Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: confused and frustrated

Have you been properly diagnosed with IBS? Meaning have you had all the necessary testing done by a GI to rule out all other conditions? It's very important that these are done.

It sounds like the two biggest problems you're having are IBS symptoms and troubles with depression. Unfortunately, they can each make the other worse. For your IBS symptoms, you need to commit to the diet and lifestyle change 100%, long term, to see the benefits. It took me 2 years to get stable though there was steady improvement from day 1. Try hypnotherapy if you haven't already. It is very effective in reducing the symptoms of IBS and may even help your depression a bit. And definitely get yourself the Acacia fiber. For your depression, find anything that works for you. Counseling, exercising, anti-depressants (which can also sometimes help IBS), support groups, etc. Anything that helps lift that depression. Make yourself a plan. Write it all out on paper if that helps. Lastly, as far as doctors go, get new ones if you don't like the ones you have. You've got two docs contradicting each other and it doesn't sound like either one is doing a thing to help you. In fact, I'd guess that the stress of having to deal with them is making this whole thing worse for you.

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