Question about when you see your GI

[LNS87]

Just curious, when you go see your GI do they do an exam each time, or do they just talk to you? If they do an exam, do they just palpate your abdomen or do they do a full exam with a rectal exam?

My GI will push on my belly if its the first time she's seen me in quite a while, but if its a follow up she will just talk to me. They do a rectal exam whenever they do scopes but that is the only time. Just wondering if that sounds normal.

 

[Lisa]

That is pretty normal for me...if I go in for a specific complaint, my GI would ask about current history, do an exam that includes listening/palpating my abdomen, lungs etc...nothing invasive. I also get bloods drawn every 4 months with my Remicade infusions, so there is usually no need to get them done unless there is something obviously wrong.....

 

[carrollco]

Mine has never examined me unless it is during a colonoscopy. Never has done a small bowel follow through because, in his words, "The treatment is the same." This coming after the last colonoscopy showed illeitis. I have no idea if this is normal or not.

 

[Essieluv]

My GI usually just listens to my heart/lungs, and pushes on my stomach. Occasionally she will check my joints or do a rectal. However, every time I see my colorectal (which is much more than I'd like) I get a digital exam (finger up the bum). I used to die of embarrassment, but I am surprisingly used to it. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be used to a finger up my bum.

 

[pink&green]

Hubby sees his GI every 3 months and he always presses on his stomach he also listens to his lungs. He gets blood work every 3-4 months too (remicade).

 

[ronroush7]

That is pretty well what they do to me.

2

 

[vonfunk]

When I had a GI, it's been a few years since I've had one, the visits were always the same. Sit down chat for for a few minutes, he'd check my vitals, push on my tum for a bit, listen to bowel sounds and then send me downstairs for blood work regardless of the medication regime due to my severe anaemia. The only time it varied was I had complained about something, and he called in some favours for a quick scope of the rectum (I had to go to work so declined drugs, it was uncomfortable).