Stomach Complaint - Ibs

[MadMen]

I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon as I was generally feeling a bit 'odd'.
I've had a stomach ache for a little while now (see previous threads) accompanied by various other 'symptoms'. These include major heartburn, needing to pass water very often, very little bowel movements, erratic periods (hardly ever have one) and a swollen abdomen - which feels really uncomfortable and just doesn't feel 'right'.

Anyway, I saw a thread on here yesterday, not sure if it was a joke or not, but it said about a swollen abdomen being a cyst. I started Googling, and got myself into a bit of a panic, so ended up going to the doctors. I know that sounds really stupid, but that's just the way my mind works I'm afraid. I'm a worrier.

I couldn't see my regular GP, but saw a locum. He had a feel around and said he couldn't feel anything untoward, but said my symptoms sounded "very much like IBS".

Now, I thought IBS was in the lower part of your stomach, but this is mainly in the upper abdomen. It just feels like something is there, and it's really uncomfortable (not painful) when I'm sat down. I also didn't think this would affect periods, or cause heartburn/acid reflux?

He gave me two prescriptions. One "Lansoprazole capsules (Gastro resistant)" for the heartburn, and "Movicol Oral Powder".
He didn't really say anything else though, and just said "see how you get on with that".

I asked him about the lack of periods, and asked if it could be related and maybe point to something other than IBS and he just said "well you may want to come back and speak to a female doctor about that"????
I was embarrassed enough as it is, and he just dismissed that concern of mine completely.

[Sqad]

Yes, it would seem that i always have to criticise the standard of health care in the NHS and here i go again.

IBS is diagnosed by exclusion...excluding other disorders, excluded by Colonoscopy and if necessary ultrasound of the abdomen.

Also, I remember those past threads well and clearly i took a pasting for my suggestions, but I stand by all I said.

Again......a standard of healthcare which inadequate to say the least.

Sorry i cannot be more positive.

[slaney]

Hi Madmen - I remember your previous posts - you did need to see your GP, but this sounds completely unsatisfactory. The locum has given you drugs for some of your symptoms, but apart from IBS has given you no diagnosis to explain all of your symptoms.
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion - it can only be made with all other causes have been ruled out with tests.
I would make an appointment to see your own GP.

[MadMen]

Thanks Sqad. I was hoping you were around :)

Well that's the thing, It was like "yes it's IBS and that's that". No tests to see if it could possibly be anything else, just a couple of prescriptions.
He didn't even say what I should do with regards to the supposed IBS??

I'm not convinced, but every time I questioned it or asked if it could possibly be something else, he was like "no, no. IBS is very common".

I left feeling like I'd completely wasted my time.

[slaney]

Sorry Sqad - you weren't there when I started, but at least we are saying much the same thing!

[Sqad]

No problem slaney.....

[MadMen]

Thanks Slaney.
I asked if it would be possible to have an ultrasound scan, as I've had scans in the past which have picked up small ovarian cysts, and he just said "No. That is not necessary".

[Sammy48]

I would ask for a second opinion and a scan to rule out probs with ovaries.

[slaney]

Yes - you should press your own GP to have these investigations.
Make the appointment now, so as not to leave it as long as the last time.

[MadMen]

Sometimes I get a really severe sharp pain to the left of my belly button and down slightly. This is why I thought it might be related, but he was having none of it.
My regular GP is back on Monday, so I'll have to go back then.
I know it's sounds stupid but I'm really upset about it and I know I won't be able to stop thinking about it over the weekend and won't be able to sleep.
I know it's probably nothing but I just wanted him to do something about what I was saying and asking for, even if it was to put my mind at rest.

As I'm sat here typing this, my upper abdomen feels solid and you can see it's swollen. It feels really uncomfortable and when I stand up, I get this weird sensation that I can only describe as something being 'there'.
Again, I'm trying not to be dramatic but I've had this for a while now and I just know that something's not right.

[MadMen]

I would just like to be able to go to a hospital and have some kind of scan or Xray or something, without having to keep building up the courage to go to my GP and then just get sent home feeling like I've been a complete waste of time.
I suffer really badly with anxiety and this is not helping at all.

[Brinjal]

How old are you? Ibs usually starts in younger people rather than older ones. I think! Pain left lower abdomen does sound like constipation which could be related to ibs. Not sure what the treatment is. My 24 year old suffers from ibs and does get her down as she alternates between constipation and diarrhoea and bloated tum.

[woofgang]

go back. make a fuss.

[boxtops]

Too right, agree with woofgang - let them know about your treatment - if people don't tell the GPs about locums' performance, they won't know.

[Connemmara]

just recently as yesterday some poster had a fight with her friend over ovarian cysts - making a long story short - the lady who had the ovarian cysts had a 6lb cyst - if you are thin every where else and swollen in the abdomen then go back to go - then as somebody said make a fuss

[craft1948]

I disagree with brinjal about age and IBS, I started with IBS in my late 40's. However I don't have many of MM's symptons...............

[MadMen]

Thanks for the further responses.
I can't do anything until Monday morning now, when I can phone up and (hopefully!) make an appointment with my regular GP. I will be telling him how useless the locum was and how he must be a medical marval if he can diagnose some with IBS just by looking at them!

Conne, it was that stupid thread that started me off panicking.
I've had this weird feeling in my stomach for a while now, but reading that thread made me realise that it could actually be something more sinister than just heartburn and a stomach ache.
I'm sure it's not, but it just made me think that I probably should go back and tell my doctor it's still there.

Anyway, thanks again :)

[Smowball]

What about going along to your local A & E?