Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Question for Heather/Parasites

Hi - I've never heard of a way to diagnose parasites except a stool test, and a regular medical lab would have to run this.

If you haven't seen a GI doc for a firm diagnosis, I would definitely do that to make sure that IBD and celiac have been ruled out. And yes, ovarian cancer can mimic IBS, and there is a blood test that can do some initial diagnostic work here. If you really suspect something here, I'd see an ob/gyn as well for some tests.

I don't know how much credibility to give the herbalist's diagnosis of damage to the lining of your gut. That's something that would have to be seen in an exam such as a colonoscopy. If you DO have damage like this, it would not be IBS, though it could cause symptoms like IBS. This is another reason to see a GI doc and run all this info by him/her so you can get some solid diagnostic information here. With the info that you've given me, I honestly wouldn't put any stock at all into what the herbalist has told you. It doesn't sound like she's using legitimate diagnostic tools, or that she understands what IBS is and is not, and her recommendations haven't been helping you.

Best,
Heather

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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!

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