Dr. Visit- Colon Cancer. Hopefully this helps someone.

[trainwreck]

First of all, thank you to all those who responded to my 1st post.  I was getting concerned enough about some abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits that I called the doctor today.  We had an ice storm and as luck would have it he had appointments cancel and could see me today.

I went and explained all of my fears-

Colon cancer - from the insane change in bowel movements.

Liver cancer from the yellow color of some stool.

Pancreatic cancer - from stool floating.

Abdominal pain which meant certainly something was wrong in one of those organs.

He is a very good doctor, actually known as one of the best diagnostic doctor in my city. He and sat me down and explained why I was wrong about each.

Starting with colon cancer-  He said he wish that they would remove that from the list of symptoms.  He stated that that is "part of life" and dependant on diet, stress levels, water intake, etc.....and no indicator of anything.

As to liver cancer from the yellow stool.  He said it was from a lack of bile due to quick transit time through the intestimes, or from food, or from any number of things, but that again, there are clusters of symptoms that would come along with liver issues, not just stool color alone, and that I would know something was wrong.

Pancreatic cancer from the floating stool.  He said, "Yes, but again, you would have develped malaabsortion problems and have this long term, not on and off and it would be extremely foul smelling, as would the gas you would continually have before I would even look at your pancreas.  And even then, I would be looking at the many easily remedied things that can cause your pancreas to act up, not for cancer.

Abdominal pain- He poked, prodded and felt around and told me that I had either a small tear in an ab muscle or a very small hernia developing.  And that if it were organ pain, his poking would have caused to me to jump from the examining table. 

He then told me I was a healthy 49 year old guy with mental issues that need to be addressed.  He said "I could order a bunch of bloodwork and scans, but that tell me what I already know and would only make you feel better for a week".  He also said, "If you have anything wrong with you and I refuse to test it, you have a great malpractice case against me. That is how sure I am that you have misinterpreted all of these symptoms". 

So we talked about how to address the issue at hand.  An OCD like obsession with worry. This time fixated on my health..  Drew up a plan and we will see how it works. 

I guess my point is that I am a fairly smart guy.  And I was CERTAIN that something sinister was wrong with me.  But I misinterpreted everything my body was doing. 

Thanks!

[hypomom]

  I LOVE your doctor! KEEP him! I go to the doctor with reflux, heartburn, diarreha and stomach pain and they want to do a ultrasound, ekg, stress test, endoscopy and colonoscopy. ! I wish I had your doctor who CLEARLY understands ha.

[trainwreck]

I LOVE your doctor! KEEP him! I go to the doctor with reflux, heartburn, diarreha and stomach pain and they want to do a ultrasound, ekg, stress test, endoscopy and colonoscopy. ! I wish I had your doctor who CLEARLY understands ha.

He has been my doctor since I have been 19.  So that is 30 years.  He has no problem making fun of me, and we often laugh together at the insanity of this dosorder.  But he always takes the time to listen to my concerns and explain what is going on to me.  He has run tests on me before.  Particularly when I had GERD and was hoarse, he sent me out for an endoscopy. 0213 years ago, I thought I pulled something in my chest and he thought that was the problem, but since I had been a smoker, decided to have my chest scanned.  So I know he doesnt just blow stuff off.  And today, he told me that since I was 49, I needed to get a stool kit back to him, and to be prepared for a colonoscopy next year.  But he does not believe in running tests to "cover his butt" or to reassure people with HA.  He feels it is better to explain the flawed thinking. 

But I always leave knowing that if he felt something was an issue

[Slangevar]

I would kill to have a GP like that. My gynecologist, surgeon and breast doc are all like that, but the only GP I ever found with those skills went VIP, so we can't afford him anymore.

That is GREAT advice he gave you... write it down and keep it in a drawer for later.

[Bob K]

Slangevar - I've been going through the same issues for months.  Saw my GP, he was not concerned.  Went to the GI doc and he gave me the same type exam you had and came to the same conclusion.  He also agreed with me that I likely have IBS and gave me an Rx for that.

I have irrational HA fears too and have been seeing a therapist for months.  I need to work harder at this to get it behind me.

If you run across something that helps you. please post it to share.  Thanks

[ceh1354]

Awesome! Good for you!!! Now---->> peace and getting help with HA! 

[nabila12]

Great post! Thanks for sharing your story!

[mollyfin]

Sounds like you have a great, patient, knowledgeable doctor.  I'm glad your mind is more at ease now.  I hope you can move on from your health worries :)

[megaT]

Slang, what do you mean when you say your GP went VIP and you can't afford him?  Just curious if its the same thing as the concierge physicians I've heard about.  Thanks!

[LindaRK]

That's great news and I think it's wonderful that you have a doc that truly listens, is patient and not gung ho on testing unnecessarily.

[trainwreck]

Thank you for your replies.  I am glad I found this site.  I was laughing at myself reading the posts.  I thought how rational I could be seeing other peoples post.  But so completely irrational with my own worries. 

[Slangevar]

MegaT - I'm so sorry - I didn't see your question!  I'm not sure where you live, but in big American cities, more and more doctors are choosing to join a VIP program. Basically in order to stay their patient, you have to pay about $1,500-3,000 per year. In exchange, you get next-day appointments, your doctor's cell phone number (so you can call him when you like) and your records are digitized.

If I had an extra $2,000 on top of the $6,000 I pay in annual premiums (not to mention the cost of each visit, since I have a $3,000 deductible), I would totally pay it, since I love my GP and would love to have such open access to him. But sadly I don't, so I don't get to be a VIP.

[trainwreck]

MegaT - I'm so sorry - I didn't see your question!  I'm not sure where you live, but in big American cities, more and more doctors are choosing to join a VIP program. Basically in order to stay their patient, you have to pay about $1,500-3,000 per year. In exchange, you get next-day appointments, your doctor's cell phone number (so you can call him when you like) and your records are digitized.

If I had an extra $2,000 on top of the $6,000 I pay in annual premiums (not to mention the cost of each visit, since I have a $3,000 deductible), I would totally pay it, since I love my GP and would love to have such open access to him. But sadly I don't, so I don't get to be a VIP.

My doctor is somewhat like that.  But he is independant and does not take new patients.  3 years ago, he sent all of his patients a letter saying that he needed to charge everyone $84 a year to stay profitable and to not have to take on more patients. (Which would result in less time per visit per patient).  I thought it was pretty reasonable and pay it every year. 

His partner broke off and went the VIP route.  He charges $3,000 per year.  I declined his offer, as I like my doctor more anyway. 

[Slangevar]

The $3,000/year thing is just ridiculous, but I suppose I understand it. (Though I imagine they'll wind up really working for that extra $3,000... if I paid that, I'd consider my doc at my beck and call.) 

$84 is totally charming!  I would gladly pay my favorite docs $84 a year. Heck, I'd pay them $200 a year. I just can't afford $2,000!

[megaT]

I live near Vegas, Slang.  I figured you were talking about the whole concierge physician thing.... Actually, my husband is a family doc and is considering this very thing.  Its interesting to read about it here.  :)

[marc]

He sounds like my doctor; an excellent one.