Is this a doctor's incompetence?

Question: I called my doctor to make an appointment for a checkup of pains in the abdomen. I had previously had a gyno exam which ruled out anything wrong down there. My doctor asked if I would like him to make an appointment with a specialist dealing with the digestive system. I said yes and today I get a letter saying I have an appointment to have a colonoscopy. I don't even know if it's my intestines that is the problem. It feels higher than that. Shouldn't a general examination be done first? I haven't even been touched to see even what MIGHT be the problem. No x-rays or anything. Should I be seeing a different doc?

Answers:
I would imagine that when you went to the doc, he or his nurse did the common checks (blood pressure, temp, etc).. I would hope at the very least he/she did something of an inspection of your abdomen and maybe some bloodwork to check to see if you had signs of infection, anemia, digestive enzyme levels off, etc. I would also hope that you were asked a slew of questions (diarrhea, quality of stools that you have passed, any change in bowel habits, quality of the pain, etc)..It is good that your doc wants you to have a colonoscopy - not to make you worry, but colon cancer is the only type of cancer that can be CURED if caught early) - also, a direct view of the colon is the single best way to see whats going on in there. Beyond that, I would be concerned if your doc did not do all the things I have mentioned - you may want to consider changing primary physicians (also, you really should have the type of relationship with your doc that you could ask him what you have asked us - just a thought).. Dont sweat the colonoscopy - a little uncomfortable and you have to bare your rear end :O) - nothing terrible though. Good luck.

Other Answers:
Colonoscopy should rule out a diagnosis of bowel or stomach cancer. I am no medico, but it sounds like a good plan.

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its easier to get a ultrasound first to rule out gynecology.

i am a doctor .

usually investigations proceed from simple (like ultrasound ) to more invasive (like colonoscopy)

maybe you already had an ultrasound?

and your doctor might be right , since you might not know that the colon runs very close to your stomach and across the abdomen , so it might be related to your problem.

i would have asked for an ultrasound first , but a colonoscopy could be good for you as a check up in general.

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I think you should go to another doctor before deciding to get a colonoscopy. I don't understand why your doc didn't order a upper and lower G.I. for you first before sending you off to someone else. Cuz it seems to me like that should be the first step in diagnosing a problem in the stomach. I had a upper and lower done before and that's how they found my ulcer.

Best wishes! Hope you feel better soon!

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Yes there is a big problem with so call gastrointerologist allot of them are investigated by the federal trade commission they limit there practice to colonoscopys and EGD testing and there is allot more they run there offices like factories and this is dangerous allot of this doctors only have one scope and to clean and sterilize one of this it takes 3 hour's and they do 10 people a day do the math , the only person that gets the clean and sterile one is the first one in the morning .Unless the doctor is using the kind that uses a condom

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