A new gastroenterologist - Help please
#122727 - 11/17/04 08:33 AM
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daliatree
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 1176
Loc: Manhattan, New York
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My dear friends,
In my ten years of IBS I have not had any real tests done...and now I am going to go and be brave. The NHS (national health service) in England takes years to get things done, so now that I am in the US, I am whipping out the tests quickly. I am seeing a gastro that specialises in IBS this Friday (am scared!), please tell me alll I need to know, say, do, and NOT be brushed off. I want to get to the bottom of this, no matter what the tests do to me. I am going to be brave.
So please tell me everything you think is important to do...
thank you XXXX
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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I've had the gamut of tests. I had to explain that it was a quality of life issue for me. I am not willing to live in pain all the time, whether it is "life threatening" or NOT. I am also not willing to live on pain meds or or other meds that do not address the root of the problem.
My colonoscopy revealed pre-cancerous colon polyps at only 30 years old, so not to scare you (they were removed safely, I have to be checked every 3 years now) but I absolutely believe everyone should be checked out head to toe (or at least mouth to butt!!!)  I also learned that my colon has terrible twists like a pretzel, probably worsened by my 3 babies (my IBS has been WAY worse since the 3rd was born, she was 10 lbs so she really did a number on my insides). There's not a whole lot that can be DONE about that (unless I decide to try surgery one day) but it's good to know what I'm like in there, helps explain the C and gas problems I deal with all the time.
GL!!
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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Be sure to tell the GI doc how miserable it makes you. You should be sure that he knows what you've tried (medication & fiber, etc) and what your symptoms are. He'll probably have you lay back & will press on your tummy & also listen to your tummy. I would definitely ask if he thinks a colonoscopy would be appropriate (I think he should schedule one).
I've had IBS-C all my life, have had 3 colonoscopies, and they have never shown any physical abnormalities. (I'm 35 years old.) No polyps, nothing. Don't be frightened. The prep will be the worst part because you have to be so hungry & your bottom gets sore from pooping so much!!
I've seen two GI docs over the past 10 years, and I honestly think they're not very helpful as far as recommending what to eat. My recent doctor thought it would be a good idea to avoid milk products & high fructose corn syrup. He also suggested that I take a fiber supplement every morning & take Zelnorm. That was it. I didn't know about Heather's diet when I saw the doctor this summer, or I would have asked him more about the whole soluble/insoluble fiber issue.
I'm happy for you, that you're going to get things checked out. Best wishes!!
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I def agree it is a quality of life issue. Stress that. Tell your new doc that:
1. You're being proactive about your condition, seeking support and help in the IBS community.
2. You have researched and talked to knowledgable experts about IBS and the causes and triggers, as well as seeking out ways to make yourself stable.
3. You have identified your triggers, both the food triggers and the stress ones. Make a list, and show it if you're asked or it's relevant.
4. Let your doctor know that you are ready to rule out other conditions by having the standard tests: upper and lower gI, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy.
5. Ask for long-term pain management, if you are pain pre-dominant.
6. Describe your attacks. Make it clear if you're C or D. Write down beforehand what the symptoms of your attacks are (a list), how long they last, how they make you feel, the frequency of your attacks, if they're getting better or worse, and specifically What Happens to You During an Attack. Run the doc through it. You need to know the doc is a patient listener, and is interested in your case. If he's not interested in treating you as a whole human being (and not just a clinical case) get another doc. It is IMPORTANT to your life that you find a good doc. You deserve it, and there are some bad ones out there!!!!!!
Daliatree, I'm so happy you're getting the tests. This is sooo Rest of Your Life, and it's starting now!! Post back and let us know how it goes!! 
~nelly~
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Nelly
#122756 - 11/17/04 09:50 AM
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daliatree
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 1176
Loc: Manhattan, New York
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Hi friend Nelly
Thank you so much for your wise words. Could you tell me what the difference is between the colonoscopy and the sigmoidoscopy? I am really scared of the colonoscopy because whenever I am remotely empty I get sooo nauseous, and rapid bowel movements make me so nauseaous too, plus I am terrified of throwing up...but I know I have to do it.:-(
I am going to go in there with a whole lot of stuff, all organised. Thank you so much.
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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Bellshell
#122760 - 11/17/04 09:52 AM
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daliatree
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 1176
Loc: Manhattan, New York
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thank you so much for your words...it really supports me...I am scared of the major hunger part of the prep...I cannot tolerate hunger..
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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Ecmmbm
#122763 - 11/17/04 09:55 AM
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daliatree
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 1176
Loc: Manhattan, New York
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Wow...sorry to hear about your polyps and pretzel gut...but I am like you, if I can at least visualise whats wrong with me, it will make it easier for me to understand WHY i feel sick etc. Right now (and for the last ten years) its been a bunch of symptoms with no image, no real name or reason, and I am hoping to find that. It will give me strength.
Thank you very much (I cannot believe you carried a ten pound baby...was it a natural birth????)
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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dalia
#122788 - 11/17/04 10:23 AM
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cailin
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 3563
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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colonscopies are not so bad really, the prep is YUCK but the procedure itself is fine. You can't go to work the next day either due to the anaesthetic.
Everyone else's advice is great, just relax and you'll be fine.
Sinead
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S.
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The nice thing is that you can eat jello (certain colors). That gave me a sense of fullness. Plus, you'll drink ALOT of fluids the day before (because you're going to be sort of dehydrated), which helps your tummy not to feel so hungry.
You'll do great!
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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Re: Nelly
#123246 - 11/18/04 01:48 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Hey, Daliatree! A sigmoidoscopy is when they only go partly up (lower third of the colon), and a colonoscopy is more thorough, deeper, and they take biopsies with it (little pieces of tissue that they'll look under the microscope at).
They'll knock you out for a colonoscopy, so I suggest you start with that one. It's not scary, and they give medicine to affect your short term memory, so you forget all about the proceedure. It's actually quite funny "waking up," because you'll want to ask the doctor how it went, only you forget the question as it's halfway out your mouth~!
Just treat yourself gently during the prep, and listen to what your body's telling you. You'll do great, I promise!
You can do it!!!!!! I have faith in you!!!!
~nelly~
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Re: Nelly
#123301 - 11/18/04 03:45 PM
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daliatree
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 1176
Loc: Manhattan, New York
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Thank you so much Nelly. I am going for my first appointment tomorrow and have written an essay of all I want to discuss with the gastro. I just hope he is nice and not one of those know-it-all, arrogant, ibs-is-in-your-head arseholes!
Thankssssss XXXX lots of love
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Feel the fear and do it anyway!
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Go get 'em!!! -nt-
#123359 - 11/18/04 04:54 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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~nelly~
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