Should I give up on my doctor?

I've been under treatment by my gastroenterologist for over a year now. We initially got things under control with steriods and then steady diet of colozol. about 2 months ago though my symptoms returned completely (7-10x in the bathroom a day, 1-2x overnight, bloody, loose stool, however no pain - ever). At that point he changed my medication trying to get my symptoms back under control... but it had no effect. 1 month ago we made another change... still no effect. I called their office again and unfortunately the soonest he can see me is 5 weeks from now but I'm still experiencing really bad symptoms. He recommended actually, since he couldn't see me, going to the ER. Now this was through his nurse so I couldn't really ask too many questions but I guess I was confused about what the ER could do that he, as a specialist who has been treating me for a year couldn't. So I'm frustrated!

Any advice? Get a second opinion? Go to the ER? Try solving it on my own with probiotics/supplements?

Thanks.

I can usually get in right away to see my GI if it's an emergency, of course he has to double book but at least I can get in to see him. Otherwise, it can take up to 8 weeks for me to get in. I have to agree that maybe the ER would be a good option considering you can't get in to see your GI. Even if you were to sign up with another, it would be another wait. Or you can alway just call your existing GI back and pester them. Squeaky wheel gets the more oil kind of thing. So you're going about 12x's a day on average? With blood all the time? If so, then an ER visit might be in order. Anemia and dehydration like Kelly said is a dangerous combination if left untreated.

I live in a large city that's chock full of doctors who take nights/weekends off. In the 1st half year after diagnosis with UC, I asked the doctor then treating me what to do if my symptoms suddenly got worse outside of office hours. What I really meant by "outside of office hours" was anytime the doctor was unreachable for whatever reason! The reply I got was: "Go to the ER of hospital where I'm affiliated, tell them your problem, mention that you're my patient, and ask to be admitted as a private patient." If you're not responding to 5-ASA meds, your situation definitely needs to be reevaluated so that you can start or resume taking a drug that does work ASAP. Any doctor's office that lacks concern for this predicament is either uncaring or unfamiliar with the needs of IBD patients, though. In the meantime, try to keep yourself hydrated with water, apple juice, and broth to replace the fluid/nutrients that you're losing due to frequent bms. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

From what I have read on here, it seems that GI's don't actually tell their patients much of anything including complications unless you ask them. And even then, some are don't believe in natural remedies, supplements, diet, etc. so they don't bother telling the patient. I, personally, have found that stress plays a huge factor in how I feel. I will flare after a highly stressful situation - not during however. When my gma was in and out of the hospital for her bladder cancer, my Uc behaved itself for the most part. But when she came home and things started to settle down, I flared pretty bad. Diet on the other hand, in my belief, should be altered to your life style and what agrees with you. It's tough finding the food culprit so that is where a food diary comes in handy. But many doctors just don't see that connection. My GI included. He is otherwise a really good GI, but his beliefs don't match mine but he lets me experiment all the same.

My Gi also will fit you in if you are flaring. He will also move things around if he feels you need to be scoped to get you in sooner. He always returns phone calls within the day that you call, and I trust him with my life. If you do not feel the same confidence in your doctor, maybe you should ask around for recommendations about another one. 5 weeks is way too long to have to wait. My Gi always looks at me when I enter the office. it is not obvious, so sometimes I don't even know he is doing it. But once I asked him to be tested for anemia and he said that he looked at my fingernails and they were "nice and pink"....not anemic....at least not to a point that needed treatment. And there is something he looks for in the whites of your eyes too. (Can't remember what that is....maybe someone on here knows or you can look it up online). These are easy things you can look for yourself. Push on your fingernails if the pink returns immediately....you're ok, if not....ER would be a good choice. Post on here to see if anyone knows a good GI in your city. And.......feel better.

Not good enough to tell you to go to the ER when it is not an emergency. HE is part of the problem we have in the country with overcrowding in the ER's! Why send you there when he can see you and prevent an unecessary hospital visit? If you were very dizzy, or bleeding too much or had fever or bad pain, then of course go to the ER.
He should fit you in within 24 hours. I know from having almost the same experience, and I did finally end up in ER after weeks of bleeding heavily. They just don't care or they are too busy to care.
By the way, my CD acts just like yours does CBusTaylor. Bleeding and gas and pain with or without BM's. I can do that up to 10 or 12 times a day. My GI just says, hmmmm. Helpful.

glad to hear your general practitioner was able to see you and get you some advice. I think you may benefit from finding a new specialist, though it's a pain in the butt. 4-6 weeks seems to be the standard wait to get any appt for any dr in my area of the country too. you can always make an appointment, then call back in a week to see if they got any cancellations. just be superfriendly to the receptionists, maybe bribe them with candy :)

can your general practitioner refer you to a specialist they know? sometimes that can help you jump the line and get an appointment faster.

Glad to hear that you were able to see your GP quickly. I agree with your GP that switching around with GI's isn't great BUT first you need to find a good doctor who you can work with. It didn't sound like your current GI is that person. You should not feel locked into this particular doctor especially when he's not responsive to your emergency calls.

Why not make an appointment with one of hte other doctors for 4-6 weeks from now? If you are totally happy by then with your current GI, you can use it as a second opinion about your treatment.