First, let me say that I can hear and understand both sides of this discussion. Second, I have been Dx'd with both IBD - microscopic colitis (MC) first, and then ulcerative colitis as well as IBS. Having lived with both IBD and IBS for more than 10 years I can tell you that neither is a picnic, nor is there a quick fix for the IBD. If you've read my book, telling of how I helped get both under control, then you know what I'm talking about and that my battle continues every day. If you haven't read my book, then here's as quick a primer as I can give. When first Dx'd with IBS I was 15. I lived with gas and bloating and nausea, took metamucil, ended up in the ER after having a very bad reaction to an anti-nausea medication, and just went on with my life - that's what my doctors told me to do, so that's what I did. In 1997 I started having more severe problems - loss of appetite, 20-30 D BMs/day, severe weight loss (I'm 5'7" and weighed about 95 lbs.), had arthritis, hair loss, etc. A scope came back normal, but the biopsies showed inflammation so I was Dx'd with MC. I was given Asacol and a few other meds. to try. My downward spiral continued, my D BM's continued, I quit my job, changed my whole lifestyle, had to severely change my diet, and still in 1998 I was given a UC Dx when the blood and mucus showed more inflammation. I went through a rigorous Elimination diet - something that all people with gut issues would benefit from much more than drugs if they'd just be willing to do it - I learned relaxation techniques, coping techniques, yoga, meditation. I changed my entire life and lifestyle. Today I am also gluten-free (now in my 7th month of this), and just today I got back from seeing my doctor who because of the gluten issue now thinks that on top of everything else I've mentioned I may have leaky gut. So, onto another elimination diet I go, try a few new supplements, and we'll see where I am. I am living life again because of all of my hard work, really learning to understand my body, the gut, and how to care for it. But I work at this every single day.I'm sorry for everyone who has gut issues, truly I am. But in all honestly I get so tired of people wishing they had something else because then there would be a pill, or a cure, or something else they could do for it. You know what, if all you have is IBS, then be glad. Be glad that you don't have IBD, which is an auto-immune disease that lead to other autor-immune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc. I am not downplaying the severity of IBS symptoms. I have lived with them for most of my life, too. But, honestly, people, if you don't have a doctor who is helpful or takes you seriously then find one. If you don't like your GI then look for a doctor of Osteopathy, or an Integrative medicine physician (think Andrew Weil). Become proactive in your health. Learn what you can and ask your doctor questions. Get quality stool tests from places like Genova Labs, try an Elimination diet, even though it is hard and somewhat inconvenient. Do not wish to have IBD because there are more approved drugs for it. IBD SUCKS! And once you have it it doesn't go away, it is an auto-immune disease. There is no cure. Many of the meds. we take to treat it make us sicker, or give us other illnesses. The acronyms for IBS and IBD are similar. Even some of the symptoms are similar. And some of the treatments may overlap. But be careful what you wish for, because IBD is NOT IBS.If we're wishing, then I wish all I had was IBS.