Digital rectal exam :( - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

scott2121 · 11-05-2003, 06:39 PM

I went to the new family practioner this morning expecting to get the same run around that I've had from all of the other doc's (bloodwork, xray chest/stomach), but was surprised when the doc. asked me to drop them and turn on my side and bring my knees to my chest. Ouch!!!!! Nonetheless, I made it through it. He also sent me home with a stool sample kit that I'm going to try tomorrow. Can we mail those back to the lab????? Anyways, aside from the above, I did to x rays (stomach/chest) and blood work. They've all come back normal so far, so I don't envision these coming back any differently. This dull ache on my lower left side has been killing me and I've noticed that it makes me favor my right side, which has caused some serious back ache. For all of you who have already been diagnosed with IBS, is it common to have tenderness in the abdomen as well as the bloating??? My stomach is pretty sensitive to touch, particularly in the left side under my bottom rib. Again, any suggestions would be great!!! Thanks so much for the help ~

Dimaki · 11-06-2003, 12:33 AM

Hi, I'm surprised your doctor asked you that just like that

odd. Anyway, my doctor did the stool sample first before any xrays. He put me on medicine even though they were fine. You don't mail it back to the lab. You have to bring it in within a couple hours, that's what they told me. Call your doctor and see where and when you're supposed to bring it so they can get an accurate reading.

Next, if that's normal, my doctor sent me for an Upper Gi, then later a ct scan, colonoscopy, and endoscopy. They have to check everything before they can tell you that you have IBS.

Also, my pain is on the left side, sometimes under my ribs, sometimes lower. You normally would have to have irregular bowels which you haven't mentioned. If you just have a pain it might be entirely different. Also, your colon is over there but lower I believe. That's where mine was so they wanted to make sure that I didn't have any sort of problems going on there

Maybe it's an ulcer or something. Try eliminating some foods too...for me it's fast food, grease, etc.

6th_sense · 11-06-2003, 01:23 AM

Hi Scott,

Yeah, it is possible to have pain in an area without a bowel movement or any kind of fecal incontinence (ie diarrhea or constipation). IBS can be strange that way - pains can occur almost anywhere accompanied/not accompanied by bloating. As for the stool sample kit - Well, mine was just a smear on test kit. My doctor requested it whenever I was done (within a week usu.). I don't believe you mail it in though. Usually, the doctor gives the kit to the nearest lab that deals with such things - and I suspect that he would then receive the results. The results could be written in greek and latin, so I wouldn't advise you to try to get the results except through your doctor. Additionally, he will have the opportunity to consider the other complaints you've had and make an overall diagnosis.

Because of my belief that IBS is caused by MKULTRA radar hearing, I believe that using the mind to help control your symptoms may be the only cure. It might help you to imagine the following (for some time that is, until the source of your disturbance detects the change and changes it's strategy):

Imagine you are sipping water (or a water, milk mix) through the middle of the V of your chest to your mouth from the areas that are in pain in your digestive
system. You will find that by alternatively narrowing and widening the water stream, you will be able to reduce a considerable amount of pain. Do not use this technique too much It may cause you to hyperventillate - Take some breaks in between and take deep and calm breathing. Make sure to concentrate on keeping the water flowing through the V of your chest while using the technique - also try to relax.

Cheers, Raju.