Yes, stress is the main cause of IBS. I started out with it and now have colitis. I have had stomach problems since childhood. Before a test at school it hit me like ton of bricks. As an adult, I remember days I could not get out of the bathroom and was late for work. Yes, it is hard to live with. There have been many times it lasted all day and I could not leave the house at all. Unless, I fell like wearing a diaper. NOT! All you can do is watch you diet. Also you may have lactose intolerence like I do. That will do it all the time and boy do I love my chocolate milk.
There are medictions out there for IBS but, I choose not to take them anymore.

Carrie

I too suffer from IBS & have done since my late teens, im now 22 and im slowly learning to adapt to it, although i can empathise with the feelings of it controlling your life. i take alverine citrate (spasmonal) capsules prescribed from my GP and although i know they may not work for everyone, i swear by it. The main thing i do is to work out what foods trigger it and when i get stressed/anxious to really watch my diet and drink lots of water and avoid the triggers. small regular meals help alot too. bulky foods like white bread/pasta are a def no go for me.

See it's so weird how it's different for everyone. I'm definitely lactose intolerant as well, but I drink lactose free milk and I'm fine. My doctor had put me on Dicyclomine, but I hate the side effects (dizzy, lightheaded, etc). Other people I know have suggested that I take probiotics, so I've been taking that for the past few weeks and hoping that it will help. Eating out is always scary... which then triggers me to feel sick and nervous. I think I need to see another doctor.

i have ibs and have had it since i was a child. i have figured out what my trigger foods are but i think the biggest trigger is stress. unfortunately i stress at the drop of a hat. i am trying to control my very stressful nature and ham having very little luck. are there any natural stress control remnedies that you guys have tried. i have tried excercise and yoga, it works for a few minutes after i stop and within hours i bloat up again. ?
please help.