Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi everyone...just joined because I am unsure what to do...I have had ibs for over a year. My guess is as a result of the combination of a violent stomach flu episode and tremendous amount of stress. It disappeared over the summer when the stress went away, and returned this year when the stress became even more unbearable. I finally admitted to myself that it was probably ibs and even saw a doctor for it. He confirmed that it was probably ibs and put me on antidepressants to control the illness. I have been on the medication for five weeks now and have seen little improvement. Unaware of the long-term effects, I've been using coffee as a C quick-fix in the morning. My symptoms are still out of control and I finally realized that the coffee is actually prolonging the effect of ibs-C. Tomorrow will be my first day off of coffee and I am truly scared of the thought of being C again. I am going on a wonderful vacation in three weeks and I had hoped to be under control by then, but now it seems that is going to be harder than thought...It is extremely difficult to obtain all the foods necessary to get IBS under control in college dorms. The cafeteria food offers little choice and I have no access to a car or grocery store very often. Please, PLEASE help me with any advice you have of how I can break this viscious cycle as soon as possible. I don't know what to do anymore....Thank you very much.

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