Welcome!

This is the place to start if you would like to learn more about our support groups.

Along with introductions and questions answered for new members, this forum also contains answers to Frequently Asked Questions about illnesses, forums, and the website.

Announcements

Announcements, website changes and updates. This forum also includes Posting Guidelines and our Medical Advisory Board and Community Manager's Bio's.

Website Help

1. Help Topics

Ask technical questions here about how to use the features of the website. This includes the forums, blogs, and chat rooms. If you are having trouble registering, please contact us.

General Discussion

Use this general forum to ask a question or discuss your symptoms and how you cope with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This forum will help you find answers to commonly asked questions for new members. Post and discuss information that may be helpful to others who suffer from IBS.

IBS Diarrhea (IBS-D)

Use this forum to discuss issues related to IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Also Diarrhea Prescription Medications forum.

IBS Constipation (IBS-C) and Chronic Constipation

Use this forum to discuss issues related to IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation. Also Constipation Prescription Medications forum.

Even more symptoms

1. Abdominal Pain,
2. Gas / Flatulence / Bloating,
3. Leaky Gas (LG) / Incontinence / Odor

Your Story

Tell your IBS Story perhaps about how you are living day-to-day with IBS, how you were diagnosed or perhaps how supportive, or unsupportive, your family and friends are.

Women's Health Issues

This forum is used for support and information for IBS-related women's health issues such as menstruation, hormones, pregnancy, etc..

Young Adult's Issues

This forum is used for support and information that are specific to college student's and young adult's IBS-related issues from ages 18-30 years old. Notice: The topics and posts in this forum are involved in a research study.

Teens and Children's Issues

1. Parent's discussion

This forum is used for support and information that are specific to teens aged 13-17 and children's (pediatric) IBS-related issues.

Living with IBS

1. Dealing with Relationships,
2. Traveling with a Health Condition,
3. Working and Careers,
4. Going to school

Diet

Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that eating prompts symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea (or, sometimes, alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea), and bloating. Making adjustments to your diet may provide relief.

Limit or eliminate foods that may make your symptoms worse, including caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, gas-producing foods (such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli), foods high in fructose (such as soda pop, and citrus fruits) and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol (often used in sugarless gum and sugarless candy).

The low FODMAP diet eliminates more complex sugars, and has demonstrated a greater relief of IBS symptoms and is now accepted and recommended as one of the most effective dietary therapies for IBS. The low FODMAP diet is best managed through an educated dietician. A worldwide registry of Dietitian's who can administer a low FODMAP diet has been established here >>.

Keep a Personal Symptom Journal of what you eat and whether you experience symptoms after eating and discuss this with your physician.

Use this forum to post and talk about food, food triggers, comfort food, nutrition, the low FODMAP diet or recipes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hypnotherapy

There is research evidence that IBS symptoms respond favorably to other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy. As IBS is a chronic condition, with an ongoing fluctuating course, these treatments may help the individual to develop skills for managing the condition over the long haul. Many people with IBS also have a co-existing anxiety or depressive disorder, the symptoms of which also benefit from these types of treatments.

Prescription Medications

1. Diarrhea Prescription Medications,
2. Constipation Prescription Medications

LOTRONEX® is a medicine only for some women with severe chronic IBS whose main problem is diarrhea and IBS symptoms have not been helped enough by other treatments. Some patients have developed serious bowel side effects while taking lotronex.

LINZESS® (linaclotide) is a new prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat adults with IBS-C and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in men and women 18 years of age and older. “Idiopathic” simply means the cause of the constipation is not known and not due to an underlying illness or medication.

AMITIZA® is a prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat adults with IBS-C and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in women 18 years of age and older.

ZELNORM® is no longer approved for IBS-C or chronic constipation. In the U.S. access may be available under a special FDA emergency program. More information on this protocol can be found here.

RESOTRAN® is approved for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in women in Canada.

Antidepressants, Antispasmodics, Antidiarrheals:

Although antidepressants were developed to treat depression, research studies have shown that they can also be effective in reducing pain. Antidepressants are, therefore, effective in treating symptoms of IBS and other functional GI disorders. Patients who have taken antidepressants for their IBS symptoms have reported significant improvement in their abdominal pain and reduction in other IBS symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea or urgency. Antispasmodics and Antidiarrheals are helpful in reducing periodic painful episodes of spasms and diarrhea respectively. Patients who have been taking antidepressants should be aware of the possibility of developing Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome, or SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome, upon rapid stopping or tapering the use of antidepressants.

