Hi - I've had IBS for 20 years (only diagnosed about 4 years ago). Have also suffered with anxiety and depresseion and take meds for those. In the last month, the IBS has been the absolute worst ever. I have to run (RUN) to the bathroom with no warning and have watery mucus D. Otherwise, I'm constipated every day. When I do go - it's an urgent issue and there's lots of mucus (this is a new symptom). I'm bloated and have pain in lower left abdomen (have had this for years). I had a sigmoid 4 years ago - normal. Doc says "relax, exercise, take fiber supplement". I'm scared to go out... Is it time to totally change my diet? Foods don't seem to trigger. I am under a lot of stress...
help?

Zulu,

It sounds to me like you need to find a new doctor. The old "Eat more fiber & relax" tactic is old & now doctors who study about IBS know better. Fiber works well for some people, but it makes things worse for some. Also, there are 2 different types of fiber - soluble & insoluble. You can get info online about each. You need more of one than the other (I don't remember, too much fiber is bad for me).

From the way it sounds with the worsened symptoms & the mucous I think you have an inflamation. If it were me, I'd take probiotics & garlic (the liquid put in capsules).

I'd also really concentrate on the relaxation CD & continuing the program.

God bless