There is conflicting information on dietary approaches. However, the British report gives more credence to dietary manipulation than does the US report. Check sections 5.4 and 7.1. In particular note the problems with cereal bran and specific carbohydrates. Note in 5.1 it says "It should be remembered that favorite foods or foods that are taken regularly without the chance of observing the effects of withdrawal are more likely to be causing trouble, so a careful history is worthwhile to identify ingestion of abnormal amounts of fruit, caffeine, dairy products, and dietary fibre, particularly bran." And in section 7.1 they talk about specific carbohydrates that can be a problem which is part of the foundation of the FODMAP diet.
Both of these reports were release before the FODMAP approach gained recognition. Since then a UK study confirmed the effectiveness of the this approach which was originally proposed by an Australian GI group. Slowly there is growing consensus that dietary manipulation can be beneficial for managing functional GI disorders symptoms such as IBS.
Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil in low dose have been shown to be effective for managing IBS symptoms in some individuals. It didn't help me - it just made me a bit dopey
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
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Re: Bloating, gas, and nausea but no cramps - IBS?
