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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 8/7/2006 2:35 PM (GMT -8)
Well, I saw my nurse practitioner again today.  Mentioned that the diarrhea is back (and I've been getting those gnarly little fevers again too).  I guess she forgot about my issues since last time I saw her (back in April, I think) and said, "My goodness, it's really time for you to see a GI!" I said, "Uh, been there, done that, wrote the book on it..." She then remembered my ridiculous story - "Oh, yes, that was YOU!" Don't I feel special...

So she decided to try the Flagyl/Ciprofloxacin combo this time.  Which makes me queasy just thinking about it - last time I was on Flagyl I had 10 days of migraines and nausea; last time I was on Cipro I had diarrhea up to 35 times a day.  Who knows the loveliness they can bring to my life at the same time!?  I can hardly wait!  But I'm willing to give it a go, especially after she dropped this bomb on me: that I have a horrible, awful, no-good, very bad case of bacterial vaginosis (yick).  I knew things weren't quite right on that end, but didn't think much of it.  I guess it takes quite a bit of discomfort to get me riled up these days...

I took the freakin' rest of the day off work.  Thank goodness for sick leave.  I'm going to go take a nap with my kitties...and await the inevitable side effects.  She did throw in a script for Zofran, which generally keeps me from blowing chunks at the dinner table, at least!

 

Posted 8/7/2006 2:58 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Sarita!  You are funny!  Though I'm sure that this doesn't feel funny to you at all.  I'm always amazed at what people go through.  D 35x/day!!  That's just plain insane.  No one should have to go through that.  One of my best friends has Ulcerative Colitis and (is now on Remicade and has had some relief at long last)- I couldn't believe how much D and vomiting she could go through and still live.  I'm sorry you are going through this.  Antibiotics blow.  I'm now on one only when i have sex (I know, life keeps getting more exciting, huh? lol) secondary to urinary issues I'm having.  It's a killer.  Wish I had more to offer, but I'll be thinking of you and hoping you feel better.  Oh yeah, glad you went home from work and took some you-time.  Good for you!   Do some more of that, you deserve it!  Good luck.

Posted 8/7/2006 4:14 PM (GMT -8)
(((Sarita)))
Again? You poor girl. Hopefully this round of Flagyl will put you in (semi) remission for a while. Can you at least say you don't have the ER pain you used to have? I hope so.
How's Adam treating you? I hope he's pampering you.
Keep us posted girl. I'll be thinking about you and wishing you the best.
Hang in there!
Posted 8/7/2006 4:59 PM (GMT -8)

Yes Lil, I can definitely say I have not experienced that unbearable pain since...I can't remember when, so it's been a while!  The ER staff must be sad that I'm not there to delight them with my morphine-induced craziness.  "Hey, nursy-nurse...woohoo...did you see my sparkly pink panties??"

Adam is being a doll-face, of course, and taking it all in stride.  He knows the drill - ginger ale, watered-down Gatorade, and a Mel Brooks movie, and I'm set to go.  I am lucky person to have him, I thank my lucky stars every day.

I think all this was designed to teach me about my future patients and what challenges may come to them.  I finished my first round of med school applications several weeks ago and now am waiting for the second round, then interview invites, then (cross your fingers and toes) some acceptances within a few months.  I am feeling good about the process so far...it will all have been worth it if my future patients feel like they have someone going to bat for them no matter what insanity in the medical realm they may endure!

Posted 8/8/2006 7:09 AM (GMT -8)
I'm so glad you applied to med school!!! I have read that in colleges that are really hard to get into, "college coaches" are encouraging kids to do things that are slightly out of the ordinary--ordinary being pre-college courses and academic clubs--to draw attention to themselves. One coach recommended a girl do beauty pagents prior to applying for an Ivy League school because it would be something different from most people's actitivies on their applications and make her easier to remember. And she ended up getting into the school she wanted. Maybe you should make your claim to fame be "I'm not just a doctor, I'm also a patient." Heck, let them know you've got some undiagnosable bowel disorder and that part of your reason for becoming a doctor is to help other people in the same boat. Make sure you mention that you participate in this forum and talk to people on a personal level all the time about their G.I. problems. You'll definitely win on the bedside manner portion! You may also want to mention some really horrible doctors you have been to in the past and that you want to to be better than that, improve the public's (at least IBSer's) impression of G.I. doctors.
Posted 8/17/2006 3:27 PM (GMT -8)

Went back to the NP today.  Our dialogue was like deja vu.

NP: "You have very bad gut problems, I think it's time for you to see a GI."

Me: "Uh...yes, I've seen many.  about 29387434 to be exact."

NP: "Oh, that's right, you're the one who went to the Mayo Clinic!"

Me: "Yes."

NP: "My goodness.  What are we going to do?"

Man oh man.  I have to hand it to her - she's willing to try anything.  She said to me, "I will do whatever it takes, so if you have any ideas, let me know." She even gave me Flagyl refills to self-treat with the drug when the guts get bad.  Maybe that'll do the trick...although this time wasn't as successful as the last time.  I've had diarrhea several days since going on it.  I don't know.  She again said she'd refer me to any top-notch infectious disease/travel doc in the lower 48 if I wanted to go there.  What do you guys think?  It hasn't been as bad as it used to be, but it's still not the greatest.

Posted 8/17/2006 5:12 PM (GMT -8)

Sarita,
I don't know what to say.  sad   I feel so bad, I wish there was someone that could help you.  If the Mayo Clinic shrugged their shoulders, then what's next?

Great big ((((HUGS)))) to you!

Can you try another round of Flagly or is that dangerours and/or less effective?

Posted 8/18/2006 6:18 AM (GMT -8)
I was so hoping that would really cure you up. :-( I can't think of anything for you to do that you haven't already done--not and keep your intestines.
Posted 8/22/2006 10:20 AM (GMT -8)
Hi again girl.  Sorry to hear you're back to this again. 

Soooo glad to hear you've applied to med school though.  I pray you get in.  We need dr.s like you. :-)

Posted 8/22/2006 11:30 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks girls.  I am currently on phase II of my med school applications.  First I filled out the primary application and now I am starting to receive secondary applications.  After I submit those, I should start hearing if I've been selected for interviews within a month or two.  After that, I should hear whether I've been accepted within another month.  Maybe I will know by December!

Posted 8/22/2006 11:59 AM (GMT -8)
I'm so glad you're applying... We all know you'll make a great doc. :-) Would you consider being a GI?

How are your guts holding up?
Posted 8/22/2006 12:01 PM (GMT -8)
I actually have thought about GI...but also about general pediatrics, family medicine, travel medicine, or infectious disease.  I have no idea how I'll decide, but I hope to get a better idea once I start clinical rotations (during the third year).
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