Please Help Me (Scared of Doctors)

[Scared]

I hope this doesn't offend anyone--I'm in my mid twenties and I'm one of those people who was diagnosed with IBS ten years ago. I cut out gluten, grains, dairy, did crazy elimination diets, took herbs, drank peppermint tea, did yoga, avoided stress, basically did everything right. At the same time I had "IBS" (diagnosed on the spot with no testing since I have a family history of anxiety) I got this weird skin rash that has come and gone with my digestive issues.

Ok, so I spent about five years using the bathroom three times a day at least (which I guess is not actually normal) but managed it well around my work schedule, often with mucus and usually a little blood even though I was never constipated and couldn't have hemorrhoids. Every few weeks I would wake up at night in excruciating pain for apparently no reason--chalked it up to ovulation pain (?) because it felt so deep, like someone was turning a screw in the innermost depth of my lower belly. Felt nausea like I had morning sickness for no reason. The less I ate the better I felt so everyone thought I was anorexic. Two years ago I ended up in the E.R. because my stomach was swollen and in a lot of pain--the doctors wanted to take my blood and put me on an IV antibiotic but I thought they were overreacting. I told them it was "probably just IBS" and went home without treatment.

The rash came back and got worse, and nothing topical worked on it. I started getting random fevers and was exhausted all the time. Diarrhea, which I'd had every morning for years anyway, started happening randomly and with little warning (pure liquid) even when I wasn't stressed. Went nuts trying to avoid food poisoning and viruses thinking it was something in my environment. Immodium made me feel awful for two days after I took it, so that didn't work for much except getting me to work.

THEN: Last year I had diarrhea for a month. I couldn't work. Never at night though, just throughout the day no matter what. At the end of this it developed into a fever and pain so acute I was forced to the doctor, who thought I had appendicitis. My stomach swelled up like I was pregnant. The CT scan was done, my doctor called the hospital and told me the scan showed my appendix had ALREADY BURST. Emergency surgery. When I woke up the surgeon was in my room with another lady and said, "Well, good news is the appendix was intact. Don't know what that was on the CT scan. We just wanted to make sure that took care of your pain." Then at the follow up he thought maybe I should go see a gastroenterologist for the diarrhea and I didn't. Things were ok for a few months. Not great, but almost solid stool sometimes.

Then I developed mastitis out of nowhere (I am not breastfeeding and have never been pregnant) and was given antibiotics, which obviously lead to bad diarrhea. I wasn't hungry so I decided to stop eating. The stuff that came out of me over the next few days was horrifying. But after things calmed down, after I'd fasted for a several days, I had my first truly solid BM in seven years. I almost cried. So I got overconfident and started eating again, carefully at first and then with more confidence. About a week of eating normally and I was right back where I started, only this time with new constipation, tons of mucus and swelling and yep of course pain. Actually having c&d at the same time (that is possible, apparently).

I don't want to go to the doctor and have them tell me again that I need antidepressants for my IBS. I am depressed because of my guts! Not the other way around! Should I go? Please help. I'm afraid. Apparently my appendix did need to come out and I almost didn't go to the doctor because "IBS" is supposed to be "psychosomatic." But they never tested me for anything else, they just said IBS first thing. Why on Earth would I make myself sick when I'm just sitting at home doing nothing stressful at all?? Sorry if this isn't the place for this. Just need your help. They'll either think I'm crazy or put me through some godawful tests. And then call me crazy.

 

[tracy3808]

I am sorry that you are going through this. I have Crohn's and have been told all of those things by doctors and know how frustrating it can be.

You need to find bot a primary doctor and specialist who will listen to you and take you seriously. One thing you need to realize with any type of condition is that you know your own body, and you know when something is wrong. Do not let a doctor convince you that it is psychosomatic (I have had Crohn's for 20+ years and just last week was struggling with wondering if it is psychosomatic).

It is not an easy fight, but keep going until you find someone who will listen to you and can help.

