[Sophie2009]

Hey,I just wanted to know peoples experiences with doctors - have they helped/supported you?I've finally found a doctor at uni today who is taking my condition seriously and is running tests and refering me to a specialist. It's taken 10months and seeing numerous doctors for them to sit up and pay attention.Sophie.

 

[IPPO]

Hi Sophie,Glad to here that you are being taken seriously. What tests are they wanting to do, or have you been referred to a GI doc in the 1st instance? I found that my docs (saw 2 at my GP surgery) were supportive to a degree, but it did take a bit of a 'push' for me to be referred. Guess it varys from person to person as to if they accept a diagnosis with little or no testing done. The specialist I am seeing is very good, he had no problem is suggesting further tests (well he does get paid for it as I went private) but he was very good during my initial consultation and further day patient tests. Hope it all goes well.Ippo

 

[Sophie2009]

IPPO,I'm having a blood test done in a week as a nurse is unavailable till then and am sending off 2 stool samples as soon as I collect them. Once I get the results I should be refered to a specialist. He isn't too concerned about me seeing a specialist as I haven't lost weight and there isn't any blood in my stools but because it's gone on for so long and it's still fluctuating between good and bad spells I think he will refer me. It's difficult to see the same doctor as I'm at uni and the uni doctors always change but I'm going to ask to see him again.I've been put back on Meberverine taken two times before each meal - this should calm my stomach and prevent Diahrrea.I've got counselling at 3pm so fingers crossed in about a month I should have some idea what my body is doing,Sophie.

 

[IPPO]

At least it sounds like they are moving things on with regards to testing etc. If you want to be referred you can of course ask that you be referred and see what they say, can do no harm!?!I think one of the reasons I was referred was the time I have been suffering, since last May/June time, so the doc said on those grounds he was happy to refer me, plus he knew that me not knowing exactly what was wrong was giving me anxiety etc.I am currently on Meberverine also, have been for about 4 months, suspect I may come off it soon as cant really say if it helps or not. Like you I go through good days/weeks and then have bad days/weeks with pain etc...Hope the councelling goes well.

 

[Sophie2009]

Everything started around June/July time for me and if I don't get refered to a specialist my parents are taking me to go private. I have a field trip this weekend, leaving 6.30am sat then coming back late eve sun. It's to Lyme Regis so it's in the UK.Do you have any advice about this? I'm seeing my lecturer tomorrow to tell him about it and to warn him what I may be like. Sophie.

 

[IPPO]

That is nice of your parents, good to have their support.Re the travelling I guess you are going by coach as its a uni trip? What I tend to do, as latley I find myself travelling quite a bit for work (most recently Belfast and Bornemouth) is that if I have an early start I have a 'safe' meal the day before as to try and avoid any major need to go, plus I may get up a little earlier and have some breakfast and try and make myself comfortable before I go. If you are going by train at least there is facilities there, albeit maybe not the best. But I tend to find that being out of my normal routine needing the toilet is not a massive problem, for the pain I just make sure I take a tin of peppermints with me and maybe some peppermint tea. Hopefully being with friends etc you can just chill and try and take your mind off it, but if your lecturer understands then that will help.Ippo

 

[Sophie2009]

Yeh I'm going by coach but there's prob only going to be one toilet on the coach and perhaps one toilet stop on the way there.I was contemplating not eating anything for breakfast but I have a packed day both days, I'll be walking around all day and I don't know how many chances I'll have for a toilet break.I know he'll be understanding and at least it's only 2 days. I just hope my stomach calms itself down by then. At the moment there isn't any safe meal that I've found, and I know all this stress and worry will just make my situation worse. But I'm going to discuss this at the counselling and I am going to talk to my lecturer. I have imodium and enough of my medication to last me so fingers crossed.Sophie.