Colonoscopy: After the tears

So the tears and tear are gone.
My Gastro doc’s office called to let me know that my fissure was healed prior to the colonoscopy.
Though Dr. PCP states that the pain I am feeling may mean the fissure has broken open again.  I’m talking about an anal fissure here.  Something difficult to talk about but I’ve [...]

The Crying Colonoscopy Patient

When I arrived at the surgery center for my colonoscopy, I was brought to my private room.  I noticed that a report from my Gastroenterologist, dated December 7, was by my bed.  Being a patient who prefers to be in the know, I read through it.
Then I started to cry.
The report contained inaccurate information that [...]

What to expect: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

So you’ve got really bad reflux and you’re having a Esophagogastroduodenoscopy!
As with other procedures I’ve had since starting this blog, I looked to the web for some firsthand patient accounts of EGDs** and found nothing.  So, I decided to add my experience.
**Please note that this procedure is also called an Upper GI endoscopy.  What’s interesting [...]

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward The Undiagnosed

All I want for Christmas is IBD.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
IBD could be my ticket to treatment.  My leg problem, eye inflammation, anemia, etc. could all be managed if there is an identified cause.  I could enter 2010 with a diagnosis and some direction on where to go from here.  I’m ready.  I’ve got books on Crohn’s [...]

Healthy Blogging

I have the most extreme fatigue I have ever felt.
I could fall asleep at any moment of the day.  I am sleeping 8-12 hours a day and still am yawning.  I’m just not certain what is going on.
Could it be the anemia? Pneumonia? Leg problem? Gastro problems? Or is it something more nebulous
such as exhaustion?  [...]

Drive-thru Gastroenterology

Today was my first visit with a Gastroenterologist in about 10 years.  My first visit and first colonoscopy was at age 9.
I’m scheduled for a colonoscopy (my third) and an EGD – esophagogastroduodenoscopy (my first).
Today was my first real experience with the downside of having an HMO.  I had a quick review of systems with [...]

Doctors Say the Darndest Things

Today I laughed when I found out a doctor made a mistake with me.  Even though the error caused me some unnecessary concern, it’s funny nonetheless.
Today, I saw my PCP for a pap smear.  It’s been three years which seems like a long time, but some of the guidelines for
their frequency have changed when you’ve [...]