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Frustrated with these doctors!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/25/2009 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had an issue with trying to change doctors and other doctors refusing to see you because you have already had a colonoscopy with someone else? I have been getting poor care; ie, 2 -3 days for a phone call back w/ questions, rude nurses, and "I don't know" answers to all of my questions.

My family physician pulled some strings and got me into a new GI doc. I received the paperwork yesterday and in bold letters it says to call immediately if you have had a colonoscopy in the past year. I just had one in Nov 08. THEY CANCELLED MY APPT!  They will not see someone who has been treated by another doc in less than a year. I guess in layman's terms that means unless I'm going to pay for another colonoscopy, they are not going to see me. I'm so frustrated.... has this happened to anyone else? Should I call my primary doc back or let it go until Nov of this year. I feel like this disease isn't something you should accept poor care. Is this common for a doc to refuse to see you if you you didn't go to them for the colonoscopy??

Any thoughts or suggestions?? Thanks for any help or advice you can provide,

Valerie

Posted 3/25/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I really feel for you, I felt really brushed off and dismissed by my first GI,as if I so should put up and shut up,
I feel I only received good care when I got to the point of being hospitalized at the same time I swapped to a more senior GI as my first one was on holiday,andonly because he offered to take me on as a patient,one thing I did learn was when they say they don't know,its quite often because they are stabbing in the dark with this disease,even diagonosis is often not clear cut,and the whole process is so intrusive and unpleasant,I feel the people in endoscopy,although they try to be sympethic often get sort of immune to it if you know what I mean,
so they can come across a bit matter of fact as dealing with it everyday.
Sorry I can't be any help but I do feel for you its horrible when you feel the people you put your trust in are are not doing their job properly I'm sure someone will post saying what to do regarding changing GI.but I would have though that a new GI could look at the pics of your recent colonoscopy,and your notes and would not need to do another one unless your feel your symptoms are rapidly getting worse.
take care Anna
Posted 3/25/2009 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
No. It has not happened to me. I will often switch doctors until I find one I like. It's a good thing to do. Our health is important and not all doctors are the same.

If their policy is not to see someone who has a colonoscopy in the past year and they won't alter that policy, then that's their policy and you already have an idea of how they operate: they base their decisions on rigid policies. I'd look elsewhere for another GI.

I tried three doctors before I found my current PCP. I tried two other places before I found my current GI.
Posted 3/25/2009 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
They all love doing scopes as its great revenue for them and thier surgery centers....
Posted 3/25/2009 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I'm sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble. Maybe you could speak with someone at one of the offices and ask why they will not see you if you've had a colonoscopy within a year. Sometimes, speaking with someone and explaining your situation can result in them making an exception to their policy.

bbc, I do want to come to my GIs defense about your "they all love doing scopes" statement. My GI is almost anti-scope! He said that it's about my symptoms, not about what my colon looks like, when it comes to managing my disease. I mean, he'll do them every few years to check for cancer and such, but he doesn't want to do them just to see how much inflammation I have.
Posted 3/25/2009 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
So long as your previous doctor is willing/able to supply all of your medical records, there should be no reason for them to reject you or want to rescope you. I've worked my way through multiple GIs and have never had this problem. I'd look at it as a red flag - this doctor evidently being someone you wouldn't want to work with anyway - and find someone else.
Posted 3/25/2009 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the replies... I have calmed down a bit and decided to contact my PCP and ask her to refer me somewhere else. I'm sure she will be mad about them canceling since she made a "special call" to get me in quickly. You are all probably right that it isn't a doc that I would want to work with if they are stuck on policies... I have just heard good things about their patient care. I am a female and the doc was a female so thought maybe she might be easier for me to talk to. Oh well! I'm sure there is another doc that is willing to take me on somewhere! Thanks again, as always you have been so helpful :)
Posted 3/25/2009 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I would still report that to the Board of Healing Arts, or whatever agency regulates doctors in your state. That seems outragious to me.
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