 

[Scared]

Thank you!! Thank you. And because my family thinks it's in my head (my employers don't--they know!) it just makes it so much worse. My sister forced me to go to therapy because she thought I had agoraphobia (it's really not that simple). I told her why and she said it was just anxiety. So I did go to the therapist and was sick IN HIS OFFICE. Ha! Yeah, we know our bodies. And something is just deeply not right here.

 

[UnXmas]

A lot of us got dismissed as having IBS, anorexia and/or other psychosomatic illnesses before we got properly diagnosed. I was told I had IBS with no testing too. You really have to keep trying until you find a doctor who listens to you. Don't take it personally when they're sceptical about your need for medical help. If a doctor doesn't take you seriously, don't get upset, just move on. You will find a doctor who listens eventually, and then you can get the tests you need to try to figure out what's going on. Diagnosis can be a long and frustrating process though, you may have to keep strong when test results come back negative and you don't seem to be getting any answers.

When you see a doctor, focus on the symptoms that warrant further investigation, if you have any. Diarrhoea isn't considered a particularly significant symptom, whereas symptoms like fevers, weight loss, and passing blood often get more concern from doctors.

It's understandable that you may just not want to deal with doctors and tests right now. Sometimes it's easier to just get on with life, living with your symptoms, than to subject yourself to seeing doctors. But if you're really concerned that your health is deteriorating, you may have to face seeing another doctor, which does come with the risk that he/she won't take you seriously enough. If you feel up to doing this, remember to stay calm and just politely tell the doctor you disagree, if the doctor dismisses your illness. And feel free to come here and post about how your appointments go - many people here know what it's like to be treated like this and understand what you're going through.

 

[Scared]

Thank you for your thoughtful and generous response. I know I'm a jerk for posting on this forum when I don't have a diagnosis and haven't even started down the path. Reading what most of you have been through I feel like an idiot for worrying about my own guts. On the other hand, I hear stories of people who ignored symptoms until they ended up in life-threatening situations. And I know one thing for sure: a lot of people have IBS, but if everyone with IBS had what I have going on we certainly wouldn't have a problem with obesity in America because dang it's quite a weight loss program! Thanks again for the advice and I will take it.

People always want to make it personal--my friend with gallbladder problems tried to tell me it was my gallbladder, for example. I have had a gallbladder issue before and I knew it because it was obviously bile in the toilet (it's a freakishly vivid color apparently) and horrid upper belly pain after eating a fatty meal. This is not my gallbladder. A friend with endometriosis said it sounded like that, but I don't even have periods anymore (yeah, that's another thing that worries me) so that's unlikely. Hopefully I can cut through the b.s. with my doctor and be able to explain forcefully as I can that yes I've thought of lactose intolerance, yes I've taken probiotics, yes I've quit coffee, no I don't drink alcohol, and so on.

Good to know I'm not alone or crazy. Well, maybe a little crazy. But ya know--having your body freak out will do that to anyone I think. Thanks again!

 

[lgpcarter]

You are definitely not a jerk for posting here. You've been through a lot and it sounds (not a doctor, I just play one on the internet!) like more than IBS to me. I admit that I tend to be sceptical of IBS diagnoses though - I think they tell people that when they don't know or don't bother to find the root of the problems.

I think you should pursue this with a doctor. Yes, they will put you through horrible tests, but hopefully you will get dome answers. You might even take your post with you to lay out the situation - you explained it very clearly and I know many of us forget things or skip things and get nervous when at the doctor.

There is a section for doctor recommendations. Someone may have written about a doctor in your area or you could ask for recommendations if you don't see one near you.

