First, a little apology is owed, since this post is four days late! I’ve had a rather hectic week busying around filming, editing and writing essays galore – but I haven’t forgotten about this week’s installment and next week’s should be up as normal. If I’m completely honest, the last few days have been a real test for me in terms of how I can cope – and a test of Symprove with regards to how it works alone (as I am completely free of any other medication). Stress seems to be the biggest contributor when it comes to my IBS flare ups and since it can’t be eliminated completely (until I’m living in the Bahamas, sipping cocktails for a living) – sometimes you have to power through.
I debated on several topics this week, as there is so much to talk about and since I’m trying to raise awareness for the condition this month (which is IBS awareness month), I wanted the posts to be meaningful and poignant. After much deliberation, I decided to write about fashion & IBS. Yes, that’s right – a strange combination, I know but if you’re a sufferer whose main symptoms include bloating, then you’ll probably be familiar with regards to how much your IBS dictates what you wear, on a daily basis. I’ve always LOVED fashion. Perhaps not as much as other people, or to the extent I try crazy new trends – but I have always taken pleasure in clothes, how I look and how I dress. However, when it comes to dressing for comfort (just to get you through the day) and dressing in the things you LOVE, the two don’t really bode well.
It seems like a strange thing to say, but I seriously envy those who can turn up to University wearing a crop top and skin tight high waist jeans. Not only do they have fantastic figures (I mean, even if I wanted too – trying to pull off this combination would not be a pretty sight) but I envy how they can sit in a lecture or seminar wearing those clothes and not feel so overwhelmed by how tight and uncomfortable the garments are that they can’t concentrate on the work at hand. Aside from formal occasions like interviews and internships, I dress for comfort rather than style. I wish it wasn’t this way – and I do incorporate some of my favourite (albeit baggy) tops into the mix, but overall what I do wear is dictated by my stomach. If something is too tight, it will make matters worse. So unfortunately, my University attire tends to resemble the same baggy top, baggy jeans or on bad days – tracksuit bottoms.
As someone who aspires to work in the fashion industry, this isn’t ideal but I suppose it’s just another hurdle I will have to jump. Perhaps we all enjoy ‘comfy fashion’ more than we make out and I could start a new trend? Hmm, we’ll have to see.
I do get frustrated that what I wear is determined by my IBS. Oh how I’d love to throw on a fitted pencil skirt and smart shirt everyday. Because if I wasn’t dictated to, that’s what I’d be wearing. But it’s just the way it is unfortunately. At one point, I’d even developed such a specific disposition about what I’d wear to ‘have a good stomach day’ that I couldn’t even wear long sleeved tops or jumpers (even in winter) because if I got too hot and stuffy, it would make things worse. Silly I know, but I know that more than just one can relate.
All in all, I doubt I’ll ever be the kind of girl who looks utterly made up and immaculate every day. I’ve never been that sort of person anyway. I believe confidence comes from within, rather than how much make-up, accessories or fancy clothes I wear – but I will always love fashion and when something isn’t a confined, school, sit down situation – I will experiment and wear what I want. So until someone invents comfi-suits or comfortable body cons, you’ll find me wearing my usual combination.
Do you have anything external that dictates what you wear or how you wear something? I’d love to know!
Symprove Review Week 4
As I said before, Symprove really was put to the test this week with several stressful situations pushing a potential flare up into the forefront. Luckily I didn’t have any MAJOR problems and my stomach coped far better than usual, however I experienced some excruciating stomach pains on Tuesday which were only cured by a big hot water bottle, my bed and a peppermint tea. I do find that my stomach is worse in the mornings, to which Symprove then resolves and calms it down – however when a stressful situation presents itself, my stomach really does have a mind of it’s own (they do say the stomach is a ‘second brain’).
Approaching one month now, I would definitely say that Symprove has had a very positive impact on my IBS and has helped manage it immensely. I wouldn’t go as far to say that it has made it go away completely, or that I am ‘normal’ as I honestly don’t think that will ever be the case. I think it’s more about managing my symptoms, staying healthy and staying positive. I appreciate the support and guidance and information that Symprove have provided me with so far, in addition – obviously – to the yummy (I love the taste) bottles of probiotic, which I really do look forward to each morning.
On the topic of Symprove and how it has helped me so far (although I have another two months to go), I would like to take the opportunity to highlight something that may be of interest to some of you who are looking to try the probiotic for yourself. I am running a giveaway for two readers to trial Symprove for three months (HERE) but following that, Symprove are also looking for 6 IBS sufferers to become video diary case studies, taking Symprove daily for the next three months (to start as soon as possible). As I’m doing in my IBS series, they would provide case studies with 3 months supply free of charge, to review and report back each month. The ‘report back’ would be in the form of an informal on-camera interview, describing how you feel, how it has affected you and how (and if) your symptoms have changed or improved. Ideally, you’d need to be local to London (or an hours journey into London maximum), as you will be filming at a central London studio on four occasions with Symprove. Filming would take place before you start taking Symprove, and then on three occasions afterwards (on the respective months).
The profile of potential case studies that Symprove would love to engage with needs to be as follows (so please have a look below and see if you fit into the categories – as this could be the symptom manager you’ve been striving to find).
Profile: You will need to be an IBS sufferer, ideally diagnosed by GP or specialist, (however Symprove will consider a couple of self-diagnosed), have a combination of the following IBS symptoms: Abdominal pain and bloating, Constipation AND diarrhoea, Constipation OR diarrhoea (is main symptom), Aged 20 to 55, Female and male, Be prepared to take Symprove only as opposed to other IBS products during the 3-month period.
The case study would need to:
Drink Symprove once a day for 3 months (90 days), live in London (or within an hour’s journey), attend a central London studio 4 times, for half a day each time, and share their story on camera.
Symprove will pay for travel expenses and provide refreshments etc, as well as supply product over the 3 months. Case studies will also receive an extra month free of charge in Month 4.
If you are interested in taking part, email jenny@symprove.com with your contact details, including mobile number and postcode, confirming your profile (as above).
Once again, thank you for reading this week’s installment and I do apologize that it’s so late. As always, feel free to comment below or message/email me (scarlett_dixon@hotmail.co.uk) if you’d talk through your symptoms, have some extra support or simply have a chat. I’m always on my email (although sometimes they pour through quicker than other times, so bare with me if I don’t reply straight away). Have a lovely weekend, and I’ll see you again next week!
