Well...atleast you know SOME of the causes huh :)

wow are you sure we are not related and twins!..........I say the same things all the time!.......oh I haven't had enough to eat today...oh I've eaten too much today....I drank too much tea...I didn't drink enough....and on and on.....it is so fickle....and can be so random.

for me it has been about 25 years but even before that there was always issues, just that it was exarcibated by the chemo and ray treatments.

But since I have been using the slippery elm powder daily with just 2 imodiom about an hr before lunch I am saying these things less often as the elm powder is making a huge difference! and I am still sticking my diet restrictions............

venting I understand!.....I hope you find some peace of mind.

I really appreciate suggestions. The thing that seems to work best for me are daily liquid probiotic and charcole tablets as needed. It just pisses me off that I have to think about it and be vigilant every single second. SO frustrating!

charcoal tablets......what do they do?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/95813-benefits-charcoal-pills/

The charcoal tabs neutralize intestinal gas. The only caution my dr gave me was to take my medicines two hours before or two hours after charcoal because they can make some meds less effective.

Everyone needs to vent once in a while. I too suffer continual bouts of IBS-I am the constipation type. Gluten/wheat is definitely a major trigger for me-my allergist thinks I am gluten intolerant-well I know I am because if I eat it I suffer big time for days.
Dairy is another issue for me and greasy foods as well. Onions too.
Sugar is also another trigger as are eggs.
All of your other triggers seem based on stress-things that stress you and that is common with IBS as it is a nervous condition. When I am too stressed about anything I can feel my bowels clench up and depending on what I may have eaten I can suffer for days; I bloat-have trapped gas; feel toxic inside until I "evacuate" whatever offending food I ate and that can take days and it is one painful process.
I am a very emotional person who suffers from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Disorder and have many phobias and so on and all those things feed my IBS. I have never gotten any real relief-I just go through each bout and try to determine what may have triggered it so I can maybe do myself a favor and prevent another one from kicking in.
Stress/alleviating stress is a major factor. I am short tempered (Irish temper) and I have had to work hard to teach myself how not to let little trivial things bother me and that helps a lot. It takes practice but it is worth the effort.
Blessings and feel better soon :)

I do understand your need to vent. I can't believe you've been dealing with it for 48 years! I've only been suffering for 5 1/2 years and I'm ready to throw in the towel.
Your "sarcasm" is actually what I'd call the truth. It seems that no matter what we do or don't do, the results are painful. So many doctors, so many tests, so many medications and trying so many different ways of eating and all that's happened is worsening pain and health. Every day is a guessing game of what to do differently or why I feel worse than I did yesterday.
I eat gluten, soy, egg yolk, nut, lactose, fructose, red meat and almost veggie free. My food intolerances have grown every year as have my issues with constipation. I have tried many alternative treatments and herbal supplements. The only avenue I haven't gone down is a pain management doctor which I will do in two weeks. I'm not sure if this will be the answer to my prayers or the beginning of more problems.
I do hope that we all will see better days. All my best to you.

Thanks barelyhanging. I hope you find answers that work for you.

Things are MUCH better than when I was little. I've figured things out and don't pressure myself to keep going when I feel like hell. I just take a day (or week) and rest.

The biggest stressor for me - by a L O N G shot - is stress.

I was desperate for an answer last year when it felt like I'd been beaten and left for dead. I found an acupuncturist who specializes in IBS.

He had me take large amounts of charcole until the worst of it resolved (in addition to doing some acupuncture on me) and I was able to get out of bed within a day or two.

I was sore and extremely sensitive to damn near everything for months and months.

I got in to my chiropractor who adjusted some ribs that had gotten out of place which were aggravating the IBS.

And I started on probiotic which helps a lot.

I get really grouchy about it though because, although I feel INCREDIBLY blessed to have found answers, my stomach is still bitchy enough that I can't go out to dinner with friends, can't really plan much of anything and feel each day is literally a crap shoot!

Thank god for groups like this where we can vent!

KNow a lot of people don't like to use them-but they do make those adult briefs as added protection-so people can go out to eat etc

Thanks for adding that Annette. I have some friends with IBS who have tried the adult diaper thing. I think it makes sense for people who have the D type of IBS without a lot of pain. I have the C type and generally my IBS is pretty painful so I really don't want to do anything other than lay around and whine. : )

I have narrowed down my IBS to mostly stress. That isn't something you can cut out of your diet unfortunately. But at least I'm beginning to have more good months than bad. I really hate this disease, plus I have GERD and celiac disease. I'd love a new body.

It's Ok to vent. You are doing well, for having suffered for so long. Isabelle1954

dear Reed, THANK YOU for your 'venting' and sarcasm, which as someone pointed out IS the truth. I've had IBS with B and C for over 35 years and I AM SICK OF IT! also housebound from cfs/me plus a myriad of other health problems. but if i could change one thing it would be the bloating and C. it rules my life. 'normal' people - or those without IBS have gas and release it. oh how i wish for that capability! i feel and look pregnant most of the time and then there's nothing i can do about it. the less i eat the better- which is not healthy of course and then exacerbates the C.

and none of it makes sense or follows a pattern. yes, stress is a biggie. but there's always some stress. i've noticed that the kind of stress that affects me most has to do with attachment/separation issues. i know, that probably sounds strange and way too detailed. it's true for me.

mostly, thank you for your 'poem'. it's so true.

I appreciate the support. What I would have done to have such a wonderful chorus when I was 13 and suffering through middle school and horrible IBS all alone.

Thank you!