 

[fee_fi_fo_feena]

I am lucky in that I work for a large clinic system in my area and got a recommendation from one of the doctors I work for and now have a fabulous GI doctor, but 6 or 7 years ago I was told I had IBS and I just needed to learn to deal with it (her exact words, really) so I suffered a lot for the last few years, some of it just because I was convinced I would hear the same thing again, even though there is a family history of Crohn's. It took not being able to eat or drink without pain for a week for me to realize I needed help. I didn't know what normal and not normal was for the most part for a really long time, because I was so used to my irregular bowel habits. And when I would think that I had a lot of the symptoms of Crohn's, I would think back to nursing school where our instructor told us that people with Crohn's are thin; I think she even said "skinny person's disease" which makes me irate now. I lost weight in a flare, but only 10 or so pounds, and I am still medically considered obese. I told myself so many times that it couldn't be Crohn's because I would be thin if it were. There are a lot of lies we tell ourselves because of things we have been told by others, I think. I was sick the week before my colonoscopy not just because I am in an active flare, but because I was sure they would find nothing and tell me that it was all in my head again. But this time, they didn't. And all the testing was awkward and uncomfortable but if you don't see a doctor, a lot more damage could be done in the time you wait without treatment for whatever is going on. I have stenosis from scarring and I am pretty sure if I hadn't gone 7 years without going back to GI, I may have avoided so much scarring (and maybe not...but still).

I know what it is like to be scared of going to the doctor, but I know I reached a point where I was more scared what would happen if I didn't go.

 

[kh216]

Why don't you go to a gastroenterologist and print out what you just wrote and give it to him or her? You are not wrong for wanting to seek medical treatment and it very well be something else besides IBS. I don't know where you live but you go on this forum and go on the Doctor Directory for a possible recommendation. Whoever you choose, check with your health insurance to see if the doctor is "in network" on your medical insurance plan.

 

[Scared]

Thank you all so much. The idea of printing this out to take the doctor is excellent. I get so flustered in person and it's hard talking about this stuff anywhere except in the anonymous faceless forum of the internet. My boss told me three years ago to get checked for Crohn's when she found me curled up crying from pain on the floor of the break room after I tried stupidly to eat lunch at work. I told her too no no it's just IBS. Got tested for Celiac at least, and for lupus because of the fevers--nothing. But yeah, it's time. But: I've been fasting recently, usually for three days at a time but longer if I can stand it because miraculously when I start eating again it's stable for a few days after a fast. Then it starts over again. If I go in to the doctor after fasting, will they still be able to see anything? or will the damage heal, if there is any??

 

[kh216]

If you truly have Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, the gastroenterologist will be even to see the inflammation through the tests, even if you fast. I know you are scared but you need to see a gastrenterologist and get properly diagnosed. You can also find a gastroenterologist through your local hospital(s).

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

I am lucky in that I work for a large clinic system in my area and got a recommendation from one of the doctors I work for and now have a fabulous GI doctor, but 6 or 7 years ago I was told I had IBS and I just needed to learn to deal with it (her exact words, really) so I suffered a lot for the last few years, some of it just because I was convinced I would hear the same thing again, even though there is a family history of Crohn's. It took not being able to eat or drink without pain for a week for me to realize I needed help. I didn't know what normal and not normal was for the most part for a really long time, because I was so used to my irregular bowel habits. And when I would think that I had a lot of the symptoms of Crohn's, I would think back to nursing school where our instructor told us that people with Crohn's are thin; I think she even said "skinny person's disease" which makes me irate now. I lost weight in a flare, but only 10 or so pounds, and I am still medically considered obese. I told myself so many times that it couldn't be Crohn's because I would be thin if it were. There are a lot of lies we tell ourselves because of things we have been told by others, I think. I was sick the week before my colonoscopy not just because I am in an active flare, but because I was sure they would find nothing and tell me that it was all in my head again. But this time, they didn't. And all the testing was awkward and uncomfortable but if you don't see a doctor, a lot more damage could be done in the time you wait without treatment for whatever is going on. I have stenosis from scarring and I am pretty sure if I hadn't gone 7 years without going back to GI, I may have avoided so much scarring (and maybe not...but still).

I know what it is like to be scared of going to the doctor, but I know I reached a point where I was more scared what would happen if I didn't go.

