Customer Reviews

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution: How It's Cured at the IBS Treatment Center

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Although I had been previously diagnosed with celiac disease with dairy intolerance, this book made me consider that my ongoing symptoms were more than gluten or dairy contamination accidents. In simple, layman's language, Dr. Wangen explains the 'normal' digestive process and problems that can arise in that system (like diarrhea and constipation). Then he describes the common medical approaches ('Treating the Symptoms, Ignoring the Cause') for 'IBS' symptoms. That section describes the typical journey of misdiagnoses and dead ends, which many celiacs take before getting a correct celiac disease diagnosis. Next he discusses the common causes of 'IBS' symptoms, which include celiac disease, food allergies and 'bugs' (such as bacteria imbalances, yeast and parasites). Finally he tells how he determines what causes a patient's symptoms and the appropriate treatment to eliminate those symptoms.

This book convinced me to visit Dr. Wangen's IBS Treatment Center and test for food allergies and other `bugs'. After learning I had 2 additional food allergies and a bacterial imbalance, which caused my continuing symptoms, I followed Dr. Wangen's dietary guidelines to avoid painful allergy reactions and began treatment to restore natural bacterial balance. Although I'm still treating bacterial imbalance, my ongoing symptoms are slowly disappearing and I'm beginning to experience better digestion than I have in years.

If you have been diagnosed with `IBS', but still struggle with symptoms, read this book. If you're a diagnosed celiac, who has ongoing symptoms despite abstaining from gluten, read this book. If you're tired of doctors who dismiss your `gut' symptoms as `stress', read this book. This book HAS solutions for IBS.

My wife has been treated by Dr. Wangen at the IBS Treatment Center. His methods make sense. Rather than some nebulous idea about what might be causing your bowel to betray you, he actually tests things that have been shown to cause IBS. He details the results of lots of research in his book in language that is easy to understand.

I have spoken with several people who have had IBS for years and have seen many doctors and tried many diets but have not been able to see much relief. Fortunately for us, Dr. Wangen explains in this book why that is and how to get real results. It was very surprising to find that you can actually measure the various types of bacteria in your intestines and change the mix if it is not right. The website for his clinic, www.ibstreatmentcenter.com has more information and links to the published research that he used to formulate his techniques. That is really refreshing in a world where most IBS books don't cite any sources at all.

Dr. Wangen's approach, outlined in his book, is to find the underlying CAUSE of IBS. It seems so simple and yet in 20 years of seeking help from a number of doctors, and enduring many tests, no one else could help me. In my first visit with Dr. Wangen he tested for several potential causes and quickly identified my case as food related sensitivities. I have eliminated those foods from my diet and no longer have the symptoms I suffered from for so many years. I believe Dr. Wangen's book outlines a logical approach that can help many people regain their health and life. I also believe every medical general practitioner and internist should be REQUIRED to read it. I highly recommend this book to those who are suffering from IBS and want to feel good again.

This book is brilliant because it really gets to the problem of IBS and solves it. And I take issue with the other review posted.
The problem with Jeffrey Roberts review is that the Rome II criteria, which he cites, have no relevance to the cause of IBS. Those criteria simply provide a category that doctors can shove people into and diagnose them with IBS. It's not based on tests; it's based on your symptoms. That isn't science. That's what your doctor does when he doesn't know the answer to your problem. They come up big words that sound important, but when you look a little deeper you realize that the words say exactly what you told the doctor in the first place. And this doesn't do anything to help you get better. Nor does a lot of hypothesizing about the gut-brain axis. What's happening there is a symptom of the problem, not the cause of the problem. That's the whole point of Dr. Wangen's book. He uses objective testing and facts to get to the real cause of the problem. If you want to discover the cause of your IBS then this book will help you. It sure helped me. If you just want to live with your IBS then you should get another book.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this book changed my life....let me explain. I have been diagnosed with IBS-D, at first it was a relief to finally have a name for it. But, I soon realized that despite having a name there was little to nothing that would help or make it go away. The standard lines I would hear from MANY doctors - "eat more fiber" "reduce your stress". I was really frustrated, worn out and thought that I would have to live with this chronic pain and discomfort for the remainder of my life.
For the first time (in a very long time) I had hope after reading this book. So much in fact that I went to Seattle to meet with Dr. Wangen. I went though some of the allergy testing and the results were amazing - allergic to Dairy and egg whites were the biggies. Since then I have removed these and other items from my diet and have definitely noticed a big difference.
If you have IBS-D or C and are frustrated with doctors telling you there is nothing they can do for you (except prescribe antidepressants, take Fibercon, and stress less) I would recommend reading the book. If for nothing else, to realize that you can get relief from IBS and start living your life again.

