Where to get a stool analysis done?? Please.

essexsi_2

Hi all,

I do not want medical advice! I have had a digestive/bowel problem for 8 years. I have had all the tests done to discount the serious disorders. After these my Doctor just said it was 'irritable bowel syndrome' and I just have to get on with it. The problem is getting worse and I am planning to see a homeopath and dietician. I am clutching at straws!!

I would just like to know if anyone has had a stool sample/analysis done. I would like to discount other possible causes such as parasites, candida etc. I have seen this service offered on a google search, but wondered if this could be undertaken by the NHS.

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers Si

BitterAndTwisted

Why not visit your GP and ask for a referral to have it done? It seems like a reasonable request to me. In the meantime if you're not already keeping a food-diary I'd do this as it will be helpful information for the dietician.

A friend of mine is lactose-intolerant and the effects sound rather like IBS to me

essexsi_2

Thanks for the reply.

I will try my doctor again. She really was quite dismissive last time I tried to get help, which does put you off! But I shall persevere!

I did keep a detailed food diary for 2 months,but lost enthusiasm as no patterns were showing up at all. This is why I think it may be not food related at all.

Cheers for your interest.
Si

ailuro2

Ask to see a different doctor next time you go, take your food diary with you.

Mojisola

I knew someone who was really ill for ages with a digestive problem - constant diarrhea! None of the doctor's tests provided an answer until she was referred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases - her illness had started a short while after a holiday in Egypt. They found a very rare parasite in her gut and were eventually able to get rid of it for her.

Did you go abroad before getting ill?

Have you tried varying your diet to see if any particular foods make things better or worse?

There's some interesting reading here -
https://www.drmyhill.co.uk/articles.cfm?s=1&subject=Bowel%20Problems

and I trust the labs she orders tests from -
https://www.drmyhill.co.uk/tests.cfm

essexsi_2

Thanks very much for all your helpful replies. I will start again with a different Doctor. Are you able to insist on a referal ? I am unsure of this.

I did not travel at all before getting ill. I really cannot pinpoint when it started, typical bloke leave it ages before going to see the doctor!!

Mojisola, thanks for the links, I will have a read. Do you speak from experience on the lab tests. I only ask as I have googled for 'stool testing' and there are quite a few places that offer the tests, but I would like a recommendation before parting with £150 plus! Ofcourse, I don't mind paying at all if it will help.

Thanks Si

LeeSouthEast

In my GP surgery 2 days ago I was surprised (in an amusing sense) to see a "stool analysis" poster.. so I'd suggest another GP as a first port of call.

Mojisola

I have had the tests relating to ME but not a stool analysis. I do respect Dr Myhill's integrity and would trust any labs that she works with.

jenniewb

I don't know if it helps but I have huge problems with my stomach (it makes me look 6 months pregnant at best Painful as I used to have anorexia until my weight did a sudden 4 dress size hike on me 2 years ago!)

I went to my GP, said it was IBS. I researched IBS, for a while I really thought it was....until I did my research.

So I went back to my GP, who said it was "something all women go through" fibbed me off when I said the pills (buscopan) made no difference, bacteria drinks made it worse and it was sevearly controlling my life (fact: I no longer see my friends because I feel so bad). I didn't even get a "its IBS" from that one!

So I went back a few more times, some doctors blaming it on my exercise (I have an exercise "obsession") others saying it would go away...come back in a few months.

The last time I went in, I sat down, I said before I had even started, I was going to continue to make appointments every day until I got some more definate results. IBS is supposed to be a last resort- they can't find anything wrong wioth you, they call it IBS. But they had not perfomed any tests, nothing! I explained how it dictated my life, how every day I get asked if I am expecting/want a seat on the tube/stares at my stomach. I end up in tears about once a week as a result (it used to be worse when it all started 2 years ago). The doctor actually listened to me! Sent me for blood tests, requested a stool (I NEVER want to have to do that again in my life!) and now a gastreoentreologist scan. (Am on the non emergency waiting list which I suppose is better then nothing- several months wait is better then nothing!) If all that fails, I think I will go to see a natropath (as advised to me by seveal different people.)

Hope you get a solution OP, or at thge least the tests you need. I would say if you need to go private then do so, but at least try to get the basics ruled out or you'll end up paying for those same tests if you do go private as whomever you see will need to rule the basics out.

Mojisola

jenniewb wrote: »

I don't know if it helps but I have huge problems with my stomach (it makes me look 6 months pregnant at best Painful as I used to have anorexia until my weight did a sudden 4 dress size hike on me 2 years ago!)

I went to my GP, said it was IBS. I researched IBS, for a while I really thought it was....until I did my research.

So I went back to my GP, who said it was "something all women go through" fibbed me off when I said the pills (buscopan) made no difference, bacteria drinks made it worse and it was sevearly controlling my life (fact: I no longer see my friends because I feel so bad). I didn't even get a "its IBS" from that one!

So I went back a few more times, some doctors blaming it on my exercise (I have an exercise "obsession") others saying it would go away...come back in a few months.

The last time I went in, I sat down, I said before I had even started, I was going to continue to make appointments every day until I got some more definate results. IBS is supposed to be a last resort- they can't find anything wrong wioth you, they call it IBS. But they had not perfomed any tests, nothing! I explained how it dictated my life, how every day I get asked if I am expecting/want a seat on the tube/stares at my stomach. I end up in tears about once a week as a result (it used to be worse when it all started 2 years ago). The doctor actually listened to me! Sent me for blood tests, requested a stool (I NEVER want to have to do that again in my life!) and now a gastreoentreologist scan. (Am on the non emergency waiting list which I suppose is better then nothing- several months wait is better then nothing!) If all that fails, I think I will go to see a natropath (as advised to me by seveal different people.)

Hope you get a solution OP, or at thge least the tests you need. I would say if you need to go private then do so, but at least try to get the basics ruled out or you'll end up paying for those same tests if you do go private as whomever you see will need to rule the basics out.

So sorry to hear of your problems, jennie. I hope you get a resolution soon.

I would agree with your last paragraph. If there's no other way, I would use the labs recommended, but the NHS should be dealing with these problems.

essexsi_2

Thank you all very much for your help.

Jenniewb, I really hope that you find a solution very soon.

I have had several blood tests, including one for caeliac, and a colonoscopy. All tests were normal so I hope that is the basics covered! I had hoped then for further investigation but the Doctor stated that was all she could do.

I will get to the Doctors early next week and insist on a referral for a stool test and perhaps further blood tests. Can they do proper food intolerance tests on blood?
If I have no joy I will then look at doing it myself.

Thanks again for your help and support.

All the best Si