Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group

Jeffrey D. Roberts, MSEd, B.Sc.

Jeffrey Roberts is the President and Founder of the IBS Self Help and Support Group and IBS Association. He is a sufferer and a patient advocate for Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers. He has testified to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) several times on behalf of IBS patients. His testimony to the FDA Advisory Committee about Lotronex was instrumental in returning the drug to the market in 2002 for diarrhea predominant IBS sufferers. Jeffrey also provided testimony to the FDA in support of Zelnorm for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and constipation predominant IBS.

Jeffrey has appeared on the Discovery Channel, National Public Radio and in Canadian Living Magazine, Today's Dietitian, the FDA Consumer Magazine and has been quoted by CBS Evening News, Washington Post, USA Today, United Press International (UPI), Reuters, Associated Press, New York Times, Globe and Mail, and CBC Online.

He annually attends Digestive Disease Week (DDW) and the American College of Gastroenterology's Annual Scientific meetings.

Jeffrey has a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree from Medaille College, Buffalo, New York. His thesis is entitled Awareness of Childhood Health Issues On Educational Outcome. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree from the University of Toronto. He recently co-authored and published a book related to the IBS Self Help and Support Group, entitled IBS Chat: Real Life Stories and Solutions.

Jeffrey writes:

"I have been a sufferer of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for over 25 years. My own IBS continues to be troublesome and to interfere with my work, lifestyle, and family. I occasionally become overwhelmed by the illness and depression when I suffer a severe flare up.

Many people who have joined the IBS Self Help and Support Group are very concerned about the loneliness that IBS imposes as well as the symptoms of pain, diarrhea and constipation. Many people are confused about what they should or should not eat. I hear from many people who find reassurance in just knowing that there are other people out there who feel the same way they do. Many are seeking validation that IBS is a real illness.

It is of no small consolation to me that I am able to help others with the IBS Self Help and Support Group. The website continues to provide extensive, accurate, and current information, and has grown to become the premier organization for IBS sufferers. It currently has in excess of 20,000 registered members from across the world. I receive email messages from new IBS sufferers around the globe looking for answers to their problems. I try to tell them all that I know what they're going through, and that although there may not be a cure yet it is encouraging that research is being performed which might one day determine the cause of IBS. With a cause, a true cure (or at least a method to cope), is sure to be found."

Positions Held by Jeffrey D. Roberts

• President & Founder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group (IBSgroup)
• Founder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association (IBSA)
• Member, Functional Brain-Gut Research Group (FBG)
• Member, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
• Member, Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR)
• Co-Founder and Coordinator, IBS Patient Action Group (IBSPAG)
• Co-Founder and Coordinator, Lotronex Action Group (LAG)
• Founder, Zelnorm Action Group (ZAG)
• Coordinator, Toronto IBS Self Help Group

Internet Positions

• Creator: www.IBSgroup.org
• Creator: MyIrritableBowelSyndrome.com
• Creator, Usenet Newsgroup: alt.support.ibs
• Creator: IBS Webring
• Creator: MediBoard Network: (www.MediBoard.com)
• Co-creator, Lotronex Action Group: (www.geocities.com/LotronexActionGroup)
• Creator, Doctors for Lotronex: (www.geocities.com/DoctorsforLotronex)
  
• Past IBS expert at Experts.yahoo.com and AllExperts.com