Posted 3/23/2006 3:23 PM (GMT -7)
Maybe he meant "grow into it" since most people don't get IBS until they are least in their early 20's.
Mr Magoo, whether you have IBS forever or get rid of it really depends on what is causing your IBS. If it is a bacterial overgrowth or even C. difficile, that can be cured with antibioitics and probioitcs (although you may be extra susceptible to getting overrun with bad bacteria again later). Me, I have IBS because I have no gall bladder. If they ever get to where they can grow me a new one in a petri dish, I'll let them install it and I'll be fixed. If your IBS is caused by an allergic reaction, removing those things that you are allergic to from your diet should cure you (although you'll relapse if you eat the wrong thing). And finally if your IBS is just because your gut doesn't work right, well there's some but not a lot they can do about it... right now. Remember, this is an area that's beginning to get more attention. Zelnorm and other drugs are advertising on TV and awareness is being raised. The more reports of IBS there are in this country, the more the drug industry will see a potential profit and will in turn fund research. Sad that it works that way, but be assured something is being done right now. Just keep hanging in there and a cure for all forms of IBS will surely be found one day.
It wasn't until about the 1950's that a cure for leprosy was discovered, and look how long that's been around. There were leper colonies in America up until the cure came out--and they were mandatory. You got leprosy, the government hauled you off and stuck you in this colony where you were seperated from the other sex and not allowed to marry or have relations and you saw your family rarely, if ever. That happened here in America of all places. So while you're terribly sick and unhappy and feel like a pariah, at least people don't fear getting contaminated by you to the point they imprison you!