I am also going to agree with Jen here. I have been battling IBS-C for years. My first memories were when I was 19 years old (I am 37 now). I was diagnosed with Gastroenteritis (sp?) numerous times until 2 years ago.
I don't know how many times in my life that I prayed for the big D. I ended up hooked on laxatives in order to have a BM. Going 14 days without a BM became somewhat normal in the 90's (hence the laxative addiction). I have 2 sizes of clothes. My normal size 8's and my IBS days size 10's.
I am finally getting it all together (the past year). It took a major lifestyle change. But now, I can go out with friends and not end up with beads of sweat on my forehead and upper lip from the pain of my gut. I don't have to cancel engagements because suddenly my clothes don't fit. I don't need to call in sick, in case my laxatives start working.