[21666]

So many of you have been so supportive to this newbie, so I just wanted to thank you first, it means so much to not be alone...OK...just got back from a very reputable GI doctor, he looked at the tests I have had so far and read my symptoms ( I wrote them all down because I was so nervous!!)Then he basically told me I had IBS.. ??? He did examine my belly, but that was it. Is that ok?Oh, he gave me antispasmatics to take for the next few weeks and said I was a very nervous person and basically I fit all the criteria for IBS.. even though I don't have the C or D.. just all the other great stuff. He was very pleasant and listened.. but how come I feel unsatisfied? He did not even bring up a colonoscopy??? How come? I am looking for trouble? But I know how I feel.. oh, he said "if it was something bad it would not go away and come back and forth".. huh? Well, I have been feeling bad for 2 months and just have had slight improvement over the past few days but I know it is not all over??Confused!!!Thanks for listening!!

 

[SophieUK]

Hi SusanK,It's not that unusual for docs to diagnose without any tests, especially in the UK (not sure where you are from). I do think it's a bit odd that you don't have any C or D as these are pretty major components of IBS. Do you have a lot of pain or bloating? Do you have any other GI symptoms?I'm not sure I like him saying you were a 'very nervous' person - always sounds like a bit of a cop-out to me, saying that your symptoms are caused by your personality and so the docs don't need to help you find solutions. Did he suggest any form of treatment?

 

[17176]

welcome susan

 

[Screamer]

Sadly I've found this is a fairly common response from GI specialists. Unless you have blood with your D or C and or a whole lot of unexplained weight loss they don't really like to do it. It took me 3 GI specialists and 3 visits to the last one to finally get a colonoscopy done and it was mostly cause I kept complaining that things were getting worse. Then I got anemia and also lost a lot of weight. It was mostly a referral saying that he thought I really needed a colonoscopy from my GP that got me one.It is a bit odd that you don't suffer from D or C though. Hang in there. It might take a couple of goes to get them to do anything about it.

 

[21666]

Thank you for the responses. I do get other GI symptoms.. the trapped gas pains, bloating, flaculence ( sp?), lower back aches, pinching under ribs.. and the list goes on..I live in the US.. and I am starting to feel more like a file than a person.. I went home thinking last night that the Dr. automatically sterotyped me as a woman who was just under stress. I do have anxiety disorder which I have had for over 20 years and I take Xanax for it.. the Dr. seemed to hone in on that one, and acted like it was about the xanax and anxiety... what people who have anxiety don't get sick? It is all just in our heads? I must be a hypochondriac.. because that is how I have been treated almost every time I do have to go to the doctor.. "oh, she has anxiety"... I am SO SICK of being treated like that.. so what I have anxiety, does that mean when I don't feel good, it's all in my head?!! Sorry for venting but being treated like this is just terrible and I do hope that there are others that receive better treatment than I do...And, no I don't run to the doctor with every ache and pain, this is only the second time in 2 years I have been to drs. about something...

 

[23235]

Oh poor you. I know how you feel. I live in the UK and Dr's are just the same here. I work for Colo Rectal nurse specialists at our local hospital as a med secretary and they do care,and treat people with respect, but Dr's seem to write this off all the time as just nerves. It is true that if the symptoms come and go and you are not drastically losing weight or passing blood that Ca is not a likely diagnosis, but there are lots of other causes and even if it is IBS there should be a lot more done and more support for sufferers. Just because its not life threatening it can be real misery as I well know. I have found that Pro Biotic drinks help also Calcium, but you need to take the drink for at least two weeks. I don't know if they have it in the States, but here Yakult and Actimel are the names to go for. I have found they really help mine (I have the D type). Good luck and dont let the Drs make you feel bad. Jan S.

 

[22765]

quote:Originally posted by SusanK:I went home thinking last night that the Dr. automatically sterotyped me as a woman who was just under stress. I do have anxiety disorder which I have had for over 20 years and I take Xanax for it.. the Dr. seemed to hone in on that one, and acted like it was about the xanax and anxiety... what people who have anxiety don't get sick? It is all just in our heads? I must be a hypochondriac.. because that is how I have been treated almost every time I do have to go to the doctor.. "oh, she has anxiety"... I am SO SICK of being treated like that.. so what I have anxiety, does that mean when I don't feel good, it's all in my head?!!

Hi Susan, we seem to have lot of things in common. I also do not have C or D (as you probably read in my thread). Also, like you...my Doctor has stopped taking me seriously. He attributes everything to my stress/anxiety.I am on Xanax too. I had never had these gastro-intestinal issues before I started taking Xanax. Could Anxiety or Xanax be the source of our troubles. I am going to the Doctor again next week. Will keep you posted.