Only took about
2 months!
From the last fiasco, hubby's commander got involved. Not sure what he said to the last military doc hubby saw, all I know is that the very next day hubby had an appointment MADE FOR HIM at his gastro. (Whom he hasn't seen in about 3 months because his symptoms pointed him towards rheumy so that's who we've been trying to work with unsuccsesfully.) It all happened so quick that his regular gastro couldn't see him, so another guy in the same practice worked him in.
He was FABULOUS!
They actually did (wait for it...) BLOODWORK! Wow! Of all things to think to run on someone who is ill! (Sorry, still a bit bitter that 3 visits with the rheumy never had any bloodwork involved!)
He also has a colonoscopy, a pillcam (which he's never had before,) and some kind of contrast x-ray thing all scheduled within the next two weeks. According to the gastro's records, he has lost 25 pounds over the past 3 months, and they WERE NOT happy about that! (Down to 115 pounds, eeek!)
This guy is talking about Remicaide. He says that it's better to just be more aggressive right now and try and kick it into remission, because hubby cannot live on steroids for the rest of his life. (!!!) And they are the only thing that gives his joints a little bit of relief right now.
I'm very curious to see what the results will be on all the tests. Hubby swears up and down that he hasn't had any intestinal issues lately, but just last week he ate some mandarin oranges that went through him in TWO HOURS! I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself. Gross, I know, but I'm a mama and a horseowner. Poop is something we just look at. ;)
We are still learning. I just hope this works.....