Beth, like everyone else, I feel really bad that you're still suffering. I wish I could suggest something that might help, but I don't think I could possibly come up with anything that I haven't already said.
I don't remember if you've actually gotten a second opinion from another doctor or not. If you haven't, I think you should. It can't hurt, it might help, and I have very little respect for any doctor who treats his patients as if they're hypochondriacs. You know your body better than anyone else, and if you feel there might be something else going on - or, at the very least, that there are tests you haven't had that you SHOULD have - you have a right to have a doctor who LISTENS to you and runs the tests accordingly.
Are you taking your lexapro?
As far as managing your symptoms, I second what Sue said - if you've been looking out for a cure, stop. There is no cure. What you need to do is focus on pain- and symptom-management. A lot of people have had a lot of success with yoga and hypnosis - not even in terms of their symptoms disappearing, but just in learning to live happier and better.
I don't think I'm making any sense, but I'll use myself as an example. I am NOT IBS-stable. Not even close. The diet, etc, has NOT cured me or even been a complete management of my symptoms. BUT... between the diet, the lexapro, Imodium, and trying to be active every day (even if it's just stretching), I've learned to make the best of things, and I do feel *better*. Not perfect, but better. And when bad days happen, they still suck, but they don't completely flatten me physically and mentally like they used to - and that has made an ENORMOUS difference in my quality of life.
I think part of the problem is that we get so wrapped up in curing the symptoms that we don't even notice the baby steps. Remember a few days ago when you mentioned the prunes and lentils? Honey, personally, I would be pretty damn excited about that - you found something that works for you, and you did it on your own. Yeah, you still have to "tweak" it a little and see how much of which you need to be able to keep things moving but not swing you over to D, but still. It's a baby step, but it's a success. *I'm* proud of you - you ate something I wouldn't dare to eat in a million years!
Which is another success... the fact that you're eating new things. Give yourself some credit, Beth! Not only are you struggling with IBS like the rest of us, but you're further restricted by having to eat GF - that's a lot to work with. And I remember from our emails where you were afraid to try ANYTHING new, so I don't know, I guess I see you as making progress... slow progress, yeah, but that's how I worked, too. Not all of us are instantly "cured" by this diet thing, especially when you've been as sick as you and I were.
Anyway, I'm rambling, and I don't even know if I have a point. One way or another, I still have faith in you that you will find your solutions and start to improve. Whether or not you actually do it, and how you get there, is totally up to you.
*hugs*
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