"I always had to know where the nearest toilet was"
Frequent trips to the bathroom as early as elementary school, regular bus stops during school trips, and skipping breakfast were all part of Krzysztof's daily life. The stomach issues that the now 36-year-old has faced have caused significant stress and shame since his childhood. "I always had to know where the nearest toilet was," he recalls all the limitations his condition imposed on him.
Before moving from Warsaw to Amsterdam for his studies, Krzysztof had already undergone several medical procedures, including two gastroscopies and three colonoscopies. Unfortunately, the only advice he received from doctors was that he was probably eating unhealthily, drinking too much alcohol, or simply too stressed. "The solution was simple – just stop stressing," he says with a hint of irony, as this advice did not help him at all.
Determined to find a solution, Krzysztof began to research on his own. He discovered some substances during this exploration that alleviated his symptoms and allowed him to plan his day according to his needs. For example, Loperamide helped him reduce bathroom visits, but it also came with its own side effects, such as cramps and discomfort.
It wasn't until the end of his studies that Krzysztof learned from a general practitioner that he had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Back in Warsaw, he started his first job – and neglected his health. The demands of the new position, with constant travel and irregular sleep patterns, further exacerbated his condition. Meals often came from gas stations or catering, and Krzysztof found himself trapped in a vicious cycle where work-related stress intensified his symptoms, complicating the situation and offering no way out.
The turning point came when he spoke with a colleague who shared similar experiences and recommended Iberogast. "I had nothing to lose," thought Krzysztof, and he ordered a bottle.
To his surprise, he felt a significant improvement within just a few days. The stomach pains subsided, the cramps became less frequent, and the feeling of heaviness disappeared. For the first time, he experienced what it felt like to have a properly functioning digestive system.
Krzysztof began to plan his life according to his own needs, no longer allowing his stomach to dictate his actions. "This is not just a temporary change; the Iberogast drops are now a permanent part of my routine," he shares. "I don’t leave the house without them; they are as essential to me as my smartphone or passport."
