I am 31 and have had bad stomach problems for years now. I have GERD (severe acid reflux). I take Prevacid. I told my situation to the first doctor and he looked quite concerned that my condition was getting worse. He thought I was also anemic and sent me for blood tests. I got the blood test done and have an appointment to see a GI doctor for the first time in my life. I am afraid of what the results will show. Would it be bad if i didn't go and just continued to take Prevacid? Can I die from this condition?
2006-09-09 09:24:01 · 8 answers · asked by cannonball 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
He was also concerned about possible blood in my stool.
2006-09-09 09:25:13 · update #1
Absolutely you should go, and not just because the doctor told you so. What if your GERD gets worse (and it certainly can, after all you can also build up an immunity to the Prevacid) and it gets to a point....well I don't have to say anymore. Go for peace of mind that it may not be as bad as the initital doctor thought (it may not be his area of expertise) or you caught it before it became much worse and unbearable. Heck better safe than sorry, your 31! Rip off the bandaid and go see a GI specialist! You don't want to say to yourself one day "I should've..." And yes GERD can get really bad, the acid eats away at the lining of almost anything, you can lose your voice and end up with other problems because of it. It may be, that you just need to change a couple of things in your diet and together with Prevacid or something maybe a bit stronger, it can go away altogether! Now wouldn't that be much better?
2006-09-09 12:45:39 · answer #1 · answered by Uramoron 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your doctor would like you to see a specialist because you have continuing problems even though you are taking medicine. His thought of you being anemic is also another reason. Some people are just a little low in iron and are right at the line for anemia. He thinks because of this, that you might have bleeding in your stools, which could be a sign of polyps on your colon. Which can lead to colon cancer.
The GI doctor will most likely have you undergo colonoscopy. Nothing to be afraid of. They will give you anesthesia and run a scope in your backside. LOL I know it sounds gross, but while looking, they can remove from any polyps if found. It's all done at one time. Which makes it convenient. Or they will will run a scope down your throat to see if you might have an ulcer.
My step-mom just had it done and she has also suffered with GERD for awhile now. The most important thing you can do is to start getting more fiber in your diet. And also eliminate all things that produce high acid content in your stomach. Don't wear tight pants, which makes acid reflux worse.
Don't be scared, it's a common procedure for many people. Nothing you can die from. Maybe you could get a prescription for some Zanax or something to help you stay calm during your visit. Good luck, and please don't not go. You will feel silly when it's all over and made such a fuss about it.
2006-09-09 11:04:12 · answer #2 · answered by dizzyd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is usually a good idea to look into your health before things get worse.
While your stomach issues may be GERD and nothing else, you need to see a GI doctor so that they can perform an endoscopy to look inside and determine that there isn't something more serious. If you have stomach ulcers, then you may require more intense treatments, and if there is cancer, then catching it early gives you the best chance of having it removed and getting cured.
2006-09-09 09:58:47 · answer #3 · answered by Cycman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely I can understand how you feel. BUT, how can you monitor and possibly fix the problem if you don't follow through and find out exactly what is going on. More than likey, you will have to change meds, possibly start eating differently, and last choice have surgery. YOU MUST keep that appointment for your own well being - including any other family members. You want to feel better don't you? Taking care of the problem now when you have choices is better than waiting till you have serious choices or no options! GOOD LUCK!!!!
2006-09-09 20:47:43 · answer #4 · answered by HolidayGurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might ease your mind if you go. It could be something insignificant, or it might be serious, but it is one step to knowing what is going on. Your condition might worsen if you don't take care of it.
I can emphasize with the nervousness you seem to be feeling. My two-month-old baby girl suffers from infant GERD had has seen a battery of doctors because she does not eat very well and spits up a bit of what she does take in. Can't seem to get the suck / swallow / breathing down. Luckily she continues to thrive and is making small steps to getting better.
2006-09-09 09:35:39 · answer #5 · answered by sescja 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you have to have a license to "practice" medicine. It refers back to the old days when "quacks" would practice their sometimes odd home remedies as well as more known ones on the sick. They were somewhat like magicians then, practicing theirs skills, until science took over and determined true medicine from lore and made it necessary for these quacks to go to school to get a license to practice, most of which they already knew
2016-03-27 04:17:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go.It's not a good idea to have bleeding go unchecked
2006-09-09 10:14:26 · answer #7 · answered by Scottish Dachsy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your doctor told you to go then you should go.
2006-09-09 09:38:00 · answer #8 · answered by real_sweetheart_76 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