Need advice for upcoming visit with GP
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Need advice for upcoming visit with GP
Hi All, It has been some time since I’ve posted (maybe March I think). After I was diagnosed with LC, I did not go back to the gastroenterologist since she wanted to put me on Budesonide (sp.?) and I was more interested in treating my colitis with diet. I have cataracts and that was one reason I did not want to go on steroids. I severely restricted my diet for a few months and seemed to get better. I started back up recently on a multivitamin, and Vit.D, which I don’t think is enough from what I’ve gathered here on the forum. I still have diarrhea but not nearly to the extent that I had it at the beginning. Also I am severely fatigued, and have depression and anxiety. I am not taking any prescriptions, but I do take Pepto and Tylenol. I let up on the diet somewhat with no dire consequences, although I think I would do well to get back on track. At this point I am considering getting the Enterolab tests and plan to ask him if he could order them so that I might be able to get insurance to at least pay for part of it. There is much stress in my life right now. Sleeping is an issue. My mind just won’t shut off and when I do go to sleep I wake up and can’t get back. I am due for a wellness exam with my GP and want to ask him to check levels of my vitamins and wonder what you all would recommend I ask for...I’m assuming Vit. D and Magnesium, but what else? Also, I was planning to ask him if he could recommend something for sleep, and maybe something for the extreme anxiety for a short period of time. I am very Leary of getting on any drug, but I am feeling desperate for help. I was on an antidepressant for years and got rid of that a couple of years ago...it was an intense struggle with horrible side effects. I will never take one of those again. I know I need to get out and exercise...if I can drag myself out I’m sure that would help. Any suggestions on what to ask the doc for or any suggestions generally? Thanks in advance.
Depression and anxiety, (especially anxiety) are symptoms of a chronic magnesium deficiency. Yes, order a vitamin D and a magnesium test. But be sure to ask your doctor to order the RBC (red blood cell) magnesium test, because the serum magnesium test that doctors traditionally order is worthless unless you are in the Emergency Room. Other than the usual tests, those are the only two that I feel are critical for good health.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.