WorriedTeenager
06-07-2005, 07:30 PM
Finally, I'm so damn relieved! You are all probably thinking that I am insane but I'm actually pretty happy.
I'm 15 years old and I have been having stomach pains, gas, bloating, for nearly 2 years. I went to a Gastro doc. who basicly did nothing for me. My mom brought up all these crazy theories about depression, anxiety, stress, etc. I saw a therapist who couldn't think of anything and wanted to basicly play a guess and check game with me. She would prescribe me some sort of natural vitamin and we would see if it worked or not. After my first trial, last week, I had no success. I finally said, screw it. I don't want to play guess and check with my health unless the doctor has some facts to back her/his theories. I went to see my regular Pediatrition who was the one who sent me to the Gastro doc about 2 years ago. He told me 2 years ago that he feels some stool in my stomach. He described a bunch of symptoms and I said yes to every single one. He then asked me if I have a family history of IBS, I said no. I asked my mom and she told me that she has it and my aunt has it. So anyway, I'm about to start fibercore ( Forgot the name )? My doc is going to send me to a different Gastro doc who he knows will do something about my IBS. I guess you can say its a theory that I have IBS considering I haven't had any X-Rays or Colonoscopy.
Score! :bouncing: .. Enough of these crazy theories. Finally something that explains all my symptoms.
The thing is.. I'll be seeing a new Gastro doc soon but what is he going to want to do? My mom still thinks its stress. To be honest, I'm confident it isn't. I think she puts her stress in front and thinks that because she can't handle herself, I must be stressed. Is that Gastro doc going to send me to therapy again? I don't respond well to therapy. I know this may seem ignorant but I feel most doctors who are therapists aren't true doctors. I want a doctor who actually has the legal rights to prescribe me medicine. Is the gastro doc going to do a colonoscopy right off the bat? How is that... I must say that doesn't sound too good.. AT ALL :nono:. Can I refuse? Are there other options.
So lets go ahead and say I have IBS.. Should I be worried? Is this going to bother me for the rest of my life? Will this interfere as much as it does now?
Thanks :(
I'm 15 years old and I have been having stomach pains, gas, bloating, for nearly 2 years. I went to a Gastro doc. who basicly did nothing for me. My mom brought up all these crazy theories about depression, anxiety, stress, etc. I saw a therapist who couldn't think of anything and wanted to basicly play a guess and check game with me. She would prescribe me some sort of natural vitamin and we would see if it worked or not. After my first trial, last week, I had no success. I finally said, screw it. I don't want to play guess and check with my health unless the doctor has some facts to back her/his theories. I went to see my regular Pediatrition who was the one who sent me to the Gastro doc about 2 years ago. He told me 2 years ago that he feels some stool in my stomach. He described a bunch of symptoms and I said yes to every single one. He then asked me if I have a family history of IBS, I said no. I asked my mom and she told me that she has it and my aunt has it. So anyway, I'm about to start fibercore ( Forgot the name )? My doc is going to send me to a different Gastro doc who he knows will do something about my IBS. I guess you can say its a theory that I have IBS considering I haven't had any X-Rays or Colonoscopy.
Score! :bouncing: .. Enough of these crazy theories. Finally something that explains all my symptoms.
The thing is.. I'll be seeing a new Gastro doc soon but what is he going to want to do? My mom still thinks its stress. To be honest, I'm confident it isn't. I think she puts her stress in front and thinks that because she can't handle herself, I must be stressed. Is that Gastro doc going to send me to therapy again? I don't respond well to therapy. I know this may seem ignorant but I feel most doctors who are therapists aren't true doctors. I want a doctor who actually has the legal rights to prescribe me medicine. Is the gastro doc going to do a colonoscopy right off the bat? How is that... I must say that doesn't sound too good.. AT ALL :nono:. Can I refuse? Are there other options.
So lets go ahead and say I have IBS.. Should I be worried? Is this going to bother me for the rest of my life? Will this interfere as much as it does now?
Thanks :(
Sponsor
WorriedTeenager
06-07-2005, 07:37 PM
I should also mention I am a male ( Just to get it out there ) .. Seems kind of strange since a lot of people who suffer IBS are females.. Oh well :-\
FireWoman
06-07-2005, 09:29 PM
Usually a colonoscopy is the first test they use to rule out any other disorders or god forbid - cancer. Almost EVERYONE with IBS has had a colonoscopy. It's really not a bad test at all.
