20 years and counting.

And I’ve found NOTHING that can provide a respite from IBS. I’ve tried everything from food elimination to counseling to stress reduction.   Nothing helps and it seems to be getting worse as I age or maybe it just feels worse being old    I’ve reached the point of complete hopelessness. 

Hi, I reckon ageing is part of the problem, up to 40 years old I had no health problems, 42 tinnitus in both ears, 49 Rheumatoid Arthritis, late 50 s Urticaria and IBS, such is life.

Hi again, have you tried lots of probiotics ? things like Kefir and multi strain probiotics.

Have you tried the Low Fodmap Diet and antispasmodics?

I have tried just about everything to deal with my IBS as well and nothing has worked. When I was younger, I was always constipated and had cramps. As I got older it just got worst and would fluctuate between constipation and diarrhea. I eat well- lots of fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water. I work everyday. I suppose I could be more active as far as exercise. It's just so frustrating. I was then told that due to childbirth I had pelvic floor dysfunction and needed surgery to fix muscles that help me go to the bathroom. Now that I have had the surgery I am hoping it worked and I can get some sort of relief and feel better again.

Yes i still do the low fodmap diet but I don’t know that it helps.   The randomness of my attacks make it impossible for me to discern if it is just one food.   I’ve tried limiting and isolating but there is just no pattern

Yes but only once as they caused me severe abdominal pain and bloating

Sometimes IBS has no pattern and all you can do is treat the symptoms as best you can when they appear.  Sometimes, no one diet suits and you have to keep changing it. The best you can try is antispasmodics like Buscopan to reduce the pain.

My IBS has a pattern related to stress and anxiety and this never changes.

Hi Matt!

I was so sad as I read your post. You have had SUCH a difficult time of it!

I don't know if you are a believer, but if you are, there is GREAT POWER in prayer. We humans are frail, and we are often very weak. We lose hope when things get hard. God is never frail or weak, and He NEVER loses hope! He loves each of His children VERY MUCH!

If you are a believer I encourage you to lean on The One who can solve every problem!

Sending prayers of HOPE and STRENGTH and LOVE to you tonight!♥️

I agree..I never had serious health issues until I turned 40

Hi, your reaction to probiotics could have been the Herxheimer reaction/die off reaction, some times when you begin probiotics it starts a sort of a war in your guts, this is the good bacteria killing off the bad, and can give you some bad gut issues, eventually harmony will be restored, check out Herxheimer reaction.