, Questions –yields 90%
How can I help you? My stomach hurts
Do you have any other symptoms or I occasionally feel “bloated” although I’m not sure my belly
concerns we should discuss? is actually bigger when I feel that way. I…well pass a lot
of gas and… even belch a lot compared to other people I
know. Sort of embarrassing for a woman you know. Do
you think that’s related
to all of this?
Is your pain affected by what, when, or how It seems to be worse with rich foods. I haven’t really
much you eat? noticed it as associated with when or how much.
Do you now or have you ever smoked or No, I never have.
chewed tobacco?
Are you taking any over the counter or I take a multivitamin daily, and acetaminophen from
herbal medications? time to time for stress headaches
Are you taking any prescription No prescription medications
medications?
Do you have any allergies? Not that I know of
Have you ever been hospitalized? Just for the c-section and the bike accident thing
Any previous medical, surgical, or I had a c-section at 27 without any complications. When I
dental procedures? was 17, I had a bike accident and had a complicated
fracture of my right tibia. They had to fix that with surgery.
Can you tell me about any current or I don’t know really what’s important. The only thing
past medical problems you have besides this stomach problem is that lately I’ve been
had? getting occasional hot flashes and my skin is sort of dry. I
also get headaches now and
then which isn’t new and that probably isn’t important
anyway. Is that the kind of things you want to know?
Do you have diarrhea? Occasionally. Sometimes I’d say my bowel movement is
loose and
watery. Does that count?
Is there any blood in your stools or with Anything red? Not that I have noticed
your bowel movement?
Do you have a problem with constipation? Definitely. For as long as I can recall in my adult life, I
have alternating periods of constipation and just the
opposite if you know what I mean that lasts several
days. When I am constipated, I feel like I cannot get
everything out, even after a BM.
Have you been having fevers? I don’t think so, can you check that for me
How often does this abdominal pain occur? It’s been coming and going for years now. It never
really goes away entirely, but then it also doesn’t seem
to be getting a lot worse. It’s just there all the time. So
frustrating.
How severe (1-10 scale) is your It varies, sometimes it’s just mild and annoying, other
abdominal pain? times it stops me in my tracks it’s so bad
Does the pain in your abdomen No, it’s just in my stomach
radiate someplace else? Where?
Where more precisely is your abdominal All over, especially in the lower half of my belly.
pain?
What does the pain/discomfort in Usually like a bad cramp but sometimes it can be a
your abdomen feel like? (Cramping, stabbing feeling.
burning, stabbing, aching, tingling,
squeezing).
Does anything make the pain in your “Having a bowel movement sometimes makes it better.
abdomen better or worse? Then it starts up again if I’m stressed out or eating the