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I'm sorry you're having such a terrible time. I've had good results from Heather's diet (I'm IBS-D), but I still find myself hoping that "it" will turn out to be something other than IBS so I can be truly cured and I still find myself searching for what else it could be. I can only imagine how much more strongly you must hope and search for something else since you're not finding relief.
I don't have any suggestions for stuff for you to try, but I do have a couple of thoughts about finding a new doctor (it sounds like you really need one).
First, as part of Heather's post listing good docs, she talks about finding an IBS-qualified hypnotherapist and calling his or her office for a doctor referral. She lists a web page for hypnotherapists and there are some in Illinois.
Second, consider the Mayo Clinic. I don't know what your financial or medical insurance situation is, but Rochester is less than a day's drive from Chicago and Mayo may be the best place to go to say, "What about this?" and get tests for everything else it could be. (One of the doctors Heather lists as being good for IBS is now at the Mayo in Arizona.) You can check out the Mayo's Website at Mayo Clinic Patient Info. (I suggest this because I've considered it myself even though all the Mayos are far, far from New Jersey. I guess I feel like if someone spends enough time with me and runs enough tests, either they'll find the something else or I'll finally be able to just accept that this is IBS.)
I hope this helps. Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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My financial situation is pretty bad, so I don't think the Mayo clinic would be an option. I would love to be able to go there or to the UNC center for GI and motility disorders. But just the expense of staying overnight and making the trips back and forth (as I'm sure they would not be able to do all the tests in one day) would be a financial stress. Plus, I don't even think it would be possible to get the time off of work from a job I started only 2 months ago. I'm thinking maybe I jumped into a job too soon before all this was settled as it makes getting tests done, etc, almost impossible now!
It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one that still questions the IBS diagnosis. It's such an easy one to tag on to anyone having GI problems now-a-days!
The web page post for hypnotherapist won't work for me. I think you have too many http's in them.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I'm IBD-D and have mixed results with the diet. The bland part is fine if I'm having a particularly bad time, and watching oily foods works, but I actually feel better if I eat vegetables and whole grains...all the carbs are hard for me to digest. And angel food cake is nothing but empty calories so I won't even go there.
I obsess as well and spend way too much time researching my body symptoms on the internet and in books. What helps for me is cognitive therapy, which helps to wear a new "groove" in the brain so you don't automatically go to that "what if" place all the time. There are several good books out there, like "Mind Over Mood," "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" and "Feeling Good". You might wish to join an anxiety support group; does your medical insurance cover mental health? I've found these groups very helpful.
Try to take a break from the obsessing by taking a walk or somehow getting a "bigger perspective" (being outdoors does that for me). It wouldn't hurt to tell your doctor about your concerns as well.
This might sound corny, but I think if you can soothe your spirit somehow, the body will follow.
Good luck!
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Maybe you can tuck the Mayo Clinic in the back of your mind for when your financial and work situations are better. And the UNC Clinic is a good idea, too - I've run across at least one article from them on the Web.
I was actually in the middle of composing a reply to your "Getting the diagnosis" post when I logged in to look for something and found your reply.
 Sorry about the hypnotherapist URL - you're right, I had too many http's in it. I think there was one there and I pasted one in, too. Try this instead .
Just in case that doesn't work, here's the actual address so you can copy and paste it into your browser:
http://www.helpforibs.com/messageboards/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=diet&Number=21973&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&vc=1
Hope this does it.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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