How to Find Support for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Approximately 35 million Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is the second leading cause of absenteeism from work. Almost every city in North America has an IBS and/or colitis support group prepared to help sufferers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Call your local hospital and ask for the community education department. Ask about a local IBS support group.

2. Ask your gastroenterologist about a local IBS support group.

3. Use the online message boards and support groups available to IBS sufferers. Search the Internet with keywords like "irritable bowel syndrome" or "ibs" and "message boards" or "forum."

4. Seek out new friends that you meet at your gastroenterologist's office. Half of all visits to the gastroenterologist are related to IBS. So you have a 50-50 chance of meeting a fellow IBS sufferer sitting right next to you in the doctor's waiting room. If you meet someone you really connect with, discuss forming your own IBS support group.

5. Talk to your pharmacist. The person who distributes your medications is a walking encyclopedia - she meets hundreds of patients just like you every day and speaks to dozens of doctors and nurses each week. Pharmacists are a tremendous - but underutilized - resource.

6. Go to your local YWCA or continuing education center. Sign up for relaxation classes, yoga lessons and/or self-help instruction. Although these courses are not designed specifically for IBS sufferers, you will meet many people just like you who need to learn how to relax and reduce stress.

Tips & Warnings

• For more information about support groups, call the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders at [phone].
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[albalydia2]

on 8/24/2009 My name is Alba Griesbacker and I work for a market research company in New York City called Rob Horowitz Focus Groups. Our responsibilities are mainly to recruit consumers and medical professionals to participate in telephone surveys or in person focus groups, which are all paid, meaning you will receive payment for your participation.

We have a client in NYC thats conducting an IBS research study via phone, it will be for 1 hour of your time anytime this week and you will receive $150 for your participation.

Please give us a call at [phone] or [phone] for further details and registration.

Thanks!!!!

Alba

Alba Griesbacker

Rob Horowitz/ Rhoda Schild Company

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

[IBSfriend]

on 4/4/2008 I joined a social network called http://www.IBSspace.com and i met tons of people that helped me and were very supportive with IBS.

[ibsgroup]

on 3/1/2008 There are 30,000+ support group members on the online IBS Self Help and Support Group site, http://www.ibsgroup.org

on 11/22/2005 You can read the personal stories of other IBS sufferers at http://www.ibstales.com and see what has helped other people deal with their symptoms.

on 11/22/2005 I forgot to mention this and it's important: Take time each day or several times each week to exercise. I choose to walk, it's easy for me, and it's good for people in general.