17 year Old with IBS

Benup

KxMx wrote: »

You really need to ask for a Gastro referral then, no way should an IBS diagnosis ever be made like that, you need tests to rule out other conditions!

How would i go about getting a Gastro?

GlasweJen

Surely the fact your doctor refuses to give you a sick note indicates that he doesn't think you're sick enough to be signed off?

Who put you on the rice diet? This should be done by a dietician or doctor who knows how to monitor this as it can cause quite a lot of damage if not done properly?!?

I would go back to your GP with the aim to get a more precise diagnosis rather than pushing to be signed onto sickness benefits at the age of 17.

KxMx

You'd need to get your GP to refer you, say even if they are convinced it's IBS your quality of life is really suffering so you need to speak to a specialist about better treatment, and that they can give you tests to rule out IBD etc.

Benup

GlasweJen wrote: »

Surely the fact your doctor refuses to give you a sick note indicates that he doesn't think you're sick enough to be signed off?

Who put you on the rice diet? This should be done by a dietician or doctor who knows how to monitor this as it can cause quite a lot of damage if not done properly?!?

I would go back to your GP with the aim to get a more precise diagnosis rather than pushing to be signed onto sickness benefits at the age of 17.

I made a mistake i have not yet asked for a sick note, it was a medical certificate that i asked for but i didnt specifically speak to my doctor. The lady i did speak to just said that they dont give them out due to people abusing the system.

I was put on the rice diet by my doctor.

Indie_Kid

Benup wrote: »

I dont have a food diary as such i just tend to remember what i eat as im on a rice diet. Each week i add a new ingredient to try and find out if any foods are the cause.

You need to be careful. It's generally advisable to only do this under supervision of a GP / dietician.

IBS isn't the end of the world. The only issues I have, is that there's no medication that helps (yoghurt helps a lot though) and having to follow a strict wheat-free diet - which makes going out very difficult.

Getting benefits won't stop IBS ruining your life.

Indeed. I receive DLA; but do have other issues to deal with too - which can make IBS harder to deal with.

but you try having severe IBS for 3/4 years and see how it affects your life!

I've had it for about 3 and half years now. The only issue I had at the start was weight loss. The only other issue I had for a while was a minor issue with bleeding - however, that is also due to a skin problem too.

I'm with GWJ here - get a grip. It's not as if IBS means you can't do anything. Yes, you do have to plan things just in case you do have an attack; but that's something you've got to learn to live with.

zebramolli

Benup wrote: »

I recently spoke to one of the people in charge for EMA and they said if i can get hold of medical certificate to prove that i have IBS then they can make some kind of deal where i can have a certain amount of days of a month and still be paid but! i phoned the doctors and asked for one and was told they dont give them out because a lot of people abuse the system...

Can you ask the EMA to provide you with a letter stating that you require confirmation from your doctor? The doctor may be willing to provide you with the certificate required if you can prove you aren't just trying to abuse the system.

I agree with everything KxMx has said, I was diagnosed with IBS about 6 years ago and it took a long time for a effective treatment to be found. This included being referred to Gastro and having various tests done. Have you considered seeing another doctor and getting a second opinion?

Don't drop out of college, you are only 17 and in the current climate you're going to need all the qualifications you can get to help with employment!

Benup

sh1305 wrote: »

You need to be careful. It's generally advisable to only do this under supervision of a GP / dietician.

IBS isn't the end of the world. The only issues I have, is that there's no medication that helps (yoghurt helps a lot though) and having to follow a strict wheat-free diet - which makes going out very difficult.



Indeed. I receive DLA; but do have other issues to deal with too - which can make IBS harder to deal with.



I've had it for about 3 and half years now. The only issue I had at the start was weight loss. The only other issue I had for a while was a minor issue with bleeding - however, that is also due to a skin problem too.

I'm with GWJ here - get a grip. It's not as if IBS means you can't do anything. Yes, you do have to plan things just in case you do have an attack; but that's something you've got to learn to live with.

I would love to get a grip but things like going out, going to college, working. The pain is unbearable, constant need for the toilet just makes it very very difficult to go on with my life.

Indie_Kid

Benup wrote: »

I made a mistake i have not yet asked for a sick note, it was a medical certificate that i asked for but i didnt specifically speak to my doctor. The lady i did speak to just said that they dont give them out due to people abusing the system.

I was put on the rice diet by my doctor.

Did you ask for a sick note or a letter that just confirms your IBS and the issues it causes? I've never had issues getting the latter. (although GP wasn't happy - that's another story)

Benup

zebramolli wrote: »

Can you ask the EMA to provide you with a letter stating that you require confirmation from your doctor? The doctor may be willing to provide you with the certificate required if you can prove you aren't just trying to abuse the system.

I agree with everything KxMx has said, I was diagnosed with IBS about 6 years ago and it took a long time for a effective treatment to be found. This included being referred to Gastro and having various tests done. Have you considered seeing another doctor and getting a second opinion?

Don't drop out of college, you are only 17 and in the current climate you're going to need all the qualifications you can get to help with employment!

I was going to ask for a letter from the EMA person today but i was unable to go in as i woke up in pain this morning and been having stomach cramps all day.

Im trying my best to stay in college. They are soon setting up an online site where i can get the work for that lessons from home, which will help alot for when im at home.

dmg24

Benup wrote: »

I would love to get a grip but things like going out, going to college, working. The pain is unbearable, constant need for the toilet just makes it very very difficult to go on with my life.

So you have a choice - make the best of a bad situation and continue with college, or quit college and sit at home and dwell. It might feel tough now, but think about five years from now - would you like to have qualifications and be in a decent job, or still sat at home dwelling?