Im in trouble I think, health wise

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

called and they said they just got the results and will call me back. I prompted as to when and they said, "they have patients all day" and I asked if they could please call me today. She inferred that she would try to get a response today. Earlier in the convo she said it'd be either this afternoon or tomorrow morning and I mentioned the initial 3 day estimate and how it has now been 8. I didnt mention the nonreturned calls from Sunday when I thought I was dying.

u need a new doctor!

[Flasch186]

just got a call back from a female:

Tests came back "negative"...

Negative for what I dont know.

Then she proceeded to ask me if I still had symptoms. I told her I did but they werent as acute as before. She asked if anyone else experience them and I told her about my friend and wife. She seemed stumped...she literally knew nothing.

Then she asked me if I should be referred to a "GI." I told her that theyre the doctor!? She asked if Id feel more comfortable seeing him again or a GI...

I said I just want to get to the bottom of this and she replied that she needed to speak with the doctor and then would call me back in a few hours..

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

just got a call back from a female:

Tests came back "negative"...

Negative for what I dont know.

Then she proceeded to ask me if I still had symptoms. I told her I did but they werent as acute as before. She asked if anyone else experience them and I told her about my friend and wife. She seemed stumped...she literally knew nothing.

Then she asked me if I should be referred to a "GI." I told her that theyre the doctor!? She asked if Id feel more comfortable seeing him again or a GI...

I said I just want to get to the bottom of this and she replied that she needed to speak with the doctor and then would call me back in a few hours..

I'd be curious as to what they tested for?

Blood in the stool can be checked by a little piece of cardboard they keep have that will tell you within seconds. SO I wonder what else they tested for?

And Flasch after your last couple posts I have to agree, thats a pretty shitty Dr's office. Sorry they've given you such a pain err....well you know what I mean...

[Karlifornia]

This Dr's office is a joke. "We have the results..we'll call you later..I bet you just can't wait to find out! Hehehehehehehehe! na-na-nanana I know whether you're gonna die or not!"

[stevew]

Who is GI? Im not following this thread very well without a diagram.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

Then she proceeded to ask me if I still had symptoms. I told her I did but they werent as acute as before.

You should have added "but I can tell by the sound of your voice that you're a-cute!" And then you'd have the results.

[MikeVic]

And I thought you weren't supposed to discuss things like this over the phone? Can you go down there to confront them in person?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by stevew

Who is GI? Im not following this thread very well without a diagram.

I'm guessing a gastroenterologist?

[Edward64]

I would record this in detail (names, dates, interactions etc) and show the records to the hospital/drs involved. They may not really realize/appreciate/understand the patients pov ... or they may not care.

Regardless, I would write a letter to an editor/newspaper and ask them to investigate this shoddy service.

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I'm guessing a gastroenterologist?

GI == gastro-intestinal specialist. So...Yes lAthum's got it. Basically she wanted to know he Flasch immediately wanted to see a specialist or not.

Seems kinda random and stupid to ask a patient this over the phone.

[PurdueBrad]

Flasch, good luck. I went two years with intense abdominal pain, vomiting blood and bleeding in other ways until I finally went to a doctor. That doctor spent a year and a half telling me I had cancer and doing a couple of scopes and exploratories to find it. After that, he threw his hands up, said, "I know you have cancer, I just can't find it" and he sent me off to find a GI for myself. The GI diagnosed me day 1 with Crohn's.

I know how bad it can be, I hope you are able to get some answers sooner rather than later.

[Telle]

Get the referral to the GI. If nothing else, it means you'll get to deal with someone other than this useless doctor of yours.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RendeR

Seems kinda random and stupid to ask a patient this over the phone.

Actually seems like a somewhat common question these days, at least in my anecdotal experience.

A lot of people prefer not to see a specialist unless they absolutely have to in order to avoid the cost (or insurance hassles or doctor reluctance or whatever reason). Heck we were even asked fairly gently about that sort of thing when the less specialized doctors strongly suspected my wife had a tumor in her lung.

GP's today seem to at least sometimes be reluctant to assume that a patient is willing to see a specialist & prefer to let it be the patient's decision instead of leaving the patient feeling cast aside/forced to another doctor/ maybe even feeling scammed into additional costs.

[flere-imsaho]

This is why I like my doctor. When I went into the ER a couple of months ago (on a Friday) I got a call from him on Tuesday saying he'd seen that I went into the ER, had reviewed the records and tests from the visit, said he agreed with their diagnoses, wanted to know how I was doing, and let me know that if I had any questions I could call him or even come in and see him. On top of this he's always especially thorough and clear for why he's recommending a particular course of action (not that I get sick or injured a lot).

Doctors like him are worth every penny my insurance company pays them.