If you have "case" of chronic IBS you should build a little library of lit on it.

This book is simple and easy to read and does what any good book should do, make you think. I thought and analyzed my diet - I have been irritated for about 8 months now but think I have it wrapped up. Interestingly I had it solved a few times but it came back, but this to me was in the process of identifying what I may be reacting to.

I run a lot. When I increased my mileage to over 60 a week I started having issues. I thought it may have been running. I took 6 weeks off - no change. I ran again. I have increased my mileage and intensity back, with IBS, and there was no difference.

To make a long story short. I would have short fasts (10 - 15 hrs) which always cleared the issue. I would eat foods I don't normally eat and things were fine, but I make some mistakes along the way. I thought it was coffee, so stopped drinking it. I thought it was dairy and stopped eating this category of food. What I did read, in a running book, was try replacing the morning coffee with OJ - since coffee inhibits vitamin C uptake the avoidance of coffee would be beneficial in several ways: more vit C from OJ, more hydrated as coffee is a diuretic, and more hydrated in general (which would also help effects of IBS and water loss).

Then is dawned! Citrus. I have not had citrus in a week and my IBS has gone down. Remember the little library - yup - no book will answer all. I discovered that perhaps what I am dealing with is a citrus intolerance (not an allergy) and as I gave up coffee and increased my dose of OJ my reactions became stronger: logically so, in hindsight.

I may not be "cured" yet - but think I am there. I have isolated foods that have triggered IBS and am now comfortable for the first time in weeks.

The book will give you ways to think. It develops your knowledge and will give to other ideas to follow. Be your own detective with IBS because as I am learning the interactions are quite complex and an average family doctor will not have the time to deal with your case. If you are at a health facility that you need to see a new practitioner each visit (many places have these) you really need to become your own detective. Buy the book - quite simple.

I remember reading a criticism something along the lines that the book was a self-promo for the author's clinic: it's not so. BUT - if I was on my second year of IBS I would seriously consider a visit to such a specialist as my health is quite important to me.

I do think the book needs a better index to make it easier to find simple terms.

I am so thankful for this book-& my primary doctor. I cannot afford to travel to this clinic, unfortunately so I mentioned the food allergy test that I read about to my doctor & he agreed to try it. The Gastroenterologist I had been diagnosed at told me I'd have to live with the pain after giving me meds (that stopped working, or only worked for a short time). I now know that I am allergic to corn, soy, wheat, among other things. My doctor was amazed because he said that generally you know when you're allergic to a particular food. The problem is I was allergic to so many. This book saved my life. The pain was the worst & I finally had an answer. (I'd eaten most of these foods for years with no problem.) I had only suffered from IBS for a year so I had no idea it was food. I would love to go to this clinic & if it's half as helpful as this book I would highly recommend it. This book is wonderful & explains a lot. I am so thankful that it was written for those of us who are suffering unnecessarily.

Some of science behind his IBS treatments is sound. It focuses on having the correct kind of bactiera, etc. in the gut, testing for that and testing the bad bugs for antibiotic susceptibility which most places don't do.

Then there is the controversial food allergy testing. He blames food allergy for anything and everything. The idea of minor food allergies is controversial and the testing the labs do may not be valid or reliable no matter what he says. Even some of Dr. Wangen's peers at the Bastyr University argue against food allergy testing, saying it is too unscientific- the way the testing is done is not right. Although she also says it is not likely to do harm, just cost money. Some people seem to get relief, however, from eliminating foods from their diet.

