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Ibs

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
My doctor said ages ago that I may have IBS, she prescribed me a box of medicine and said if the problems continue I would need "investigating". Now I really don't like the sound of being "investigated" for this type of thing but it's quite bad now and I'm going to need more medicine and I think she will only give it to me if I get diagonosed.

What does this entail? I don't want anything invasive.

Comments

  • plugitinplugitin Posts: 2,197 Boards Champion
    For me, I had a blood test to see if there was any inflammation in my body (there was) and then I was diagnosed with IBS. Is that what she meant by investigating, or do you think she meant something more intrusive
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It's possible you'd have a colonoscopy, which is a camera inserted in your bum. But when I was tested for it it was a blood test. Nothing to worry about most likely.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I was diagnosed by cutting out irritants and observing...

    Keep a food and symptoms diary, and she might not have to go further.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Okay, I think I will say that I can be investigated but nothing goes up my bum. As I was sexually abused anally I would find that incredibly traumatic.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I recognise that that's an issue for you, but you could possibly have it done under a general anaesthetic, IBS symptoms can be caused by tumours (as I understand it), and a colonoscopy may be the only way to have a look.

    If they mention it, stay calm and explain. Obviously they can't force you, but don't rule it out as an important method of diagnosis because of your past.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hey RG

    Have a look at this http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome.htm

    It says you shouldn't need to have an endoscopy so try not to worry too much. (I think it is more commonly used to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You don't need to consent to any tests that you don't want. There are other ways to investigate. My father-in-law had his entire colon removed, so obviously can't have a colonoscopy, and they screen him with CT scans.

    It's unlikely you'd get to that stage, though. First steps are usually a referral to gastroenterology where the consultant chats about your specific symptoms, and runs blood tests and possibly a stool sample. Then you take it from there.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    plugitin wrote: »
    For me, I had a blood test to see if there was any inflammation in my body (there was) and then I was diagnosed with IBS. Is that what she meant by investigating, or do you think she meant something more intrusive

    IBS shouldn't cause inflammation. You are normally diagnosed when tests rule out inflammation. IBS is shit to live with, but it's a functional disease which is essentially harmless. Inflammation is a sign of a more sinister disease process which needs investigating further!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If they do say you need to have a colonoscopy you can ask to for a general anesthetic which may make it a little less traumatic.

    But like the others have said - theres blood tests, elimination diets etc which can be done before it gets to that stage.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Miss_Riot wrote: »
    If they do say you need to have a colonoscopy you can ask to for a general anesthetic which may make it a little less traumatic.

    But like the others have said - theres blood tests, elimination diets etc which can be done before it gets to that stage.

    Thanks. I think with a general anesthetic it would be okay. I've had that for some female stuff in the past and they agreed not to examine me at all when I was awake as it would cause trauma to me. Let's hope I don't need that though, I'm hopeful now that they can investigate in some other way.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm on stronger medicine now, only started it today but feeling a lot better. When I bought it up with the doctor a couple of weeks ago she said that as the ibs medicine had helped then it was ibs. So hopefully that is the end of it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well you should talk about this generic viagra with your doctor. he or she can explain it better to you.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I saw the doctor again yesterday, I'm seeing her again next week. Yesterday the ibs was particularly bad again so definately not sorted yet.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Randomgirl wrote: »
    I saw the doctor again yesterday, I'm seeing her again next week. Yesterday the ibs was particularly bad again so definately not sorted yet.

    Does being physically active help relieve it? Walking is important for lots of reasons, and can aid digestion and other conditions but I guess you'll already know about it, but do you go outside often or walk? Or is it solely medication that you're being treated with? Do you drink tea or coffee?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I rarely leave my flat now so don't do much walking, I only really go out for appointments when I have to although I did walk home from therapy on Monday (about 25 minutes walk), I left the flat yesterday to help take my friends cat to the vet but I got about three minutes away from my flat when I felt too ill to continue and had to go home. I didn't go out today at all.

    I love tea, I drink quite a lot of tea. I don't like coffee. My doctor said it is probably more to do with stress than diet though. I'm reluctant to start excluding food groups as I had anorexia in the past and not eating various things reminds me of that time. I do avoid apricots though as I know they don't agree with me.

    I don't leave the flat because I have depression and anxiety, I have really bad acne (although have good make up to cover it but it takes me about 30 minutes to put it on) but I am being refered to a dermatologist as the gp says my acne is really very bad, also and this is really gross but sometimes like yesterday I have 'accidents' because of the IBS so I don't like going in public because of this. I am going to a family funeral Friday week so need to be well enough to get through the service without any issues.
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