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Dealing with multiple conditions/issues/doctors

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/13/2014 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
So, dealing with UC for about six years now. Last year, got a rheumy involved because they think I'm developing RA. Now they want me to see a girlie-doc to be checked for endometriosis. The nurses at the infusion center handle my Remicade infusions. My primary doc handles my migraines, mystery back pain, depression, and random bouts of sinus infections, flu, pneumonia, etc.

Does anyone else get tired of needing another doctor in the mix? I'm almost to the point where if I could ignore the pain caused by what they suspect may be the endo, I'd just skip adding another doc to my army. Not to mention the fact that I work full-time, am married, and have two little girls to take care of, so trying to schedule more doctor appointments doesn't seem possible.

I know I'm not the only one with this problem, and this is pretty much just me venting. I just wanted to vent to some understanding souls. :)

Posted 10/13/2014 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh, in hear ya. I have my GI, my PCP, my psychologist, and now I'm dealing with an eye surgeon. I feel all my free time is for doctors appointments.
Posted 10/13/2014 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Who thinks you have endometriosis? And are you saying you don't have an GYN? I always had a GYN until after menopause. I don't think it's a bad idea because you will need one at some point.

Back in my 30's one (bad) GYN wanted to do exploratory look-see regarding endometriosis. I declined and nothing bad happened. That was waaaay before UC. But later I had both GYN and UC problems happening at the same time and it was very disturbing, too much bleeding led to anemia. It took going to 4 GYN's to get that one solved (fibroid not endometr).

Yes doctor visits are time-consuming but sometimes necessary. If you feel a GYN is necessary and they explained "why" maybe you should do it. Don't ignore pain, it happens for a reason.
Posted 10/14/2014 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I second the "pain happens for a reason" point. Definitely worth a check. Although, I will say that since UC, I haven't been able to tell where pain is coming from between my hips and diaphragm. I thought I was having the beginnings of a bad flare the other day because I had pain in my lower abdomen. Turns out my period was showing up. I haven't had one in so long because I'm on prednisone and in pre menopause. Once I realize what was going on, it was like, oh yeah...that's what that feels like. I hate not being able to sort out what hurts and why.

My GI told me to have regular GYN exams while on Mesalamines because they may cause cervical dysplasia. My GYN agreed...though I'm reading now the percentages are really low. My GYN and GI are the most in sync with my care. Outside of that, I have other doctors who don't want a thing to do with me. They constantly route me back to my GI because they assume all/most of what ails me is tide to UC or the drugs I'm on to treat it. Fun times.
Posted 10/14/2014 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with you 200% that it's extremely frustrating, especially with gyns!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!! So feel free to vent away here. They ignore your problem or give unhelpful advice, unnecessary invasive u/s tests that can be painful, and often drop your insurance on short notice. In the past 2 yrs I have phoned the offices of 3 recommended gyns whose receptionists then told me that the doc was not accepting new patients, even with pro referral ... pretty disgusting situation for non-obstetrical conditions. I think it's becoming a bigger issue than most women realize. / Old Hat (34 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 10/14/2014 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
There was a time in the not so far past that I had a urologist, podiatrist, rheumy, ophthalmologist, GYN, orthopedic surgeon, neurologist, GI and family doc all at the same time. It seemed I was always running from one to another. I felt the same way and just started ignoring things. Know what happened? Things got so bad that I ended up getting surgery - hand surgery and an endometrial ablation. Don't ignore your body...
Posted 10/14/2014 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am not going to touch that multiple physicians part, as I very well understand your frustration and I don't know whats the best solution.

Just going to comment on Topamax that you are taking for migraine. If its helping you, very good, but if there is even 5% dissatisfaction, remove that from your regimen, else you are opening yourself up for Kidney stones. I got them just after 6 months of topamax. First ER visit and I was handed over tamsulosin Rx, 5 months after than another ER visit for same reason, kidney stone, and had to undergo surgery and lithotripsy. The GI consult commented, UCers are as it is more prone to kidney stones and adding Topamax to the mix is not a great idea. I stopped topamax after first ER visit and started Verapamil, much better than Topamax. Look into supplementing Magnesium (except Oxide form), along with Pyridoxal 5 phosphate.
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