Short gut is just another way to say short bowel syndrome. It is when you don't have enough small bowel to digest your food. Typically it is only people with extensive small bowel resections and have less than 10 feet of small bowel left. We start out with about 20 feet and your pouch takes 6-12 inches. The colon, or lack thereof, does not factor in.
Jan
Take a deep breath and relax; this too will pass.
Posts: 15025 | Location: Fremont, CA, USA | Registered: April 07, 2000
Thank you for the explaination Jan, I most certainly do not have short gut. When the doctor mentioned that as one of the 3 possibilities, my siginificant other asked for a definition of short gut and I very politely said there was no need for such a discussion in the presence of a high anxiety patient. I love the ER doctors dearly, but sometimes they just don't know what they are talking about. Ok, maybe that's a little harsh. Also, when I refused the rectal, the doctor was pretty put out with me. He said he needed to check for blood, I told him there wasn't any, but would be happy to provide a stool sample. The doctor informed me that after almost 3 years, it was safe to have rectals performed and I agreeded, but only by my GI or surgeon. I think he decided then and there he didn't like me as a patient. LOL.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: <duckie>,
Good for you! You are wise to be in control of what somebody does to your body. And I'll even be as bold to say you know alot more about your body than an ER doctor. I used to hold such a reverance for doctors, and to my own I still do. But hospital doctors, nurses, interns, technitions and whatever are just doing a job and if we're not responsible to make sure they do it right then we pay the consequences. (Can you tell I've been there)!!
Posts: 546 | Location: Michigan | Registered: April 17, 2006
Just for future reference, it should be quite safe to have a digital exam after you are completely healed. Just let them know you do not have a rectum, but an ileal pouch. It can be difficult for caregivers to assess you if they cannot examine you. Your personal doctors cannot always be available.
But, bottom line, you do control the situation and have a right to refuse care.
Jan
Take a deep breath and relax; this too will pass.
Posts: 15025 | Location: Fremont, CA, USA | Registered: April 07, 2000
Please, anyone that is reading this, don't think you should refuse an exam. I'm not by any means implying that anyone should refuse, just sharing my ER doctor experience. My stool was clear at that point, no red blood, no black stool. No fever. If my lab work had came back saying that my blood counts were low, then I would have let him peform the rectal (hmm, maybe), but I am also aware that it is "routine/standard" that every time you go through the ER with diarrhea, they want to do a rectal exam. I did not feel there was a need for a rectal and I'm not comfortable letting any doctor other than a GI perform one. Of course if I had other symptoms, maybe I would have been more willing. Maybe I'll learn to relax more as I get older or mellow out but for now, I'll be true to myself while being mindful of not being tooooo stubborn.
I would have had my concerns about that as well. Although a rectal was not suggested for my visit, I would have wanted to make extra special certain that the Dr. knew what the anatomy was like beforehand.
I've just had so many in the medical profession, even Dr.'s, not understand the ileo-anal anastomosis. So, I guess I'm a little bit wary of their specialty knowledge. Maybe I'm over-cautious.
I would say we should at least ask the question and make sure that they are up to speed before giving the green (or is it brown?) light.
