Struggling with doctor's help
Hey! I’m Gemma, I’m 25 years old and have GI problems since I was 16. At the time I was told IBS and I was fine with it as it made sense. But over the years, my symptoms have got so bad.
I’ll share my symptoms: bleeding, major urgency, constipation but still have to run!, severe stomach pain (my worst symptom!), ulcers, achy joints, mucus in stool, fatigue, accidents!, bloated all the time and uncomfortable, sore lips, red eyes, dizzy, just generally feeling unwell, I get burning in my throat...the list goes on and on!
I really think I have Crohn's or colitis (I always thought colitis but as my symptoms get worse and more symptoms in my mouth etc I’m thinking more Crohn's?).
I’m struggling with getting doctors to listen and take me seriously.
They don’t want to know and they fob me off with “You’ve just got IBS, get over it.” But if I have IBS, why am I bleeding and have all these horrible symptoms?
It’s really tiring trying to get doctors to listen and care! And I just want help and a diagnosis so I can be given meds that help! Not just get told, “Take paracetamol and get over it.”
Has anyone had this experience before (struggling with doctors) and do you think my symptoms sound like IBD?
I always feel poorly and I just want some help :/ If anyone has any advice or anything I’d be so grateful, thank you.
Gemma x
Hi Gemma - welcome to the community and thank you for sharing your question! I am so sorry that you're not getting the respect you deserve from your doctors. It's a frustrating experience. Especially when you're doing everything you're supposed to and the people who are supposed to help aren't really giving it.
I want to share a thread that might be helpful:
"When Doctors Don't Believe Us" - here is an article from our community advocate Julie. https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/doctors-dont-believe/
So it definitely happens and you're not alone. (It doesn't make it okay, however).
Have you seen multiple doctors? Or are you getting the same feedback from the same doctor?
-Reggie (InflammatoryBowelDisease.net Team Member)
Hi Gemma,
I am so sorry you are going through this. For your safety, I can't diagnose you as I am not a medical professional. However, I can just share from my personal experience that I did have similar symptoms before being diagnosed with Crohn's.
If you can, are you able to switch doctors? If so, I would immediately. What are you describing is definitely not IBS as IBS does not cause physical damage to the intestines. Especially with blood and ulcers occurring, you certainly have something more going on.
If you can't switch doctors, I would definitely take the approach of advocating for yourself with vigor. And to absolutely insist on having the proper testing done for IBD to make sure that indeed you don't have it. This would definitely include, blood work, stool test, colonoscopy or pill cam. You need to be sure that you aren't dealing with IBD and you need to really put pressure on your doctors.
Here is an article you might find helpful. It goes over the diagnostic testing for IBD. I would even print it out and discuss it with your doctor and let them know you would like these tests done.
https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnostic-tests-and-procedures/
I really hope you feel better soon.
Sending strength your way,
Elizabeth (team member)Hi Gemma, your not alone when yo report that doctors aren't taking what you say seriously.
I went to the doctors twice complaining about constipation and blood in the stools, only to be told that I had hemorrhoids. On the second visit the GP said
"You'll just have to live with it"
Six months later I collapsed with severe tummy pain and ended up having emergency surgery to unblock lymph glands. The biopsy after the operation showed secondary cancer cells. The short story is I was diagnosed with anal cancer and currently receiving life saving treatment. Thankfully anal is very treatable. No thanks to the GP who should have done his job two years prior.
We know our bodies, we might not know the fancy names for our problems- don't be put off by doctors who aren't helping you. Keep trying to find the help you needHi Gemma, your not alone when to report that doctors aren't taking what you say seriously.
I went to the doctors twice complaining about constipation and blood in the stools, only to be told that I had hemorrhoids. On the second visit the GP said
"You'll just have to live with it"
Six months later I collapsed with severe tummy pain and ended up having emergency surgery to unblock lymph glands. The biopsy after the operation showed secondary cancer cells. The short story is I was diagnosed with anal cancer and currently receiving life saving treatment. Thankfully anal is very treatable. No thanks to the GP who should have done his job two years prior.
We know our bodies, we might not know the fancy names for our problems- don't be put off by doctors who aren't helping you. Keep trying to find the help you need
