Can't believe it!
#95146 - 08/02/04 01:58 PM
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JMT
Reged: 06/25/04
Posts: 16
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I went to the gastro guy today for a month "checkup" after having a colonoscopy done(it was normal). He saw 4 patients before me in 15 minutes,....I tried to ask as many questions as I could but it was obvious he was in a hurry...said it was "probably" IBS and he'd order an ultrasound to check my gall bladder but it wouldn't help the IBS...no advice on diet, no nothing! Thank God I found this website or I'd still be in agony! I'm having the ultrasound done on Wednesday. Judy
Ps he also prescribed Amitriptylin (10mg) to take at bedtime....anyone ever heard of it?
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About the diet thing, anyway. Back when I was seeing a gastro for gallbladder issues, he was absolutely useless when it came to anything diet-related. Most specialists can talk medications and surgery, but long-term self-help and management is over their heads.
I'd be annoyed too, by the way. I'd also be looking for a different gastro. 
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I just made an appt with a GI for Aug. 30 for a consult, to go ahead and have a colonoscopy and any other tests he thinks I should have. I went to him 7 yrs. ago and he actually did my first colonoscopy then and I really did like him. I sure hope he hasn't changed and he's not like all these horror stories I read on here of how the docs are so insensitive. The tests are bad enough, let alone have a doc who's bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired.
Janene
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I had the same experience & prescription . It did no good. Only Heather`s diet & everyone`s advice has helped me.
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Amitriptyline is an excellent drug that is VERY effective for IBS. I take it myself. Its brand name is Elavil and it was originally designed to be a tricyclic anti-depressant, but it's been found to be helpful with many other serotonin disorders, including IBS and alpha wave sleep disorder.
So he may have a lousy bedside manner but he seems to know what he's doing. Good luck and keep us posted.
PS the Elavil may give you dry mouth so stock up on water!! Oh and also if the 10 mg dose helps but not completely let him know and he'll probably increase it. I'm currently at 50mg up from 25 originally.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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There are good doctors out there. They are just very very rare. If you've found a good one you should share the name with everyone! In general, my doctor listens to me and is very helpful and knowledgable. She's not a nice lady, but she knows what she's doing. 
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it does give you dry mouth, stock up on chapstick. I started with amitriptyline but switched to nortriptyline because it doesn't make me as drowsy. I started at 25, but now take 50 which works better for me.
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IBS-D
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My GI doc is great, expensive but wonderful. He listens really well and keeps notes of everything I've said, even the little names I have for stuff. He is Dr. David Roberts out of Centra Care Clinic in St. Cloud MN. Unfortunately there is nothing else he can do for me but I would recommend him to anyone. When he asked me how I like my family doc I said she listens really well and I like that and he said he would call her and tell her how great that is!
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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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I was on amitryptyline (sp?) for a while and really found it helpful.
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Post deleted by niceG3s
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Gastros!
#95255 - 08/03/04 06:28 AM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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Argh... this just reminds me how much I dislike gastros. My mother has actually started having major IBS-like problems in the past month or so, and she's gone to see her gastro about it. He ordered all sorts of tests and is being really efficient about it. It's probably horrible of me, but even though I'm so glad he's trying to get at the bottom of what's wrong with my mom, I'm also feeling very bitter about the way my gastro shoved me to the wayside. He didn't even do a full colonoscopy, just a sigmoidoscopy, because he said it wasn't necessary! Of course at the time I naively believed him. Now they're saying my mom might have celiac because they found problems with the hairs in her small intestines. Celiac is genetic... so that makes me even angrier that they didn't do all the tests they should have to me. What if I had it all this time and it's been damaging my intestines?? If my mom's tests come back positive I'm planning on calling HER gastro right away.
Wow, this post went way off topic... sorry Judy! Lol. Anyway, just saying I feel you pain. Maybe you should try looking for a good gastro like my mom's too... they do exist!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Dr. David Carr-Locke for any of you in the Boston area is amazing. I see him on Friday to deal with this recent flare up.
Karen =)
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It definitely helps, but the med that has helped me the most is an antispasmodic called Bentyl. I also find it essential to follow Heather's diet and to take a soluble fiber supplement. For me it takes ALL THREE (meds, diet, SFS) -- just one or two of them isn't enough to keep me stable. Four weeks should be enough time to get stable if you implement all three NOW.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I had the same thing happen. Even the same response when I went to my primary care physician. I was very disappointed and I was clueless as to what to do and what to eat. "Just watch your diet" they told me and they asked me if I tried fiber supplements and I said yes. They said to continue the fiber supplements and eat more fibers such as, bran, whole wheat and veggies. That wind up giving me bad D on top of my ibs. So, I stopped eating huge amounts of insoluble fiber (bad)and I came to this website and they taught me what and what not to eat. When I do eat insoluble fiber it should be with soluble fiber. Shows what doctors know. Doctors they can be so misleading.  It's just trial and error I found, it is very frustrating, but that is the only thing that works.
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Ibs-d and fructose sensitive.
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I can believe it, because I've been there. I was diagnosed almost two years ago after having my gallbladder removed and was put on different diet after different diet trying to manage my symptoms, none of which helped. Today I ended up in the emergency room because I was so sick and came home determined to make some changes in my life. I'm just sorry it took me two years to find this site. Good luck to you and don't loose hope.
Meg
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Do yourself a favor and get knocked out for it.
My first one was traumatic, no pain meds, I was wide awake. My second one (w/ a different doc), he couldn't finish it because I had a seizure from the stress and pain of him shoving the camera into me (and shoving and SHOVING "it's stuck going around the corner," he said, and then I blacked out from the stress). My third one(another doc), I got knocked out for, and had pain meds afterward to deal with the repercussions of aftercare. I was SO ANGRY that this option was never presented to me before. I blamed my age (17 and 18 at the time) for the lack of care and respect afforded me. Make sure your doc treats you with DIGNITY and expect no less.
Good luck to you--
~nel~
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