I haven't had this problem for a long time...I wonder if it was because of my meds? I hadn't thought of that, but I haven't had breakdowns or IBS in many months, and I know the breakdowns were because of the meds. Anyway, when I had it, it would start because of, or lead to, bad nerves, which worsened the problem, which worsened my nerves...one caused the other. When it got bad enough, I found taking a couple of Immodium tablets (not at once, but one, then another, and possibly a third, about four hours apart) usually cleared it up.