Any advice?

[Kilinka11]

Hi I'm new here....

I Need some help. I have been having these weird stools for about a year now. There is this clearish film on my stool accompanied by little white and black flecks. There is an over all flaky or fluffy looking appearance to the poop. The smaller filmy flakes will float to the surface creating a film on the top of the water in the toilet. Kind of like when you leave your soup sitting out to long. I am concerned about my health and my doctor will not listen to me. She has refused my request for a referral to a gastro doctor and I've fought like hell just To get her agree to a colonoscopy and but I am still waiting for that appointment. Covid has slowed things down. I wd appreciate any insight here.

[Viklou]

Maybe worth getting a stool sample done first

[Kilinka11 in reply to Viklou]

She refused a stool sample saying it's all in my head basically. Like I'm not seeing what I'm seeing or something. Maybe bc I originally thought I had a parasite a had o&p lab done which came back negative for parasite which lead me to believe its obviously something else?🤷‍♀️

[LadyinRed47]

Why is it so difficult to get any medical help? I know I’m answering a question with a question? I wish you luck with getting investigations done. It’s an area I’d medicine which obviously doesn’t win votes or help election campaigns is the only reason I can see for the difficulties in getting medical help? Are you in Uk or USA?

[Kilinka11 in reply to LadyinRed47]

I'm actually in Canada. I dont understand why it's so hard to be heard. I just want testing done.

[xjrs]

There is a set protocol for diagnosing IBS through stool sample and blood tests:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

Presumably you're not in the UK? If you are in the UK your doctor is being negligent in not carrying out these tests and you could ask for another doctor. If you have had these tests, they will only send you for a colonoscopy if your inflammation markers are high. If they are not, they tend to diagnose IBS.

[Kilinka11 in reply to xjrs]

I am in Canada

[Shaheeda]

Hmmmm, I have been referred for Gastro, and a colonoscopy + had bloods taken. No stool sample, I’ve had mild symptoms for years. Ask for a second opinion and don’t give up until they take you seriously.

[Kilinka11]

Thank you. This has actually been the fight of my life just trying to get proper testing. I cant get the right ppl to listen. Maybe it's in my presentation. Idk. I've never had an issue in the past getting my doctor's attention. It's like what she thinks what I'm talking about is made up or something.

[xjrs in reply to Kilinka11]

May be time to change your doctor or make a complaint if you can? Possibly also take along this print out from the UK to say that you want these tests:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

Do you have anyone you can take with you to the appointment who can fight your corner?

[Kilinka11 in reply to xjrs]

I have contacted an advocate but that too is going to cost me. I am a single mom on a fixed income so I'm not sure how I can swing it. I appreciate the print out, thank you. I sought out a 2nd opinion from a nurse practitioner who said she referred Me for a colonoscopy but that to, I have been waiting for for 5 months. I have been waiting over a year for the walk in clinic who said they sent a referral to a gastro doctor. I wonder if it was even sent at all.

[xjrs in reply to Kilinka11]

Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I've even found in the UK when it comes to appointments etc., sometimes things don't happen when they should or things get lost. I've found at times I've needed to keep chasing my GP surgery or gastro secretary to get things moving.

[Viklou]

I know this sounds a bit gross but maybe take some pictures of what you see. My brother told me to do this. They are useful at times because inevitably it's not happening when you see the gastro doctor or your GP. If your primary care doctor isn't listening I would make arrangements to see another doctor. Diet and stresses do play a huge factor with IBS but you still need a diagnosis

[Kilinka11 in reply to Viklou]

I have tried that route. I have only talked to her on the phone and she refuses to see me in order to look at pictures or give me a number I can text them to. She flat out doesn't believe that there's an issue so she is not even going to bother trying to figure it out for me. How she can decide this without even having an office visit or listening to my whole list of symptoms. She caught me off halfway through my list of symptoms and I've never been able to finish.

[Weeg23]

I feel your pain i too have had to fight with my doctors for a colonoscopy as it is the only thing i havnt had done yet. Finally it is happening even with covid ive managed to get lucky and only had to wait maybe 3 weeks mine is next week. But i hope you can get to the bottom of things soon🤞

[Kilinka11 in reply to Weeg23]

Oh I'm glad u got an appt already. Congratulations. I've decided I may be left with only the choice to see a Functional medicine doctor if I'm going to get any help. Itll break the bank but what price do u put on ur health I guess.

[Viklou in reply to Kilinka11]

Can you not go private for at least a consultation

[Kilinka11]

I'm going to pay for a functional medicine doctor to have testing done