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Compassionate Doctors?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/8/2008 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I want to know if there are any compassionate doctors out there. I am currently in a flare, I had a baby six months ago, and I am trying my best to deal with life. I went to my gastro and she suggested I have my depression meds adjusted and to talk to my primary care doctor. So I did. Let me also tell you my pcp doctor knows about my migraines and is not treating them. Needless to say, I am there a lot. So I told her my life for the past few weeks and she said it is psychogical and I am not depressed. She said I need counseling. I am totally open to that, but it doesn't explain my symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbance, feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks, and so on. I asked her if depression and anxiety could be possible. She put me on lexapro in November for anxiety. She said is medication what you want. She wrote me out a prescription for Welbutrin and threw it at me. I then shut down and she changed her tone. She said maybe the chemicals are off in my body. I am truly offended. I have a chronic illness and I am trying to deal with life the best I can and she throws it in my face and says it is psychological. I say so what. If I think they will make me better then what is the problem. I am not begging for percocet and we all know how valuable that is. Am I over reacting or should I find a doctor that might have a little compassion? Sorry this is so long, but I consider this my therapy HeHeHe.

Thanks for listening,

Kgirlie

Posted 2/8/2008 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would definitely find a new pcp! Could you go back to your ob/gyn for the depression....you are only 6 months postpartum....I would certainly try that option since your pcp is being such a jerk. No, you are not overreacting. Hang in there.
Posted 2/8/2008 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, talk to your OBGyn about the depression. Have you seen anyone for the migraines? I had to go see a neurologist to get meds for the migraines after getting diagnosed with crohns since I can't take ibuprofic any longer.

Good luck. I can totally relate to alot of your post. Same stuff going on here. I take zoloft myself and now topamax for the migraines.
Posted 2/8/2008 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I would recommened finding a new doctor. Your doctor has the worst bedside manners.
Posted 2/8/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
I agree,sounds like you may need a new PCP,you don't have to be treated like that. Being only 6 months postpartum,it could be related,talk to your OB :-)
Posted 2/8/2008 3:16 PM (GMT 0)

Throwing a script at a patient is unprofessional and unheard of, for heaven's sake.
Find a new physician.  Ask around, talk to friends but do find someone you can have a trust relationship with. I agree,  use your OB physician for now.
You do appear to have the sx of depression and anxiety and belittling you was inappropriate.  I apologize to you for the lack of caring from this physician.  It should not have happened.
Hugs

Kitt

Posted 2/8/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Your PCP sounds like quite a b***c...no offense. In answer to your question in general; are there any compassionate Dr's out there? In my experience...no. My PCP is pretty cool but even he could use some "bedside manner" classes. But every Dr. I have ever been to has made me feel like I'm inconveniencing him/her in some way...maybe that's not how they mean to come off but that's the vibe I've always gotten. Thankfully I have never had one of my Dr's tell me that my pain is psychological...I might freak out if that happened. How frustrating...and what a bunch of b.s. At what point does an idealistic med student turn into a cynical Dr. who turns a deaf ear to patients? At some point in their career does it dawn on them...hey, this isn't as glamorous or rewarding as I thought it would be...I'm sick of hearing people complain all day. To them I say "Choose another career!". News flash doc! I don't want to be in your office anymore than you want me here! Treating patients impolitely or insensitively is never okay and should never be tolerated. At the end of the day that Dr. and I are no different from one another...we both put on pants on one leg at a time. More Dr's need to take the time to really get to know their patients by asking questions and REALLY listen to the answers.

Sorry, that's my rant...I just think that Dr's, who are "caregivers", need to take mandatory classes in sensitivy and empathy.

Posted 2/8/2008 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am sad to hear that you all have had such difficulties with you care givers. Depression seems common in those with chronic illness(life can kinda suck with illness, it's hard not to be affected by it)...not to mention you just had a child.

Mcleaver1969, I have the best GI ever...most compassionate, tries to figure everything out, doesn't belittle me, understands I want my life back, and actually "scolds" me for no calling him more often('cause I don't want to be a bother, and I feel I call to often as it is). My pcp is pretty cool too. There are some bad apples out there(and I've experienced them, mostly in the ER), but there are some really good ones too. Just like when you were younger, you can still remember the horrible teacher, but it is harder to remember the others...I hope you find some good apples...they are out there...if you need evidence, look at Sarita...
Posted 2/8/2008 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that there are good docs out there. You need to try to have confidence to switch docs until you find one that is right for you. Having your doc say that "it is not depression, but instead it is psychological" makes no sense at all!!!! What is depression if not psychological?!!! If you like your OB, then ask him or her for a recommendation. If not, ask your friends/family who they have seen that they like. Patients are the best referral source sometimes. I really like my GI, but we had a rough start, and it took awhile to get to know each other...once we talked everything out, things are great, but I'm definitely switching my PCP too...I don't feel she takes me seriously, and I'm just too old and too sick to tolerate that! Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Posted 2/8/2008 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
fatigue, sleep disturbance, feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks, and so on that you mentioned can easily be from having CD alone, not to mention a baby on top of crohns...your body is going through some heavy things right now so it's not unusual for you to feel the way you do....depression varies of course, feeling like you don't want to do anything, having bad thoughts in your head, loss of interest in hobbies and such lead to more moderate to severe depression, but like I said, having a baby alone or crohns (let alone both) can make you feel the way you are feeling...I'd also find a new doc if possible.

Feel better soon :)
Posted 2/9/2008 5:15 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone for the validation. I feel like I have to fight so hard for anyone to believe I am sick. My mom has crohns and she asked why I thought no one believed me, and I told her about my dr experience. Today was a rough day, but I am okay with that. This group helps me so much. I laugh at the jokes and your great sense of humors. I tell all of my friends my issues and joke that they are my counselors. tongue I have regrouped and decided to seek out another pcp. I am going to ask my ob for a referral because he is phenominal. The other good thing is my gastro is kind and educated. I am lucky to have her. CD is so hard, but possible. I am a fighter and I felt good yesterday and I know that will happen again soon. Thanks for your support.

Kgirlie

Posted 2/9/2008 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
My heart goes out to you.......You should definitely contact your OBGYN. Postpartum can be up to a year after birth. I have 4 children and never had any more than "baby blues" for the first couple of weeks. With my last, who is 15 mo. - I had post partum and did not know what was wrong with me. I couldn't function with normal daily activities. Everything was overwhelming for me, a trip to the grocery store was a tramatic experience. I was obsessed with worry, cried all the time and had anxiety attacks that took my breath away. After 4 1/2 months of feeling awful, I seen my OB for a check up on other issues. I had a melt down there and she immediately was concerned for me. She hugged me and told me everything was going to be fine. She wrote me a prescription for zoloft 50 mg. I was even paranoid abou that. I held the prescription for a couple of weeks before filling it. A couple more weeks went by before I actually took it. I have to say that once I took the medicine, I was angry with myself for not doing it sooner. I spent almost 6 months literally in a fog and it could've been addressed so much sooner. You are not alone, you're not crazy, no need to be embarrassed - CALL YOUR OB!!!!!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers, best wishes to you and congratulations on your new baby. Get better so you can enjoy your family!
Posted 2/10/2008 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
The compassionate ones ARE out there, I promise...it takes some time to find the right one, unfortunately. But you do have a good couple of docs, your OB and GI, right? Focus on them. Ask them if they can give you a referral to a new PCP. Or even just ask your friends who they go see. See a family doc who can treat both you and your new baby and kill two birds with one stone :) I hope you start feeling better soon. It's a day-by-day, baby step process, but it will happen, and I wish you the best of luck.
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