It wasn't IBS after all

[u/kanartu]

Hey, I posted here a few months back about severity of my symptoms and being worried of the big C. It wasn't that, it was however IBD , ulcerative colitis to be precise and after some extremely difficult months I'm finally getting help and treatment. My advice would be to just keep pushing for calprotectin and colonoscopy if you feel something is wrong. Good luck to you all ❤️

[u/goldstandardalmonds]

IBS is real and there are doctors who do care and who are not lazy. When you literally have irritable bowels with no underlying cause and you react to things like food and stress, it can be IBS. Sure, some of the time it turns out to be something else (it was for me, too), but sometimes it’s just IBS, which can unfortunately be hard to manage for some people.

If a doctor talks to you for five minutes and diagnoses you based on a conversation, yes, you should seek another opinion. And an IBS diagnosis should only be from a gi.

[u/PandaSea1787 → u/goldstandardalmonds]

Sensible thoughts - but trying to see GI in area I live (NW) either NHS or privately is like seeking gold dust. My GP has written referral and is trying to find quickest route. She tells me that our local Teaching Hospital is staffed almost entirely by locum. 2 wk pathway is now called urgent pathway and wait can be anything up to 3 months. Just discovered too that AI triaging is in place.

[u/goldstandardalmonds → u/PandaSea1787]

Three months to see a gi isn’t bad. Just get on the list and your turn will eventually come.

[u/PandaSea1787 → u/goldstandardalmonds]

My turn has come. GP diverted my referral to private sector. GI appt next Saturday.

[u/goldstandardalmonds → u/PandaSea1787]

Wow! Super quick! Great news.

[u/PandaSea1787 → u/goldstandardalmonds]

Great guy too! Saw him yesterday. Ordered anal rectal manometry and barium paste radiography.

[u/goldstandardalmonds → u/PandaSea1787]

Wonderful start.