Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

You really need to get yourself checked out by a GI specialist. You can't self-diagnose IBS and if your doctor is unwilling to refer you then I would find another doctor that is a little more sympathetic. I think that many doctors are unsympathetic as they basically haven't got a clue about the cause and they have no magic pill to give you to make it all go away (I nearly swung for my doctor the other day when he said that it was only a bit of diarrhea and I needed to get a handle on it...arrrrggghhh!!!

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The disruption of everyday activities seems to be a pretty constant thing with IBS sufferers, until they manage to get a handle on things. But if you are losing a lot of sleep then that in itself puts a strain on you which will only serve to make things worse.

I have been suffering since May this year and have only now started to stabilise a little. I suffer from occasional stress-related insomnia and I know that it always a double-whammy that if I miss out on sleep my colon goes spastic

It's definitely a good idea to get hold of Heathers 'First Year IBS' book, as this should help in coming to terms with the condition and providing some real-good practical tips to help you stabilise and regain control.

If, as you indicate, yours is stress related then you are not alone and I can recommend another good book that I am reading at the moment called 'The Irritable Bowel Stress Book, by Rosemary Nichol' (ISBN: 0-85969-637-5). This has some great strategies on learning to get a handle on stress; to prevent IBS flare-ups.

Anyway, hope all that helps. If not I am sure you will get a lot of other suggestions; This is a really great forum with lots of friendly people that are more than willing to share their stories and what works for them.

Good Luck, and I hope you start to feel better soon!!

Best regards
Tim

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Tim

-A poor man's Jamie Oliver...without the attitude!

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