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internal examination??? HELP!!!

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/11/2006 10:41 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,

New here but not new to diarrhea have had it for many years plus panic attacks.

I have approched the doctor several times and he just waved me away.  But yesterday I was there and mentioned it again as I am sick of having to take imodium plus I told him I think it is IBS as i also suffer from Panic attacks, so he said I would have to have a examination on my bowels and intestines (darmen onderzoek in Dutch) and gave me a number to call for an appointment.

But I have no idea what this involves or even the proper name for it.

Can anyone please please help and explain to me what this exactly is?

Many thanks

AA

Posted 7/11/2006 1:49 PM (GMT 0)

Hi AA,

I too have diarrhea everyday for 4 months straight now and I have had MANY tests to confirm IBS with diarrhea. 

Most likely, you will have a colonoscopy where they look at your colon (large intestine) and an EGD, where they look at your stomach.  You are not awake through these tests.  I also had a small bowel series x-ray, upper GI, hida scan (to check the gall bladder), CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, ultrasound of pelvis and gall bladder, number of stool cultures, blood tests, etc.  This is how a person gets diagnosed with IBS. If the tests show nothing signifigant, then most likely, you will be Dx with IBS.

The colonoscopy and EGD wasn't bad.  I don't remember a thing about it.  The worst part was drinking the prep the night before and the bathroom time that went with it.  I hope this helps you!

Posted 7/11/2006 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
If you're not already on meds for your panic attacks, make your doctor give you something for them. Some of the new anti-axiety medicines out help people with IBS, even if they aren't anxious in any way. It seems to relax the gut and make it behave more. So in fixing your panic attacks you may go a ways to fixing the diarrhea as well. And Shelly is right, you're probably being sent for a colonoscopy. There's not many on this board who haven't had at least one yet, so join the crowd!
Posted 7/11/2006 2:39 PM (GMT 0)

Hi AA - I just want to reinforce what Keriamon said, that Panic attacks & anxiety can certainly contribute to IBS.  I didn't "get" IBS until after I started having anxiety & panic.  I am taking an anti-anxiety medicine and it helps the diarrhea tremendously.  Yes, you will probably have a colonoscopy.  Let us know what you find out at the doctor.

Sami

Posted 7/12/2006 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
Thankyou for your replys.

I would like to ask what they actully do for a colonoscopy?

It is very embarrassing to say but I can not stand my anus being touched in any shape or form.

I have not made the appointment yet (as I am unsure whether to do it or not) but know it will be at least 2 months before I would get one.

It all sounds all very complicated, embarrassing and painfull.

Thanks

AA

Post Edited (AA) : 7/12/2006 3:13:36 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/12/2006 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
The day before the test you have to go on a liquid-only diet and take some sort of laxative (what kind you get depends on the dr) that will get you all cleaned out so they can see in there. When you go in for your test, they will give you medicine that will make you unconscious. They call it "sleeping consciousness" or something to that effect, because they can tell you to do things, like "roll over", but you won't remember any of it (although some people who seem to get less sedation can remember hearing voices or seeing things every once in a while, but it's like a dream and doens't seem real). I was WAY out when they did mine; I thought I was never going to get woken up afterwards! But it will eventually wear off after a few hours and you will be fine again.

I can't stand for anyone to touch me down there either and I've always been a bit of a prude, but I was knocked out long before they started doing anything to me, so I never knew it. It's worse having to go to the gyno.
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