One of the many aspects of living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is trying countless remedies to “cure” you of this uncomfortable syndrome. Whether it’s changing your diet, taking prescription drugs, or countless over-the-counter supplements, the experimenting seems endless.
After over 5 years of living with IBS, I still have yet to find the magical potion that will make my bathroom blues subside completely. While searching for that healing elixir, I’ve come across an interesting treatment for IBS: Hypnotherapy.
Michael Mahoney, a UK clinical hypnotherapist, has been successfully treating patients with in-person hypnotherapy sessions designed specifically for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He has also created the IBS Audio Program 100, which now brings these special sessions to those like me (yup, the budget doesn’t include regular flights to the UK) and the rest of the IBS suffering public.
I’ve made A LOT of progress on my own by forcing myself to do things I previously thought I couldn’t, like road trips, and flying, etc. I went from being completely paralyzed and almost housebound (to which many of my friends and family can attest) to having a full social calendar. Looking back, I realize that much of my success was achieved by doing things that trained my subconscious to think differently and therefore my body to react differently. For example, I stopped having panic attacks that led to IBS attacks when I had to go out to dinner, or drive long distances in the car.
I’ve since purchased the IBS Audio Program 100 as a means to improve upon the progress I’ve already made. After reading countless examples of the success of the program and from my own personal experience, I’m convinced it will greatly improve my quality of life and personal success with treating IBS. I will keep you updated as to my progress at a later date.
I firmly believe that when it comes to IBS, treating your mind is as important as treating your body, but don’t take my word for it. Read the interview with Michael Mahoney on the Extras page of this blog and try the program for yourself. Give it an honest attempt. You might just amaze yourself like I have. 
Interview with Michael Mahoney
Hypnotherapy Discussion Forum on IBS Self Help and Support Group Website
6 Comments
July 9, 2007 at 12:07 pm
[...] One of the many aspects of living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is trying countless remedies to “cure” you of this uncomfortable syndrome. Whether it’s changing your diet, taking prescription drugs, or countless over-the-counter … …more [...]
July 25, 2007 at 4:57 am
Nicole,
Did you see the blog post that Revolution Health’s Chief Medical Officer wrote about hypnotherapy for IBS? The post is highlighted on the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) center on revolutionhealth.com. It discusses a lot of what you talk about in your post, so I hope you and your readers find it interesting. Hope you enjoy!
July 29, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Hey, I also suffer from IBS and like what you have done with the website. I think it’s pretty cool that you are so open about your condition even though it’s obviously embarrassing. Do you have a myspace account?
July 30, 2007 at 6:38 am
Nicole,
I know you’re familiar with Revolution Health so I wanted to point your readers to a great blog post that our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Gruen, wrote on this very subject. The post is featured on the revolutionhealth.com irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) resource center under the headline “Good news for IBS patients”:
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/jefferygruenmd/hypnosis—new-cure-f-4477
August 2, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Hey Nicole — sorry for submitting this as a comment, but I couldn’t find any other way to contact you.
I’m writing to you because I want to offer autographed copies of my book at a 20% discount to people with IBS, and I hope you can help me get the word out.
As you know, Poop Culture isn’t about IBS, but it is about something that people with IBS understand all too well: the role of poop in contemporary culture. As anyone with IBS knows, poop is surrounded by an almost mystical aura of shame and negativity, which makes suffering from IBS that much worse.
My book explores the forces in our society that have shaped the way we view bodily functions, focusing specifically on the toilet. Because the toilet wasn’t invented just for sanitary reasons, as conventional wisdom holds — instead, it was invented by rich 19th century Victorians who were trying to distance themselves from the lower classes by embracing an apparatus that made it seem like they didn’t poop it all. The history of the toilet is a fascinating story of oppression and denial, and it goes a long way towards explaining the shame suffered by so many people every time they have to go.
One of the goals of the book is to help make it easier for people to confront their issues with pooping — a goal that many IBS sufferers can surely appreciate.
Please help me spread the word: anyone with IBS can go to http://www.poopthebook.com/IBS to get an autographed copy of my book for only $12 — twenty percent off the cover price.
You can find more info and many reviews at http://www.poopthebook.com.
Thank you very much! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Dave
http://www.PoopTheBook.com
August 9, 2007 at 5:18 am
I really appreciate your blog, & it does help sometimes to use humor in dealing with the day-to-day stresses of IBS (I have an extreme case of UC, and have had it for 13 years).
I haven’t seen anything on your blog, though, about the issues of not just FINDING a bathroom, but PRIVACY issues (i.e., having to use a public bathroom with multiple stalls). I know that I can’t be the ONLY one with IBS who makes God-awful sounds when I go, and we won’t even GO into the SMELL. I actually had a couple of teenage girls LAUGH at me in a Wal-mart bathroom because of this. It was extremely humiliating, but I couldn’t help any of it! Also, for those of us who are WOMEN, what about FINDING a bathroom, but having to wait in LINE, when you get the uncontrollable URGE to go and you can’t hold it?? Talk about FRUSTRATING, DEPRESSING, HUMILIATING, etc.!!
Just a few comments. I did really enjoy your blog.
Thanks!