[Guest]

I've had IBS now since I was 5. Guess that makes 20 years. I've been to every doctor, dietician, psychologist(my parents thought it was all in my head.) under the sun. Last Tuesday I had a colonoscope and will get my results on the 16th. I've also had a barium enema, upper gi, blood work, everything I'm sure we've all had done at one time or another. I missed work again today for the umpteenth time. Nothing seems to help me. Please does anyone know any drug, surgery, home rememdy..... anything that I can do or take. I'm getting fed up and scared. Tired of being sick everyday. Never knowing when I'm gonna freak out. I feel like I'm losing my mind at times and am afraid of losing my job or getting close to anyone in terms of a long term relationship. I tend to screw them up when people start asking questions about my IBS. Please someone help.

 

[Guest]

One resource is to click on the word "Drugs" in the blue bar above and it will list most of the drugs used to treat IBS.Which symptoms are you having the most trouble with?Knowing that will help figure out which direction to point you. There aren't any surgeries that will help unless they detect an anatomical or organic problem causing the symptoms. There are a number of home-remedies but they tend to be symptom specific. One thing that tends to help regardless of symptoms is mind-body work, but it has to be of a type that is specifically targeted at IBS. General psychotherapy may not be helpful, but gut-directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Hypnotherapy can make IBS much more managable. I invite you to use the "Hop to" bar to check out the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety, and Hypnotherapy part of the board. Doing CBT designed for IBS (it was part of a clinical trial specifically for using it for IBS) reduced my symptoms about 90-95%. http://www.ibsgroup.org/main/brochure.html Is a brochure that was written by one of the members here to help explain IBS to other people. And may help you with the how do I tell others about my problems thing.------------------Ph.D. in BiologyAuthorized Expert for IBS Self Help Group - Ask the Specialist forum