing my symptoms, she wasn't concerned I was facing anything too bad. One of the major problems with IBS, is a sustained feeling you have something more serious, which increases anxiety and thus makes symptoms worse. She believed I was just going through a rough patch and recommended 'fasting' as a way to help with the pain.

Fasting is a way of allowing my stomach the time to calm down and deal with IBS, without having to process food at the same time. There are many nerve endings in this region of the body and people who suffer with this condition react to pain very differently to others. What may seem trivial to some, is mirrored a hundred times over in my case, which seems logical considering worry and stress (usually about things that do not matter, ) play the biggest part in reactions or rather over reactions to this disorder.

She told me I should fast for twelve, ideally fourteen hours, to let my stomach adjust itself and then introduce eating gradually, taking notice of the body's reaction to each foodstuff and adjusting my diet accordingly. So today I am fasting; I haven't eaten since 5pm yesterday and will eat tomorrow morning, leaving it as long as I can. I have never given up food willingly for any length of time, certainly not recently, so I will see how this goes. At the moment I feel hungry as hell, but my stomach feels so much better and I have little irritation and soreness. Hopefully I will be able to calm this flare up down and try to get back to a semblance of normality. Unless you suffer with IBS, you really have no idea how painful it can be; it was good to finally talk to someone who understood the difficulties I faced and thankfully gave me advice, that I have never received before - I just hope it works!

Some photographs from Sunday and today, walking in and around Portsmouth. I've been to these places before, but have done a bit more exploring than usual. I had never realised Portsmouth has so many open, green spaces. The city itself is one of the more concentrated urban areas in Britain, so to find so many parks, wooded areas, gardens and playing fields has been a bonus.

I am off for two weeks from work now and intend to do a lot more walking. Sadly I am unable to travel to any of the surrounding areas, but I am hoping there is more than enough to see in Portsmouth itself. Obviously I am still very disappointed I am not in Japan at the moment, but luckily the weather is unseasonably hot here, allowing for some much-needed sun. In truth, I haven't actually had two weeks off from work and done absolutely nothing for years, so in many respects this will be a welcome change

I am also nursing a serious bout of IBS, so having two weeks off isn't ideal. My IBS tends to flare up when I have little to do, and my mind goes into overdrive. The disappointment I am feeling today has rapidly turned into stress and anxiety, which of course exacerbates IBS symptoms. I have every pill, potion, lotion and technique possible to deal with these occasions, but presently nothing seems to be working. The worst part about dealing with it, is the fear it is something more sinister; the extra worry that gives is immeasurable.

Once again I have changed my diet, which is helping somewhat. I have had to cut out all spicy food and dairy products, which does seem to  inflame my IBS symptoms. On top of this I have diverticulitis and a hiatus hernia, all of which require very different diets. So trying to find the right balance between all these conditions can be hard, and I am just trying to play safe at all levels, just, so I don't suffer any more pain. As yet I haven't found the perfect medicine if you will and try all alternative - from prescription meds, off the shelf remedies and turmeric tea to multivitamins, lots of fibre and of course the biggie, plenty of walking and exercise.

Since I have started a more healthy regime, I have begun to feel a lot better; when I am walking I don't suffer with any pain at all. This is great for motivation and just makes me walk even more, which is what I have to do. I have always had a rather addictive personality, and I am finding all this walking quite compulsive, pushing me ever forwards in a quest for good health. This isn't something I have done before, so I am finding the weight loss rather hard to sustain, which is probably due to my age, but in time, the harder I continue, the more results I will see.

This has been a difficult time for all, as COVID-19  ravages our nation, but it has taught me the value of the simple things in life and reminded me of just how precious our time on Earth is. Coronavirus attacks the vulnerable, ill and unfit and I don't want to be its next victim, so it's more of the same for me, more walking, eating healthy and staying well. Using this period positively is something all of us should do, building strength for the future and memories that will last a lifetime!