HiI'm newly diagnosed (main symptoms are constipation and bloating), and when the dr told me that I would just have to live with it I couldn't quite believe it.It's very depressing when I think this could affect me for a very long time, there is no clear help, and I'm not really 'sick'. That was my first impression.On a positive note I was already eating better meals before the dignosis, and now I am drinking more water, v little coke, and trying to eat more fruit and veg.After my first trip to the doctor I started working on my diet and this had a positive effect on my constipation, but not on the bloating. A few days of not eating well, and I was back to the beginning, and that's when the dr told me that IBS would be something I would have to live with.That thought is really demotivating.I'm a slim person, and now I've had a v bloated stomach for months. I feel sorry for suffers who are suffering worse symptoms than me.It's taking me a lot of discipline to focus on eating well, and it's taking the enjoyment out of just getting on with life and your body keeping up.As I am newly diagnosed I am quietly optimistic that if I keep pushing forward with a healthy lifestyle and other things I am hearing about that I might get better.I'm making a note of the food I am eating, will have an appointment to see a dietician, and now I'm in "research and implementation phase"I'm really glad this forum is here.1optimist