[Commonsense]

NIH has said that a diagnosis of IBS can be made from a thorough abdominal examination and a complete patient history. It is no longer a "diagnosis of exclusion," which is a fancy way of saying they want to run every test known to man on you before they admit it was what they thought it was in the first place. In general, depending on symptoms, the really horrible tests just don't need to be done to get a diagnosis of IBS.Your "now what?" question is right on. That's what you need to ask the doctor. Don't talk to the nurse or speak to him on the phone - make an urgent appointment and make a list of your questions and concerns before you go in. Then make sure you feel these have been addressed at the appointment. If this doctor won't do it, find a doctor who will.

 

[Commonsense]

NIH has said that a diagnosis of IBS can be made from a thorough abdominal examination and a complete patient history. It is no longer a "diagnosis of exclusion," which is a fancy way of saying they want to run every test known to man on you before they admit it was what they thought it was in the first place. In general, depending on symptoms, the really horrible tests just don't need to be done to get a diagnosis of IBS.Your "now what?" question is right on. That's what you need to ask the doctor. Don't talk to the nurse or speak to him on the phone - make an urgent appointment and make a list of your questions and concerns before you go in. Then make sure you feel these have been addressed at the appointment. If this doctor won't do it, find a doctor who will.