An update

[StarGirrrrl]

Hi Everyone, just wanted to update you all

My biopsy results are back and being faxed to my GP so I will get them at my appointment Monday. Although I have had positive test results and not been called in in the past, I am pretty sure they will come back normal. They were "On Dr I's desk awaiting his attention". So that could be taken either way. Maybe I will even get my October blood results if I am lucky lol.

The Barium Follow Through is booked for the 2nd Feb at 9am. Kind of nervous since even with fasting I have real problems with D in the mornings! So the day before I will be eating very, very little.

No clinic follow up appointment yet but as I have this last test date I will be asking for one.

Do you learn anything on the day of this test? Or do they send the findings to your GI and wait for them to tell you?

 

[sawdust]

Sounds like good news so far!

It's been a while since I had a barium follow-through, but I think I got short and sweet "unofficial" results after the test from the tech. Then, better information from my GI later when he got to look at them. Of course, the GI doctor's results I was most interested in. I'm sure it's different everywhere.

I know for CT scans where you have to drink the barium, I have to wait for the radiologist to "read" them and provide a report to my doctor.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Well after a little messing got my results from the colonoscopy biopsies and all came back normal.

I guess this means Collitis is off the table all together since Ulcerative was ruled out visually and now Microscopic has been too.

Very good news in a way but glad now I have the Barium test next week. That area has never been looked at so I have high hopes! Something on the colonoscopy made the Dr change his mind about this next test, in clinic and before the procedure I was told that Barium would be ordered after biopsies back. But at the end of the scope, suddenly it's being ordered now! Will be contacting Gastro this week for a clinic appointment now I have the last test for now date.

And if after that I am still told it's IBS decided I will ask for another WBC scan (May 09 which found inflammation and the whole reason I am having tests again). And I'd be very surprised if my CRP suddenly after 4 years of being raised every time suddenly went away.

Will see another Dr if neccessary and go through the tests again just to be proved right lol.

 

[littlemissh]

What barium test are you having..I assume small bowel follow through rather than barium enema.
It depends on the radiologist who does the test and the departments policy as to whether they say anything on the day of the test. I had all the films shown to me as they were done with my SBFT but then it was the consultant radiologist doing it so that may be why. Good luck. Hope you get some answers.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Yep it's a small bowel follow thorugh. Always find it easier with scans to tell if they've found something- for the WBC the third scan went much closer and took longer, then she looked at my notes, then told me my Consultant would be in touch.

As I will be telling about the WBC scan anyway I will make it clear whatever they say is not going to surprise/shock me etc, and make it clear how difficult it's been and how much I need to know.


I really shouldn't doubt myself because my GP and Rheumatologist are all satisfied I have IBD and not IBS now. But Gastro are being awkward, have a suspicion this is because they want to make me think they were right about it being IBS right up until the last minute, trying to show they didn't make a mistake in the hope I will not sue. Not a chance!

 

[littlemissh]

Let us know how you get on.

 

[bushydougie]

When I had my small bowel follow through the radiologist told me there and then they couldn't see anything. He also said that he didn't expect to find anything as I was on pred. When I saw my GI I questioned him about this and be said it wasnt true. Even on pred they should see something. Typical!! I have no idea who to believe
Don't know if youve had barium before. Most people hate it but I didn't mind it at all

 

[StarGirrrrl]

No it's a new test for me, but after having 2 1/2 litres of klean-prep, the most vile substance known to man, I am not worried haha.

 

[Astra]

Aw good luck Star. really hope you get some definate answers
xxx

 

[Manimation]

Awe Stargirl! I don't remember if you joined around the same time I did, but good to see a post from you. Glad they're crossing things out somewhat. How are you feeling lately?

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Thanks Not doing good at the moment, on a very limited diet and fatigue/pain/nausea been terrible. I keep hoping not much longer until I have some answers

 

[BLM]

Awwww I hope you feel better, I hate that test. Keep us posted~

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Really mad again, they wouldn't give me a clinic appointment even though the Barium is the last test that has been ordered. Got to ring in 2 weeks after the test date for the results. Doubt if they find something I will be contacted in the meantime.

