First Date with the Gastro

As noted in the previous post, my first date with the gastroenterologist didn't go as I had planned.  I, like most people these days, did my homework. I figured out I probably had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but wanted to rule out any allergies or diseases first.  So, I went to an allergist and got tested for food allergies and had a blood work up done for celiacs and other GI diseases.  When the tests came back negative, I knew I probably had IBS.  I didn't need a $400 dollar doctor visit to confirm that's what I had.  

Well that's how the appointment went.  She [the gastro] wanted another blood work up to make sure I didn't have any other GI illnesses (including celiacs, which I had already ruled out).  This blood test also came back... surprise, surprise... negative! 

She suggested I started taking an oral fiber to help with my watery stool, such as Benefiber, which is a corn dextrose based fiber.  CVS sells a generic brand call Easy Fiber.  She also suggested I started tracking the foods I ate with a food diary. The food diary became the hardest part of my homework for me to be compliant with because as a girl that LOVES food and LOVES to eat, keeping track of every piece of food I put it my mouth was rather hard.  I didn't really get good at keeping a food diary until months down the road.  

So, summary of my 1st appointment:

1. take Benefiber
2. track my foods

My next appointment with the gastroenterologist would be 3 months later, in early April 2013.