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your not alone.I have delt with this issue for the past seven years..There are ways to help it.I find certain things that trigger my IBS..and have found ways of handling the situation..one thing that helps much is fiber pills..there was a few times it was so bad that I have had to go to the hospital..fainted right in my living room from the pain..I feel you...IT was really bad at first.but i am willing to help..just let me know

I have IBS and it comes and goes to be honest. When I'm nervous and/or anxious it is worse and sounds like you are in state of panic which isn't going to help. There is some medication that you can use that takes the cramping away but the loose stool is still a problem.

IT does make it difficult to go places sometimes but I've had to learn to just go to public restrooms and do what I have to do. It comes on quick and hard sometimes though. I've had rides to work where I had to stop 3-4 time and use the restroom.

IT is a fairly common thing in people and I've work with a person that was soooo embarassed by it but when I found out and told him I had the same thing it helped him a lot. I even know a kid that skipped school all the time because of IBS.

Hopefully the doctor gave u the medicine that helps with the cramping (ask for the sublingual version cause it dissolves in your mouth and works faster) and relaxing and not freaking out should help also.

I have IBS. Its really frustrating. I dont think I have it quite like you do. Sometimes it's OK and other days/weeks I have a terrible time with it. My doc told me to cut out all dairy products. Ok-now dairy products are like my fav. things to have! I just couldn't do it. But, I did cut back. I rarely eat ice cream ,which I love, anymore. A glass of milk doesnt really bother me too much unless I have it in the morning and I try to eat less cheese. She said to also try Acidopholus (sp?) It's naturally in your intestines I believe. You can get it at Wal-Mart down the vitamin aisle. What has helped me the most is not eating fried foods, greasy food, or food w/cooked tomatoes (spaghetti, pizza, etc.) so much. I can still have them, just not often. I eat it as rarely as I can so that when I do have it, it's not so bad. The foods that don't ever bother me are whole grain wheat toast with peanut butter and apple sauce with pretzels (dont knock it til youve tried it. I thought it sounded nasty too until I had it and now I love it.) I was embarrassed around my boyfriend at first because its just not something thats easy to deal with and explain but he understands now and it's not a big deal. He actually feels really bad for me b/c he knows how much pain I get from it and it makes me feel terrible. If we eat before we go somewhere I dread it b/c I don't know how long I'll last. Usually not long. I feel like I always have to be back at home within 30 min to 2 hrs just incase. Most times I know right after I've eaten something whether or not it's going to cause me problems. Other times I feel fine and then it all of a sudden it kicks in. Some people take medication for it I think. This problem also occurs more often in women than in men. (wonderful isn't it) I know and understand your frustration 100%. I'm 22 and still afraid of being stuck at someone's house and not being able to help what happens and then have someone make a comment. I have finally accepted having to use a public restroom. It tends to be worse when I get really nervous or anxious. I get used to get so anxious before I played in games in high school and college that I would hardly eat at all that day so that I wasn't running to the locker room right before the game. It can and will get better. I think you need to calm down a little bit b/c youve worked yourself up about this and youre going to feel worse. You're not alone and its not a reason to make your life over!! Why don't you first talk to your boyfriend about it. Just the two of you can talk about it and just let him know how you feel. If youve been with him for 2 years now then I'm sure he cares enough about you to try and understand what youre going through. I've had this problem for awhile and my boyfriend and I have been together for 5 years now. He didnt break up w/me or anything over it. He knows its something I cant always help and something I have to deal with. I think youll overcome this. I hope seeing all the responses on here from everyone will show you that it's something a lot of people are dealing with and you can overcome it!

Honey, just let me say, you are NOT the only one with this horrible syndrome. I have just been diagnosed with it myself following a colon resection due to a perforated bowel. I have been more than miserable for a straight year. I live in the bathroom and am petrified to go anywhere. Depends isn't enough. The pain, suffering , anxiety and humiliation are enough to want to put you in your grave, BUT keep bugging your Dr and maybe see a gastroenterologist. I keep bugging them and am in a state of depression myself, but I will NOT STOP seeing them or contacting them until they find something that will help so I can live again. GOOD LUCK! There are others and PLENTY!

What little I know about IBS is that it was used as a poopy joke in a movie. I know some people have it, I do not know anyone that does have it. I have a friend that makes gas alot, he may have IBS.

There is prloly a entire wiki on it, lemee look.

