My New Gastro! Yay!

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all well.   Thought I’d give a little update on my saga. As you might remember I’ve had crohn’s for 4 years, and in nov of last year developed a peri-anal abscess which had me in hospital for a week, and eventually left a fistula. The fistula became infected again and again, and I pleaded with my gastro to give me a referral to a surgeon. He told me he was going to ‘wait and see how many times the fistula because infected’ before giving me a referral. So when it becoming infected for the 3 rd time I took things into my own hands and found a great colo-rectal surgeon, who inserted 2 setons. At my follow-up one month after the setons were inserted it was found the abscess was gaining speed again and becoming more septic (and extremely painful). So I had a second surgery and had a catheter ‘mushroom’ drain inserted.   My fabulous colo-rectal surgeon (who specialises in IBD) referred me to a gastro and I had my first appointment with him yesterday.   He spent almst 2 hours talking to me, learning about my history, my family, my background, how crohn’s affects my life, relationships – EVEYRTHING. He was absolutely furious at the way I had been treated by my last GI. He said he sees patients like me mis-managed by bad GI’s all the time and it makes him furious. He told me I have been living with an extreme and very aggressive form of crohn’s for 3 years and this should not have happened – I have been mis-managed by a negligent GI who is an endoscopist more that a gastroenterologist, and makes his money performing these procedures – NOT looking after the well being of his patients.   I had never been offered any medications other than steroids and pentasa. And I should have been on better medications.   I am now set to take my first dose of imuran tonight before bed, and I am in the process of applying for a medication which he says works well in conjunction with Imuran. I’m not sure what this other med is called, but I have such faith in this dr I know he is going to do the right thing. I have to keep a diary of my croh’s every day, and I got blood tests, x-rays and am set to get an MRI of my pelvis so he can see if there are any more pockets of sepsis before starting thus new medication.   I am just so RELIEVED and grateful to this brilliant man! To finally receive proper treatment for this disease is just amazing. He is an IBD specialist gastro and does a lot of research and is one of the leaders in the field in Australia . Finally, I feel like things are going to be managed! He puts his patients first and is so concerned about their wellbeing, he gave me his direct line, and his nurse’s direct line and told me to put them into my phone and call if anything is wrong. He said there is no reason I should have to be in pain – and while trying to finish uni, work full time, manage relationships etc – he actually understands ! Thank god for doctors like this!   Sorry, I just wanted to share my joy at finally being managed properly and getting proper meds after 4 years of hell!!

Isn't it amazing the difference a good doctor can make? My former GI basically pulled the "you don't look sick" card on me and told I needed to manage my stress and hormones better. UGH. I am thankful that I have doctor who actually listens to me now and does the appropriate tests. Since leaving my former GI a little over a year ago I have diagnosed with IBD and a non functioning gallbladder. Yeah clearly it was all in my head. I too remember walking out after my first appointment with my new GI and breaking into tears as I finally felt there was hope.

Yay! Reading your posts (Phoebesky, Veebo and Ides) made me smile and feel very happy for you!
I didn't feel mis-managed, but I do think my Drs were stumped. I am glad he referred me to my current GI, I've had some ups/downs, but at least I have hope, too....
heidi

That is awesome news Phoebe~now hopefully you can get on the road to feeling better.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*

CONGRATULATIONS, Phoebe!!! HOW WONDERFUL! If only all crohnies could be so fortunate!! And thank you so much for sharing your good news w/us. It should give others hope and faith that there ARE good gastros out there!

So glad you have found a good doc im sure he will sort you out Bev x

Hey Pheobe,
Yes I know Dr Radford-Smith well, he is the doc that has been involved in my case now for a few years along with my gastro up here on the sunny coast.He is an excellent Doctor, you are in good hands. You are very lucky you have avoided major surgery so far and hope for your sake it stays that way . I am still trying to come to terms with having an ileostomy, and had hoped it would keep the disease at bay but am suffering with the good old aching bones, mouth ulcers and eye problems. Its a nasty disease. Stay well and so glad u have a great GI now. Keep us posted