Colonoscopy

[Shol]

 

Hi there.

 

I am going to require this as I have been having diarea for 3 weeks, did a full exeuctive check up and nothing is wrong with my blood and other tests but it just won't go away.

 

The big issue I am having is I am currently between contracts and I have no coverage so its out of pocket and I am being quoted from 12K all the way up to 30k as there "could be extra charges" depending on what happens.

Can someone here help me find a doctor or someone who would do it safely and reasonable and not give me the foreigner discount....

 

Thanks :)

I am in the Manila area..

I agree with most of the comments in regards to this, there is a whole host of problems that can lead to diarrhea. I see patients daily for this, if your current doctor can't find a cuase, I suggest you see a specialist.

 

More times than not, diarrhea is usually cuased by poor diet or gastro related.

 

 

 

I have seen 2 regular doctors (during check up) and now this gastro specialist.  All of them now that I have had the diarhea for a while and seemingly good tests have recommended a colonoscopy.  I have found out that one doctor intended to charge me like 3 times the professional fee standard for that procedure. 

 

None have recommended any bacteria or viral solutions until they get some idea as to what is the cause.

 

Keep in mind at this point my only symptoms is loose light colored diarea anywhere from 1 to 5-6 times a day.   

 

I forgot to mention that this all started when I quit drinking 3 weeks ago.. before that while I was drinking modrate to heavy my bowel movements were not always prefect but properly colored and not  watery like they ahve been since 3-4 days after quitting the drinking...

 

Aargh, can't figure out the third one which I believe is the bacteria killer pill.. the second one is the actual bacteria replacement thing.... 

 

Anyway ill wait for you to write me back with your symptoms and duration and type of diareha as I want to make sure that we were similar... maybe you still have the bottle ;) LOL

 

I found it...

furazolidone-oral, Furoxone

LOL - Did he advise you watch what you eat there are some warnings there about eating certain foods etc.

 

I guess I can talk to one of the doctors on this but I have a feeling that they are going to want to do the colonoscophy first....

 

Let me know your thoughts..

Edited June 18, 2014 by Shol

[Medic Mike]

I asume you mean stop drinking alcohol. Diarrhea is definetly one of the most common signs of gastrointestinal disease, however it often reflects primary disorders outside the digestive system. There are also disorders that can affect either the small or large bowel, which can also lead to diarrhea. If I was you, before going down gastro/bowell disease road, I would completly change my diet for a week, to see if this helps. By changing your diet, I mean changing to a bland, high fibre diet for a week to see if there is any change in your bowell habits.

 

A bland diet should consist of foods such as bananas, plain rice, toast with boiled potatoes, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat. Other recommended foods include cereals (rice, wheat, and oat cereals), and yogurt, no chocolate, high sugars, etc etc.....you get the idea :) 

[Shol]

Just talked to one of the doctors who said that the drugs bascillus clausii and furoxone are probiotics and wouldn't be effective to treat inflammatory or infections in etiology.

 

I dunno what that means exactly but I guess I want to try and figure out of these guys are just trying to get me to do things to pad the bill or will it be useless or even harmful.

 

Just looking for solutions....

 

Let me know on this one..thanks

[Shol]

I asume you mean stop drinking alcohol. Diarrhea is definetly one of the most common signs of gastrointestinal disease, however it often reflects primary disorders outside the digestive system. There are also disorders that can affect either the small or large bowel, which can also lead to diarrhea. If I was you, before going down gastro/bowell disease road, I would completly change my diet for a week, to see if this helps. By changing your diet, I mean changing to a bland, high fibre diet for a week to see if there is any change in your bowell habits.

 

A bland diet should consist of foods such as bananas, plain rice, toast with boiled potatoes, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat. Other recommended foods include cereals (rice, wheat, and oat cereals), and yogurt, no chocolate, high sugars, etc etc.....you get the idea :)

 

 

After the first week I ate apples and banans most of the time but would occasionally eat some crap my girlfriend brought over.  The weird thing for me is this whole thing started when I quit drinking... I did this for a positive change and to feel better but at that time I had fine stools.  And 2-3 days after stopping this happens where I blow the yellow chunks most of the time with a day or so where I would have semi solid stool but rarely.  Usually if i I eat unless I am on some sort of medication like immodium ill have to crap pretty fast and it will blow out yellow and chunk with undigested food.   Just really strange that I did a good thing and now have this going on.   I had thought for sure that it was to do with my fatty liver condition.. however they did some of the tests and don't think it is that...

 

I still get slight aches in my liver area now but it seems to be fading out where before when I was drinking this was quite common.    Some have suggested its a detox phase.. but for 3 weeks ? seems long and I have lost about 7 pounds now or so....

 

Anyway just feel a bit frustrated since the other posters are right that some of these persons who will treat me want to make sure that they get at least some PHP out of me for their time and might be recommending sh&t that will just run up the bills etc.

[Medic Mike]

Just talked to one of the doctors who said that the drugs bascillus clausii and furoxone are probiotics and wouldn't be effective to treat inflammatory or infections in etiology.

 

I dunno what that means exactly but I guess I want to try and figure out of these guys are just trying to get me to do things to pad the bill or will it be useless or even harmful.

 

Just looking for solutions....

 

Let me know on this one..thanks

LOL.....not sure what they are on about....lol.....I only have a masters, so I will bow to their expertise. Not sure what they mean by "probiotics"....the drugs mentioned are something I would prescibe for bacterial diahorea, they are antibiotics in Australia. In relation to the language used with "etiology", we use that word in relation to the study or cuase of a certain disease.

