ptsd What To Expect At C&p For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

[hedgey]

I've had IBS symptoms for years, and finally started complaining to my VA primary care about 4 years ago. I was embarrassed and ashamed and it took me a long time to even admit that I really had a problem and it wasn't just tummy-trouble. It actually took my daughter pointing out that I had 'tummy-trouble' every single day!

Anyway, the VA sent me for tests for parasites, infections, a CT scan and a MRI plus I had a colonoscopy... all done by outside providers due to the distance from our rural area to the VAMC. All my PC would said in my records was "Impression: IBS". She gave me script for a common med. I kept coming back and she said I had to go to the Gastro guy at the VAMC. I said nope, not going to go sit in a crowded room full of guys to let a strange guy look at me.

Meanwhile, Id also gone to my private primary care doc and she referred me to a female specialist who diagnosed IBS and said that it was extremely common that a person with PTSD would have stomach issues. She's tried me on a number of different prescriptions, none have worked well, but she's really trying to help.

She did a DBQ for me and I submitted that with my claim (IBS as secondary to PTSD). I have a Comp & Pen this week and I'm extremely anxious about it (is anyone ever not anxious?).

I'm afraid that I'll be manhandled by a stranger; that I'll have to drop my britches and ... I don't know.

Will they want me to demonstrate my problem? In some ways that sounds like a funny joke, but I"m scared. Are they going to want to measure my hemmorhoids?

Also, should I bring the drugs my private gastroenterologist has me taking? One of them is a controlled substance (something with atropine in it, for when the cramping is just too much). I'm worried they'll think I'm an addict or something, especially with the way the VA is all crazy about the painkiller situation :(

Who can tell me what to expect, and what I can hopefully not expect?

[jbasser]

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960G-3-ARE.pdf

Its the IBS DBQ

[Mikemmlj]

I'm bringing it up with my PCP next week so keep us informed

[hedgey]

Thanks J. I had my private Gastro specialist fill that out for me.

I guess I should just expect the VA Examiner to pretty much do what my Gastro Doc does when I see her.... ask the pertinent questions and a tummy exam. They can't very well do any "scopes" because I haven't done any preparation or received orders to.

I'll definitely be back to tell what happens.

[Navy04]

I have a Rating for Crohn's Disease, and no the Doc will not look up your rear. The Doc at the Exam will go over the question check list that the VA provides them. Then the Doc will ask you about your symptoms and what have you done thus far to try to treat the Condition. That is all my friend. Good luck, I have 7 or 8 C&Ps next Tuesday and I am losing my mind too, Lol!!!

[hedgey]

Hi all,

I survived! Y'all were right, the examiner did not do any physical examination at all. It was good advice to bring my copies of the DBQ with me - there was no sign of them in my file. The examiner took my copy that had been completed by a gastroenterologist and used it as a guide to fill out the questionaire she was doing as part of my exam.

I don't know how it went, but my private doctor made it very clear on the DBQ that my IBS was very much related to my PTSD anxiety and stress. Hopefully that will make it simple for the VA to grant at least Service Connection.

IBS is awful and very dibilitating. I have also been told that it can be disasterous for your health. If I have a condition that might easily lead to a rupture and/or death, and the medical experts see a connection to PTSD, then it's important to me that the VA sees it as a service-connected (secondary) condition too.

My gastro said that hospitalization is likely on my horizon... so it's important to me that my IBS be service connected.

[Guest]

IBS is not life threatening the real main thing is to completely abstain from alcohol and really really increase fiber intake. I mean really increase your fiber. Your IBS will never be cured but it will get a little better.

http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/default.htm