[Flasch186]

BTW, they never did call me back this afternoon to let me know if I should come in or if theyre referring me to a specialist.

The meds are really sucking though.

[Flasch186]

Just heard back from the lady and theyre referring me to the GI.

[Eaglesfan27]

A GI is definitely the way to go here. Good luck, buddy.

[ShaneTheMaster]

Hope you feel better, Flasch.

[Flasch186]

thanks all, as an update:

Big problems. The brick has varied in size or at least as I can tell but the pain in my lower left abdomen is there and now since the new year is steadily getting worse.

I switched doctors and ended up seeing a PA since the insurance companies....anyways. She sent me off to get a Catscan of my belly so tomorrow morning I get to drink a ton of Contrast.

Then next Tues. Im getting a colonoscopy and an endoscopy at the same time to start ruling things out.

The doc asked if I'd ever been diagnosed with anything and I said 'no' so he mentioned that they'll start the search and make me feel better eventually. He did mention IBS but said it's a diagnosis of exclusion so they're on the hunt now.

As I type my guts are making some terrific noises but it isnt really painful. However I do get sharper pains and there feels like something is in there.

if you want a more in detail description of the new stuff:

My bowel movements over the last few days have been smaller units (lets call them) and much more tarry, redder. So Im thinking now that my lower intestine is bleeding somehow since I learned that black tarry is upper intestine. Add this to boot, that when I urinate after having a full bladder I feel a weird release of pressure from my guts, somewhat pained but not much. Its making me worried that I have some sort of mass in my lower section.

Work sucks too.

[flere-imsaho]

Lousy news. Hopefully the assorted doctors figure out what's going on. Good luck, man.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

called and they said they just got the results and will call me back. I prompted as to when and they said, "they have patients all day" and I asked if they could please call me today. She inferred that she would try to get a response today. Earlier in the convo she said it'd be either this afternoon or tomorrow morning and I mentioned the initial 3 day estimate and how it has now been 8. I didnt mention the nonreturned calls from Sunday when I thought I was dying.

I always take the approach if they thought something was potentially serious they'd be on the ball and get back to you promptly - if they don't then chances are you'll survive ...

(speaking of which I really need to get a doctor over here now I've been here 3+ years )

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

I always take the approach if they thought something was potentially serious they'd be on the ball and get back to you promptly - if they don't then chances are you'll survive ...

(speaking of which I really need to get a doctor over here now I've been here 3+ years )

Aren't you British? Shouldn't your priority be to find a good dentist?

[A-Husker-4-Life]

I hope your doc's can figure it out and stay strong, it only a matter of time before they find out what it is..

[Lathum]

Good luck man.

[PurdueBrad]

Flasch, good luck. Have they mentioned Crohn's as a possibility? If that ends up being the diagnosis, drop me a PM.

[spleen1015]

Good luck, homie.

[Eaglesfan27]

Good luck, my friend. Hopefully, they find out what the issue is soon and are able to give you peace of mind.

[Glengoyne]

Thinking of you Flasch.

Take Care.

[DaddyTorgo]

Sure you'll be alright but hope they get it sorted out soon Flasch.

[MikeVic]

Good luck, hopefully they find out something soon so that you can stop worrying about it.

[Flasch186]

So this morning Im drinking this nasty stuff called contrast which has a subtle berry flavor but still tastes bad. I have to drink a big bottle now and another one in an hour before letting them see my guts. I had a dream last night that it was a big ass worm in my lower intestine causing all of this. While I doubt it is that, man what a freaky image it was in my dream.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

So this morning Im drinking this nasty stuff called contrast which has a subtle berry flavor but still tastes bad. I have to drink a big bottle now and another one in an hour before letting them see my guts. I had a dream last night that it was a big ass worm in my lower intestine causing all of this. While I doubt it is that, man what a freaky image it was in my dream.

Stuff will light up your guts like a Xmas tree in the final images. They'll be able to see what's in your digestive system because the contrast between the liquid and anything present in your system will be much more pronounced. Hence the reason they call it 'contrast'.

[Kodos]

Hope it turns out to be something harmless and easily treatable.

[Flasch186]

they gave me an Iodine IV to boot. Not a good day.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Well, at least you have the day off!

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

they gave me an Iodine IV to boot. Not a good day.

Nom nom

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

they gave me an Iodine IV to boot. Not a good day.

Good luck with everything. At least the tests are getting done.

[Flasch186]

and the verdict is:

IBS with small ulcers in my stomach (which could lead to a bigger ulcer) and I have stomach tissue coming up into my esophagus.

All stress related. I go see him in 2 weeks to see if he wants to put me on stress related meds.

Better than the worst case scenario but still not happy about the ulcers in my stomach.