Studies should be done to quantify and ascertain the real success rate of his treatments, because he actually has REAL causes for a condition and is not just doing the stupid song and dance doctors love to do of blaming the patient and telling them it is all in their head. They do this especially if the patient is female. The testing needs to be validated and symptoms correlated to positive results. No such test/ study exists as of today.

IBS is a real disease that needs to be taken seriously and treated. It does not surprise me that not many general doctors are even trying to find a solution, mainly because doctors don't care about their patients. In fact, this would hurt buisness and they don't like that- they are basically all about money. But why aren't other naturopathic doctors doing what he is doing? Why is he the only one?? Is he REALLY the only one? And if what he does is so great, why doesn't he train people and open other centers in large cities?
Two things about this book irritated me. First off, much of the information on the science is on his website. I payed too much for the book to tell me only a litte more about that. Next, much of the book talks about his former patients supposedly and how great they are doing now thanks to his treatments. It is a huge plug for his center.

If you want the testing done you can call them and they will tell you what labs they use. If you want to go to his so call miraculous center you have to go at least once and give him about $900 to $2000 (travel expenses and Seattlite attitude towards non-Northwestern persons not included). That is impossible for me. The book is almost useless if you can't go to Seattle. His attitude is kind of like he is the IBS god, and so what's a little world travel just to get his miracle cures? That maybe OK for some people, but not everyone. If you look at the 5 star reviews you will see many of these people live in Seattle or WA state.
Don't buy the book. Just go to his website and everything will be explained to you. Also do some research on food allergies- you will see he may not be all he's cracked up to be.

Well, yes it was kind of an advertisement for me. I was searching for doctors to diagnose what the hell was wrong with me. I was suffering from depression, IBS, arthritis, CFS, headaches, and muscle pain. My rheumatologist told me I was nuts. My gastroenterologist said I had IBS and to live with it.

The book read well, and I thought... Hmmm... One of the causes of all this is in the book. I think it may be an infestation of yeast. I should go fly to see Wangen.

He ran a bunch of tests and found out it was all true and plus I found out that I was also having allergic reactions to sugar cane and yeast.

The book, his clinic and his prescriptions has stopped my depression, my muscle pain, my head aches, and my chronic fatigue syndrome. Thank you Dr. Wangen.

And could I say that he is a pretty humble guy. Even his secretary was very nice, professional and things were in order. They even took a photo of me while at the office. The secretary said, "wangen wants to identify all his patients faces when he reviews their files and talks to them on the phone." He is pretty unassuming. He comes across like a curious kid who thinks you might have an important insight, not some guru-jerk like the other doctors that don't have a reputation. I was surprised.

It must been like $3,000, but money that I could afford to spend.

Wangen saved me years of torment. Wangen you rock.

I get gas more than most, but guess what?

NO MORE IBS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I found Dr. Wangen's book to make a lot of sense to me. It seems like the standard things for doctors to say in regards to IBS is eat more fiber and reduce stress. I like from the beginning, how Dr. Wangen tells you that you do not need to eat more fiber or reduce your stress. Those things are good to do in general, but it was like someone telling me that the IBS is not my fault. I was doing the best already to manage my IBS symptoms, but it was still there. Dr. Wangen gets to the root cause of IBS - a food allergy, bacterial/yeast imbalance, or parasite. He explains it in a very clear, easy to understand way.
I was almost convinced to go to the IBS Treatment Center in Seattle after reading the book, but then I found a naturopathic doctor in my hometown that performs the same food allergy testing. She even sent the test to the same lab in Seattle that the IBS Treatment Center uses: US Biotek. You can call the IBS Treatment Center and they will tell you what labs they use to perform their tests. For the DNA Microbial Profile, they use Metametrix in Atlanta.
I read information online how the ELISA food allergy test may not be accurate, so I was leary of the results. I thought I'd give it a chance anyway, and I am glad I did. I found out I am allergic to eggs and after eliminating eggs from diet, my IBS is virtually gone. I can't say that everyone will get the same results, but it worked for me. I do continue to do other things to help IBS, such as exercise, probiotics, avoiding caffeine, but the egg elimination has made the most difference.
I think Dr. Wangen's book is definitely worth reading!