Antibiotics: Bacterial overgrowth specific

While the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is uncertain, there is some research evidence suggesting that it may be caused by an abnormal growth of bacteria in the small intestine, referred to as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). A specific regiment of antibiotics have been investigated to treat this condition.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments

There is no single plan for treating irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is different for everyone. With your physician's help, you can find an individual approach that works best for your symptoms. The treatment is focused on controlling, rather than curing, the symptoms of IBS.

Over-the-counter products may be useful, but be sure to check with your doctor first before taking them.

Probiotics:

Probiotics are dietary supplements which contain beneficial or friendly bacteria or yeasts which may strengthen or exert health benefits to the body’s natural digestive system. Probiotics offer a way to restore the natural balance of your digestive system especially if you suffer from anyone of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urgency or gas and bloating. Numerous research studies have shown benefits for sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis).

IBS Support Group Meetups

1. Special Events

Use this forum to post and talk about, or organize, your local IBS Meetup, Support Group or IBS Community. Post group announcements about upcoming meetings and about special events.

IBS News, Media, Research Results, Discussion or Abstracts

Post any IBS news, media, research results, discussion or abstracts to this forum. You may rate topics in this forum.

IBS Reporter NewsFeed

Topics are automatically created in this forum from a mix of newsfeeds. Please be aware that we have no control over the quality or factual representation of these postings. Some may be informational, whereas some may be wholly inaccurate. You may rate topics in this forum.

Always research all options and discuss them with your physician before following any specific directive provided in these articles.

Current feeds are: Google, IBS.about.com, Medical News Today, MedicineNet, Pubmed, SmartBrief

Mental Health

1. Mental Health Reporter Newsfeed

This forum is used to discuss anxiety, depression, addiction, rehab, fear, isolation and social phobia and how it relates to your Digestive illness. Resources: Anxiety Disorders Association of America, National Institute of Mental Health, Rehab Info, SAMHSA Treatment Facility Locator.

Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

1. Fibromyalgia Reporter Newsfeed

Use this forum to discuss Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Post your questions and/or other information that may be helpful to others.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

1. GERD Reporter Newsfeed

Use this forum to discuss Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Heartburn. Post your questions and/or other information that may be helpful to others.

Research Studies

Research subjects are needed for the following posted studies.

Medical researchers are continuously searching for new or better ways to treat illness or disease. If they discover something that may be helpful, it cannot be put into general use until years of careful phased testing has been done. Research studies are what enable medical research for a drug to, in turn, become available to physicians and patients. Research studies may also be referred to as clinical studies, clinical trials, drug trials or drug studies. Read Understanding Research Studies for further information.

If you are the Primary Investigator and have a research study that you would like posted, please contact us.

Apps and Media

Use this forum to discuss GI and health related apps or media for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android or BlackBerry device . Provide advice by writing a new review or commenting on another.

GI and Health Related Books and Literature

Use this forum to discuss GI and health related literature, namely books and electronic books (Kindle, Nook, iPad), booklets, periodicals, magazines, and e-mailed newsletters. Provide advice by writing a new review or commenting on another.

GI-related Diagnostic Tests

Discuss what to expect or how you feel about medical procedures such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, endoscopy, barium enema, GI series (barium swallow).

Websites or Services

Use this forum for posting about other websites or services. Under no circumstances are advertising of products allowed. If you would like to advertise a product on this website please refer to our Advertising page. Thank you for your understanding.

The Lounge

Use this forum to write about any and all things related to, or not related, to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Please note: Controversial posts such as religion, politics, race, sex, etc. may be closed or removed without notice. Discussion postings are purged every 30 days.

The Lighter Side

Use this forum to talk about the lighter side of things. Post stories, jokes, comics, pictures, videos, etc... Even the challenges of living with a chronic illness presents lighter moments. Have fun!

Please note: Controversial posts such as religion, politics, race, sex, etc. may be closed or removed without notice.

In Memoriam

Over the years we have all made many friends here. Sadly some of them have passed on. In this forum we will keep their memory alive.