I have always been on the heavier side. Not what people would call fat, but not going bikini shopping either. At 5'5" tall my heaviest was 182lbs before I got pregnant with my second child. After gaining more then 30lbs of birth weight I was over 200lbs. I never worked out, but had a Crohn's flare shortly after delivery. I quickly with pred &aza got into a drug free remission that when it ended I compensated with food avoidance. Over a period of 3-4 yeas I dropped all the way down to 155lbs. Still a little on the high side for my size but still healthy looking.

My point is you can have active disease and look healthy. Without rapid massive weight loss. It was my GP questioning my annual physical's blood test results that sent me back to the GI.

 

[Scared]

Thanks kh216. The surgeon who took my appendix gave me the name of a good gastroenterologist in town, so I'll call him this week. Thanks all again and I'm sorry for taking up so much space. Yeah, the weight loss thing is funny--until you're grossly underweight (and sometimes even then), people assume you're "healthier" if you're losing weight and say you "look great" even when you're miserable and sick. Sad fact about the general culture I think.

 

[UnXmas]

But: I've been fasting recently, usually for three days at a time but longer if I can stand it because miraculously when I start eating again it's stable for a few days after a fast. Then it starts over again. If I go in to the doctor after fasting, will they still be able to see anything? or will the damage heal, if there is any??

The inflammation caused by Crohn's and UC cannot be healed by fasting (if they could, we'd all be starving ourselves ). It seems possible that fasting could ease symptoms in many digestive conditions, however, it's going to be really bad for your health to keep fasting for this long, especially if you do it on a regular basis. Amongst sustaining many other vital functions, you need energy coming in in order for your body to heal. I was in hospital recently, and due to a surgery complication, my digestive system had to be rested entirely for several days - i.e. no food. The only way the hospital could safely do this was to give me TPN - calories, fats, vitamins, etc. going straight into my veins in order to bypass the digestive system. This is the only safe way to go any length of time without eating - and, obviously, it's a last resort, as it comes with its own risks.

Since not eating helps you, what you might try (sorry if this has already been mentioned, I haven't read all the replies yet) is finding out whether there are specific parts of your diet that are causing you the most problems. You may find, for example, that eating a low fibre/low residue diet, or maybe a liquid only diet (i.e. meal replacement drinks like Ensure and Fortisip) and see if they bring benefits similar to those that fasting brings you.

 

[Scared]

Thanks. It IS tempting to just stop eating but I know it's not healthy. Especially during the flu season. I've tried elimination diets in the past and still am not consuming any of the major allergens. It does seem like the whole "eat more fiber" bit that doctors tell IBS patients was horrible for me--all mucus. I've been on a diet of carrot soup and hard boiled eggs (not all my nutrients in there but good protein, vitamin A and potassium at least!). It's weird--one week potatoes are great, the next they aren't. Sometimes milk is ok, then it's suddenly not. Went off eggs for six months and found eggs are always ok, and in fact I'm worse off without them. It makes no sense at all. It's hard finding protein shakes without soy, which I know for sure irritates my stomach from my period of elimination dieting. Maybe the soup diet thing will work out if I branch out a little. I didn't eat anything weird yesterday and spent last night with a heating pad on my tummy anyway though, so I don't know what to think. Sorry again for all this when I don't know what I have yet. Making an appointment for next week. Please forgive me, everyone. I'm crazy and shouldn't be posting here.

 

[Scared]

Ugh. Ok--one more thing that's making me mad. When I first went to the doctor for this stuff, he tested my blood and liver enzymes and apparently I had high bilirubin levels. He said oh that's just Gilbert's syndrome (a benign condition where you get jaundice occasionally because of high bilirubin). But since someone mentioned Crohn's to me I looked it up and bilirubin levels DO get elevated when you have Crohn's. So why was it assumed that the gut stuff was IBS (in my head) and the liver stuff was benign? Doctors need to eliminate all other possible causes before settling on IBS, I think. Worst of all I left that office with antidepressants, even though I explained to the doctor that I was depressed because I was hurting. Whatever.

