Hope this is the right board for this, but I have a question regarding tests needed to rule out other possible disorders before diagnosis with IBS.
I was diagnosed with IBS without any testing in August 2005, at age 15; my doctor at the time was very quick to assume and said no tests were necessary based on my symptoms. I have since been very successful in controlling my IBS-like problems through diet. I am now very stable and have been for about 3 years. However, I recently switched doctors and she wants to do the necessary tests to formally diagnose IBS. Now that I am older (19, soon to be 20) and more aware of the danger of not having a formal diagnosis, I would like to do this also.
So far we have done a celiac blood test (which came back negative) as well as a blood test for inflammatory markers to rule out IBDs (also came back negative). I know it's not lactose intolerance because I have not had lactose for years and still have the IBS-like symptoms (though reduced). I am going next month for a pelvic ultrasound to rule out ovarian cancer (which is terrifying because if that's what it is, after this many years I suppose I am toast). The only other things really left on the list to rule out are colon issues: colon cancer, diverticulosis (and I suppose parasites or other infections?). My doctor thinks that because I have never had blood in the stool and because I have had these symptoms since I was 15 (which would be extremely young for colon cancer), that a colonoscopy or barium enema is not really needed. Neither of these tests sounds thrilling to me, so I'm inclined to agree, but I'd like to be certain: should teens still have colonoscopies before diagnosing IBS? Would a fecal occult blood test suffice? Also, when are tests for parasites, etc needed, and what does that involve?
Thank you for any advice! I'm very nervous about this whole issue and am terrified that I've left some horrible disease festering for 4.5 years because I was too young and naive to get a proper diagnosis when my symptoms started.
Edited by kmw (04/07/10 05:39 PM)
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Tests for IBS in teens
