I am 21 year old female and I have had digestive disorders etc. probably since the 8th grade. In 8th grade, I was tested for Lactose Intolerance and had a number of other endocrine tests done as I had frequent diarreah and was not growing properly. All tests showed nothing abnormal. The stomach/intestinal problems subsided somewhat in first two years of high school.
Since I as 18 though, they seemed to have gotten progressively worse. I was diagnosed with IBS by a family physician (who has been little help) about a year ago. I've tried increased fiber, regular exercise, I've always eaten a balanced diet. I already do not consumer greasy foods as they cause a lot of pain and diarreah. A few months ago, I finally met with a Gastroenterologist. After explaining my constipation, diarreah, pain, gas, extreme bloating etc. he had me have a Barium Enema.
The Barium Enema showed only that I had a redundant colon....which they said means its just a little longer than normal and that that was no problem. They also prescribed me the new drug for IBS, Zelnorm. It has not changed anything.
In the last months Ive had severe constipation (sometimes 7 days). Even 8 laxatives and half a bottle of Magnesium Citrate did NOTHING. It is then followed by a few days of frequent diarreah. I often have mucous and undigested food in my stools. Sometimes I have pain when trying to have bowel movements. Ive had increased nauseau and things are just getting worse.
Does anyone have any suggestions or had similar symptoms and felt dissatisfied with the IBS diagnosis?

Note: Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's) runs in my family and I was tested a number of times. However, I have not been tested in the last 2-3 yrs.

One thing is for certain - if you continue to take laxatives, it will cause you more problems than solve. Your system will become dependant on them so that you will get constipation if you try to get off them. You have to try taking both soluble and insoluble fiber to try to normalise bowel consistency and frequency. And you should take probiotics.

As for your original symptoms, it sounds very much like mine except no doctor has been brave enough to say that I have IBS (since in saying that they are saying that they do not know exactly what is wrong with you, but it is something that will not kill you and so you have to learn to live with it).

Do not give up. I have found that a healthy diet, about 3 pints of water a day and plenty of exercise made a BIG difference.

One cause I would not rule out is a parasite even though many doctors will dismiss the idea. However, very recently Australian research has found that tests for certain parasites are not very accurate and fail altogether if laboratory technicians are not trained to look for those particular parasites. They cite the example of one person who had to be tested 4 times before they found the particular parasite. I am going to see one of the doctors who wrote the paper I read in about a week's time. Maybe that is the answer for me and maybe for you. The paper claimed that parasites can mimic the symptoms of IBS.

Meantime, I have been watching my diet. I am avoiding all foods with additives (not easy). I am taking both soluble and insoluble fiber (increasing them gradually; taking them in the form of fruit such as rock melon in a blender with All Bran). I drink plenty of water. I have cut down on my stress levels. I am taking probiotics. And I am strengthening my stomach muscles.

I pity you if you have had half the problems that I have had. But I feel much better now because I refused to give up and did some of my own investigation. In fact, I feel more improvement having worked things out for myself than following doctors advice which most recently, for example, was to take antidepressants. Read accounts on this website. Guys like Harry have had every problem in the book but have found ways to manage them. You can do the same and lead something like a normal life. Regards.