 

[Scared]

(that was years ago of course and I plan to be more assertive this time I go in--don't want to go through another round of this nonsense with the next doctor!)

 

[nativesith]

I feel for you...since I myself go through the same. I can relate to pain. I also wake up in wicked pain some nights. Also do the fasting thing more than I like to admit...you are right sometimes it feels better na eating anything at all. I have been swore at by doctors saying I do not know what the F is wrong with you(Thanks for being a professional). They called me crazy saying I should feel normal. I was told I have a hyper sensitive stomach...that explains it all?! All makes me mad...I go through this EVERYDAY. Been through the wringer of tests,pain, and lost weight(An they all say I look great after losing soo much weight?!).
I hate what we are forced to enure...stay strong sister. I would go see a good GI and get some blood work. I was low on iron and b12, felt a lil better when those levels went up.

 

[yellowamc]

im sorry to hear ur not feeling well. Ive been there, and have had just about every test they have come with for belly problems. I have crohns and it took them a while to see exactly what was goin on. I know how bad most of them are wow do I lol, but have to say as bad as they are you should get them done. Or at least talk to your doc get a second opinion if need be. Ive even gone as far as getting a new doc. Hope u start feelin better

 

[lsgs]

Do you know what, it might be useful to go see a psychologist. I was sent to one and the psychologist said, pffft there's nothing wrong with you, called my doctors and wrote to them to tell them to sort it out.

I now have her on my side and we have an agreement that if anyone suggests it's psychological I can just text her and she'll write to the doctor in question.

Doctors don't want to see you 'protest' against it being psychological. In their eyes that just backs up what they think about you. If anyone questions you, act like you're being open minded and go get evaluated and when the psych says you're okay, get them to write a letter you can show any doctor who questions you.

This has helped me be taken seriously or at least stopped doctors questioning my mental health.

 

[Scared]

Thanks again all! I've seen this happen to soo many people in my life it's ridiculous. Like a friend of mine who had bad headaches and was sent to therapy to work out her "stress issues," then later found out nope not stress it was a brain tumor. Another friend who had "psychosomatic" pain due to "traumatic memories" but nope it was actually a huge ovarian cyst. And these people wasted so much time and almost got themselves killed doing talk therapy for physical illness. I know the mind and body are connected, I know it's chicken or egg. But dang, there are just some things we cannot make our bodies do--and why on earth would we want to?? What part of my brain would decide today I feel like passing red mucus and then lying in bed all day. No actually I would like to have a life. Actually I would like to feel well. Not a coping mechanism. And not for attention or pity--how could it be for attention if I never talk about it? Wouldn't I choose something a little less humiliating?? Good to know I'm not alone here.

 

[UnXmas]

Thanks. It IS tempting to just stop eating but I know it's not healthy. Especially during the flu season. I've tried elimination diets in the past and still am not consuming any of the major allergens. It does seem like the whole "eat more fiber" bit that doctors tell IBS patients was horrible for me--all mucus. I've been on a diet of carrot soup and hard boiled eggs (not all my nutrients in there but good protein, vitamin A and potassium at least!). It's weird--one week potatoes are great, the next they aren't. Sometimes milk is ok, then it's suddenly not. Went off eggs for six months and found eggs are always ok, and in fact I'm worse off without them. It makes no sense at all. It's hard finding protein shakes without soy, which I know for sure irritates my stomach from my period of elimination dieting. Maybe the soup diet thing will work out if I branch out a little. I didn't eat anything weird yesterday and spent last night with a heating pad on my tummy anyway though, so I don't know what to think. Sorry again for all this when I don't know what I have yet. Making an appointment for next week. Please forgive me, everyone. I'm crazy and shouldn't be posting here.

You aren't crazy and you can definitely post here!

