Saw the GI today, didnt offer much

[COLLEEN S]

Hi,
I saw the GI doctor today. He said I had a type A personality because I looked up my bloodwork results. He said I didn't have crohn's based on the virtual colonoscopy I had in October. He said even though the bloodwork came back as inflammation due to crohn's (IgG), that doesnt mean I have it. It just means there is alot of inflammation in my abdomen.
The rheumy (last month) told me I didnt have a rheumatological disorder and sent me to the GI.
The GI said it is "irritable bowel" and prescribed something I couldnt read. It started with "dicy" or "dyci" . Does anyone know what this might be? Also, he ordered a small bowel follow thru. Any comments at all?

 

[DustyKat]

Sorry to hear that you still don't have definitive answers.

The medication could be Dicylomine? It is used for IBS to help with the cramping. I guess he is at least willing to continue with testing so he must still think there is more to it than just IBS. Good luck!

Take care,
Dusty

 

[COLLEEN S]

Ok he prescribed Bentyl aka (dicyclomine). Anyone had success with this?

 

[D Bergy]

I must be a triple AAA personality because I look up almost everything and anything.

I don't think curiosity indicates a personality type, as I am not a type A by any means.

Maybe the medication is dicyclomine hydrochloride. I do not know much about it, but I hope it works well for you.

Dan

 

[whysoserious]

Sorry to hear that you didn't get any definite answers Colleen. A lot of us on here have gotten the "IBS" diagnosis. If you are bleeding rectally or have experienced weight loss then I think it's a good idea to get a second opinion, as neither of those are symptoms of IBS.

I took dicyclomine at one point but I don't remember it helping me.

 

[bushydougie]

Please don't give up! I've had a number of GI appointments that have been frustrating and where IBS has been mentioned as well as depression. Yet, as I've mentioned in another thread, I had a great appointment with my GI today and we seem to be moving forward. I too don't have a diagnosis yet and am having a barium follow through to look at my small bowel in a couple of weeks.
I also look up everything and it's partly because of this and my pleading that the GI put me on pred which has helped greatly.
I hope you get some clearer answers soon.

Sam

 

[Manzyb]

Please don't give up! I've had a number of GI appointments that have been frustrating and where IBS has been mentioned as well as depression. Yet, as I've mentioned in another thread, I had a great appointment with my GI today and we seem to be moving forward. I too don't have a diagnosis yet and am having a barium follow through to look at my small bowel in a couple of weeks.
I also look up everything and it's partly because of this and my pleading that the GI put me on pred which has helped greatly.
I hope you get some clearer answers soon.

Sam

hey there! I am taking 10 mg of Bentyl 3 times a day. It use to work really well for the cramping, but I am not quite so sure its helping a whole lot anymore. I've been on it for over a year though.

That blood test they do for IBD doesn't seem to be that accurate. I came back with a negative for Crohn's and Colitis, but have had Crohn's for over 11 years now!

sorry you didn't get any answers. I hope you start to feel better soon!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I use dicyclomine when I'm on my period, I find it helps with those cramps quite a bit. What are your symptoms? If you're unsatisfied with the IBS diagnosis (as I think most of us are), I would ask be referred to a different gastroenterologist for a second opinion. There was a thread awhile back where someone had posted the diagnostic guidelines for IBS, and I remember it specifically said that if the patient has any of these: weight loss, nocturnal diarrhea, bleeding, or dehydration - they do NOT have IBS. (I once had a doctor tell me that I have IBS, but I have experienced both weight loss and dehydration, so I am still trying to get a proper diagnosis because I do not accept that I have IBS.) So I would definitely want a second opinion if you have had any of those symptoms. Good luck!

 

[COLLEEN S]

Thanks to all who replied!
The drug is definitely dicylomine that was prescribed. I have a small bowel follow thru on Monday (8-16). I do not have rectal bleeding and weight loss. I will try my first dose of the Bentyl tonight, a little scary since it says on the bottle "drowsiness may occur". Good to know I have something to take other than tums. Bad to know I don't know what this is for sure. The labs didnt impress him at all. On another note, I don't think information is such a bad thing to have, so why do doctors think if patients "look up" their maladies, labs, etc. it is? rhetorical question, no answer necessary.:kello: