i have noticed that i have a bout of IBS after any significant 'shock'. i go both ways, loose and empacted, with or without 'wind'. since i am substantially homebound, and do not see doctors (who i think are idiots) for minor problems (not life-threatening) i have never been offered treatment of any kind. i too take valiums before doc apptmts and other such stressors, and it does help at the time, but so often the doc puts me into shock, that i usually have exhaustion and gut symptoms after,,, (call it PTSD).

even as a kid, i would have stomach aches when my parents would fight or other things like that... so it's no surprise that i didn't out-grow it, but rather 'relapsed' when i became disabled. i think there are many links and over-looks between the medical perception of brain-body connections. good luck with your management~