IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. They need to run tests to make sure you don't have Crohn's, colitis, celiac, IBD, diverticulitis, ulcers, or unexplained swelling or bleeding. 
THEN your doctor will want to check your Candida (yeast) levels, make sure you have no undiagnosed allergies, check your glucose and iron levels, rule out gall bladder issues, or problems with your kidneys (renal function), do a liver enzyme test, and make sure your thyroid is functioning properly. 
IBS is a symptom of fibromyalgia, and if you have fibromyalgia, it's possible your above paragraph levels are out of whack.  There is a trend in medicine now towards treating these levels to push you in the "optimum range" instead of just having you stay in the average "normal" range.
The other school of thought is to prescribe anti-depressants to IBS-ers, which in some cases (particularly if you're an A or a C) can give dramatic IBS responses. I'm a D and anti-depressants were really bad for me. They included weight gain and constant thoughts of suicide. Other ADs made me into a house plant.  As I could not handle the side effects, I sought treatment at the Fibro and Fatigue Center, where they're trying to get my iron, hormones, viruses, etc. in check. I don't think it's had any effect on my IBS, but I do have more energy.
It sounds like this doctor you mentioned is trying to treat IBS like my doctor is trying to treat my fibro.
To date though for me, the best things I've found to manage my IBS are sticking to my IBS diet, eliminating insoluble fiber (soluble fiber only), spices, soy and dairy, managing my gas with simethicone and my attacks with codeine, using loperamide (Imodium) as a preventative, managing external stressors (stay away from heat, pressure on my stomach, loud noises), and managing my internal stress with 9 hours of sleep a night, staying away from fighting with my mother, and not doing everything at the last minute.
Sorry this was so long. Good luck to you!
~nelly~
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I recognize this approact to treat fibromyalgia...
