imodium helps, but i don't want to take it every day..

When my IBS is extremely painful, valium, for a few days, helps.

It is miserable and I sympathize.
Lymelady

If it is really bad you should talk to your MD about a C-Difficile test. 10 days of Flagyl will usually clear that up.

As stated above, targeting yeast also helped. I am using threelac. It is not cheap, but has helped me alot.

Good luck!

Up the probiotics. Ask your LLMD for Diflucan and really watch your diet. Check your PH level. You may be too acidic and producing yeast regardless of your diet. There are products that can correct this.

And the most amazing thing of all - New Chapter's SuperCritical Omega 7. Made from Seabuckthorn. Rebuilds the lining of the GI tract and mucous membranes. Stops leaky gut (which is usually caused by long-term abx and yeast).

Stopped 9 months of the runs for me. I've been off abx for over 2 months, but have suffered from IBS most of my adult life.

Here's a reliable source for it - most stores will think you're nuts asking for Omega 7 (they'll say we have 3, 6 and 9)...
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/browse/sku_detail.jhtml;$sessionid$H2WEKXKEWVXDSCQUAOYCM4QKCQB00GXK?SkuID=235568&BreadCrumbType=SearchResult

From the other posts, it looks like there may be different solutions for different constitutions. I hope one of them works for you.

I ask that with no judgment because when you've been sick long enough, read enough & watch enough TV - it's an easy habit to self-diagnose stuff (at least for me).

One of my many docs dx'd me with IBS YEARS and YEARS ago - (prior to Lyme dx) and has me take Librax for when it's acting up.

When mine acts up, I like to describe it as "constipated diarrhea" and it can come with hours of super INTENSE spasms that can send me from a standing position to fetal position in 0.437 seconds (on average).

The Librax usually helps with the pain and if it doesn't help enough within a few minutes I go scrambling for the Vicodin.

I'm sure all the good nutritional advice the others gave you above is best...but as for me...when I'm in pain...I want out and immediately, so I'll take anything (legal) I can get my hands on.

If you officially have IBS, I would suggest having a gastroenterologist on your "medical team" - just so s/he can stay on top of things & make sure your colon stays pretty and healthy on the inside via an as need colonoscopy (a little invasive - but sure can calm your fears about there being anything more serious...)

Blessings,