WorriedTeenager
06-07-2005, 09:56 PM
Eh.. I'm going to do my best to not get that test done.
aaronon
06-08-2005, 12:33 PM
Dear worried,
Getting the colonoscopy done is a vital part of a diagnosis for IBS. It will also tell the doctor if anything else is going on in your colon. It's a good test to have and it's not a bad test. I don't remember anything, they doped me up and within minutes I was in recovery, or so it seemed. If I can have it done, which I did, anyone should be able to have it. I'm the biggest fraidy cat of anything medical, shots, tests, blood work, etc. The only thing that bothered me was drinking the liquid the night before. I couldn't do it. I did manage to get some of it down, but, yuck! it wasn't pleasant.
Your doctor may not even suggest a colonoscopy! He may just go on the symptoms you are presenting with.
Good luck,
A ;)
Getting the colonoscopy done is a vital part of a diagnosis for IBS. It will also tell the doctor if anything else is going on in your colon. It's a good test to have and it's not a bad test. I don't remember anything, they doped me up and within minutes I was in recovery, or so it seemed. If I can have it done, which I did, anyone should be able to have it. I'm the biggest fraidy cat of anything medical, shots, tests, blood work, etc. The only thing that bothered me was drinking the liquid the night before. I couldn't do it. I did manage to get some of it down, but, yuck! it wasn't pleasant.
Your doctor may not even suggest a colonoscopy! He may just go on the symptoms you are presenting with.
Good luck,
A ;)
6th_sense
06-08-2005, 06:31 PM
Hi Worried Teen,
It is possible for doctors to diagnose you with IBS if they use the Rome Criteria - Although a fully fledged colonoscopy will rule out any other possibilities with more certainty.
As for therapy - well whatever works for you in the end. The theories as you had mentioned are fine, but what can you do that will improve your situation - that is what you want to know. Pediatricians are usually pretty knowledgeable people - compared to GPs - I find. As for wanting medication. Well, there is only so much medication will really do. The rest will be up to you in either case. Usually improvements come around for IBS patients through a combination of diet changes and medications and other techniques. Of course there are always exceptions. Certainly there is no cure for this disorder, and you may have to live with it to a certain extent - as you will find out if you ask the others on the board.
Cheers, Raju
It is possible for doctors to diagnose you with IBS if they use the Rome Criteria - Although a fully fledged colonoscopy will rule out any other possibilities with more certainty.
As for therapy - well whatever works for you in the end. The theories as you had mentioned are fine, but what can you do that will improve your situation - that is what you want to know. Pediatricians are usually pretty knowledgeable people - compared to GPs - I find. As for wanting medication. Well, there is only so much medication will really do. The rest will be up to you in either case. Usually improvements come around for IBS patients through a combination of diet changes and medications and other techniques. Of course there are always exceptions. Certainly there is no cure for this disorder, and you may have to live with it to a certain extent - as you will find out if you ask the others on the board.
Cheers, Raju
bulletinboard25
06-08-2005, 07:59 PM
Just wanted to post a reply to this also...
I was around 15 when I visited the gastro for the first time, after getting referred by my GP doctor.
The first time I went in there he just talked to me about my intestinal issues, and did a rectal exam(thats kinda invasive) and it was over with. After reviewing all the symptoms and checking the charts with the other doctor he diagnosed it as IBS. He didn't think it was necessary for any tests at that time because I was 15 and there wasn't blood in my stool and my X-rays from the GP were fine. After another year of going through it, and tons of trips to the bathroom later, I went back and he ordered up a upper endoscopy(goes down your throat to check out the stomach and all that good stuff) and a sigmoidoscopy(similar to a colonoscopy, but doesn't go through the entire colon like the colonoscopy does)... Those came back okay as well, so he kept with the initial diagnosis and prescribed me some different medicine. Finally when I was 20, this past year I decided to go into have the full colonoscopy, because as much as I knew it was IBS in my heart, the colonoscopy was the one TRUE test that will give the most definitive answer; IBS or something worse. That came out fine as well, just inflamation of the intestine.
I have to say I would just let the doc do what he does.... He more than likely won't request a colonoscopy at your age if you meet the ROME criteria for an IBS diagnosis.
The sigmoid and upper endoscopy are the first tests I'd imagine him do, if he even asks you to go ahead with them. And remember, I wasn't told I should until my 2nd possibly 3rd trip back to the specialist. And truthfully, both those were a piece of cake.
Some things you might wanna look into doing is start taking a probiotic supplement like acidophillus(the "friendly bacteria" thats commonly found in yogurt) and take that 1-3 times a day on an empty stomach. And possibly start taking Calcium Carbonate. A popular brand name with that type of calcium is Caltrate. Don't get the citrate it doesn't work liek carbonate does.