From what you describe, I would say that particular foods are not giving you problems. Sometimes it is the act of eating that brings on symptoms, no matter what you eat. In this case, I would eat a more varied diet and not assume that particular foods are responsible for your symptoms. If avoiding the foods you identified on an elimination diet is no longer helping you, I would introduce those foods back into your diet. If a particular food really is causing you to feel ill, the reaction would be consistent, it wouldn't happen one week and then be fine the next. You don't want to be avoiding foods unnecessarily, and your diet at the moment is not varied enough to provide you with everything you need.

 

[UnXmas]

Do you know what, it might be useful to go see a psychologist. I was sent to one and the psychologist said, pffft there's nothing wrong with you, called my doctors and wrote to them to tell them to sort it out.

I now have her on my side and we have an agreement that if anyone suggests it's psychological I can just text her and she'll write to the doctor in question.

Doctors don't want to see you 'protest' against it being psychological. In their eyes that just backs up what they think about you. If anyone questions you, act like you're being open minded and go get evaluated and when the psych says you're okay, get them to write a letter you can show any doctor who questions you.

This has helped me be taken seriously or at least stopped doctors questioning my mental health.

The problem I had with this was that psychiatrists see what they want to see. They interpreted everything I said and did to get me to fit their diagnosis. I was misdiagnosed with anorexia when stomach problems made me lose a lot of weight, went to a psychiatrist (I was a minor at the time, so it wasn't my decision), who had made up his mind that I had anorexia before I even walked in the door. E.g. when I explained I had diarrhoea, he thought that must be due to laxative abuse (a behaviour often seen in those with anorexia). My parents told him how I was suddenly spending so long in the bathroom - he assumed I must be making myself throw up. And so on.

I'd avoid any kind of psychiatric/psychological evaluation. It's too big a risk, and just having it on my medical record that I'd seen a psychiatrist led other doctors to jump to the conclusion that every physical symptom I reported must actually indicate mental illness of some kind.

And since you know you do not need to see a psychiatrist, why do so just to try to satisfy a doctor? If a doctor told me to have an operation I knew I didn't need at all, I wouldn't consent to it. If a doctor told me to take a medicine I knew I didn't need, I wouldn't take it. Why should you have to give up you time (and money in some cases) just because a doctor doesn't believe you when you say your problems are physical, not psychological? If a doctor doesn't trust me to be telling the truth, I can't work with that doctor. The patient knows what symptoms they have, and a doctor should take their word for it.

 

[kh216]

Scared,
Did you make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist yet?

 

[lsgs]

The problem I had with this was that psychiatrists see what they want to see. They interpreted everything I said and did to get me to fit their diagnosis. I was misdiagnosed with anorexia when stomach problems made me lose a lot of weight, went to a psychiatrist (I was a minor at the time, so it wasn't my decision), who had made up his mind that I had anorexia before I even walked in the door. E.g. when I explained I had diarrhoea, he thought that must be due to laxative abuse (a behaviour often seen in those with anorexia). My parents told him how I was suddenly spending so long in the bathroom - he assumed I must be making myself throw up. And so on.

I'd avoid any kind of psychiatric/psychological evaluation. It's too big a risk, and just having it on my medical record that I'd seen a psychiatrist led other doctors to jump to the conclusion that every physical symptom I reported must actually indicate mental illness of some kind.

And since you know you do not need to see a psychiatrist, why do so just to try to satisfy a doctor? If a doctor told me to have an operation I knew I didn't need at all, I wouldn't consent to it. If a doctor told me to take a medicine I knew I didn't need, I wouldn't take it. Why should you have to give up you time (and money in some cases) just because a doctor doesn't believe you when you say your problems are physical, not psychological? If a doctor doesn't trust me to be telling the truth, I can't work with that doctor. The patient knows what symptoms they have, and a doctor should take their word for it.

I guess I was lucky enough to see a psychologist who had the decency to see my illness for what it was and support me in trying to get treatment for what is clearly a physical condition. She is pretty much responsible for me having any credibility with doctors as I can now just get her to call or write a letter whenever I need to prove I am mentally healthy!

