|
|
i thought you HAD to have a colonscopy to be diagnosed with ibs, afterally you cant determine colon polyps, cancer, or ibd without one, right?
--------------------
-Angela
Healed in Jesus' Name 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Two points. One: Michelle has described symptoms that may or may not be related to IBS and have persisted despite treatment of herself as if she has IBS. That means further tests ARE necessary. Two: As Angela said, a colonoscopy can rule out other, more serious (not that IBS isn't serious, but it won't kill you) illnesses such as IBD, Crohn's, celiac disease, and colon cancer. If you have a textbook case of IBS AND you're young, a colonoscopy might not be necessary (I'm quoting Heather here--and I sure haven't had one done). But better safe than sorry, otherwise.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi - A colonoscopy is not necessary for a diagnosis of IBS in all circumstances. It is indicated if initial blood work comes back with results that indicate something like an inflammatory bowel disease might be present. And a colonoscopy is the gold standard test to rule out colon cancer.
If you are young, if your symptoms don't have any red flags for disorders other than IBS, and if you have initial bloodwork come back negative, you may not need a colonoscopy. I've never had one.
But, TessLouise is right - Michelle has some non-IBS symptoms, she's not responding really well to standard IBS treatments, and a colonoscopy is probably a really reasonable test at this point. If I were in her shoes, I'd want one.
So, this is where there can be some variation in getting a solid diagnosis for IBS. Age in particular can mean a lot (colon cancer, ovarian cancer, diverticulosis, endometriosis, and other disorders just aren't likely suspects for children and teens). Inflammatory bowel diseases and celiac, which can strike young people, can be initially checked for with the blood work.
Best,
Heather
--------------------
Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
oh i see, thanks heather. You are so much smater than the gastroligist . I mean my mothers gastroligist is giving her one test, and thats a colonscopy. no bloodwork, no upper gi, nothing but that. He also told her to increase her bran itake. i tolf her bran was no good for ibs, but she listens to the gastro...
--------------------
-Angela
Healed in Jesus' Name
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Michelle,
You're probably already at the doc's office--but just wanted to wish you luck today! Hope it goes well for you! 
Ruchie
--------------------
Formerly known as Ruchie
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
