First Gi Appointment... Help

[MChase]

Hi.  I am rather new to this site (found it last week).  I am having my first GI appointment tomorrow (been waiting for 5 weeks).  My primary dr says I have Celiac or Ulcerative Colitis (or both) and wants me to get tested.  She wanted me to get into the GI asap.  This is just a consultation.  I am not sure what to expect. Also, do I tell my GI all my ailments or just my  stomach issues.  I have a lot of  ailments (sinus infections, ear infections, yeast infections, psorasis, anxiety problems, sleep problems, ringing in ears, etc).  Most dr appointments seem rushed and not sure if I will have time to go through the list of everything.  Any advice on what to expect or what to do.

 

Thanks in advance,

Melody

[cyclinglady]

Here's a few things to insure you get the most out of your visit:

 

1) type up a list of current symptoms

2) type up a health history (including lab results if possible)

3) type up a family history tree

4) take notes and ask questions.

 

I've done this and doctor's are so happy!  My niece went to her first GI visit clutching her family history in hand.  As a result, the doc ordered a Celiac panel, HIDA scan and other tests right off the bat!  

[powerofpositivethinking]

definitely write everything down beforehand, and since it's a GI doctor, put special emphasis on the GI issues.  You've got to make this visit the best for you, so don't give the doctor anything right away that could make him/her say, "Oh you really should have gone to see another specialist."  Write it all down    

 

what made your primary think celiac or uc?  Have you had any testing done?  

[SkyBlue4]

Hi.  I am rather new to this site (found it last week).  I am having my first GI appointment tomorrow (been waiting for 5 weeks).  My primary dr says I have Celiac or Ulcerative Colitis (or both) and wants me to get tested.  She wanted me to get into the GI asap.  This is just a consultation.  I am not sure what to expect. Also, do I tell my GI all my ailments or just my  stomach issues.  I have a lot of  ailments (sinus infections, ear infections, yeast infections, psorasis, anxiety problems, sleep problems, ringing in ears, etc).  Most dr appointments seem rushed and not sure if I will have time to go through the list of everything.  Any advice on what to expect or what to do.

 

Thanks in advance,

Melody

 

Definitely do what has already been suggested and take notes with you on your symptoms, family history and copies of any relevant labs you've already had done. Good luck!

[MChase]

definitely write everything down beforehand, and since it's a GI doctor, put special emphasis on the GI issues. You've got to make this visit the best for you, so don't give the doctor anything right away that could make him/her say, "Oh you really should have gone to see another specialist." Write it all down

what made your primary think celiac or uc? Have you had any testing done?

I was in the ER with excruciating pain in my lower abdomen. They did ultrasounds (external and transvaginal), CT scans. Yhe ER dr said it was diverticulitis, but my primary says the outside of my colon looks fine. She saidtthat with all my symptoms, it is not Crohns nor IBS. My iron has been low for years , my liver functions are high. She said something about my white blood cells too, but I can't remember what it was (had my yearly routine blood tests in May).

[shadowicewolf]

I was in the ER with excruciating pain in my lower abdomen. They did ultrasounds (external and transvaginal), CT scans. Yhe ER dr said it was diverticulitis, but my primary says the outside of my colon looks fine. She saidtthat with all my symptoms, it is not Crohns nor IBS. My iron has been low for years , my liver functions are high. She said something about my white blood cells too, but I can't remember what it was (had my yearly routine blood tests in May).

gallbladder? appendix?

[MChase]

Pain is left side. Also lower abdomen all the way across. Gallbladder and appendix are fine.

[nora-n]

My daughter was in the hospital long time ago with severe stomach pains, so it could be pains because of celiac

 

several people have mentioned left-side pain

 

high liver numbers are also typical for celiac

[powerofpositivethinking]

got it 

 

not sure if you've been to University of Chicago Celiac Center site yet, but here's something in regards to elevated liver numbers

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

saw on your other posts that that GI is ordering endo with biopsies and colonoscopy, so I'm glad things went well today!

 

I was in the ER with excruciating pain in my lower abdomen. They did ultrasounds (external and transvaginal), CT scans. Yhe ER dr said it was diverticulitis, but my primary says the outside of my colon looks fine. She saidtthat with all my symptoms, it is not Crohns nor IBS. My iron has been low for years , my liver functions are high. She said something about my white blood cells too, but I can't remember what it was (had my yearly routine blood tests in May).

[MChase]

My daughter was in the hospital long time ago with severe stomach pains, so it could be pains because of celiac

 

several people have mentioned left-side pain

 

high liver numbers are also typical for celiac

Thank you.

[MChase]

got it 

 

not sure if you've been to University of Chicago Celiac Center site yet, but here's something in regards to elevated liver numbers

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

saw on your other posts that that GI is ordering endo with biopsies and colonoscopy, so I'm glad things went well today!

Thank you. I will check it out. I am new to the Celiac world. The Dr is doing a Colonoscopy and a endoscopy with biopsies. He said he will remove any polyps if there are any.

Thanks again.

[w8in4dave]

Diverticulitis is lil pockets in your colon . It has nothing to do with the outside of your colon. I have diverticulitis also. But that does not mean you don't have Celiac. I was always complaining of pain in my abdomen .. Always!! So go to your GI and get the colonoscopy and tell him every single one of your ailments and that you think you have celiac. I lay everything out on the table to Drs. Everything!! 

[MChase]

gallbladder? appendix?

I said my gallbladder was fine. However, the GI dr went over the report from the ER. He said I have a large gallstone. He said it was probably asymptomatic or that I am in a lot pain from other things that I don't pay attention to it. He also mentioned that thete wss some gynecologic things going on. He told me what the report found. Asked who my gyn was. Told me to go see her asap. He gave me a copy of the ER findings so I csn take them to my gyn. The more and more I deal with things, the madder I get. Why didn't the ER mention the gallstone or the gyno problems? But better yet, why didn't my primary? Did she not read the full report? Did she just see that the ER said diverticulitis and automatically sent me to a GI? I love her to death, but maybe it's time to see another dr.

[w8in4dave]

Sounds like your on the road to find out your problem, I read all the time most people don't get DX'd for 10 years. sometimes longer!! It is crazy! Just be diligent !! If you have pain tell them. Don't let them make you think your crazy!! Because your not! I had my Gall Bladder out, My appendix out ... Still had pain checked my Colon and I had diverticulitis ... Still pain. If they can figure it out!! Wonderful!! I wish you all the luck! 

[MChase]

Sounds like your on the road to find out your problem, I read all the time most people don't get DX'd for 10 years. sometimes longer!! It is crazy! Just be diligent !! If you have pain tell them. Don't let them make you think your crazy!! Because your not! I had my Gall Bladder out, My appendix out ... Still had pain checked my Colon and I had diverticulitis ... Still pain. If they can figure it out!! Wonderful!! I wish you all the luck! 

Thank you.  I've been dealing with digestive (and a slew of other) issues since I was a kid.  I've been getting ultrasounds, CT scans, etc since I was in my early 20s.  I will be 40 in a few months.  As I get older, it seems harder and harder to deal with the issues.  

 

I guess the GI dr will be able to tell if it is diverticulitis with a colonoscopy?  He did say he didn't think it was Ulcerative Colitis (as my primary suggested).  But we will see.  Only 12 more days to get the procedures!!!  

 

I hope they can figure out your pain soon.  I gets frustrating when they can't figure it out and when we can't control the pain.  

[w8in4dave]

Yes with a colonoscopy they can DX diverticulitis , thats how they DX'd mine. Good luck! Really I know how it is to suffer and suffer and suffer!! It sucks!! But sooner or later it will all come together.