Also, keep coming back here for support and suggestions. Someone who is always giving out good information is 6th_sense.. he is a frequent poster, with a lot of useful information.... harry33(i believe) is another very useful poster with lots of info. watch for his posts, and if you ever have questions that you want answered possibly even make the topic. help, stomach AGAIN for harry33 or 6th_sense.Everyone who posts here is great, I just know these names because they post the most frequently.
I wish you well.
I was around 15 when I visited the gastro for the first time, after getting referred by my GP doctor.
The first time I went in there he just talked to me about my intestinal issues, and did a rectal exam(thats kinda invasive) and it was over with. After reviewing all the symptoms and checking the charts with the other doctor he diagnosed it as IBS. He didn't think it was necessary for any tests at that time because I was 15 and there wasn't blood in my stool and my X-rays from the GP were fine. After another year of going through it, and tons of trips to the bathroom later, I went back and he ordered up a upper endoscopy(goes down your throat to check out the stomach and all that good stuff) and a sigmoidoscopy(similar to a colonoscopy, but doesn't go through the entire colon like the colonoscopy does)... Those came back okay as well, so he kept with the initial diagnosis and prescribed me some different medicine. Finally when I was 20, this past year I decided to go into have the full colonoscopy, because as much as I knew it was IBS in my heart, the colonoscopy was the one TRUE test that will give the most definitive answer; IBS or something worse. That came out fine as well, just inflamation of the intestine.
I have to say I would just let the doc do what he does.... He more than likely won't request a colonoscopy at your age if you meet the ROME criteria for an IBS diagnosis.
The sigmoid and upper endoscopy are the first tests I'd imagine him do, if he even asks you to go ahead with them. And remember, I wasn't told I should until my 2nd possibly 3rd trip back to the specialist. And truthfully, both those were a piece of cake.
Some things you might wanna look into doing is start taking a probiotic supplement like acidophillus(the "friendly bacteria" thats commonly found in yogurt) and take that 1-3 times a day on an empty stomach. And possibly start taking Calcium Carbonate. A popular brand name with that type of calcium is Caltrate. Don't get the citrate it doesn't work liek carbonate does.
Also, keep coming back here for support and suggestions. Someone who is always giving out good information is 6th_sense.. he is a frequent poster, with a lot of useful information.... harry33(i believe) is another very useful poster with lots of info. watch for his posts, and if you ever have questions that you want answered possibly even make the topic. help, stomach AGAIN for harry33 or 6th_sense.Everyone who posts here is great, I just know these names because they post the most frequently.
I wish you well.
6th_sense
06-08-2005, 11:25 PM
Thanks bulletin. I have to say the same about bulletinboard25: Posts lots of good information and quite frequently too.
- Raju -
- Raju -
WorriedTeenager
06-10-2005, 06:26 PM
Thanks a lot guys. Luckily, my Pediatricians is a good guy. He is looking for a Gastro. Doctor for me since he knows the last one I went to did nothing for me. Write now I'm taking http://www.fibercon.com/. Its helping a little bit ( I'm using the bathroom once a day or once every other day ) but I still have stomach aches.
I did some thinking, am I really going to have to suffer all my life? Being 15, I have to sit through class with a terrible stomach ache. And lets be honest, who wants to use the school bathrooms? Its a bit embarresing.
No cure :(. That really is horrible.
I'm going to be working as most probably a camp counseler this summer and I don't know how I'm going to get through it. I'll be outside with the kids playing kickball and all the sudden I'll have to run to the bathroom. Also, I need to sit on a bus for an hour ( To pick up the kids and watch them on the bus ), which will be horrible especially if I need to go.
Can someone please suggest a few things? I know I shouldn't so much in a small period of time. I also know that foods such as ice cream, cheese, etc, aren't my friend. I'm going to stop drinking soda and go to water. Oh and also, I stopped drinking Orange Juice ( My love ).
Any natural vitamins or something I can take to help me out aside from fibercon?
This syndrome really sucks, especially since there is no cure. I don't want to have this all my life.
I did some thinking, am I really going to have to suffer all my life? Being 15, I have to sit through class with a terrible stomach ache. And lets be honest, who wants to use the school bathrooms? Its a bit embarresing.
No cure :(. That really is horrible.
