Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the more common gastrointestinal disorders, regardless of whether someone has fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). There are guidelines used in its diagnosis that have been agreed upon by a panel of international experts termed the Rome I International Clinical Criteria.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is also known as “painful bladder syndrome.” As a medical condition, it covers a multitude of symptoms. These include: general pain in area of the bladder; pain associated with with urination, which is medically known as dysuria; an increase in the frequency of urination, which can be every ten or fifteen minutes; and, a feeling of pressure or discomfort in the lower abdomen. IC is not a condition to be taken lightly. The symptoms may be decreased with urination and increased with stress, intercourse, or tight clothing and aggravated by acidic beverages, coffee, and spicy foods. In its most severe forms its impact on a person’s life has been likened to being on kidney dialysis and people have been given permanent disability as a result of not being able to find adequate treatment; there are cases of suicide associated with severe IC.