well, that's (almost) final. I have IBS and have to somehow put up with it.

[Meglet]

I've had a colonoscopy, endoscopy (bit too much bile but nothing awful, will see the GP about it), stool samples, pro-biotics, aloe vera, blood tests, high strength anti-B's, CT scan and an abdominal ultrasound and there is nothing wrong with me. Although it is good to know I don't have any weird lumps or cancer inside so I shouldn't moan.

But every day my stomach hurts, bloats up like I'm 5mo pregnant and I go to the loo about 5 times a day.

The only thing that helps is not eating much, so I'm cold and grumpy . But I've only been to the loo twice today which is a pleasant change.

It's literally a pain in the backside.

Have you tried a low fibre diet? Fibre is the devils work as far as my digestive system is concerned.

You have my sympathy. Like 2plus3 I have to follow a low fibre diet or I would never be able to leave the house.

I have just taken delivery of some Symprove probiotic stuff (recommended on here) so I will report back after I have tried it.

It's such a crap diagnosis isn't it?! I've been back many times trying to get a 'better' diagnosis!
I recommend doing a food diary to see if anything specific triggers you off - for me, it's wheat. Since I cut out wheat 3 years ago I've been much better - not totally free but better! Probiotics reality help me too.
I hope you find ways to manage your symptoms.

I took Multibionta and it really helped after about a month. I don't suffer from IBS at all any more.

My SIL had awful IBS and she sees an osteopath who has really improved things. From daily flare ups to a couple every year.

I take a pro-biotic (not the little drink things) and I have found that really helps me.

It is trial and error but there will be something that helps you. Don't stop trying to find what it cos' when you find it will make a happy difference to you.

Much sympathy :( My DP has this and until we a. figured out most of the triggers (worst one for him is MSG which is such a pain, it's in so many things!) and b. the GP found a drug that worked he really suffered with it.

It's much better now but I second not giving up looking for food triggers, and do ask your GP about medication if you haven't tried it yet. Apologies if you have but your post doesn't say. Mebeverine changed everything for DP, things are so much better now.

Catching up! Thanks for all the replies!

Paleo diet seems to work wonders for IBS (I try to stick to it, but because I used to have an inflammatory bowel disease, not IBS)

just research going gluten free and you will wave goodbye to bloating and most gastro issues

Can I recommend a really good book on IBS - it's called Irritable Bowel Solutions by Prof. Hunter and found it really helped me. He's a gastroenterologist who works in Addenbrooke's Hospital and he ran an IBS clinic in conjunction with dieticians and has a very good success rate of treating IBS. I found it very thorough and very insightful into the sort of diets that have been proven to help IBS sufferers. Think you can get it for about £5 on Amazon or you can see if it's in your local library. Hope that helps!

IBS was one of the conditions covered in last series of The Food Clinic on Channel 4 - probably available to view on the website. I think the lady in question stopped eating fermented foods and beans and her condition improved dramatically.