Don't see why they couldn't just give me one now Hate being constantly left waiting and wondering. It's been 4 years since misdiagnosis, 17 months since new symptoms led to new tests which led to being told 6 months ago I have IBD after all. And 4 months since I crashed, can't eat many foods or leave the house more than twice a week. And having fun days like today where I feel so damn nauseous that I haven't eaten yet. As for having a life, well forget it!

Mid March is my b.day (turning 24) and this year looking like I won't even be able to have something good to eat (Pizza Hut was the best part of b.day last year!), let alone entertain the crazy notion of that thing called "going out".

At least the test is next week I suppose. :depressed:

 

[littlemissh]

Sorry you are feeling so bad and no answers as to why either. Hope you feel better soon...you have lots of barium to swallow soon.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Yep I sure do lol. Spoke to Mum who phoned Gastro on my behalf and apparently I need to phone back 2 weeks after Barium "to see what the Dr wants me to do". Was hoping this would be the last test but I bet I have to do an upper endoscopy, which I didn't want to, but will if I have to (complete with being knocked out lol).

Still don't see why I couldn't have a clinic appointment to be honest!

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Hi everyone, had my Barium today and it went fine.... yes the drink was yucky but only 4 small cups, had to drink it all in a short time though, once it settled I was fine.

The Radiographer took one shot lying on my back, 2 lying on my stomach, then a check with the TV cam it had gone all the way down.... then she took like 4 or 5 pictures in a row and checked that the Dr didn't want anymore done, and was gone for ages before she told me I could go home!

Hard to tell how it went but things did seem serious and at one point both the Radioligist and the Dr were looking at the screen on my first and second picture.

There not quite 2 hours which was great. So now phoning in 2 weeks to see what GI wants me to do, assuming I don't hear anything in the meantime.

 

[littlemissh]

Glad it was ok for you. Nothing worse than the wait afterwards! Let us know how things go.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Thanks, trying not to get too wound up since the call in 2 weeks is
"to see what Dr wants you to do",
so don't even know if I will get the results in 2 weeks. Maybe he will want me to have an upper endoscopy without telling me anything first.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Well time for that phone call, after getting a relief secretary she said results had gone to medical notes and usually would be copied to GP, she would send for notes. Then she phoned back and told she has spoken to my GI who will get the notes and " sort me out". So glad I am past dealing with secretaries now and it is in Dr hands! I'd expect an appointment to come through at some point now.
A positive result not resulting in a call-in right away is not unusual- the WBC scan that started this off again came back positive, had it done end April, 2 weeks later Rheumy would have had MRI pictures (final test ordered), but it wasn't until my pre-booked appointment in August that I was given the bad news. So that's after 2 opportunities to call me in, when that result came and and result from last test in case he wanted whole picture.

 

[littlemissh]

More waiting then, hope your appointment is soon and you get somewhere when you actually see your consultant.

 

[xJillx]

I hate the waiting game. I am waiting to hear from my GI after she reviews the images from my lower bowel series, too. Please keep us posted!

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Thanks guys! Had a call today from Secretary letting me know Dr wanted to see me and an appointment has been made for next Thursday, late afternoon. She said a letter was on the way but as it's short notice she wanted to let me know. To discuss results and what comes next.

So as they class it as short notice am very hopeful they found the problem, even though that was the last test they have not been that concerned with how ill I am so if it was normal I would expect a routine appointment in a few weeks.

Only problem with that time of day is blood tests, the lab shuts 40 mins after my appointment time and the clinic's always run late.... once I went there after a similar appointment time and they actually shut while they were still trying to get the blood out of me haha. 2 trips there in one week wouldn't be good! Oh and no food that day until I get home since I will be super anxious!

 

[Welsh-bird]

Hi StarGirrrl, good to hear that you have an appt at last. Hoping they can now give you a definite answer to what's causing your problems.
Just a thought re your bloods, can you have them done a day or two before your appt ( mine always have to be done 24-48 hrs in advance so that we can discuss them at the appt), or failing that before you go in to see your Gastro rather than after?
Wishing you the best of luck next wk.

 

[littlemissh]

I agree with Andrea, I always have bloods a couple of days re appt so he knows the results when you are seen. Saves a lot of hassle.