[Glengoyne]

Hopefully this sets you up for recovery. Not too bad a diagnosis, considering the universe of alternatives.

Good Luck with the treatment. I've had friends who went through treatment for ulcers. I guess it wholly depends on the specific causes, but they went through a few months of strict dietary changes followed by relatively minor dietary restrictions and in one case some maintenance meds.

[Glengoyne]

Dola,

Oh and "stomach tissue coming up into my esophagus"...Eeeew. Do we have an appropriate smiley for that?

[RainMaker]

With the symptoms you kept describing, I think finding out it's only an ulcer is really good news.

As for ulcers, I thought that stress was something doctors were starting to move away from when it came to ulcers? That it's mainly caused by a bacteria that you have to get out of your system with some heavy duty antibiotics.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

With the symptoms you kept describing, I think finding out it's only an ulcer is really good news.

As for ulcers, I thought that stress was something doctors were starting to move away from when it came to ulcers? That it's mainly caused by a bacteria that you have to get out of your system with some heavy duty antibiotics.

Yes, but there is a reason stress always seems to be a part of it. Stress increases the chances of things like bacteria/viruses etc. to attack and be successfull.

[JediKooter]

Good news it's not cancer, all things considered, ya know? You didn't happen to set down on LV-426 recently did you?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Yes, but there is a reason stress always seems to be a part of it. Stress increases the chances of things like bacteria/viruses etc. to attack and be successfull.

Yep, that pesky old mind/body connection.

Glad it is nothing more serious, Flasch.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

and the verdict is:

IBS with small ulcers in my stomach (which could lead to a bigger ulcer) and I have stomach tissue coming up into my esophagus.

All stress related. I go see him in 2 weeks to see if he wants to put me on stress related meds.

Better than the worst case scenario but still not happy about the ulcers in my stomach.

I'm not sure you could get much better news given the symptoms. Good luck.

[terpkristin]

As hard as it is to relax, ESPECIALLY when someone tells you to "relax," this sounds like great news.

Maybe meds would be good...I know that they've worked wonders for my dad.

/tk

[Flasch186]

So a little more detail on this since seeing the doc today when he said, "your stomach is a disaster". I have the following:

1. a redundant colon which is the reason behind the brick feeling in my lower stomach which there isnt anything that can be done. Cowboy up.

2. erosions in the stomach caused most likely by a combo of stress and Ibuprofen taken to get rid of headaches.

3. I have some stomach tissue in my esophagus from when I developed. This tissue is creating stomach acid in my throat which is then heading south to my stomach irritating along the way.

The following drug can help with 2 and 3 and must be taken daily for the rest of my life:

Kapidex

This shit is the most expensive drug I have ever take at ~$4 / pill! Total fricking BS. I start tonight but I am not happy.

[Lathum]

Generic brand?

[dwardzala]

Flasch, glad to hear its treatable.

A quick google search turned up the fact that Kapidex is closely related to Prevacid (its the r-isomer of it - some chem nerd can explain exactly what that means) and Prevacid just went generic recently. You might talk to the doc and see if Prevacid would be an effective alternative.

Note, I am NOT a doctor and don't play one on TV. :-)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I swear I think I missed the initial "it's an ulcer" update, so on that score put me down for Rainmaker's reply. Could have been one hell of a lot worse and I don't know that, given the issues, you were going to hear anything much better.

Take heart FWIW, I fought an ulcer more than 20 years ago & I'm still here, and haven't needed to take anything stronger than OTC stuff for roughly the last 10 years. (edit to add) And I believe my stress/coping abilities are fairly well documented here, so umm ... I'd say your odds of getting there & staying there have to be pretty decent

Originally Posted by Flasch186

This shit is the most expensive drug I have ever take at ~$4 / pill! Total fricking BS. I start tonight but I am not happy.

Be happy you don't have migraines. Even the newly released generic Emitrex still runs anywhere from $7 to $14 a pop.

Also, even if I haven't stayed in a Holiday Inn recently, I'm going to give you some amateur advice from someone who has been there (other related issues not withstanding). Take all of the various dietary advice you're going to get & try it. Then be prepared for at least some of the stuff they'll swear will help to do nothing and for at least some of the stuff they'll swear will cause problems to be no problem at all.

Maybe the best example of what I mean is the whole "no spicy foods" advice didn't really affect me even at the height of my problems (which were to the extent that they were surprised I was able to drive myself to the doctor safely because I was steadily losing so much blood). Even on the worst days "spicy" had no impact on me. Meanwhile that old stand-by milk made me sick like I was drinking it three weeks past the use-by date. Your mileage will almost certainly vary but most people I've known with ulcers had their own quirky results like that so don't be surprised if you find some of your own.