Lab work during a flare up?

[Cali01]

I'm having a flare up, it's my first one since being diagnosed. My doctor is having me do poop samples to 'rule out a bacterial infection' even though this flare is exactly the same as my other 2 flare ups (pre-diagnosis).

I expected medication to be called in and to have a follow up appointment. I don't really want to have to deal with completing a poop sample every time I flare. Is this normal or is this doctor an idiot (which is my genera idea of him)
Thanks

 

[2thFairy]

Not very time you have a flare, but most docs will have you do this from time to time when you are flaring.

 

[24601]

I too would expect your doctor to do a stool sample to rule out enteric infections at times. I'd generally view it as a good thing that a doctor is ruling out any other potential causes for your symptoms - this is true even once you have a diagnosis and can sometimes be really important to determine whether you are actually flaring.

Are you also having bloodwork done?

I'm afraid poop samples are something we all have to get used to. I think we'll all be doing them more and more as fecal calprotectin tests are more widely used. You just have to get your poop sampling method down and it gets easier!

That said though, I too would expect you to be on medication. When did you get your diagnosis? Has your doctor talked meds?

It is important to trust your doctor so if you don't then a change might well be best.

 

[teeny5]

Mine has me do the poo tests when I flare...he said it's so he knows if I have a bacterial infection or not. I HATE doing them!