The doctor said he didnt belive I needed a colonoscopy after complaining about large, thick and flat stools. He says I may have IBS. No blood, or any pains involved just the stool issue, any IDEA's from IBSer's out there? The doctor said colon cancer is extremely unlikely because of my age (16)

Hello. :wave:

First, "extremely unlikely" does not mean NEVER. Hasn't your doctor ever heard of rare diseases??

Second, if a patient complains to a doctor about something (ANYTHING!!) then it is that doctor's obligation to do something about it. If the patient wants a test, give the patient the test. Or suggest something more age appropriate. Or something! Don't tell the patient it's "probably IBS." He might as well tell you, "I don't care about your problems, son. It's most likely all in your head."

And if the doctor refuses to give the patient what the patient is requesting, then the said patient needs to find another doctor!

That gets me so mad. I've had (and dumped!) docs like that. You wonder how they made it through med school; they're so uninformed about health. Anyway, I suggest you do some serious research (the net will probably be your most up-to-date source) about IBS and the tests that can be done to diagnose it- names of the tests, what they entail, how often they should be done, starting at what age. An informed patient is much more likely to get what he wants than someone who goes to the doctor blindly, trusting whatever the doc says.

Good luck! :cool:

you are young, 16... so is it very unlikely you have colon cancer? yes, it is... there isn't any blood present in the stool... the doctor doesn't seem to think there is much of a problem there.


i would say if it is bothering you and its going to eat at you until you have it done.. go ahead and get the colonoscopy done... i mean after all, gi's get payed money for doing these tests, so he isn't going to not do one just because he doesn't want to... they want their money....

so really its up to you at this point.

Yeah, I've been normal for the past couple weeks so I think stress brings this stuff on to me, cheers.