Wowies! I had no idea,

Diet

There are a number of dietary changes a person with IBS can make to prevent the overreaction of the gastrocolic reflex and lessen pain, discomfort, and bowel dysfunction. Having soluble fiber foods and supplements, substituting soy or rice products for dairy, being careful with fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in insoluble fiber, and eating regular small amounts, can all help to lessen the symptoms of IBS. Foods and beverages to be avoided or minimized include red meat, oily or fatty and fried products, dairy (even when there is no lactose intolerance), solid chocolate, coffee (regular and decaffeinated), alcohol, carbonated beverages (especially those also containing sorbitol), and artificial sweeteners. However, care should be taken to avoid adding foods to the diet to which the patient is allergic or intolerant.[23]

Definitive determination of dietary issues can be accomplished by testing for the physiological effects of specific foods. The ELISA food allergy panel can identify specific foods to which a patient has a reaction. Other testing can determine if there are nutritional deficiencies secondary to diet that may also play a role. Removal of foods causing IgG immune response as measured using the ELISA food panel has been shown to substantially decrease symptoms of IBS in several studies.[24]

There is no evidence that digestion of food or absorption of nutrients is problematic for those with IBS at rates different from those without IBS. However, the very act of eating or drinking can provoke an overreaction of the gastrocolic response in some patients with IBS due to their heightened visceral sensitivity, and this can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation.[25]

Several of the most common dietary triggers are well-established by clinical studies at this point; research has shown that IBS patients are hypersensitive to fats and fructose. [26] [27]

It also appears that some foods are more difficult for the gut as evidenced by elevated food-specific IgG4 antibodies being present,[28] [29] while others increase colonic contractions, which may be painful, due to increased visceral sensitivity in IBS sufferers. [30]

Fiber

In patients who do not have diarrhea predominant irritable bowel, soluble fiber at doses of 20 grams per day can reduce overall symptoms but will not reduce pain. The research supporting dietary fiber contains conflicting, small studies that are complicated by the heterogeneity of types of fiber and doses used [31]. The one meta-analysis that controlled for solubility found that only soluble fiber improved global symptoms of irritable bowel and neither type of fiber reduced pain [31]. Positive studies have used 20-30 grams per day of psyllium seed (also called ispaghula husk)[32] [33]. One study specifically examined the effect of dose and found that 20 grams of ispaghula husk was better than 10 grams and equivalent to 30 grams per day [34]An uncontrolled study noted increased symptoms with insoluble fibers. [35] It is unclear if these symptoms are truly increased compared to a control group. If the symptoms are increased, it is unclear if these patients were diarrhea predominant (which can be exacerbated by fiber [36][37]), or if the increase is temporary before benefit occurs.

[edit] Medication

[edit] Initial treatments

Medications may consist of stool softeners and laxatives in constipation-predominant IBS, and antidiarrheals (e.g., opioid or opioid analogs such as loperamide (Imodium®), diphenoxylate (Lomotil®)) or Codeine in diarrhea-predominant IBS for mild symptoms[38][39][40].

[edit] Anti-diarrheal agents

Randomized controlled trials have shown loperamide reduces diarrhea with an inconsistent effect on pain [41].

[edit] Laxatives

Regarding laxatives for patients who do not adequately respond to fiber, osmotic agents (polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, and lactulose) are good choices in order to avoid 'cathartic colon' which has been associated with stimulant laxatives [42]. Among the osmotic laxatives, a randomized controlled trial found greater improvement from 2 sachets (26 grams) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) versus or 2 sachets (20 grams) of lactulose [43]. Another randomized controlled trial found no difference between sorbitol and lactulose [44].

[edit] Antispasmodics

The use of antispasmodic drugs (e.g. anticholinergics such as hyoscyamine) may help patients, especially those with cramps or diarrhea. A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concludes that if 6 patients are treated with antispasmodics, 1 patient will benefit (number needed to treat = 6)[38]. Antispasmodic drugs are also available in combination with tranquilizers or barbiturates, such as Librax® (chlordiazepoxide and clidinium) and Donnatal® (mixed salts of belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital), respectively. However, the value of the combination therapies is not clear as the role of tranquilizers is not established.

[edit] Drugs affecting serotonin (5-HT)

Drugs affecting serotonin (5-HT) in the intestines can help reduce symptoms[45]. Serotonin stimulates the gut motility and so agonists can help constipation predominate irritable bowel while antagonists can help diarrhea predominant irritable bowel:

[edit] Agonists

* Tegaserod, a selective 5-HT4 agonist for IBS-C, is available for relieving IBS constipation in women and chronic idiopathic constipation in men and women. The USA FDA has issued two warnings about the serious consequences of Tegaserod. In 2005, Tegaserod was rejected as an IBS medication by the European Union; however, it is available in some other countries, including the United States. Tegaserod, marketed as Zelnorm in the United States, is the only agent approved to treat the multiple symptoms of IBS (in women only), including constipation, abdominal pain and bloating. A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concludes that if 17 patients are treated with typical doses of tegaserod, 1 patient will benefit (number needed to treat = 17) [46].

* Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor anti-depressants (SSRIs), because of their serotonergic effect, would seem to help IBS, especially patients who are constipation predominant. Initial crossover studies [47] and randomized controlled trials [48] [49] [50] support this role.

[edit] Antagonists

* Alosetron, a selective 5-HT3 antagonist for IBS-D, which is only available for women in the United States under a restricted access program, due to severe risks of side-effects if taken mistakenly by IBS-A or IBS-C sufferers.

* Cilansetron, also a selective 5-HT3 antagonist, is undergoing further clinical studies in Europe for IBS-D sufferers. In 2005, Solvay Pharmaceuticals withdrew Cilansetron from the United States regulatory approval process after receiving a "not approvable" action letter from the FDA requesting additional clinical trials.

