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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/10/2011 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to a new doctor on Saturday. This will be my third doctor in 2 years. The other 2 honestly just sucked. Makes me wonder how some people even have a liscense to practice. Anyways, Im driving an hour and a half to see this new lady and I have a good feeling about her...Have any of you ever had to change doctors?
Posted 10/10/2011 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
When I was first diagnosed I saw a doctor that just basically said you have a chronic illness and here take these. I left with no idea of what Crohn's was. So I never went back to him but we found a doctor within the same practice that I have been seeing for I think three years now almost that has been great.

I also have a second GI that I just started seeing at the Lahey Clinic because that is where my Col/Rectal surgeon is and where my last few hospital stays have been so I wanted to have a relation ship with a GI there as well. It hasn't caused any issues as of yet because they are all really good about communicating with each other.

I have really been lucky with my GI's, makes me really bummed out when I read/hear that people struggle with doctors, it's such a shame. They chose a career to help people and sometimes I think they forget that.

Best of luck and I hope this one works out and that's great you have a good feeling about her.

LEt us know how it goes!
Posted 10/10/2011 8:07 PM (GMT 0)

Endeavor08 said...
I have really been lucky with my GI's, makes me really bummed out when I read/hear that people struggle with doctors, it's such a shame. They chose a career to help people and sometimes I think they forget that.

Ditto, I've been very lucky and blessed with my GI's.  It took a long time before I was correctly diagnosed in my small town, which lacked a pediatric GI and the adult GI was out on maternity leave.  When I finally made my way to the "big city" university pediatric hospital, they diagnosed it right away. 

It was about 75 minutes, one-way, to see him.  I had to change after a couple of years to our local, adult GI.  She was trained at the same university and had a number of IBD patients.  I later moved to the "big city" and found my current GI at the "big city" university hospital, and I've been with her for a little over 16 years now. 

Posted 10/10/2011 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 3 GIs over the years. I stuck with my first one (who was the one who happened to be on call when I went in with a horrible hemorrhage before I was even diagnosed). He was great. I moved 2 hours south but continued to drive up to see him until my 2nd emergency while I was 2 hours south. It got to be too far, especially with 2 small children.

Stuck with the next one until last year, when I got tired of his attitude while I was dealing with a fistula. He just didn't seem to care. I actually switched to another doctor within the same practice, which is a little awkward, but I didn't care. He was a better fit for me (the surgeon I was dealing with would call him and discuss my case), so I just got tired of the 1st doctor's arrogance.

I did have a one time consultation with a GI at Johns Hopkins, so I would have a local GI for my surgery in April. That worked out fine. For the most part I feel like I have been lucky, although the swtich within the practice was a little stressful.

Good luck - I know it's not always easy...

Sudsmom
Posted 10/10/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've had five different doctors for my treatment, going on my sixth this week. I think some of you are right in that sometimes docs start off fine then stop being attentive. Whenever you feel they aren't meeting your needs, it's time to switch. I really loved my last GI (drove 90 minutes to see him), but he just wasn't a Crohn's specialist and seemed to do things only one way. Now, I'll be seeing a specialist at Georgetown (already been to Johns Hopkins). Good luck with your search. Keep it up until you're happy. It's your health, after all.
Posted 10/10/2011 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
I really love my GI, but I switched internists three times before I was happy. I really hate feeling disrespected, and I'm glad I kept searching until I found the right fit. My favorite thing about my GI is that when I tell him my symptoms, he ALWAYS believes me. Crohn's is difficult enough because the disease changes over time. You need someone who you trust and who respects you. Good for you for switching until you find the right person.
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