GI ? for young crohnies

lil-momma

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2008

Posts : 132

Posted 2/29/2008 4:41 AM (GMT 0)

Just wanted some advice on Dr's. My daughter is 15 and sees a pediatric gastroenterology specialist. Being new to this, I thought....can't get any better than that?! This is the only pediatric group around here, so obviously very crowded, busy.... blah, blah, blah. Does she need to stay with pediatrics or would she be fine, perhaps better off, moving up with the big kids?

praying4healing

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2007

Posts : 739

Posted 2/29/2008 5:13 AM (GMT 0)

well i loved my pediatric gastro! and he kept me until 16, he said there was only so much he could do being that he did specialize in children and i was reaching adolesence, in which case, my menstrual cycle was becoming a cycle and vaginal issues and so forth. Mayb u should ask her doc and see what they feel comfortable with...

MaryS

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2003

Posts : 1668

Posted 2/29/2008 6:08 AM (GMT 0)

Some Adult GIs might not want to treat a teen until they are about 18. My Daughter was diagnosed at 17 right before her 18th Birthday and we were so new, uneducated and literally scared about having to switch so soon to an Adult GI that her Ped GI offered to treat her through her College years which turned out to be wonderful because she really liked him and was comfortable with his care. He kept her on for awhile after she graduated College too, from age 17 to 23. Not all Ped GIs would do that, but a few do.

njmom

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 1885

Posted 3/1/2008 3:50 AM (GMT 0)

Pediatric GIs might use different tools, like pediatric scopes for colonoscopies. Also, they can be more used to working with parents.

Post Edited (njmom) : 2/29/2008 8:53:07 PM (GMT-7)

Lady G

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 321

Posted 3/1/2008 4:03 AM (GMT 0)

I was taken on at 17ish and always with adult gastros....the advantage would be someone who can look at you both young and old without having to switch halfway through treatments of course, but do whatever your happy with right now, it shouldnt' be a problem either way really.

jellybean1887

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2005

Posts : 1362

Posted 3/2/2008 3:02 AM (GMT 0)

I saw my peds GI through age 22 and just recently switched (I am still 22). Honestly, I would stick with the peds GI doctor. I find that many pediatric doctors are so much more compassionate than the adult doctors. Since I have switched to adult care, I have had nothing but problems. I have been in an uncontrollable flare for over six months, and I actually had two adult doctors tell me I didn't have IBD. I actually had to go to the Cleveland Clinic to get "rediagnosed" with IBD. It has been so horrible. I definitely wish that my pediatric GI doctor could still be treating me. Anyway, just my experience. Take care!
aA

geogal84

New Member

Joined : Mar 2008

Posts : 5

Posted 3/5/2008 5:12 AM (GMT 0)

I would stick with a ped as long as possible. Mine treated me through my college years, until I was 21.

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