Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Should I ask my GI doc to test me for...

Hey Abi,

First - way to be proactive about your health, and want to get every cause explored! It's so important...

As a fellow IBS-Cer, I would suggest getting ALL of the testing to rule out anything else that could cause constipation/blockage. As unpleasant as much of these tests are, I'd go for it. To know beyond a doubt that you're clear of all other diseases/disorders that can be misstaken for IBS would be worth it!

I had the following tests done, but I'm not sure whether some of these tests also test for the two problems you mentioned...I'm thinking the Abdominal/Pelvic CT-Scan might, but you'd have to check:

-- Blood Tests (celiac disease, cancer, etc.)
-- Small Bowel follow-thru (where you drink the nasty barium junk & they do an x-ray thing to follow the "flow" of the liquid through your system)
-- Abdominal/Pelvic CT-SCAN (where you drink TONS of iodine liquid & have it given intravenously)
-- Ultrasound
-- Colonoscopy
-- Upper endoscopy - they check your stomach, yes, but they also check out the upper part of your intestinal track too.

Good luck talking to your GI about this. Hopefully he/she will respond to your desire to get all the testing done. Having a good, responsive GI is AWESOME!

Hope I answered your question/concern!

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East Palo Alto, CA (San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley)

IBS-C, pain, nausea

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