She said to me that if you refuse to see a psych it will make things worse and the best thing to do is appear to be open minded, otherwise your protest makes you look crazier and they'll just say you're in denial.

I can totally see your point though. When I was in hospital in 2011, GI telling me I could die if my condition didn't improve then referring me for psych evaluation - there had clearly been a discussion with the psych before we met. I literally walked in and was told I had some disorder (can't even remember the name) but I was horrified as I remember to have this disorder it's pretty much a prerequisite to have been sexually abused as a child. They don't even realise how serious making mistakes about this kind of this is!

They clearly had made up their mind before I'd walked in the room, they could have done the psych evaluation without me there. For example - do you think you handle stress well? Yes, I do, I generally don't feel very stressed. Well maybe you just think you handle stress well but you really don't. Everything is used against you or you're in denial.

But then if you refuse psych evaluation it will add 'proof' that you are not accepting help etc.

Argggh this gets me so riled up. There is just no way to win with these guys. It's a disgrace.

 

[Scared]

Yep. Psychologists will send you barking up the wrong tree every time.

There's no one in my town on the doctor listing on this site and I couldn't get in touch with the surgeon today to get his recommendation. I'll try again tomorrow I guess.

One more question though--I am EXTREMELY afraid of getting C. Diff. I worked at a nursing home a while back and it made the rounds. Literally hell. And obviously the gastroenterologist's office sounds like the perfect place to contract C. Diff. Not that it matters much since I'm sick anyway, but that's an evil bug. This is where my paranoia comes in I guess, so maybe I should see a psychologist for that...just when you've been sick that way for so long anything that would complicate it, make it worse etc. is super super scary. Has anyone gotten C. Diff either from the doctor's office or from antibiotics they gave you??

I just don't want to end up even worse off by hanging around in a bunch of doctor's offices picking up even more bugs while I wait for them to diagnose me with something. Sounds crazy, I know.

 

[kh216]

I have never heard of catching c. diff in a doctor's office. A good gastroenterologist is not just going to randomly prescribe antibiotics. In fact, both my gastroenterologist and my primary care provider are very conservative about prescribing antibiotics and that is good news for me because I am sensitive to antibiotics.

Scared - Call a gastroenterologist and let us know what your appointment is.

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

Yep. Psychologists will send you barking up the wrong tree every time.

There's no one in my town on the doctor listing on this site and I couldn't get in touch with the surgeon today to get his recommendation. I'll try again tomorrow I guess.

One more question though--I am EXTREMELY afraid of getting C. Diff. I worked at a nursing home a while back and it made the rounds. Literally hell. And obviously the gastroenterologist's office sounds like the perfect place to contract C. Diff. Not that it matters much since I'm sick anyway, but that's an evil bug. This is where my paranoia comes in I guess, so maybe I should see a psychologist for that...just when you've been sick that way for so long anything that would complicate it, make it worse etc. is super super scary. Has anyone gotten C. Diff either from the doctor's office or from antibiotics they gave you??

I just don't want to end up even worse off by hanging around in a bunch of doctor's offices picking up even more bugs while I wait for them to diagnose me with something. Sounds crazy, I know.

I have been seeing my GI for 10 years and have been seeing GI's for 24 years (I'm on my 3rd.). I have never contracted C.Diff.

 

[UnXmas]

I have been seeing my GI for 10 years and have been seeing GI's for 24 years (I'm on my 3rd.). I have never contracted C.Diff.

Same. I've been admitted several times to hospital, stayed on wards that were for people who've just had abdominal surgery - most of use had Crohn's or similar gastro conditions. I've never caught C.Diff (or anything else).

I've had a few courses of antibiotics and never gotten C.Diff.

It's always a risk - your concern is logical - but the risk of C.Diff is most likely going to be outweighed by the risks you'd get if you avoided doctors and treatments.

 

[Scared]

Thank you for the reassurances. Sorry I'm so nervous (though I guess my screen name here says it all)!

 

[lsgs]

I stayed on a ward for 3 weeks with confirmed C Diff and never had any problems