Irritable bowel syndrome is no laughing matter (most of the time). My name is Brad Murran and I have suffered from IBS since the age of 12. When I discovered I was having episodes, I had my mother take me to the doctor. For years they were unable to diagnose it. They claimed I have a nervous stomach or said I had no issues at all. Finally I self diagnosed and went to the doctor with a printout of a medical website. It was official. After 10 years of waiting I was told I had IBS. Since then I have worked hard to find ways to lesson the brutal effects of it and unhook the strangle it has on all of our lives. This is why I have created this website. I hope to meet others who struggle and we can learn to deal with this shit (pun intended) together.

My IBS Story

IBS cripples my ability to perform most activities most take for granted. Due to the severity of my irritable bowel syndrome, I am unable to go on road trips longer than 45 minutes without having to stop to use a restroom. This has caused many uncomfortable situations in my life. So to avoid having to deal with those situations, I rarely travel unless I know I can be in a comfortable restroom within 30 minutes of getting in my car. Read more stories and information on my personal IBS struggle here.

I want to start with some basic information on the disease known as IBS, so you can get some background before deciding what the best cure for you is, or if you even need help.

What is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?

Although you most likely know what it feels like and does, you may not know exactly what this disease is all about. It’s a crippling disease that can stop you from performing the most basic tasks at times. Depending on the severity, you may not even be able to attend social functions! Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. As many as 20 percent of the adult population, or one in five Americans, have symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. It occurs more often in women than in men, and it begins before the age of 35 in about 50 percent of people.

How can it be cured?

There are a lot of theories out there. IBS is something doctors are confused about (they don’t know what causes it) Researchers have yet to discover any specific cause for IBS. One theory is that people who suffer from IBS have a colon, or large intestine, that is particularly sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress. The immune system, which fights infection, may also be involved. However no one really knows what the reason is. Therefore the exact cure is out there for anyone to discover. For now, we are subject to many tests and self driven experiments. I for one know lactose causes IBS to flare to an uncomfortable level within 30 minutes of ingesting. However nuts have no effect on my body.

The first thing you want to do is go to a doctor and be diagnosed. There are several medications that can help lesson the effects and couple that with an IBS friendly diet, you should be good to go. There is also a large list of supplements that have been created to help with IBS that I use on a regular basis that I recommend.

Help reduce IBS effects:

• Keep a journal noting the foods that seem to cause distress.
• Work on your nerves. IBS can be heightened when stressed.

Another thought, this website Click here offers a cure to IBS. I talked to the site owner and he said he guaranteed it would help. Honestly I think it has had a positive impact. You may want to check it out. I can’t endorse this yet because I just started but it’s cheap enough to be worth a shot.