Help Please?

[Josh1]

Ok, so I just have a question for everyone. I haven't really looked through the forum yet, so sorry if something similar has already been posted.

Basically, I have some mild symptoms and after doing some research it seems like it might be Crohn's or IBS but I'd like your thoughts. I've been having diarrhea that has been constant since early August that gets worse when I'm doing any exercise at all, even walking to class (I'm a 20 year old college student). That is all it started out as, but in the past month or so I've had some pain in my abdomen at times. Mostly it's pretty mild but it can be quite painful at times. That is about the extent of my symptoms, except that I have lost a few pounds over this period, but nothing serious.

I eventually got sick of dealing with this so I looked it up on the internet and realized how serious it might be. About 3 weeks ago I went to a doctor to get it checked out. I don't really ever go to the doctor, so I just went to one of those walk-in clinics, one where I usually get physicals and things. He had me give a stool sample. In the meantime he gave me a prescription for Bentyl. The drug did absolutely nothing to help. Today he called me back with the results of the tests. I was in class so I got a voicemail. He literally told me "All the tests were negative, but I hope you are feeling better. Let me know if you have any questions." Pretty much sounded like there was nothing else he could do.

I have no idea what steps to take now, as far as if I should go back there or find a new doctor. I didn't know if anyone has had similar experiences or if it sounds like Crohn's to you. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[imisspopcorn]

Welcome Josh1,

I get the feeling you know this is probably something more than irritable bowel syndrome...It could be IBS, but you know your body. It's good that your stool samples were negative. Unfortunately, it still could be inflammatory bowel disease.

Please follow up with the doctor who you initially saw. There are many other tests needed to confirm or refute a diagnosis. He might recommend a gastroenterologist for you to see. I hope you will look around the various threads. If you have any other questions just ask. There are a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people here. Good luck

 

[Nickyj05]

Get more tests! Even if it comes to getting scoped, get it done. I let my symptoms persist for about 4 months (I was in severe denial) and it was the worst mistake of my life. Walk in clinics are great and I can't talk them down. On the other hand, I don't like them. Go to the ER if ur conditions continue and they will set you in the right direction (hopefully you have insurance). Please ask questions and keep us posted on your results.

 

[Jennjenn]

I would try to get a referral to a gastroenterologist. If you do not need a referral I would ask around wherever you are located if someone knows of a reputable one in your area. I would definitely get more tests done like IMP and Nicky mentioned above. If you wait the problem or symptoms most of the time do not go away. Hope you do feel better though.

 

[Guest]

hi Josh... i agree with everyone else, get yourself to a GI, or at least your own GP and ask for a referral... the stool test will only show a limited number of things like infection or blood.... diagnosing an IBD takes a lot more than that.

let us know how you get on... but please don't leave it - it may well be something simple to treat, but if left you're just going to suffer unnecessarily.

 

[Guestly]

Totally agree with above - a normal poop test quite likely means you haven't got an infection, doesn't mean there isn't anything else going on. My first ever test on the crohn's journey was a sample of my D, it showed normal... my doc said "Well that just eliminates infection - let's see if you have IBD...."

Lishyloo

 

[Crohn's 35]

You have great advice here, I never had a stool sample in the 20 years of CD and last year I did and said it was negative?? Hello, I know I have crohns, just some tests are not going to show all. I know you wont want to do this but having a colonoscopy or Endoscopy or both will show something. Even IBS is just a not nice. Good luck, being a student is hard enough to deal with but Cd... very tough!

 

[CrohnsHobo]

Go to a gastro Dr. When I first got sick they screwed around with stool samples and blood tests for a year while I got sicker and sicker. Then I went and saw a gastro Dr. and I got my answer.