Posted 1/19/2019 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Susie... I think you are right. That is exactly what has happened. Every time I saw him, he seemed stressed out beyond belief. They have over 2,000 patients, and maybe 4 IBD docs between them. That is 500 patients per doctor... and that seems crazy!
My new GI's PA is seeing me bi-weekly until my disease gets under control. They are starting me on Entyvio Monday. I am amazed at how quickly they have gotten everything approved and rolling.
I also saw my new pain management doc yesterday. She came into the picture on week 2 of my hospitalization. I didn't realize that I had been living with constant pain until she got me on something that helps it (nucynta... yes a narcotic, but easier on the stomach and the side effects are minimal compared to oxycodone... thus not as big of a chance of becoming addicted). She also put me on Savella (a fibromyalgia med) and gabapentin. This cocktail has knocked out my intestinal pain, and my energy has been up because of that. That is the main reason I can tell I had just been "living with" the pain for so long. Unfortunately it has been mainly untreated due to my former GIs not really paying attention to me and my symptoms/issues. Savella and Nucynta are very expensive meds, but they work so well and allow me to function so well, that I find that they are worth the money.
I have been told that the smaller health systems are sometimes better for personalized care. Though the GI practice is huge... probably 20-30 doctors and they service about 3 healthcare systems in the area (I guess the benefit of that is that I can get admitted to a variety of hospitals instead of just one system, then). Though they certainly have patient care figured out. It is a night and day difference... and a change I wish I made sooner! It was just hard to give up my GI that I had for so many years....