OK, I'm back from my GI appt!
#112793 - 10/13/04 03:50 PM
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This new GI doc was great! He asked me a million questions which were all helpful for him to figure things out. I told him about my terrible experience with the other GI doc and he smirked. Hmmmm....maybe I'm not the first to complain about him.
Anyhow, he thinks that I might not have IBS. He also suspects Crohns disease (like the other doctor) but the fact that my AD is working wonders puzzles him. If it was Crohn's it shouldn't have ANY effect on my 'd' and cramps (which it has).
I am to go for a "small bowel follow through test" soon and he said that if I'm not better in 3 months that he might consider a colonsocopy but NOT YET. Bless him for that!!! 
Has anyone had this "small bowel follow through" test? I did a quick search and it involves drinking barium and them x-ray-ing your bowels as it passes through them over a long period of time. He said that this test should show if I have Crohns or not and isn't painful at all. YAY!
I am relieved but at the same time kinda worried that two GI's have both suspected Crohn's. Sigh... I mean, if it's what I have, I want to start getting it under control but I hope that's not it as it's WAY worse than IBS. 
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Well I am glad this doc was good!! Gives me some hope!! I hope it's not crohns either but if it is we will all be here to help you get through it!!! The test your having sound like an upper GI. I had one when I was 18 after a nasty bout of alcohol poisning YIKES!! It was not that bad at all the Barium is kind of gross but not bad!!
Hope you feel better about everything now!!!!
Good Luck!!
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Heather7476
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I had an upper GI with small bowel follow through several years ago. It isn't too bad. You have to drink some icky yogurty stuff and have lots of xrays. Then they make you wait til the stuff hits the small intestine. The worst of it is you can't go to the bathroom for awhile and I had to pee! Also the doctor was an *ss. The only other inconvenience besides it taking so long is that you can't have a bra on. Good luck! 
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Thanks so much Heather!
If it's Crohn's I'll have to deal with it and try to treat it as best as possible. I know two people with it actually. Two close friends' fathers. One I sat with and talked to for over an hour after my first GI doc told me he suspected it. I think the talk scared me though as he has it pretty bad and had to have operations and the drugs have NASTY side effects.
Anyhow................none of that thinking...
I am dreaming of a bubble bath and my bed right now. 
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What no bra? But you have a gown on, right? That's freaky! 
I can handle the chalky taste. I had an upper GI swallow test (which is apparently different) and I survived it.
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its nto that bad.. the barium does taste gross and it seems like forever- take reding or knitting or something.. and no bra because underwires and even metal hooks can interfere with some of the x-rays... actually I thought this test was better then the barrium enema they gave me, though both of them left me with wierd stuff coming out for awhile...
Good luck.. I hope its not Crohns, but if it is - knowing is half the battle and you are already on a diet that works for many crohns patients...
Amie
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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What about my wireless bra? Tank top? Oh boy...
Yes, I'm already eating a great diet so, I agree, that will help.
Thanks Amie.
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Yes you have a gown or something on. I think this test is the same it just takes longer since the stuff goes further down than the basic test.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Thank god. I have a thing about being topless while getting a test done. Talk about being vulnerable!
Oh yes, makes sense.
THX! 
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Ok, when my BF came home from work I told him how my doctor's appt. went. I told him that this doc also suspects Crohn's disease. We talked a lot about the symptoms that I have that do indicate it. It started sinking in that I might find out soon depending on when the test gets scheduled.
I am a TOTAL mess today and feeling very sad and upset. I really do think that I have Crohn's and it's very upsetting. I called work and took a "personal" day which will probably floor my boss. I'll go in tomorrow and don't know if I'll tell her what;s going on. She doesn't know that I even have IBS (can I even say that anymore?). Oh well, I need it as I look and feel awful today.
Oh boy...
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Sara,
Whatever the problem turns out to be, it WILL be treatable and you WILL get over it. I know it's sometimes hard to be positive, but I know that lots of people are really supportive of you and willing you to succeed.
Tomorrow will be another day and a better day. Look after yourself, and I send you a BIG hug !
David
x
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Thanks David. I guess I need to not dwell on the negative. One thing that I've realized is that if this is Crohn's disease that I have, I've had it for the past 8 months so and I'm hoping it won't get much worse than that. But I guess I have to be strong and willing to deal with it as it comes.
Thanks again.
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<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<BIG HUGS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It will be ok hon!!! You will get through this!!!!! You are already feeling better than when you first sarted this whole thing!!! It sounds like your BF is very supportive!!
It will be ok!! I know how hard it can be to stay upbeat. That is ok to. I am glad you stayed home today. Have a me day. Stay in your pj's and watch movies eat safe yummy food and pamper yourself!! That's an order!!!! Take a long bath!! Curl up on the couch and take a nap!
hope you feel better soon!!!
Good luck
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Heather7476
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Oh Tina, hugs going your way.
I was very like this before I was diagnosed with IBS. Going on experience the worst thing you can do is look up Crohns and start presuming you have it. When you get diagnosed then you can take action to treat what you have. You said that your doc was confused because the AD's helped, so wait and see.
You were right to take a personal day as you are so preoccupied, take it easy today, watch daytime TV ans spend some quality time with yourself!
I would tell your boss that you had some tests done due to tummy pain and that you are waiting for results. (if you feel comfortable with this) DO you even have to explain the personal day?
Think positive and remember if you want to vent, cry etc everyone is here to support you.
More hugs....
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S.
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SS,
The best that you can do is just rest up and take things as they come. You do want to be realistic, but you are causing stress to yourself that you do not need by assuming the worse.
Good luck, and I hope you don't have Chrohns, but if you do, you will still get through it!
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-Sheri
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Awww....so sorry that you're so stressed out!! But think of it this way....if you do have crohn's then at least you'll know what's wrong with you and you can start working on getting better!!
We're all here for you if you need us....keep us posted!! *HUGS*
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I slept a bit today and will take it easy the rest of the day. I am going to try and not even think of it until I actually get my results back from the test. That will be a challenge but I don't want to get myself sick from worrying about this!
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Sara,
I have had the test with the barium and it is not painful. This was a few years ago when my PC was trying to find out what was causing my stomach pain.
I hope you do not have Chron's, but if you do; have faith you will deal with it.
Have yourself a relaxing cup of tea and let it go for now. You don't really know what the outcome will be. Don't let fear rob you of any peace or stress you out which will cause more pain.
Until you have a diagnosis, let it be. Everything will be okay, promise.
BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!!!!!
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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Thanks Lene. I am going to try and put it out of my mind until I get the correct diagnosis. I'll drive myself nutty if I keep worrying. I did nothing today and it was great. Lots of sleeping and tv.
Not looking forward to telling my boss why I needed a personal day though. Oh well, it will be Friday and I'm sure she'll be in a good mood.
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I know how you feel. It's so hard to turn off the brain when it starts thinking of all the 'what ifs'... My dh always tells me that most of what we worry about never comes to be, so why waste time worrying....easier said than done! What I try to do is to keep my mind occupied, even if its reading a good novel or taking a long walk, or calling a friend. You'll know soon enough what the diagnosis is and at that point you can begin to make changes in your life as is necessary....until then--good thoughts are floating your way....
God Speed
Janene
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Thanks Janene. I am settling in for a quiet night of good tv: Survivor and The Apprentice. Reality tv should get my mind off things.
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