[edit] Other agents

Anti-depressents include both tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In addition to improving symptoms via treating any co-existing depression, TCAs have anti-cholinergic actions while SSRIs are serotonergic. Thus in theory, TCAs would best treat diarrhea-predominant IBS while SSRIs would best treat constipation-predominant IBS. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of mainly TCAs found 3 patients have to be treated with TCAs for one patient to improve (number needed to treat = 3)[51]. A separate randomized controlled trial found that TCAs are best for patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS [52]. SSRIs are discussed above under 'Drugs affecting serotonin'.

Recent studies have suggested that rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, can be used as an effective treatment for abdominal bloating and flatulence [53][54], giving more credibility to the potential role of bacterial overgrowth in some patients with IBS [55].

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial compared the multi-herbal extract Iberogast versus placebo in the treatment of all three forms of irritable bowel syndrome. This multi-target phytopharmaceutical was found to be significantly superior to placebo via both an abdominal pain scale (p value = 0.0009) and an IBS symptom score (p value = 0.001) after four weeks of treatment.[56]

Enteric coated peppermint oil capsules has been advocated for IBS symptoms in adults and children [57]; however, results from trials have been inconsistent [58] [59]. Peppermint may exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux disease.

For severe diarrhea-predominant IBS, more potent opioids may be used, such as codeine or propoxyphene (Darvon®); refractory cases may even be treated with paregoric, or, more rarely, deodorized tincture of opium or morphine sulfate. The use of opioids remains controversial due to the lack of evidence supporting their benefit and the potential risk of tolerance, physical dependence and psychological dependence (addiction).

Cannabis has theoretical support for its role [60][61], but has not been subject of clinical studies. Although illegal in the United States, it has been prescribed to patients in nations such as Canada. Some of the argued benefits of cannabis are the reduction of pain and nausea, appetite stimulation, and assisting in falling sleep.

[edit] Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy

There is a strong brain-gut component to IBS, and cognitive therapy may improve symptoms in a proportion of patients in conjunction with antidepressants [62]. In a randomized controlled trial of referred patients, cognitive behavioral therapy helped even though patients in this study did not have any psychiatric diagnoses [63].

Gut-directed or gut-specific hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis is one of the most promising areas of IBS treatment. Current research shows that symptom reduction/elimination from IBS hypnotherapy can last at least five years [64].

[edit] Alternative treatments

Probiotics

Probiotics are generally accepted to be potentially beneficial strains of bacteria and yeast, often found in the human gut. One research study has shown a clear link between the ingestion of Lactobacillus plantarum LP299V and sufferers of IBS who reported resolution of their abdominal pain [65]. Another study showed the utility of B. infantis 35625, a strain of Bifidobacteria in normalizing bowel movement frequency in sufferers of IBS [66]. Some practitioners of Integrative Medicine, now recommend a strain of Lactobacillus known commonly as "LGG" after its discoverers Gorbach and Goldin. This strain in particular has shown an ability to endure the acidic environment of the stomach and survive until presentation to the intestinal tract [67].

A prospective placebo-controlled study found patients with diarrhea predominant IBS taking Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast, had a significant reduction on the number and improvement in consistency of bowel movements.[68]

The use of probiotics must be used in conjunction with a wide spectrum natural anti-parasitic formula,( ie garlic, ginger, green black walnut hulls, wormwood, cloves, grapefruit seed extract, sage, and a dietary fiber supplement to provide bulk for cleansing and moving toxic waste throught the system.[69]. The logic is that the bacterial overgrowth or bad bacteria must be eliminated and replaced.

Acupuncture

Many sufferers of IBS seek relief using Acupuncture, a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded 'Most of the trials included in this review were of poor quality and were heterogeneous in terms of interventions, controls, and outcomes measured. With the exception of one outcome in common between two trials, data were not combined. Therefore, it is still inconclusive whether acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture or other interventions for treating IBS'[70]. One practitioner of Tradtional Chinese Medicine asserts that IBS has become a bit of a "garbage diagnosis" for some medical practitioners. Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recognize the Western diagnosis of IBS per se, as the named condition has no definitive single test for diagnosis, clear cause, or cure. Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches IBS on an individual symptom-by-symptom basis, rather than recognizing a standard "IBS" diagnosis, which then warrants a blanket "IBS" treatment [71]. According to the National Institutes of Health, "Preclinical studies have documented acupuncture's effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works within the framework of the Western system of medicine that is commonly practiced in the United States." [72].

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritable_bowel_syndr...

I have a Seizure Disorder, it is also a Syndrome, Organic Brain Syndrome. My friends all know I have it, that is kinda what cuts the rope between friends and acquaintances.

Change or alter diet looks like the plan there for IBS. For OBS I have to take medicines. One thing that I have learned is do not focus too hard on the problem, seek out the most agreeable solutions. Enjoy this day for what it is, have fun, be nice, help another human when you can.