Hey, I had a doctor appointment today (I go to a free clinic that takes donations because I don't have medical insurance). This was the THIRD doctor I've seen at this place. The first one prescribed Bentyl, but I am IBS-C so although it helped my pain some, it made my bloat and constipation much worse. I called the clinic back and made an appointment to see another doctor, who told me she couldn't help me and referred me to a GI specialist. Well, turned out I first had to be approved by the Medical Director since this clinic pays for all other doctor visits and the medications prescribed. So I had to make an appointment to see him first, which I had waited over a month for! In the meantime, I have not been able to move my bowels without stimulant laxatives (dulcolax), although I have always had a healthy vegetarian diet of lots of fresh fruits, veggies, wheat, bran, and insoluble fiber. I drink lots of water and herbal tea. Also, I recently started taking enteric coated Peppermint Gelcaps which have helped my pain and fatigue a little. Well, my appointment with this doctor was this evening. He did not approve my GI appointment because he said at my young age (I'm 24) he doesn't think I need lots of tests done. He told me to stop taking the Peppermint Caps because they stimulate the bowels and can cause damage over time. He also told me to drink more water (I drink 1 to 2 gallons/day!) and eat more fiber (that's not possible!) and take Metamucil (even though it makes my bloat worse) and that drinking milk would help! He suggested I call back if things don't improve. AAAGGGGHHHH!!!! He is the third doctor I've seen at this place who told me to do what I've BEEN doing! They don't seem to understand or even have listened to me! Oh yeah, when I mentioned that for the past ten years I've had excessive thirst and very frequent urination he gave me a glucose test for diabetes, which came out negative. He also looked at me in disbelief when I told him I DO get lots of fiber, fruit, veggies, and water daily; he didn't believe that someone as young and healthy as I would have bowel problems- like I'm lying! Well, sorry about all the venting. My question is: Should I go to a doctor at my local health department instead? I would have to pay but it will be cheaper than a hospital. Do you think it would be worth seeing ANOTHER doctor about? Could this last doctor just be a total quack?! I think, maybe, he just doesn't want to pay out a bunch of money for IBS testing and prescription meds. But shouldn't a doctor want to help, not shun? What if it was something more serious?!
Sorry about the long post, but thanks for listening!
Steph 
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I REALLY NEED SOME HELP HERE!! GO TO ANOTHER DOC?
