Hi Jeffrey,In the first phase of the study, people are weaned off any gastrointestinal medication they are taking immodiume, pepto bismal etc.Then all participants are given Lontronex. Their progress is monitored. After 3 months, only "responders" will continue with the study. These are people who have responded to the medication and have had a decrease in symptoms. In the 3rd phase of the study, the responders are separated into two groups. One group will recieve a placebo and the other will recieve Lontronex. This is the most important part of the study. The group that receives the placebo should have a return of symptoms in one week. This is how they explained the mechanics of the study to me and what I agreed to.Lontronex will probably not be avaialable until 2001 pending these mandatory clinical trials.Brittany