My First GI doc appt!!
#189619 - 06/27/05 03:53 PM
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epa_ginger
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1158
Loc: Chicago, IL
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Ok, so it went pretty well, I think. I wasn't prepred for the....ahem....rectal exam though. I mean, I guess it makes sense but it's just an unpleasant thought! And I put the stupid paper robe on and then sat there for 40 minutes waiting for the doctor so that made it worse. But the actual exam was fine.
He did a stool test right there (ick) and it was good and normal. He took my medical history, which included an uncle who had colon cancer (he lived a rough life), and my mom had polyps, all benign. Based on my symptoms, he'd not suggest the colonoscopy. But because of my family history, even though he expects it to be normal, he thinks it will be better safe than sorry. I'm ok with that---I'd like to know for my own sake too. It's be nice to cross one potential life threatening thing off the list!!
But he said he isn't the slightest worried, he would right now classify what I have as functional constipation, nothing too uncommon or serious. He thought it was great that I was on Benefiber, he said it's really the best and not addictive and he thinks people should take it for life. he said if I want to try the powder (i'm taking caplets), it might work better. He said lots of fiber, lots of water, and see how it goes. He thinks my bloating is caused by the consitpation, and my colon not being "empty" enough.
So my colonoscopy will be early August, I'm slightly dreading the prep but I've read all the info on this website so I know what to expect.
So that's it!! I guess maybe I have been doing the right thing after all, and just need to keep it up. We'll see.....
and Beth (Augie) if you read this, he was really nice and made me very comfortable, so I'd definitely recommend him. Dr. Rick Chadha.
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Heh.
#189721 - 06/28/05 04:09 AM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I suppose I could have warned you about the rectal. I haven't been to a GI doc recently, but I went years ago for gallbladder problems, and yep - I think a rectal is just part of the deal.  But anyway, glad to hear it went so well over all, and that you seem to have found a good doctor!
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Good girl. We've ALL made it through the prep and the colonoscopy so you'll be FINE. We've all done it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you found a GI that is good. Hang in there, sweetheart. We'll get you through this!!!!! Be brave! Hugs, Alicia.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Glad it went so well! I looked up this doctor's name and he isn't in my insurance plan!  My insurance plan is good for nothing...we have very limited doctors to choose from and the ones that are listed are not accepting new patients, usually.
Thanks for thinking of me.
when he said to eat lots of fiber, did he mean SF? Most docs don't distinguish. But maybe you can handle more IF? I'm not sure if you do the SF before the IF like it's recommended.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I always recommend people wear respectable pants to any GI appointment as I got surprised by that one too!  Ah well, you get used to it.
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Yes, pretty embarassing! I'm glad it's over! It's probably better I didn't know, I'd have worried about it all morning!
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Well, I think he meant both kinds because he started naming some....oatmeal, salads, etc. He really pushed the Benefiber too. And I do try to to SFs before IF, although probably not as diligently as I should. So I upped my Benefiber (went from 2 pills 3X a day to 3 2X a day and 2 at lunch), and we'll see how that goes.
Sorry about your crappy insurance! I guess I'm lucky, I work for the government and we have pretty good benefits.
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American GI's give a (what seems to be mandatory) rectal exam over there?!?! I've seen 3 GI's over here and not one of them put there fingers anywhere that area of my body?! Can I just ask what they can tell from one of these? Surely they aren't neccesary if I've had 3 docs who didn't do it to me? 
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Amy
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Mine did it too.
Stuck a gloved finger up "there", then wiped it on some type of test strip. Looking for the presence of blood, I believe?
Maybe someone else remembers more clearly, as I was also "taken by surprise".
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~~~Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.~~~
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A quick test for blood...and looking for any hemms or fissures.
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