Today was the day of my two doctor's appointments. First thing this morning was the echo cardiogram. That one was easy and only took about a half hour. The test goes to a cardiologist to be read and I will get that report on Monday. The technician said the cardiologist might read it and want to do a further test like an MRI with dye but I would find that out when the report was ready. That kind of sounded a bit ominous to me like he was warning me but I could be misreading his remark entirely. He knew this was the first echo cardiogram I have had and just wanted me to know that more tests MIGHT be in store.
The second was with the gastroenterologist. He was a new doctor to me but I have to tell you, I liked him....a lot. He is an older doctor. Probably in his late 50's or early 60's. Very grandfatherly in the best possible way. His hair is completely white and he has a full but well trimmed beard and mustache. Handsome is another word I would use. I was completely at ease with him and was able to describe why I was there, the symptoms I had to endure with my IBS-D, how long I have had it, what I used to help alleviate the pain/symptoms, etc. He was surprised I had not seen a gastroenterologist well before this. He was not surprised that I didn't really want to travel to Huntsville to see one, however. I DO have a prescription for a medication that I will take four capsules a day (one with each meal and one at bedtime) and he said we will monitor how I do on it for several months OR until I have another IBS-D attack (pray that doesn't happen !). Then, he said, we will try another medication until we find one that works for me.
He also scheduled me for my colonoscopy. I told him that I wasn't going to use the doctor that did my last one mainly because I felt if he was going to be treating me for my IBS-D, he should also be the one to be able to check on what else might be going on in there that could be affecting it. He laughed and said he was glad that was my decision although he would have understood if I had made a different decision.
I was totally shocked at the new stuff I was given to take for the clean-out process. It's incredibly different and should be much easier to take. It is called Prepopik and has two packets of a powder that you take in two doses. I have to take one at 5pm the day before my procedure in 5oz of water (stirring for three minutes first) then I drink 5-8oz glasses of any assortment of different liquids (water, tea, coffee with no creamer, Gatorade, even soda that is not red or purple, clear broth...amazing variety!) Then, at 5am the morning of my colonoscopy, I take the second packet in 5oz of water and then drink 3-8oz glasses of the liquids of my choice. That seems much easier to manage than drinking that gallon of awful tasting stuff like I've had to drink for my last two colonoscopies. I'll let you know how that goes after my appointment on next Thursday morning.
I really hated all the damn paperwork and the questions you have to answer every time you start a new doctor. Especially since the answers are in the hospital files that are easily accessed. In fact, his nurse accessed them while I was in the exam room since she hadn't received the paperwork that I had JUST turned in and she brought up medications that I hadn't taken in over a year. Those I KNEW she got from the hospital records.
I have to call my vascular doctor tomorrow to find out how many days I can be off my Plavix before the procedure. I have no clue and the nurse said to be sure to find out directly from him since he is aware of my need for it and how long he would let me go without it. Or perhaps it's more like how long it will take for it to get out of my system enough not to cause a problem if anything needs to be removed from my colon.
Well, time to jump into the shower and get ready for bed. I feel more relaxed now that this is over (the waiting part). Now to just get ready for the colonoscopy. *Sigh*
Love you all. Be good. Be happy...it's damn near the weekend! ***Hugs***
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