Well, I've been debating about whether or not I should be one to respond to this post. I'm not doing well and I've been on the diet for over a year.  (I'm IBS-C though, which takes more time....how much more, who knows).
I don't think you can go on how others have or have not been helped by the diet until you actually try it. Why not just make a commitment to stick to it for a time....you have nothing to lose.
I eat very bland, although many of the recipes are very "spicy". If you buy the cookbook or read some of the recipes you will see some very non-bland foods! I just cannot handle them...so I stick to bland food and rely on simple, easy to digest herbs for flavoring. Or add chicken broth to rice and/or make a gravy out of in order to give more flavor to the food. I'm used to eating bland and just trying to enjoy the natural food taste itself. They didn't have soda and all the complicated cooking back in the old days...so I guess I figure if it was okay for them, it's okay for me! Especially if it might help reduce some of the pain (I don't know if it does or it doesn't, but I'm not taking any chances). 
I tend to think that this diet works better for D folks...but I don't think there are any statistics to prove it...so, in my opinion, you being a D gives you a better chance. It has worked for many C folks...just not me. The D's seem to do better if they stick to the strict rules, why C's need more tweaking with IF and such.
As far as the psyllium capsules, they are fine to take. It doesn't have to be the powder. But that is not a very popular SFS for most people. It contains a little IF, so I think you might be better with a 100% soluble fiber supplement.
I only drink water and herbal teas. I missed the soda and coffee at first, but now I can't look at them without feeling pain...so I don't want them. I tried to drink coffee once and through the cup out because it wasn't worth it to me....nothing tastes better than feeling better (even if I still don't....I probably really don't stand a chance if I chose to drink soda or fruit juices). 
I have a friend who is a D person and she was on this web site for over a year and it didn't help her. She did decide to leave and just eat what she wanted because she had D no matter how she ate. She didn't see the purpose of restricting her coffee and foods if she was still going to have D and pain. She still has is the symptoms, but she is happier eating the foods she likes.
Although the diet has not helped me yet...after over a year, I have chosen not to give up on it yet. Bev (another poster) said it took her 3 years to get better. So, I'm praying that one day, I will feel some degree of relief. Not perfect...but better. So far, I have not felt one degree better, my symptoms are no better, and I have given up so many of my favorite foods. Why do I continue to do the diet? Because I'm scared if I don't, I'll never feel better and I don't want to lose the year and 1/2 I've already invested in this diet if I would have to start over again. It's the only hope I have left...so to give that up is to surrender to this. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe if I just ate what I wanted I would be less focused on my IBS and I would have less anxiety over reading every ingredient in every food before eating it. I could go out to dinner and enjoy a normal Thanksgiving dinner with dressing and gravy. Yummy. But, as of today....I can't give up yet. Maybe I'm making the wrong decision and I should just move on to something else. I often wonder why I keep eating a diet that isn't helping me. I often feel stupid for continuing to follow a diet that hasn't helped instead of pursuing other things that might help. But then I read a post by another IBS-C person who has had good results with the diet and it gives me hope again, and I continue on.
Sorry this is so long. I just know how you feel...and often, very often, question myself with the same thoughts and reasoning.
Perhaps one day I will give this diet up. I'm sort of brainwashed into it now! It's natural way of eating for me. I'm scared NOT to eat this way...so maybe the anxiety over not eating this diet would cause worse IBS symptoms.
Okay, I'll stop my rambling. Perhaps this entry belongs in a personal journal instead of on the boards.
Not sure I helped (probably not) but your post really hit home with me. Please keep me updated on if you decide to try the diet, and if you have any success with it. Or if you choose to move on.
No, it doesn't seem to work for everyone. But you might be one it does work for...and the only way to know is to try it...with a full commitment and no cheating.
Good luck...and sorry so long! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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This is a long response...be warned
