you know come to think about it, i have been having really bad problems breathing which causes me to panic myself into a horrible panic mode. i just made the connection recently that i can never breath well when i eat too much. b/c of the bloat in my tummy. i figured it was my asthma but i never exert myself exercise-wise. i have excercise-induced asthma and when i wasnt exercising and got bad attacks, i started to wonder. i found out about my ibs in feb of 2003. mine had actually been triggered by depression and disordered eating. i had terrible pains and my stomach got very 'big' after i would eat something small, like an apple. i didnt understand what was wrong and since i was feel so sad i assumed it was something being done to my body, that i somehow *had* and deserved to go thru the pain. i went to so many doctors and none of them told me any helpful news or remedies. i even had the upper GI and the lower GI and they kept saying that my colon was clean but i could tell it was obviously not. and that only made me more sad and more stressed b/c i didnt know what was going on. my orignal family doc was the last to see me and recommended dulcolax to relieve the C but never told me to stop taking it. he instructed to continue taking it for relief. i did and when i wasnt getting the full effect, i would increase the dosage until i became so dependant upon them that i could only manage to eat applesauce and saltines. i also discovered i had [along with the ibs, which was later determined] a peptic ulcer. i was told to eat plain turkey sandwichs on plain white bread, blueberries, bananas, water, and apple juice. not the most exciting diet. i was also put onto probiotics [that didnt help] and fibercons, along with a stool softener. ive taken them ever since, not b/c they really help but more b/c im scared to not take them, since theyve been w/me so long. i tried everything from my own diet inventions to slimfast hoping something would make me eat better and feel better. my current boyfriend turned me onto vegetarian options and later on, vegan options. im still having bowel issues but i cannot begin to tell you what a difference vegan has been for me as oppose to meats and dairies. i eat oatmeal, apples and pears, canned fruits in juices, rice mixes, fresh salads with beans, babyfoods, applesauces and vegetable soups---all of which is not only vegan but also organic! the organic preperation of food makes it ultra-easy on my tummy, b/c what you see is what youre getting---nothing inbetween like preservatives. even try inventing your own dish. for my salad i add on pinto beans [TONS of fiber AND fatfree ] peeled pear-chunks and seedless tomato slices. for a dressing i drizzle over some red-wine vinegar and agave [honey substitute] its all about being creative!! good luck!