Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Can this really be IBS?...

My 16-yr-old son started having stomach pain about 1.5 years ago. Once the pain started it has never gone away. The intensity is from 3 - 8 (10 being the worst). A pediatric GI did all types of testing and all came back normal. He diagnosed my son with IBS. Since then we have tried changing his diet by eliminating all dairies; eliminating chicken and other foods based on blood allergy test; decided to eliminate red meat and try Heather's way; Did acunpunture for months; Worked with a dietian familiar with IBS; he has gone to a counselor in case of any hidden issues; Did 3-weeks of wheat/gluten free diet (not sure if this was long enough time). With all this,his pain has never gone away. For the most part he wakes up with pain level 2 and as soon as he eats breakfast (no matter what it is. ie: rice cereal w/rice milk) which triggers a bowel movement his pain level shoots up to a 7. Last semester he missed 28 days of school (semester is only 4 months long). He basically has IBS-D. He is taking fiber which helps with the D. Plus alot of minerals, enzymes and vitamins, and Heather's Peppermint caps as perscribed by a Naturopathic (holistic) doctor. With everything that we've done, my son continues with pain on a daily basis. None of the anti-spamodic meds work. The only med that helps is hydrocodone which we try not to give. Recently, he started on Tramadol which drops his pain to a 3 and he can make it thru school. We are seeing another GI this time for adults. He re-ran a CT Scan and bloodwork for Celiac - waiting on results. We have an appt to see a GI specialist at Chapel Hill. At 16, he has his whole life in front of him. If we can just get the pain to a manageable level without the meds and maybe even to level 0 - it would be wonderful. Any suggestions on other steps to take?

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