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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/21/2011 11:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if it's just me or are GI docs all the same?  I was diagnosed almost a year ago with UC and in that time I have been to 3 GIs (2 in the same practice, 1 not).  Hate to say it but I really didn't feel comraderie with any of them.   One of them just tells me, "You have a chronic disease and have to deal with it",  she never offers to examine me, I always have to ask for an exam ( just to check for bloating, distention etc).   This past week she told me I should consider Remicade.   I had previously been told that was for extreme cases and I told her I could not afford it.  She said, Oh dont worry we wont give it to you unless your insurance pays for it.    The other Dr in the practice had given me both cort enemas and rowasa.   She refused and said I dont have left-sided UC therefore it cannot be helping, when I tried to explain to her it does.    I walked out with no samples, no refills and frustrated.    Today I am flaring with much gas, mucos and D... no blood (yet) and pain on my left side.  I have some rowasa left so I may go back on it and on Monday try to find another GI.    Does anyone have any advice on finding a good GI?  


I dont think it's me.  My Gyno has been my Dr for 25 yrs.   My primary care for 22.   I just think to be a GI you have to be rude and non-caring so I am looking for one to prove me wrong.

Posted 5/21/2011 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
To answer your question, there are converging treatment options in terms of medicines prescribed (remicade, imuran, lialda, etc) but some GIs cater to the patient's sensitivities. I've found that certain university doctors, for example, will let the patient decide on the treatment and exhaust all options before going on to the more lethal forms of treatment.

As for me, I've disowned my GIs for the time being and am trying the SCD diet currently.
Posted 5/21/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I've also had a really hard time trying to find a GI I feel comfortable with. I even tried going to my local university and that guy was awful. I finally found one by going to a Crohn's Colitis support group and asking for recommendations. I was able to ask people specifics about their doc and that helped a lot. Good luck! I think GI docs are some of the worst out there.
Posted 5/22/2011 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I've had some of my best doctor experiences with GIs. And when I was doc shopping, a local GI website quoted one guy as saying, "I became a GI because I find it fulfilling to relate to patients on a long-term basis, unlike many other specialists..."

I think asking around for recommendations is the best way to go. I found my current one through a good friend who is also a patient.
Posted 5/22/2011 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I was happy with my previous GI. He was all meds, but at least he listened to me, would see me right away, was very careful in doing scopes, had me use enemas instead drinking some awful liquid before being scoped, and was (according to his nurses) very good at surgery (better than any of the other GIs she worked for) if I ever needed to go that route.

Too bad he retired.
Posted 5/22/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't have the most pleasant experience with my GI at first. When she did the colonoscopy the nurse wheel me to the waiting room and said the doctor will come and talk to you. My mother and I sat there just waiting. Finally my mother said let me go and ask someone if she's coming. She had started on a another patient. She (GI) comes out and look at the photos she gave me from my colonoscopy and said it's really nothing to write home about. When my biospy came back it had I had severe proctitis and she did a 360. Even call me personally to say I hope you come back. I guess she realized how she acted. Now she acts totally different.

One of my coworkers has UC also and went to a GI out of town. He ask her why did she take so long to come. She explained she gets scared of coming to the Dr. He said well it's probably cancer and he tried to tell her she couldn't have UC even though the lab results showed she did. She said he acted like he was mad at her.

Yeah, I think some of them take an oath to be rude and insensitive or it could be that we are from such a small town.
Posted 5/22/2011 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I had 4 GI's tell me I was crazy and finally found a digestive disease specialist who was able to diagnose me immediately with UC. I'm not sure how common this GI specialist is, but maybe you could look and see if theres one by you?
Posted 5/22/2011 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried ccfa.org Website's "physician finder"? The gastros are listed by state, then city/town and are supposed to be familiar with IBD treatment. It's really important to have a gastroenterologist who knows that IBD patients require specialized treatment! My 1st doctor was good at scoping, but did not have sufficient knowledge to medicate over time, which led me to flare repeatedly. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 5/22/2011 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Glad its not just me. For some reason I just cannot stand my GI. I am fine with all of my other doctor's but I just dread going to him. He got mad at me when he found out I didn't get the flu shot upon his recommendation and started scolding me one time. He also seems to be a little blunt at times and lacking in sensitivity. When he does make an effort to ask me how I'm doing or be friendly it just comes off awkward and fake. If I'm going to have this disease for the rest of my life I should have a doctor that I can tolerate. Will be looking for a new one for my next visit.

Question, how do I handle going to a new doctor in terms of going to a new doctor? I won't have to do a colonoscopy immediately will I?
Posted 5/22/2011 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Belley and others

At this stage in my UC, when I know what the next steps would be and what the Rx meds available are, I don't expect anything from my GI except respect for my time (meaning they don't take phone calls during my appt) and that they give me the prescriptions I ask for because frankly I know more about my UC than they do.

If a doctor made statements like "You have a chronic disease now deal with it" that would be the last time I saw them. Yes it's true but that statement shows lack of compassion and I could not trust their recommendations for future treatment.

someone asked:
Question, how do I handle going to a new doctor in terms of going to a new doctor? I won't have to do a colonoscopy immediately will I?

A new doctor wants a colonoscopy but it is your decision. I said no to my new doctor 3 years ago and she didn't fire me. If you have a definitive diagnosis from your last c-scope you don't need a new one for several years unless something changes for the worse or you had some polyps that need to be watched closely. Don't be bullied because your GI wants another slot in their c-scope day. It's your body.

For those people changing GI's call your previous GI and request a copy of you file including your colonoscopy results and biopsy. Keep that in your home file and make a copy to take and give to your new GI. Don't be a guinea pig, be in charge of your health.

Don't expect your GI to be Dr. Oz because only Oprah can afford him :-). Don't ask for miracles, just respect and common courtesy while they use their knowledge to help you deal with UC.
Posted 5/22/2011 3:54 PM (GMT 0)

Bellyache:

To answer your question directly, yes it's very hard to find a gi doc that you just love.  I have been dealing with ulcerative colitis for the last 20+ years and I have been through about 6-8 different GI docs.  Mostly through moving or docs moving.  I now have finally founds someone I really respect, like and find personable.  We call each other on a first name basis and talk at the same level to each other.  There is no distance between us on any level.  We e-mail each other whenever the need arises.  I now travel about 2 hours each way to see this guy.  He's at a major teaching hospital, one of the best in the world.  All I am trying to say is that your experience is a very common one.  Don't be discouraged, keep looking.

MyUC

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