Re: Just call me little miss worry...
01/13/04 03:06 PM
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Shellsbells
Reged: 12/16/03
Posts: 218
Loc: NW England, UK
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Well my GP (general doctor) is certain it's IBS rather than anything else. He's done all the necessary blood-tests which came back negative to show I don't have:
celiac (although I wasn't eating much wheat at the time  )
Thyroid disorders
Any vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Food allergies, & so on...
He didn't refer me to a consultant at hospital, because he said lots of the invasive tests are unpleasant and not strictly necessary for me. History of childhood C, followed by C&D, bloating, discomfort, gas etc from age 17/18, which coincided with SEVERAL YEARS of MAJOR stress in my life.
As I do suffer from terribly painful periods (right from the start) he says it's possible that I may have endometriosis, but again - tests are unpleasant and once diagnosis is made they can't offer much treatment.
He thinks that because my D is mostly urgent loose stools (and more often, but not always, related to anticipatory anxiety)rather than chronic, severe and constant D; because I never had blood in the stools, or any other unusual symptoms; and my pain is (mostly) limited to discomfort associated with C, gas, or urgency etc; and I don't really get any nausea or heartburn.... then it's not necessary
to undergo tests for gallstones, small bowel radiographs, abdominal radiographs for blockages etc.
Oh, I also had a stool test which showed up nothing unusual, (except for a parasite called dientamoeba fragilis, and I had anti-parasite drugs, which had no effect on my IBS symptoms).
Is my doctor right, or should I be heading for the GI Specialist. Oh, btw, I have a friend who recently saw a GI consultant at my local hospital and she mentioned IBS to him... his response was 'I don't believe in IBS, some people just have more sensitive or more active bowels than others'. 
My GP's advice was soluble fibre and stress reduction (there are no major stresses in my life right now).
What do you think??
Shellsbells
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