I'm going to be working as most probably a camp counseler this summer and I don't know how I'm going to get through it. I'll be outside with the kids playing kickball and all the sudden I'll have to run to the bathroom. Also, I need to sit on a bus for an hour ( To pick up the kids and watch them on the bus ), which will be horrible especially if I need to go.
Can someone please suggest a few things? I know I shouldn't so much in a small period of time. I also know that foods such as ice cream, cheese, etc, aren't my friend. I'm going to stop drinking soda and go to water. Oh and also, I stopped drinking Orange Juice ( My love ).
Any natural vitamins or something I can take to help me out aside from fibercon?
This syndrome really sucks, especially since there is no cure. I don't want to have this all my life.
6th_sense
06-10-2005, 06:54 PM
Hi Worried,
Make sure to take plain white yogourt every once in a while. That should help you too.
Cheers, Raju.
Make sure to take plain white yogourt every once in a while. That should help you too.
Cheers, Raju.
WorriedTeenager
06-10-2005, 07:57 PM
Will do. Any specific brand/kind you suggest? And why would this help me?
Thanks
Thanks
RBD616
06-10-2005, 11:44 PM
What I REALLY think works best. Go to a good vitamin store.
Ask them for GOOD quality probiotics, otherwise known as acidophoulous. They should be in a refrigerated section of the store. Acidopholous contains the good active cultures found in yogurt, only many billions more of them are inside a tiny capsule.
Acidopholous works by filling your body with good bacteria which colonizes inside of your stomach and will improve digestion. Even doctors and gastroenterologists recommend them. Probiotics are particularly useful after you've been on antibiotics. Antibiotics kill the bad bacteria, but in the process also kill the good in your stomach.
My favorite brand is called Reuteri. For me, it has worked better than all the rest.
Ask them for GOOD quality probiotics, otherwise known as acidophoulous. They should be in a refrigerated section of the store. Acidopholous contains the good active cultures found in yogurt, only many billions more of them are inside a tiny capsule.
Acidopholous works by filling your body with good bacteria which colonizes inside of your stomach and will improve digestion. Even doctors and gastroenterologists recommend them. Probiotics are particularly useful after you've been on antibiotics. Antibiotics kill the bad bacteria, but in the process also kill the good in your stomach.
My favorite brand is called Reuteri. For me, it has worked better than all the rest.
WorriedTeenager
06-11-2005, 10:36 PM
When you say the antibiotics kill the "bad bacteria", what do you mean? Is IBS because of a bacteria.
As far as my understanding, my Gastroenterologist will not give me anything except maybe a laxative or vitamins to help my digestive system. I absolutely WISH they could just give me a pill to control my symptons.
I'm starting to really hate this. Today my cousin came over ( Un-expected ) and told me I have to go to my little cousins birthday. So thats one hour in a car, 2 hours at the party, and 1 hour at dinner. I was worried I would have a stomache ache that hole time. Yesterday in school, I had a stomach problem. I needed to use the bathroom but my teachers wouldn't let me. They said to wait till the end of class. I finally said, "Can I go to the Nurse?". I went straight to the bathroom then to the nurse. After I went to the Nurse, I went back to class ( She didn't give me anything or say anything ). During lunch, I used the bathroom again and then I started really feeling horrible. I knew that I couldn't go back into the bathroom ( People would suspect something ) and I'm also a mile away from school. It was absolutely horrible.
I'm starting to think about this summer...How can I have a job if I'm going to have the constant worry of having to use the bathroom or having a stomache ache. This is horrible! Worst of all, its untreatable!!!!
As far as my understanding, my Gastroenterologist will not give me anything except maybe a laxative or vitamins to help my digestive system. I absolutely WISH they could just give me a pill to control my symptons.
I'm starting to really hate this. Today my cousin came over ( Un-expected ) and told me I have to go to my little cousins birthday. So thats one hour in a car, 2 hours at the party, and 1 hour at dinner. I was worried I would have a stomache ache that hole time. Yesterday in school, I had a stomach problem. I needed to use the bathroom but my teachers wouldn't let me. They said to wait till the end of class. I finally said, "Can I go to the Nurse?". I went straight to the bathroom then to the nurse. After I went to the Nurse, I went back to class ( She didn't give me anything or say anything ). During lunch, I used the bathroom again and then I started really feeling horrible. I knew that I couldn't go back into the bathroom ( People would suspect something ) and I'm also a mile away from school. It was absolutely horrible.
I'm starting to think about this summer...How can I have a job if I'm going to have the constant worry of having to use the bathroom or having a stomache ache. This is horrible! Worst of all, its untreatable!!!!