I had a PCP appointment today (and advice needed)

[bcv513]

Oh man, I could have written your post. All of my symptoms started after I had my gallbladder out. I went to my PCP and she told me it was caused by increased bile salt from not having a gallbladder. That's when I started taking the cholestryamine drink. It worked for a few months then stopped. I was so frustrated though, that I never went back. I was there for something else and my PCP asked me how my stomach was. I told her the truth and she sent me to a gastro. The gastro immediately ordered a colonoscopy, and when that showed Crohn's she ordered a barium MRI too.

I would push for a referral to a GI and a colonoscopy. Are you on anything for colitis? I'm so sorry you feel so lousy. ((hugs))

[aimeedyan]

Yes, a colonoscopy shows much more than an upper endoscopy. My upper is clean because it doesn't go near far enough and my coloscopy is so bad, they can't even navigate through some of the scar tissue. You need one ASAP.

Crohns isn't easy to diagnose bc it can affect your entire digestive system - not just your colon. Some get lucky and their case is textbook but others aren't so lucky. A clear physical or labs doesn't mean anything really. You need a good GI that takes your symptoms seriously, follows up with testing, and recognizes that there is something going on.

Have you read some of the posts on Healing Well? There are so many people that aren't diagnosed for years and years because their symptoms aren't textbook. I didn't realize until I started reading/posting how lucky I was to only take ~6 months for diagnosis.

[bcv513]

Mar 14, 2013 12:20:52 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Mar 14, 2013 11:15:43 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

Oh man, I could have written your post. All of my symptoms started after I had my gallbladder out. I went to my PCP and she told me it was caused by increased bile salt from not having a gallbladder. That's when I started taking the cholestryamine drink. It worked for a few months then stopped. I was so frustrated though, that I never went back. I was there for something else and my PCP asked me how my stomach was. I told her the truth and she sent me to a gastro. The gastro immediately ordered a colonoscopy, and when that showed Crohn's she ordered a barium MRI too.

I would push for a referral to a GI and a colonoscopy. Are you on anything for colitis? I'm so sorry you feel so lousy. ((hugs))

I take cholestryamine & pantoprazole.

Your experience is very interesting! Crohns can really come on that fast? or did it takes years to develop? I've been to two GI doctors now and I really like my new one, but I am terrified that he won't do a colonoscopy or think it isn't serious enough. In the beginning the drink was really helping. I even went back for my check up feeling like a million dollars. But now I don't anymore

And to the other PP, thanks for the advice! I have not been to living well but will look it up.

I say that it came on suddenly, but looking back I can see the signs as far back as when I was ten. I can remember going to the ER as a teenager with abdominal pain so bad I was crying. They always said it was ovarian cysts or something like that, or even anxiety. It definitely got much worse very fast. I never really had much pain. I was just going to the bathroom multiple times a day, especially in the morning.

[bcv513]

Mar 14, 2013 13:01:52 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Mar 14, 2013 12:57:41 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

I say that it came on suddenly, but looking back I can see the signs as far back as when I was ten. I can remember going to the ER as a teenager with abdominal pain so bad I was crying. They always said it was ovarian cysts or something like that, or even anxiety. It definitely got much worse very fast. I never really had much pain. I was just going to the bathroom multiple times a day, especially in the morning.

hey, not to be TMI, but you mean a lot of diarrhea? I've had that ever since I can remember too! I remember a period after college where I COULD NOT STOP and had to see my PCP. It eventually went away on its own.

I don't recall a lot of ab pain though, at least never to a point where I felt it bad enough to go to an ER.

I'm happy you have a diagnosis! I bet that is the best feeling

That's exactly what I meant. I'm a bit of a prude when it comes to that stuff.  It was multiple times a day, every day, for over a year. The only reason I went to the doctor was because I was afraid I couldn't make it through my wedding without running to the bathroom. I hope you're able to get some answers. If your GI won't do a colonoscopy, ask for a second opinion. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get some answers and feel better soon!