Second Colonoscopy (Sigmoidoscopy with Biopsy) & Ethics Rant

I had my second colonoscopy of my life yesterday 3/13/2006. My first colonoscopy was in the last week of August 2005. Actually this was what I call a super colonoscopy and they called a Sigmoidoscopy with Biopsy. They sedated me for this one since they wanted to inspect the lower (large) and the upper (small) intestines as well. Good thing I was sedated since I remembered the same uncomfortable feeling in the beginning and once again couldn’t relax and then I was waking up as I was being wheeled down the hall and the procedure finished!
The initial diagnosis from the doctor today was nothing found but they took cultures anyway. This was very good news since they found some polyps the first time.
I initially went to the doctor back in August 2005 since I was unable to shake this stomach issue and get into my workouts into full swing. Normally I can let something work its way through my body partially and then sweat it out or at least break it up, or help speed its way through my system by upping my metabolism in some fashion through workouts and diet. I have done this recently as a couple of weeks ago to break up congestion on my head and chest I had from allergies.
My thoughts on this were that on top of my initial symptoms I had issues with the medicine that was first prescribed and that caused the polyps! I looked at the symptoms the medicine caused, I had those symptoms, and that’s exactly what worsened my condition back in August and caused the polyps in my opinion.
I had no appetite and couldn’t force myself to eat! At one point I even went about 1.5 weeks without eating anything! I barely drank enough to keep hydrated. This is the time I started bleeding internally. I stopped taking the medicine on my own and started feeling better and then they took the first colonoscopy. That of course showed issues and polyps after what I had just gone through.
They then gave me some additional medicine to heal my internal sores and that just helped me break out into severe cold sweats at night where I would become drenched with sweat whether I put on long johns, thick socks and a beanie or wore nearly nothing to bed! As soon as I stopped taking that medicine I started feeling better and was able to resume my work outs slowly after about a month and a half
I know my body fairly well and have pushed it to the limits quite a bit from working out, playing sports, working extreme and long hours on the road for months, partying and clubbing (not with drugs, people seem to have different meanings of partying), and eating food of all cultures.
I kind of strung out this appointment to be a bit far out from the others when I could feel my body was in good shape internally so there could be no misdiagnosis. This particular doctor seemed more open minded and not pre-disposed to lean on the heavy prescribed medicine crutch like most doctors these days or to please someone else’s hurried diagnosis.
My attitude is that when I go to a specialist I don’t go to turn my body and livelihood over to them. I will consult them in their field of expertise as a contractor. I place my well being in my hands they are there as sounding boards of reason for areas I don’t have the time to deal in. To some people this may seem strange but to me that’s how I live my life. A lot of people don’t feel comfortable about people asking clarification questions, that’s fine I will not deal with you unless necessary. I know my body better than most know theirs and pay attention to what it’s telling me and sometimes I need help with the interpretation and this is where the doctor’s role comes in.
I think I need to switch my primary care physician and get someone that understands an active person’s needs. This was a specialist doing this procedure not my primary, I don’t event think my primary was consulted on this.
We will see what the culture samples they took say but they didn’t find anything so I think all is cool I am not against stamping my foot down and demanding proper procedures.
One thing that unfortunately I have been proven correct about the last few years is that there are a lot of people who really don’t know what it is to really be objective and do a good job. Unfortunately some of these people are in places that affect other people’s lives in a very serious way. Lawyers, politicians, doctors, judges, prosecutors, police officers etc I respect that they went to school and achieved this but there has to be the same effort after that degree is earned to learn as when they first entered school if they even had the effort then. I really don’t think the screening is thorough enough.
Besides it’s just not those professions I see this behavior in all parts of society and every profession or work place.
I don’t make these observations on just how a person or organization treats me but also how they treat others. I watch how people act when they believe they have power over others and how they act when they are under orders or strict watch and everywhere in between. Even if a person treats me well and is positive towards me if I see deep inside they are something else I will deal accordingly. Things don’t have to work out how I hope for me to believe someone is giving me a nice honest effort.
I occasionally see the true sign of professionalism and care. I think I witnessed it with my previous visits with this doctor and today. Hopefully I will be correct on this issue.