Is this crazy?
#106490 - 09/17/04 10:40 AM
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heather7476
Reged: 08/09/04
Posts: 2996
Loc: South East Michigan
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I feel like this is crazy but I WANT a colonoscpy ( even if I can't spell it  ) But that stupid GI doc said I didn't need one??? I don't get it. He said I had IBS. How can he say that without the other test to rule everything else out??? I try real hard not to think about what else this could be but I want to be sure it is IBS and not IBD or anything else. I realy don't like the idea of a colonscopy but I realy want to have and get it over with so I can stop worring about it. Does this sound crazy or stupid. My gram thinks I should just go by what the GI said but it doesn't sound right to me????
Thanks
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Heather7476
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I would get a second opinion from another GI.
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Heather, the common wisdom here as well as Heather's own advice is to push your doc to do a colonoscopy. There are however dissenting opinions in respected medicial circles that say if an otherwise healthy young person fits the IBS diagnosis perfectly and shows no other symptoms that would contradict that diagnosis, that the expensive and invasive test is NOT indicated.
We have to be very careful what we say here because goodness knows we don't want to talk someone out of a colonoscopy who turns out to have colon cancer or something! That would be practicing medicine without a license. But I can say that I'm one of the few people who's been here awhile who has NOT had a colonoscopy and I am totally comfortable with that. I trust my doctor and intuitively the diagnosis of IBS makes sense to me and the IBS diet has taken care of all my symptoms so I would be astonished to find out I had anything else wrong with me.
So you just have to go with your "gut" feel (sorry for the pun!). If you won't rest easy til you get it confirmed, then push him or her. But if you trust him, then go with his advice.
(NOW, BEFORE ALL MY FRIENDS START PUSHING ME TO GET A COLONOSCOPY, FORGET IT! YOU WON'T GET ANYWHERE WITH ME!)
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I totally Agree with you LauraSue!
My doctor dignosed me with ibs a year and a half ago(a highly reputabe dr.) and said that I didn't need a colonoscopy. So, I haven't gotten one and I really don't want to.
Your right, you have to go with your gut feeling. It's not that I am a wuss, because I run to the doctor any health issue I have and I am very concerned with my health. I am on top of my health. I just don't feel it is neccesary.
I took all the blood tests and everything else was fine when I went to the gi and doctor.
I have changed my diet and I feel 90% better. I really am satisfied with everything. I have always had this problem, plus my mom has ibs too. Also, there is no history in our family of any colon cancer or any related diseases, just ibs.
I just have to start blending my fruits, adding veggies slowly and adding more SFS ad I will be 100%.
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Ibs-d and fructose sensitive.
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Heather,
I got the same response from my first GI. He gave me an educated diagnosis. He turned out to be right, but I was uncomfortable and it worried me to the point that I became stressed and that of course made the IBS really act up.
I got a second opinion because Colon Cancer runs in my family tree. The second GI did the Colonoscopy, which to me was not so bad, as well as stool tests, blood tests and an ultrasound. They all came out negative Thank God! He then placed me on Zelnorm and Lexapro. I no longer take the Zelnorm but am still taking the Lexapro.
My point is it gave me peace of mind and to me that is priceless.
Lene 
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God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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I dont think it's crazy to want one.....I was one of the lucky ones who got in to see a GI specialist very fast because of my numerous trips to the emergency room for D, nausea and prefaints.....When he told me he was going to do a colonoscopy i cried, I was scared and frustrated.....but ya know what, it was no big deal....the biggest worry I had was waking up sick because I do not handle general anaesthesia very well, fortunalty they only used a sedative and I did not remember or feel anything and I woke up feeling great. I am glad I had it done because colon cancer and IBS runs in my family and I wanted to know for preventative measures....if you feel you want one, then push it and get one done!!! It is worth it!!!
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Thanks guys. I go to GP on tuesday and I realy trust her so I will do what she says but I am going to tell her I am concerned about other things and would prefere to be better safe than sorry. I will let you know how it goes and thanks for the support. I just thought maybe I was the only one who wanted one(well you know what i mean) YIKES
Thanks
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Heather7476
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Me too, LS
#106602 - 09/17/04 05:49 PM
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barbie
Reged: 04/22/04
Posts: 2435
Loc: Texas
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Hey LS,
How's it going? I have not had a colonoscopy either. I have had all the upper GI tests, ultrasound, Cat scan, fecal tests, barium x-rays and all my blood work is excellent. My symptoms are not as severe as a lot of people on the boards. Mainly, nausea & "D" that I can usually pinpoint to a certain trigger food or stress. I was freaked out about a colonoscopy and doc said that unless my symptoms worsened she didn't think I needed one. WHEW!
I do think that people that have very severe symptoms with severe pain should get one. I would if I had the kind of pain I hear a lot of people describe. I think the more severe symptoms need to be investigated a little further....just my opinion....for what it's worth.
Barbie
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I didn't want one. I cried. I had the worst time with the prep. But I feel like the biggest weight has been lifted off my shoulders since its been over. There are colon and rectal cancers in the family and IBS cannot be properly diagnosed without one-- it's that simple.
I say if you need the peace of mind, it's a good move...
Karen =)
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Quote:
Thanks guys. I go to GP on tuesday and I realy trust her so I will do what she says but I am going to tell her I am concerned about other things and would prefere to be better safe than sorry. I will let you know how it goes and thanks for the support. I just thought maybe I was the only one who wanted one(well you know what i mean) YIKES
Thanks
Heather, sweetie, I think that makes perfect sense! Very logical and cautious. Good for you.
Barbie, Hi, I'm fine. Really! Life is good! How are you? I knew there was at least one other person around here that hadn't needed a colonoscopy. And yes, I completely agree that people with the more severe symptoms and pain need to get checked out more thoroughly. Absolutely essential!
Karen, absolutely right about the peace of mind, especially with family history. I have family history of just about everything else under the sun (including insanity -- BLEEAHHH  ), but gratefully not colon or rectal cancer.
Have a good weekend everybody!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I agree with you Barbie.
If I had severe problems and pain, (apposed to IBS-A, which is pretty much under control now)then I would probably run to get the test done. Or if it was something that diet could not control then I would get the colonoscopy. As for now I feel pretty good. 
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Ibs-d and fructose sensitive.
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LauraSue
#106718 - 09/18/04 12:08 PM
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Janey
Reged: 10/25/03
Posts: 1716
Loc: Maryland
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Laura,
I agree with you. I haven't had a colonoscopy either. I have had an upper GI which showed nothing. I show classic symptoms of IBS and my Mother has the same thing so I really thought nothing of having D often. I grew up with my Mother having to run find a bathroom. I just felt I was the unlucky one to inherit her bad stomach.
I too feel much better when I follow the diet to the letter. Lately I have been cheating often and I think some of that has to do with me feeling rebellious and wanting to be able to eat like everyone else. I know that sounds silly for a 46 yo woman to say. It is almost like the heck with this I want to eat it so I am going to even if it does make me feel sick.
Part of my problem too is that I have a Mother who complains about every little ache and pain and has for a long time. I don't want to be like that so I don't like to complain when I don't feel well and I don't like to always have to say I can't eat that. I know, that sounds silly too.
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Janey
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