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So discouraged after bragging about my new Internist
I have been conversing with a few wonderful members of this group, and was ecstatic about a new-to-me PCP, an Internist. After nearly 5 yrs with no diagnosis for sudden onset iron deficiency anemia (started early 2018), and being continuously ill all this time, I FINALLY found a doctor recently that I pinned all my hopes on. But now I feel gutted once again. This new PCP knows my history. She ordered my very first stool specimen (how has 5 yrs gone by without this test?!). So, I had follow up appt today, and high on the list was stool specimen results. She said it was "normal". I was shocked considering my nonstop black, tarry, stools for 6+ mos coupled with constant drop in iron and HGB. But okay. The floor fell out for me when I asked if any blood was found? Her response, "I didn't test for blood". For Pete's sake!! She has seen photos with obvious blood in stool, not to mention constantly dropping iron/hgb. What?! I'm sickened and feel an inexplicable loss of hope. It's been a nightmare to this point, and I was over the moon to think I had finally found a great match with doctor after years of botched Healthcare. I feel hopeless.
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Ask her (TELL her) she needs to do another stool test and test for blood, please. Did she say why? Did you explain why you wanted blood tested? I can't imagine a stool test being done without the lab checking for blood. That's usually #1 on the list. Maybe try calling lab?
Found this on internet:
"There are two main types of stool tests to choose from. A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) detects the presence of blood in your feces. The second type, a stool DNA test, detects the presence of genetic material from polyps and cancerous tumors.
Are there different types of stool test?
Yes, there are different types of stool test.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This test checks to see if any blood found in stool originated in the lower intestines. It only requires one stool sample.
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): This test checks for blood that is hidden in the stool. Unlike the FIT, the FOBT cannot discern where blood came from. Three different stool samples are required for this test.
Stool DNA Testing: A newer type of test, it checks the DNA contained in stool to detect colorectal cancer. Only one stool sample is needed for this test."
(VeryWellHealth
Fecal Immunochemical Test to Detect Hidden Blood
By Amber J. Tresca Updated on November 07, 2022
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS)
There are home kits you can also buy, according to this article. Check with your local pharmacist. I would assume you take a sample yourself and send it out to a lab. Your doctor might be working on genetic test results in which case she needs to get her act together and forget about her "research" and concentrate on her patient. Don't count her out yet unless what she appears to be doing seems to be mostly genetic!!!
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4 ReactionsHi jersey. I have no clue why she wouldn't check for blood. However, I'm going to a highly recommended gastroenterologist for 1st appt on Feb 27th. I'm saving these questions for him. Supposedly, I'm being referred to immunologist for IgA deficiency, and IgM. I didn't know that I had this issue and only just found out it was discovered in labwork 5 yrs ago. IgA result recently was 26. Ugh. Thx so much for caring and encouraging me. Hugs
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2 ReactionsRegarding those stool tests:
I felt enthusiastic about my new internist of the past two years. My stool appears normal but ferritin is low. So I requested the three fecal occult blood test cards, used them with care, then returned to my internist’s office and handed them directly to him, personally; from my hand to his. Three days later a secretary called saying Dr. SJJ was asking when I’m going to return my fecal occult blood test cards. Oh help!
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3 ReactionsWhat is it with stool tests !!!!!!!!
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2 ReactionsMaybe I should have sprayed my best French perfume on the tests? I thought no fragrance at all was better….at least “politically correct?”
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2 ReactionsHi. I'm JerrysGirl lol not Jersey Girl. You're not the first to think that but Jerry was my dad and if you ever wanted to search for me you wouldn't find me 😊❤️
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1 ReactionOops 😬
So sorry! You're a good sport.
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2 ReactionsLol. You're not the first and won't be the last, it's fine. I just sometimes wonder if it's me people are talking to lol!!
So saw leukemia hematologist specialist yesterday. I had a 12 hr day which consisted of 7 hrs riding on a big bus there and back. 30 minutes walking back and forth to the hospital . Hour wait for doctor (I was early) 1/2 hr with doctor. 3 hrs waiting for bus at home and in the city. I'm so sick and exhausted today. But he said my labs are good. Famous last words. Even tho for the first time my red blood cells had some oddities for the first time he wasn't concerned. The node in the middle of my chest has gotten smaller and that was the reason I started meds last year. So that's a positive. But neck nodes are here to stay 🤷🏻♀️. He doesn't feel I should start meds again when 85-90% of my numbers are in the green zone. And I agree. At least I'll still have my immune system off the meds. Just booked some Broadway tickets to see the Harry Potter show for Valentines Day! My husband actually chose the show!!!!!!! VERY surprising lol. Also going to stay over a night in the city. Once, we spent a night in the city after my thyroid cancer surgery and they gave us the primo room high up that looked uptown over the whole of Manhattan 😳❤️❤️. The entire wall was glass !!!!! The second hotel experience was while spending a night before surgery. Watched a drug deal go down outside, taking pictures HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Exciting in its own way.
I was almost hyperventilating after purchasing the tickets at the price. But if my husband thinks I'm still worth it after 43 years then I guess it'll be a great time.
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7 ReactionsAwww. Jerr
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2 ReactionsAwww...Jerry's girl. Loved your story of doc appt from yesterday! All that travel for 30 min with doctor. The lengths we go to in order to see a great doctor!! So glad you got some positive news, too. Congrats on 43 yrs 👏 of marriage. It sounds like a great celebration ahead...hoping they give you the free upgrade again vs. watching a drug deal. Wow!
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2 Reactions