MY GI Dr fired me as a patient (actually kind of funny)

I had an appt w/ my GI dr today. She had referred me to a Rhuemy for treatment of Crohns' induced joint pain. Her words to me then were 'I am a GI. I do not know how to treat the joint pain. You will need to see this Rhuematologist'. Well, 6 months later and I tell her they have me on MTX she flips out. She yells, absolutely yells at me for taking the medicine.

She asked why they prescribed it. I said they'd told me it was to treat the joint pain and inflammation. Her reply was that it is not used to treat joint pain. She said as a patient it is my responsibility to dig deeper and ask more questions. I replied with how much more deeper do I dig when I don't have a medical degree? That if she has questions like this she needs to speak to the prescribing dr. She did not like that. She yelled more and told me it is my responsibility to to notify her immediately of any blood work and meds prescribed by my other dr's. I told her that they've faxed and mailed her said records multiple times and that all of my other dr's rec'd those. She said she never rec'd them. That I have to take responsibility for my own health. She rolled her eyes at me and told me she did not care if I liked her.

After that I told her that her approach is unacceptable. That she was the one who referred me to the Rhuemy for treatment of joint pain because she doesn't know how to treat the joint pain. That I've had an allergic reaction and/or intolerable side effects to all other meds. The Rhuemy had said this was his last resort. That all other meds had failed. I told her funny how she now knows how to treat my joint pain. She lost it and fired me. Told me I had 30 days to find a new GI dr.

At least I found this out before I am in the hospital with a major flare and left with her as my dr. I feel good that I stood up for myself. I've not often felt comfortable enough to do so in the past, but this was just so out there. I had to say something to her. I feel like she was blaming me for her failure to treat my joint pain and get my medical records.

Congrats for standing up for yourself, but I'm so sorry you had to go through this!!!!!! How hard is is to find another GI doctor? Even when I think I am assertive and advocate for myself, it always leaves me anxious, stressed and drained. I think you already know that you are way better off without this doctor, but it is still hard. I hope you find a fantastic, smart and caring doctor....they are out there. Let us know how things go.

Thank you for the replies and support. Good idea dfdavedf....I live outside of Cleveland, Ohio. I definitely would like to find a new GI doc.

It is difficult to find a GI in this area that is not with the major hospitals. Those hospitals charge me a 'facility' fee anywhere between $50 and $500 every visit. Those fees are not covered by ins, which is why I went with this GI. She's at a private practice. Any suggestions for GI's in this area that are not out of the major hospitals would be greatly appreciated : )

gumby44- It is anxiety inducing for me to have to find a new dr, but I know it is for the best. She's previously told me that since I have clean scopes and am in remission I do not need any Crohn's meds. Even though, the Rhuemy's bloodwork shows high sed rate and CRP levels. Add the joint pain and fatigue I am pretty certain the Crohn's is still there. Plus, I feel one stays in remission by being on maintenance meds.


kazbern- That's awful! What a conversation to have with your OB/GYN when at 34 wks. What a jerk! 70% c-section rate is way too high. Horrible bedside manners too.

firecracker, be sure to ask your rheumatologist (if you like him/her) for the names of some GIs. I find that if one DR I like has others to recommend, I generally like them too.

That makes me wonder if she just didn't know what to do with you...so she made it seem like you were the incompetent one instead of seeming that way herself.

Even having a medical background, I rely on my GI to keep up to date on studies and medicines. Unless you are a doctor, it's hard to decipher the wording and understand all of the literature out there. Not to mention that as a patient you don't have access to the information they do. They have multiple patients on multiple medicines and should know not only what each medicine is used for and what it works best at, but side effects and combinations to try when the first one doesn't work. IT"S THEIR JOB!!!

I hope you find a good GI that is willing to treat you to help prevent the crohn's from becoming apparent in colonoscopies. I've had lots of "normal" scopes, only to have obstructions and symptoms, and my GI treats part based on tests and part based on my symptoms, which I find works well. Tests don't always show everything that's going on.

Oh my gosh! What a d-bag!!! Good for you for standing up for yourself! AND good for you for calling her on her hypocrisy! I've dealt with my fair share of nasty doctors and you just can't afford to put your health at risk with one who is unwilling to be professional and do her part.

I hope you find a good, new one.

Stef

Firecracker, a lot of people with Crohn's disease take MTX so I don't know why your GI was so upset. Especially when you said you have had an allergic reaction and/or intolerable side effects from other meds. If you can take one med that works for both, to me that would be a good thing. Just be sure to get regular bloodwork done and take folic acid.

Just a note, my cousin (who is a doctor and has Crohn's) takes MTX for his joint pain. Says he could not function without it. I am sure I have read that others with arthritis are taking MTX as well.

Good luck in your search for a new GI and hoping this works for you.

Bammer- Thank you for letting me know that your cousing w/ Crohn's takes MTX for the joint pain. My GI said it is ONLY used as a last resort in Crohn's and for bowel to bowel fistulas. That it's not used for Crohn's arthritis. Good to know she's wrong. That's what I find crazy is that she referred me to the rhuemy for treatment of my joint pain and now she feels she can treat my joint pain. She's told me previously since I'm in remission that I don't need any medicine. She told me on this last visit that my high CRP and Sed Rates must be caused by something other that Crohn's. She had told previously me that sometimes Crohn's only attacks the intestines once and then never again. That it can attack the joints only. She's a freaking nut case. It's just difficult to find a GI.

Well Firecracker, the only way from here is up...!
Best of luck finding a good GI, but let's face it, you are certainly going to find a better one.