Digestive Enzymes

So, you had IBS symptoms but not IBS? Lots of people do, you know. That's why so many people get a quick diagnosis of ibs and many years later discover they actually have something very different and very treatable--and a very lazy doctor. Those of us who have had all the tests and know for a fact we have ibs know that there is no one-size-fits-all cure, only very individualized management of pain and symptoms. While these techniques always include diet, exercise, medications/supplements and some sort of mental component, each of us has to discover for ourselves what works. My 'white' diet is a killer for some while the soy so highly recommended by others will keep me on the throne for hours.I don't want to seem mean spirited, I just get so tired of newcomers who suddenly have all the answers even though they have only had ibs for a short time. I've had it for 40+ years. It's no picnic, but you deal with it and you take all this new information with a grain of salt. I hope you find what works for you and that some of what you pass on will help others. Just try and keep it short and to the point (not like this book I just wrote

SeaDoo- You scour these boards for every test anyone says you should have in order to diagnose IBS and then go to your new doctor. Armed with your list, you sit down and ask "What tests have I had?" and "What were the results?" and "What constitutes normal for this test?". Then you ask to have the tests you have not yet had and maybe have again some of the tests that had results that didn't seem right. Go over the results. Educate yourself. Pretty soon you will sense if your doctor is worth staying with or trading in on a better model. Once you get one who you can work with (trust, feedback, that sort of thing)hang in there and keep trying--there is not a cure for ibs and you have to discover what works for you through trial and error (lots of error!). Good luck. ps-there is no quick fix, miracle cure, potion, pill, quaff, whatever for ibs. the only miracle is how quick your wallet gets light.

I had a barium test of some sort, not sure what the point was. Several years later, I had a workup where I was checked for parasites and various other things (you go onto a paper in the toilet bowl and put some poop into little vials, then put the vials into a bag and drop the bag off and an office to be tested). After those tests came back okay I went for a sigmoidoscopy (lower scope) that showed nothing and then for a colonoscopy (by far the easiest test because you're asleep). All the tests came back fine, so they diagnose ibs. By definition, ibs is bowel problems with no problem they can identify. I really like my gi and we worked together to try different meds in an attempt to 1) stop the D and 2)get relief from the pain. Our current regime is Lotronex for the D and hyocyamine for the cramping as needed. I still take immodium as needed (since I'm a woose and don't trust the Lotronex). All in all I do just fine, considering how bad it was. I would also suggest getting your gall bladder checked (I took questran with no change, so that wasn't my trouble) There's something called a *sound like* hideascan??? that some people say you should get. Good Luck.