Here's my story about trying to find out what is causing with my stomach pains, constipation and female problems.

Monday November 20th -- had doctor’s appointment. Doctor says it sounds like I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation. She has me schedule for a CT scan on my bowels as well as my female organs to see if I have a fibroid tumor or ovarian cyst.

Friday December 1st -- had CT scan ELEVEN days after my doctor’s appointment! I understand that the week of the 20th was a short week due to it being Thanksgiving Week. But I didn’t like that I had to wait all through the next week until Friday before they could get me in for the CT scan. I was told the CT scan results should be in on Monday afternoon or Tuesday.

Wednesday December 6th -- still hadn’t heard from the doctor about my test results. So I call the doctor’s office. Every time I called I would get an answering service; I left several messages but no one returned my calls! I wanted to find out something before my appointment with my Urologist on Thursday Dec. 7th.

Thursday December 7th -- The appointment with my Urologist is a story in itself. I go there (over an hour away) and I’m told that they can’t see me because they don’t take the insurance that I have now. Which they told me on the phone that they did! So I didn’t even see the Urologist; I had to reschedule the appointment with him for December 20th. The doctor accepts my insurance but that doctor’s OFFICE doesn’t accept the insurance. Something to do with the rules in that county. So now I have to go to his office that is two hours away to see him. I’m going to keep my appointment with my Urologist, but I think I’ll check into finding one that is locate that will accept my insurance. Going two hours away to the doctor is just too hard considering I have to go see him every few months for a checkup and more often if I‘m having some kind of problem.

On the way back home, I decided to by my doctor’s office to see if they have gotten the results from the CT scan, only to be told that they hadn’t gotten the results back yet. They said they’ll check into it. Before I had a chance to get back home, my doctor’s office had called. I didn’t even bother returning the call because I knew I’d just get the answering service. Which they didn’t leave a message on my answering message, it was just on my caller ID. The doctor’s office called back a little bit later and told me that I need to come in Monday morning for some blood work so hopeful I’ll know something on Monday. But it kind of worries me because I wasn’t told why I need to have the blood work.

From my appointment Nov. 20th until today Dec. 7th and I still don't know anything. So needless to say, I’m beyond frustrated with it taking this long to find something out. Which now I’m sure I’ll just have to wait even more to see what my blood work shows.

By Heaventree on Thursday, December 7, 2006 - 10:14 pm:

Are they just doing a CT scan? Have you had an ultrasound, TransV ultrasound, a colonoscopy, and upper and lower GI series? Not very pretty tests but I was amazed at how much they can actually see. I had a an upper and lower GI series down a few months ago and I could see all the bones in my pelvis, it was pretty cool. Maybe the CT scan covers all those other test, I'm not sure. Perhaps do a little research yourself this weekend and when you go in for blood tests on Monday ask about other testing and whether or not your doctor thinks it's necessary.

Hugs, I know how hard it is not to worry and now you have the whole weekend to stew about it. Keep us updated.

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, December 7, 2006 - 10:29 pm:

I don't know what they do for IBS these days, but back in the 80's when I was 17 I got an upper and lower GI. That's how my doctor diagnosed me with it, but back then it was called Nervous Stomach/Spastic Colon.

I don't know what kind of female problems you are referring to, so have you seen an OBGYN? My mom used to have all kinds of digestive and period problems, and come to find out, she had a cyst on her ovary which had become infected, and had created an abcess the size of a pear. I would ask your OBGYN for an ultrasound.

Best of luck and keep us posted. ((((HUGS))))

By Anonymous on Thursday, December 7, 2006 - 10:56 pm:

The doctor did say that I may have to be sent to a Gastroentrologist to have a colonoscopy, but she wanted to start with the CT scan to see what it showed.


The female problems is... very irregular cycles over the past year and cramping in between my cycles. I also have a constant pressure type feeling in my lower left side, so I thought it may be a cyst or fibroid tumor