1. < Digestive Health

gastro wants to do a flexible sigmoidoscopy

Posted by jpritch2 @jpritch2, May 4, 2023

Current conditon - have to visit toilet appx. 12 times per day. Very loose stool like mush, sometimes liquid, sometimes blood. Blood is more prevalent at night. Lost 30 lbs since last Oct when this all started with bad constipation BUT at that time I went on a pretty strict carnivore diet (still on it) and am hoping that is why I lost the weight. My bmi is currently 20.1. Gastro doc did perform a colonoscopy on Dec. 12 and said I had an area of diverticulitis and and area of inflammation. He took a sample of the inflammation for biopsy and it didn't seem to reveal any information. I also had a ct last December and a ct scan on April 6, as my problems were still ongoing. Both indicated diverticulitis, inflamation and wall thickening. Met with gastro and he suggested probiotic and metimucil which don't seem to be having any effect. Met with him again about 3 weeks ago and he suggested we take just watch things... that it was better to have a scheduled surgery rather than an emergency surgery if there was a perforation. His nurse called a few days ago and said he wanted to do a flexible sigmoidoscopy . I told her I would rather wait a bit a see if I improve because at that point the bleeding had pretty much stopped. Well now the bleeding is back. Question; should I go ahead with the flexible sigmoidoscopy? Is doc on the right track? So far he has offered no diagnosis only to say he doesn't think it is cancer. I have had regular colonoscopies for several year and no polyps have been detected. There is no family history that I know as well. Doc has run every test possible... thorough blood panel, cDiff test, pancreas enzymes, parasite tests, iron tests show iron deficiency but not anemia, calprotectin test. Again, do you think he is on the right track and that the flexible sigmoidoscopy could help me him come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan? So tired of spending my life in the bathroom. I am also thinking about changing docs but this one seems really knowledgeable and spends a lot of time explaining. Just wish he would come up with a diagnosis! ugh.

ps - I forgot to mention, I have no pain, no cramping, no fever, no nausea.

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edloftus | @edloftus | May 4, 2023

Depending what type of insurance you have, you need a 2nd opinion from another gastro doc. And depending on your financial situation, contact a GOOD naturopathic doc (ND). Or even a nutritionist who's got experience around looking at diet and digestive issues. Having gone these routes myself for my years-long gastroparesis condition, I can tell you I've learned way more from from a good ND than from a regular gastro MD alone. In fact, I've used my Kaiser medical coverage successfully to get tests & prescriptions that the ND suggested (that was I had those costs covered).

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2 replies
t98 | @t98 | May 5, 2023

if you've still got symptoms, like bleeding, then doing the test seems like an excellent idea. He knows your colonoscopy results and if he thinks you should do this test too then it sounds reasonable.

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1 reply
jpritch2 | @jpritch2 | May 5, 2023
In reply to @edloftus "Depending what type of insurance you have, you need a 2nd opinion from another gastro doc...." + (show)
@edloftus

Depending what type of insurance you have, you need a 2nd opinion from another gastro doc. And depending on your financial situation, contact a GOOD naturopathic doc (ND). Or even a nutritionist who's got experience around looking at diet and digestive issues. Having gone these routes myself for my years-long gastroparesis condition, I can tell you I've learned way more from from a good ND than from a regular gastro MD alone. In fact, I've used my Kaiser medical coverage successfully to get tests & prescriptions that the ND suggested (that was I had those costs covered).

Jump to this post

thank you.

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jpritch2 | @jpritch2 | May 5, 2023
In reply to @t98 "if you've still got symptoms, like bleeding, then doing the test seems like an excellent idea...." + (show)
@t98

if you've still got symptoms, like bleeding, then doing the test seems like an excellent idea. He knows your colonoscopy results and if he thinks you should do this test too then it sounds reasonable.

Jump to this post

thanks.

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paul28 | @paul28 | May 5, 2023
In reply to @edloftus "Depending what type of insurance you have, you need a 2nd opinion from another gastro doc...." + (show)
@edloftus

Depending what type of insurance you have, you need a 2nd opinion from another gastro doc. And depending on your financial situation, contact a GOOD naturopathic doc (ND). Or even a nutritionist who's got experience around looking at diet and digestive issues. Having gone these routes myself for my years-long gastroparesis condition, I can tell you I've learned way more from from a good ND than from a regular gastro MD alone. In fact, I've used my Kaiser medical coverage successfully to get tests & prescriptions that the ND suggested (that was I had those costs covered).

Jump to this post

My first thought when experiencing concern for an unknown health condition, i.e. cronic diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal issues, etc. etc. has never ever been to what kind of insurance I have or what may or may not be covered.
When I was told that I had colon cancer and would need a colon resection, I couldn't have cared less about insurance or what something might cost.
Being a broke cancer survivor beats being dead with money in your pockets.

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edloftus | @edloftus | May 5, 2023

I apologize for any misunderstanding. I've just learned with my condition over the years that 2nd opinions & reaching the right specialist (which obviously you've done) is one I found always tethered to my insurance coverage. I didn't realize you clearly had that covered from your initial message. I was just trying to help with questions that would've helped me to better understanding your condition, some symptoms of which I shared. I wish you the best with finding relief.

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1 reply
paul28 | @paul28 | May 5, 2023
In reply to @edloftus "I apologize for any misunderstanding. I've just learned with my condition over the years that 2nd..." + (show)
@edloftus

I apologize for any misunderstanding. I've just learned with my condition over the years that 2nd opinions & reaching the right specialist (which obviously you've done) is one I found always tethered to my insurance coverage. I didn't realize you clearly had that covered from your initial message. I was just trying to help with questions that would've helped me to better understanding your condition, some symptoms of which I shared. I wish you the best with finding relief.

Jump to this post

I think that you have confused me, @paul28, with the original poster, @jpritch2 .
I commented on not having concern for insurance and costs, jpritch has some conditions where a sigmoidoscopy may be needed.
Thanks

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