Do you drink a lot of caffeine?  I have a family member with the same problem.  She drank 3-4 cups of coffee a day...she quit drinking it and stayed away from most things with caffeine and it stopped.  We were all shocked.  She actually has regular stool for the first time in a couple years.  I hope this may be a help tp you,  also do you smoke?  She had stopped this as well...and things seemed to get better.  Maybe try to change your whole diet,  I personally think it's our diets these days,  so many things are processed and have things artificially put in to add flavor.  Going organic is always an option...Anyways,  I am no nutritionist,  just thought I'd let you know what I have seen or heard.  Good luck...

Take care,  Jeff

I don't believe in IBS... I think it's just a name doctors throw out when they don't know what to tell you. I was also diagnosed with IBS, and faced a lot of difficulties like you, but a friend of mine recommended I get tested for food allergies. It turns out I am allergic to any milk products, kiwi, mango, veal, and dates. My nutritionist recommended I cut off all these foods from my diet and monitor my bowel movements. Seriously, it only took a few days to feel the difference, and I can now say I don't suffer from any problems at all. The test I took wasn't a blood test, it was one of these new methods of holding a tube with the type of food in one hand, while the doctor tries to pry my fingers apart (I know it sounds weird, it's a bit hard to explain). If you're desperate and willing to try anything, why don't you give this a shot?

You need to see a different doctor since you are still having problems for 5 years, on meds and no relief. Sounds like you may have Celiac disease. A simple blood test will tell but you have to insist on this test. IBS is a catch all for anything digestive that the doctor can't find a cause for and with Celiac you have insist on the test because doctors have not very fimilar with the disease. You can try going off wheat, rye, oats, barley (no bread, pasta, cereals,etc.) for a couple weeks and see if you get relief if you do you have to go back on those foods so the test will work. Hope this helps.

Hi MJ, I can't speak from experience but I have a friend that had this problem. She started to drink the mangosteen juice and hasn't experienced the problem since.  She is still drinking the juice as she found it helpful with her other problems.  You should absolutely check with your doc, but if you are not satisfied you may want to try it. you can check the info out for yourself to see if you think it might help.  helendunn.mymangosteen.com  I hope you find relief.

I was diagnosed when I was 15 with IBS, CFS and Fibromyalgia. My IBS was horrible. 8 years later, I was recently diagnosed with celiacs disease (allergy to gluten). It takes an average of 9 to 13 years from the time the symptoms start to be diagnosed in the U.S., however i had to bring it up to my doctor that i thought i may have it. I have been gluten free for 7 months and have never felt better. I would look into it and see if the symptoms sound like you. Its worth a shot, hope I have helped you out a little bit!