do I really need a dr.?
#549 - 02/07/03 08:37 PM
|
|
|
|
|
GMumma
Reged: 01/30/03
Posts: 12
Loc: Oregon
|
|
|
In retrospect I have probably had IBS for about 9 years. My internist 5 years ago told me to push the fiber and liquids which I now know is the wrong thing to do. His opinion on my condition was that I had been dealing with it for so long and wasn't "dead yet" that it must be IBS. I never went through a bunch of testing. My primary care dr. now thinks that as long as I can manage I'm fine. When I found Heather's books last year it was a godsend. Everything in them applied to me and I started following her diet. My symptoms improved so that convinced me I was on the right path.
My point is I do not have a GI specialist, I manage everything by myself. Do I need one? What do you think? 
--------------------
Gayle
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I was diagnosed with IBS about 3 weeks ago, and I didn't have any tests ran either, and I don't suffer from the severe abdominal pain. I'm going to go to my doctor next month and ask her if she thinks I need tests, just to be on the safe side, whether it be a sigmoidoscopy (sp?) or Colonoscopy. I feel fine, and have been taking my medicine, Citracel tablets every day and eating fiber.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi Gayle,
I was properly diagnosed about 6 months ago now, my gp diagnosed me 5 years ago (but had no advice at all). Last year I had every blood test under the sun and finally got to see a gastroenterologist...who just said "irritable bowel syndrome, eat less fiber", that was it. He didn't think a colonoscopy or endoscopy were neccessary at all. Everything I have done to deal with my symptoms I have done through trial and error and heather's books.
So I guess what I'm saying is, I think it is entirely personal and depends on the doctor you can get. The guy I saw didn't really care, and didn't think I needed to see him anymore...with his advice I agreed.
Although I wouldn't mind seeing a gastro. who specialises in IBS (are there any??).
Best of luck, I hope you can get someone good.
Emma
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I'm glad you're managing fine, and as much of a pain as it is, I would recommend you see your doc. According to Heather's book (eating for IBS) ... "food allergies, gluten intolerance disorders such as celiac sprue, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, colon cancer, endometriosis and even ovarian cancer can all mimic the symptoms of IBS and must be conclusively ruled out." (page 3)
--------------------
Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi - It is really important not to self-diagnose IBS, and it is equally important to receive the diagnosis from a doctor who is knowledgable about this disorder. I think it is impossible for a doc to diagnose IBS by just listening to the patient's symptoms but without running one single test.
At a minimum, there is blood work that should be done to check for celiac, Crohn's, and ulcerative colitis. Depending on age and symptoms, a colonoscopy may also be indicated. There is detailed info about this at http://www.firstyearibs.com/day1learn.html
If you feel confident with the diagnosis of IBS and are managing your symptoms on your own, you might just ask your doc about running the blood work - if everything comes back negative he'll probably agree that there is no need for further invasive testing.
I was actually in this situation myself. Although I had symptoms starting at age 9, I wasn't diagnosed until age 16. And at that point, the diagnosis came without a single diagnostic test. I didn't realize this was unacceptable until another ten years or so passed. At that point, I'd had the same symptoms for going on twenty years, and was managing things quite well on my own. But, I was also a little alarmed to think about the fact that I'd never had any more serious disorders ruled out.
Given the fact that so much time had passed it was clear I couldn't have a bowel obstruction, and I obviously hadn't been living with colon cancer or ovarian cancer since the 4th grade, and my symptoms had never varied or worsened over the years. But I saw a GI doc to run the situation by him and see what he thought. He agreed that the odds were overwhelming I "only" had IBS but he still thought it was a good idea to have the blood work for inflammatory bowel diseases and celiac. They both came back negative, and that was where we left things.
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
|
|
|
Thanks so much for your response. It is so nice to hear someone else has had the same type of situation. Do you know of a good GI doc with experience with IBS in the Portland, OR area?
--------------------
Gayle
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
