Help! Questions about tests.
#41590 - 01/28/04 03:53 PM
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Kali
Reged: 01/28/04
Posts: 17
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Hello all! I'm new. I have just been 'tenatively' diagnosed with IBS (no tests yet). I have started reading quite a bit on IBS, diagnosis, diet and such in the past few days. I am really freaking out, and hope that you can ease my fears a little. The upcoming tests are really what is bothering me. I have read some on some of the diagnostic testing stuff - colonoscopy in particular - and am really scared. Is it really as bad as it sounds???  I've been trying to get up the courage to call my doc and set up an appointment, but I'm really scared to hear what she has to say. I discussed my symptoms with my GYN and she seems to think that it's probably IBS, as I'm only 22 and she doesn't think that I'm too much at risk for cancer and such. She said to let things go for about another week - which has come and gone - to see if things improved, but it just seems to be getting worse. Could somebody please give me some words of advice, helpful hints, or just some support regarding the process of diagnosis and all.
Thanks.
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Hi Kali, Welcome to the boards!
Here's the thing, the tests aren't fun. But neither is being sick. You could have IBS, you could have something much more dangerous to yourself. If you do the tests and get them over with (I just went through a round of not fun tests myself), your doctor knows what's really wrong with you and can help you, and you will feel better!
I just had an upper GI endoscopy, a gastric emptying test, and a 24 hr PH test. The worst of those is the 24 hr Ph, and it's unlikely you'll have to have it (it's for GERD, not IBS). The tests were uncomfortable, but not really all that terrible, in the grand scheme of things. Not as bad as feeling sick to my stomach all of the time, or having to stay home from school becasue I can't deal with it, or any of those things.
So, I hope I don't sound like I'm lecturing you, I'm not trying to, I just think it's really important to get the tests over with!
Anyway, if you want moral support, this is the place to be. Everyone is very friendly! What kind of sick are you? How long have you been dealing with this?
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Hi!
I totally understand what you're going through. I was in the exact same place last july.
I didn't have to take the colonoscopy because my doctor said I was a "typical case of IBS, almost like in his books!" I was so glad not to have to take this test that when I first got out of his office, I was happy to have IBS : no need to take this test!!! I don't know that many people with IBS that didn't have to take it, but I'm glad I didn't cause I guess it's not fun at all!
If your symptoms are getting worse, it might only be because of the stress this colonoscopy is creating to you. (and it's absolutely normal to be stressed by that). Maybe you're also stressed about having cancer.. That's very scary too. Maybe you can try to see if your symptoms decrease when you think about something else. Relaxation CD's have helped me a lot. Maybe you can try that. And remember, the soonest you take the test, the soonest you know you don't have cancer and a great deal of stress will just go away from you.
Take care, and take time to do things you like to get your mind off of it until you do take that test. Good luck, we're all here with you.
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Chantale
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Thanks Chinagrl,
I do really need to just call and get it all over with, so that I know what exactly I'm fighting. I've been dealing with this off an on for awhile, but in about the past month or so it's gotten to where I'm sick at least 3 or 4 days out of the week -- But, for the past couple of weeks or so, it's been every single day. I'm having lower abdominal cramps so bad that some days I can hardly get out of bed, severe diarrhea, occasional constipation, bloating, gas, esophogeal refux, and some vomiting. My doc says that I'm beginning to get pretty dehydrated, which is concerning her. I know that eating makes it worse, but can't determine what food(s) are 'causing' it. I have a history of Anorexia, so just stopping eating - or at least really limiting my food/fluid intake - is becoming very tempting, but I do NOT want to go down that road again.
Thanks for all your support!!
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Hi Kali!
There are MANY things I'd rather do than get a colonoscopy, but it's really not that bad. Of course, the prep is the worst. Everyone will tell you that. You can't eat real food (liquids only) for a day or so, then you get to sit on the toilet for a few hours. Who hasn't done the toilet already? Then, you go for the procedure, they give you really good drugs, knock you out. Next thing you know, they're waking you up to get you out of there - but they won't let you leave till you "let the air out", but you should still be so groggy & drugged, you won't care. Then you get to go home, curl up, watch movies all day, and relax knowing that it's all over with! Yay! It's amazing the relief you have once it's finally over. It will give you great peace of mind to know it's nothing more serious.
The sooner you make the appointment, the sooner it will be over with. And we'll all be here to help you through it. 
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Chantale,
Thanks so much for your support! I do definately think that stress is a big factor. I think that I'm going to call my doc in the morning and see if she can get me in sometime soon. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! And I want to be able to actually eat (or drink for that matter) without getting so violently ill.
Thanks again!!! I will definately do the relaxation tapes and such. - Great suggestion! (And I'm really glad that you didn't have to go through that test!!!)
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Thanks, Mags!
I'm going to try to make an appointment in the morning.
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Ooh yeah... That sounds like no fun. It really sucks for people with food issues to develop this, it's so much harder to deal with. I'm so glad that you are being careful about not falling into your anorexia patters. I know how tempting it is for ME to stop eating when I'm not feeling well and I haven't had an eating disorder.
If you're getting to the point where you're getting dehydrated you really need to get yourself taken care of. There's some advice on this site about breaking the cycle of IBS, have you checked out the food recommendations on that?
Please take care of yourself and let me know when you get to the doctor... I'll be thinking about you! 
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I dreaded my colonoscopy -- for YEARS -- until I finally had no choice. It's REALLY important to have it done. You don't know what the problem could be, and it could be other things besides IBS.
My GI had HIS colonoscopy and they found polyps -- which he had suspected since it ran in his family. I was lucky because there were no polyps, just IBS.
Now for the really good news: my colonoscopy was a piece of cake. I just breezed through it -- made me wonder why I had carried on so! They were such professionals, they treated me like a queen. I took my knitting in there with me, but no time for knitting! Bing, Bang, Boom, I was in there and OUT. They gave me the BEST drugs -- I fell asleep so fast, and slept the best sleep I've ever had. When I woke up, it was all over. They just told me I had to pass gas or I wasn't gonna leave there. I passed gas! I didn't care, I was feeling GOOOOD. I hugged everyone, kissed my GI (ew), and floated out of there on the arm of my adoring hubby.
So just GOFERIT, Girl! (Okay, yeah, the day before is no fun. Swallowing all that liquid laxative and pooping all day -- yuk! But just think about those incredible drugs they're gonna give ya! WHOOPEEEE!)
Bev 
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Kali,
Welcome aboard and hang in there. You've taken the first step, from here it just gets easier, we promise. Keep coming back and let us know how things are going.
(((((((((((((BIG HUG))))))))))))))))))))
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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