Oh my gosh...you sound just like me. I just recently started having IBS symptoms (at least bad enough that I considered it being IBS). I don't have constipation too often, but I do get bloated and gassy a lot. I get very self conscious too. I won't let my boyfriend touch my stomach because it feels so huge to me, and I lose a lot of my sex drive just because I feel fat and/or uncomfortable. Hopefully we can both find some relief. If I were you, I'd try eating oatmeal on a daily basis (this has been keeping me regular for 2 yrs now)and drinking some hot beverages- tea, coffee, whatever.