They say IBS is brought on due to stress, other problems with IBS can be due to medication so both need to be looked into. Fibre-gel is good for IBS in both symptoms of going to the toilet too much or going too little. You should also have your kidneys checked out, this can also cause pain in the back and make you feel deflated, you obviously need to be checked out by your doctor. Hope i've helped in some way.
Jax(",)xXx
If it was your family doctor who diagnosed you with IBS, I think you need to move on to a gastroenterologist. IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means every other condition has been tested and ruled out leaving only IBS as an explanation for your symptoms. Too many doctors go straight to the IBS diagnosis any time their faced with a bellyache. "Go forth, take thy fiber, and do not return." The name Irritable Bowel Syndrome says it all - it's a syndrome. When it comes to syndromes, that means the doctors really don't know why it happens and they can't really do much about it.
It's time to get more aggressive with finding out what is REALLY going on with you. If you've never had a colonoscopy and endoscopy, it's probably time. Since you're having hot flashes, it wouldn't hurt to consult with a gynecologist and rule out a problem with your hormones. There are a lot of different things that can potentially cause your symptoms, and it may take quite a while to figure it out. Start with the gastro doc and take it from there - and try to be patient. :-)
Thanks to both people who have commented on my question. Very intresting information which I will certainly try out. :)