 

I have a feeling what they are trying to say is, that the drugs mentioned will not be appropriate for the presentaion of bowel movements you are having at the moment.

[Dave Hounddriver]

What were your exact symptoms  Did you have diahrea for a long time ?

 

This was 2 years ago so I don't have the empty bottles and I only remember that I had diarrhea for many days, probably 5 days to a week.  Any time I ate anything it went through me in 30 minutes or less and I had a general weakness.  I tell you for sure that the stuff on that prescription fixed me up almost immediately and if its not going to hurt you then its surely worth a try. BUT if your problem is related to alcohol withdrawal then it may be much more serious.  A friend of mine recently died from complications of that.

 

I do remember that the Doc said my problem was probably related to being a foreigner and not having the immunity to certain stomach bugs that locals have.

 

Edit:  I don't remember which pharmacy I took that to but it would have been either Rose or Mercury Drugs.  They had no problem figuring it out.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Dave Hounddriver

[Medic Mike]

 

I asume you mean stop drinking alcohol. Diarrhea is definetly one of the most common signs of gastrointestinal disease, however it often reflects primary disorders outside the digestive system. There are also disorders that can affect either the small or large bowel, which can also lead to diarrhea. If I was you, before going down gastro/bowell disease road, I would completly change my diet for a week, to see if this helps. By changing your diet, I mean changing to a bland, high fibre diet for a week to see if there is any change in your bowell habits.

 

A bland diet should consist of foods such as bananas, plain rice, toast with boiled potatoes, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat. Other recommended foods include cereals (rice, wheat, and oat cereals), and yogurt, no chocolate, high sugars, etc etc.....you get the idea :)

 

 

After the first week I ate apples and banans most of the time but would occasionally eat some crap my girlfriend brought over.  The weird thing for me is this whole thing started when I quit drinking... I did this for a positive change and to feel better but at that time I had fine stools.  And 2-3 days after stopping this happens where I blow the yellow chunks most of the time with a day or so where I would have semi solid stool but rarely.  Usually if i I eat unless I am on some sort of medication like immodium ill have to crap pretty fast and it will blow out yellow and chunk with undigested food.   Just really strange that I did a good thing and now have this going on.   I had thought for sure that it was to do with my fatty liver condition.. however they did some of the tests and don't think it is that...

 

I still get slight aches in my liver area now but it seems to be fading out where before when I was drinking this was quite common.    Some have suggested its a detox phase.. but for 3 weeks ? seems long and I have lost about 7 pounds now or so....

 

Anyway just feel a bit frustrated since the other posters are right that some of these persons who will treat me want to make sure that they get at least some PHP out of me for their time and might be recommending sh&t that will just run up the bills etc.

 

Hmmmm....gall baldder and liver can certainly impact on your bowel movements. However, without seeing your exact medical history, (which I don't advise posting publically) my advice would try and go with a strict bland diet for a week and see how you go.

[Shol]

 

What were your exact symptoms  Did you have diahrea for a long time ?

 

This was 2 years ago so I don't have the empty bottles and I only remember that I had diarrhea for many days, probably 5 days to a week.  Any time I ate anything it went through me in 30 minutes or less and I had a general weakness.  I tell you for sure that the stuff on that prescription fixed me up almost immediately and if its not going to hurt you then its surely worth a try. BUT if your problem is related to alcohol withdrawal then it may be much more serious.  A friend of mine recently died from complications of that.

 

I do remember that the Doc said my problem was probably related to being a foreigner and not having the immunity to certain stomach bugs that locals have.

 

Edit:  I don't remember which pharmacy I took that to but it would have been either Rose or Mercury Drugs.  They had no problem figuring it out.

 

 

Was your stool light colored also ? yeah similar. I guess can give it a shot.  Mine is yellow usually and goes through fast usually.   I have no problems ffeel great other than being a bit lightheaded now I assume to trying to stay hydrated.. but other than the diahrea I feel great.. no other symptoms and no blood in the stool etc..

 

Ill check it out thanks a lot for the help :)

[Shol]

 

Just talked to one of the doctors who said that the drugs bascillus clausii and furoxone are probiotics and wouldn't be effective to treat inflammatory or infections in etiology.

 

I dunno what that means exactly but I guess I want to try and figure out of these guys are just trying to get me to do things to pad the bill or will it be useless or even harmful.

 

Just looking for solutions....

 

Let me know on this one..thanks

LOL.....not sure what they are on about....lol.....I only have a masters, so I will bow to their expertise. Not sure what they mean by "probiotics"....the drugs mentioned are something I would prescibe for bacterial diahorea, they are antibiotics in Australia. In relation to the language used with "etiology", we use that word in relation to the study or cuase of a certain disease.

 

I have a feeling what they are trying to say is, that the drugs mentioned will not be appropriate for the presentaion of bowel movements you are having at the moment.

 

 

What's your thoughts  I can probably give them a shot ?  Any big impacts on me not allergic.. but when they say not appropriate i think they are saying because my diahrea lasted 3 weeks already.. so they insisting on doing the colonoscopy which would be ok.. but I am scared that it will just do nothing for me and give me no answers on it.... It seems to make sense that it's bacteria related..but everyone here says that it if was it would go away in a week or so... even without treatment..

[Dave Hounddriver]

Was your stool light colored also ?

After the first day or two it turned to light yellow, yes.  I believe that is just because the crap is going through you so fast.  Anyway, I have only that one experience to give you, Medic Mike is the educated one.  If he is not suggesting that the treatment I suggest is going to hurt you then it is the cheapest fix to try.  If it works, great.  If it does not, what's the downside?