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Pediatric GI referral in DC metro/Baltimore area

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/21/2014 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I wanted referral for Ped GI in Washington DC Metro/Baltimore metro area. I was looking for GI who has a holistic, integrative approach and not just treat UC with medicines.

Post Edited (kamakya) : 1/25/2014 12:01:52 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/21/2014 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I do not have an answer to your question but I can think of 2 past members who have daughters with UC that you should reach out to. One is "killcolitis". The other is "MustLoveDogs". Both have tried many alternative and mainstream options and they can probably provide insight that will help you along the way.

www.healingwell.com/community/profile.aspx?f=38&m=2572564&p=93633
www.healingwell.com/community/profile.aspx?f=38&m=2170576&p=75159
Posted 1/21/2014 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
@notsosicklygirl. I have sent them an email just now. Thanks a lot for your response.
Posted 1/21/2014 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I think it will be almost impossible to find a "holistic" or "integrated" GI. They are conflicting terms.
Posted 1/21/2014 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
@garylouisville. I was at least looking for a ped gi who will goes beyond just medicines. I have not got single advice from my current gi who has given just medication with practically no diet/life style changes. Only advice was reduce diary during flare and take Probiotics. He did not even recommend a brand name for probiotics.

Post Edited (kamakya) : 1/21/2014 10:59:14 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/21/2014 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder if the digestive center for women would have some suggestions or if dr chutkan would be willing to see a pediatric patient.
Posted 1/21/2014 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Bummer that Dr.Chutkan doesn't take pediatric patients. Unarguably, she's the best GI close to the DC area. Good credentials, good track record and has many patients on med free remissions. No nonsense kind of doc who won't sugar coat any drug treatment or surgical procedure.

Have you tried the GW center for Integrative medicine? There's a fine doc there named Dr.Kogan who's up to date and advocates a paleo diet. Obviously you have to shell out money if you are willing, but he knows his stuff.
Posted 1/21/2014 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
kamakya, do you like your regular ped? That doctor should be able to help you sort through the ped specialists in your area.

My daughter got referred to ped GI when she was 10 for upper GI stuff. The first GI we worked with was a middle aged guy who just didn't seem to connect with us. After a frustrating year we switched to a young woman who has been great. They were in the same practice.
Posted 1/21/2014 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
There is such a thing as an integrative GI, and he is even in the DC-Baltimore area... He literally wrote the book on Integrative Gastroenterology. Go to amazon.com and plug in nis name, and his books will pop up-- his name is Gerard Mullin-- I have his books (that's how I learned of him- one if the only integrative GI's) which I never really used because by that point I was a gonner and had to bite the bullet and have the ol' colon ripped out. But he is at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore. Not sure if he has any special experience in pediatric, but he himself suffered from a severe auto-immune disorder while he was a new doctor and that is what led him to become integrative later.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 1/21/2014 12:25:53 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/21/2014 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
@momto2boys. I called dr chutkan and looks like she does not take pediatric patients.
Posted 1/21/2014 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
@kazbern. My ped gi belongs to a very reputed hospital. Is it ok to chose a different doctor in the same practice? I have normally gone to a different practice.
Posted 1/21/2014 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
@Probiotic. I called John Hopkins to fix an appointment with Dr.Gerald Mullin and looks like he just takes adults and not pediatric. I saw his profile and it seemed to be exact match to my requirement.
Posted 1/21/2014 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's clear that I think it's ok because I did it, although I understand things could be awkward.

The ped GI practice we go to is part of a teaching hospital and the original DR we were with had so many teaching obligations he hardly had time for patients. The last straw for me was when we had an appointment (which we had to wait 3 months for) and then his assistant called the week before to cancel because of a calendar error they made. The next available appointment was again 3 months out. I complained bitterly to the assistant and she agreed to get me the first available appointment in the department. We were lucky to get a young DR who didn't have so many research projects and teaching obligations. She has been awesome. In fact, we met with her this morning and I continue to be very very happy with her attention to my daughter and her focus on addressing the issues in an age-appropriate and rational way.

I think you can look at the other DRs in that ped GI practice and see if there's anyone there you'd like to meet. Talk to your regular Ped. I don't know how many times I need to say this, but your regular ped is an important person in managing your child's health. That DR has relationships in the hospitals and among his or her peers that can be a good resource to you in finding the right specialist.

Posted 1/21/2014 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is important to remember that no one has a guaranteed cure for UC, either medical, holistic, or integrative. I think it is more a matter of personal preference which road you want to chose but the bottom line, in most cases, is that there really isn't much difference in those bottom line outcomes. Some are going to go in remission with meds, and others using holistic or integrative approaches but there is no guarantee that you are going to go into remission using meds and there is no guarantee you are going to go in remission with other approaches. Some will go into remission with meds only and other approaches will not work, just as some may go into remission from alternative medicine and meds will not work. With everyone it is a roll of the dice and which avenue is more comfortable to a particular patient's preferences.
Posted 1/21/2014 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I know that the drive will be a couple hours, but the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the top pediatric GI hospitals (the other two being Boston and Cincinnati). They have an IBD center: www.chop.edu/service/inflammatory-bowel-disease/home.html

It looks like you can go there just for a second opinion: www.chop.edu/service/gastroenterology-hepatology-and-nutrition/gi-second-opinions.html
Posted 1/21/2014 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
@bookworm21. I will certainly consider Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as an option if I do not find a local ped gi. Do you know any particular specialist there?
Posted 1/22/2014 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hopkins must have several pediatric GI folks there, although I don't know how integrative they are. Have you looked into University of Maryland's Medical school?
Posted 1/22/2014 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
@momto2boys. I will certainly check Hopkins and UMMS if they have any integrative doctors.
Posted 1/22/2014 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone heard about Ped GI Dr.Yuliya Rekhtman? I got her referral from the office of Dr.Chutkan. Wanted to know if anyone has any experience with her.
Posted 1/22/2014 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
If you got the referral from chutkan, then that's where I'd try. Sorry Mullins didnt work out :(
Posted 1/22/2014 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
She has a site here with a FAQ and other information. I glanced through it briefly and they do acknowledge and treat food allergies. Beyond that I can't tell you much more about how they'll treat your child.

My guess is that if Dr.Chutkan's office referred you to her, it's possible that they might have the same integrative philosophy, but don't take my word on it. Call them and see how they usually approach it. I doubt they are the same med pushing clowns people usually see.
Posted 1/22/2014 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
I did some research and found Dr.Chutkan and Dr.Yuliya Rekhtman studied in the same school. I was very optimistic of Dr.Mullins but unfortunately he does not take pediatrics. My search is still on. Guys please help me if you know anyone.If I do not find anyone then I was thinking of giving Dr.Yuliya Rekhtman a try.

Post Edited (kamakya) : 1/22/2014 8:25:04 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/25/2014 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Very happy with Dr. Oliva-Hemker at John Hopkins. My daughter is 17. We have been around the country seeing the best. Cleveland Clinic, NYU, Mount Sinai. Good luck
Posted 1/25/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
@electro. Thanks a lot and I really appreciate your referral. I'm calling John Hopkins immediately for appointment.
Posted 1/25/2014 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Wishing you the best. It has been 3 years of hell for my daughter and the rest of us. She has been as sick as anyone could be with this disease and has managed to bounce back, always avoiding surgery at the 11th hour. Currently she is on Humira and doing well. Fingers are crossed.
John Hopkins is great because it's also a research center. I have learned that the medical industry is not as opened book in sharing as one would assume. There are things going on in one center that others are not aware of.
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