How committed is your GI to your health?

Just curious, how committed is your GI to your health?

I question this because, it's been my experience, especially within the last few months, that when I bring up medical research up to a doctor (not necessary GI), they are very surprised by my questions, and actually they get a little angry - almost as if, I know too much.

I believe that with the internet having given ordinary folks the ability to search for information and medical research, it has empowered patients to ask probing questions of their doctors - and they aren't very happy about it. In my experience, they just want you to agree to whatever Big Pharma drugs they want to put you on, and NOT discuss anything else.

So, how committed are they to my continuing good health? NOT VERY, or they would be able to demonstrate interest in some of the important and probing questions I seek the answers to. After all, it takes profit away from Big Pharma and from them.

What's your experience been like on this subject?

 

I used to have doctors who did not want to partner with me, they dictated to me with no interaction, and truthfully I didn't know any better.

Now all my doctors (GI and PCP) are good ones, they know that people look things up on the internet. They have to keep up with the latest studies although my GI is always behind me by 6-12 months because UC is my only special interest whereas she has to treat people with all aspects of GI problems. She suggested VSL#3 a year after I had been using it. She makes no effort to Rx stronger drugs because I said 2 years ago I wasn't going there. I told her diet mod. was the reason for my improvement and I don't think she believes it but doesn't say so. This is as good as it's going to get with a GI in my experience until some brilliant MD opens an office with multiple disciplines to treat IBD. The future IMO.

Times have changed. Information cannot be held captive.

I'm THANKFUL that my GI pointed me in the direction for surgery. She never pressured me and she worked with me to try all we could before having to go forward with surgery. I don't understand why people think its so evil for a Dr. to suggest surgery.

Well, mine is rather conservative, I'd say. And something tells me, not too committed to my health. Why? I have this feeling after my last visit, few months ago. And the Prednisone "story". First, he put me on Prednisone without a squeak about all its side effects, without any tests etc. Of course, I was flaring really bad that time, and Prednisone worked miracles for me, but still, he should've talk with me about that steroid. Second, when I had my last follow up visit, he was really distracted, couldn't even remember my drugs. On the other hand, so far his way of treatment has worked well for me. As well as being concerned about me going off all UC drugs during my second pregnancy; it was against his advice, but it was still my decision (ended... see my signature). Yet, I haven't discussed with him any non conservative way of treatment as I'm not ready to go deep that way. And to be honest, I'm kind of scared to talk about it with him... If there is a need, for sure, I'd have to educate myself a lot more He agrees with opinion that diet doesn't cause UC but can trigger the symptoms. As it is also my experience, I've been adjusting to my gut feel in that area. ETC.
So with him, I've got mixed feelings. Still thinking about changing him for somebody else, closer to my current address. But he is really good, has good bed side manners, his nurse is a treasure, and our contact overall is so far so good. But the gut feeling is still there...

Mine rushes me out the office. He isn't a rude person, but he isn't really committed either.

On my last visit, he explained to me that my inflammation is confined to the rectum, with the rest of the sigmoid only being slightly affected. His plan was to first give me 5-ASA enemas. So far so good. He then tells me that if those don't work, I'm going to be put on 30mg of pred. Woah! If he knows that my UC is confined to the sigmoid, what ever happened to the option of falling back on cortisone enemas instead of the pred? I'm changing GIs as soon as I get this flare under control... and I hope that happens soon.

Big no. I wait weeks to see him, 30+ minutes in the waiting room, minutes in his office and I'm shipped out quicker than a bad date.

I've told him about the data on Imuran and he said I was misinformed. I felt like he was aggravated that I did research on the disease I have. Perhaps I'm just too curious, my journalist in me (went to college), but I expect myself to know about my disease and the options available to me.

He's the typical old GI. I only trust my family doctor. He went out of his way and did some research for me. Even looked up the risk to me while taking Imuran when he found out I was worried about the side effects. I go to him first before I go to my GI.

Sadly my GI is the best in the area. The other GI's are in Toronto. A little hard to get to without a car and limited funds.

All my docs, GI, Neuro and PCP are great. Everyone takes into account my other conditions before Rxing anything. PCP is very thorough. Honestly, I don't have anything to complain about. Almost everyone of these folks are against me using drug for every problem and suggests alternatives. Only problem with my GI is, getting her appointment at short notice. I can always email her or call her up though and she gets back me rather quickly.

I think the way US medical system is set up and the attitude that majority of the patients show up with at the clinic (DW is a physical therapist so I hear stories from horse' mouth every day), most of the practitioners keep an attitude, I Rx you something that gets you off the symptom. Not really everyone is up for treating the cause, even though you tell them explicitly. I guess, over the period of time you start generalizing. Plus, of course some practitioners do care about their billing more than the patient (but thats certainly not everyone.)

@stereo,
Why the heck are you seeing that GI? Dump him. Activia, seriously? Is he nuts?

ByeByeUC-
My GI recommended total colon removal as the first and only option.
Top notch surgeons that I've consulted in the past (oncology and orthopedic) have said that surgery should be the last option after trying everything else.
In the case of total colectomy which is not reversible, I think common sense would dictate that all other options should be explored before agreeing to it.
If you've had good results, I am happy for you. That is not the case with many others who contribute to the Ostomy Forum.
I hope your good post-surgical experience continues...

My GI epically sucked. She put me on Prednisone again and I asked her if there were any other options and she completely yelled at me. She HATES it when I question her thinking. She does not allow me to share my opinion. I was in the hospital for 2 months due to a crazy flare and c.diff. She works @ that very hospital and she didn't even come to see me once. Her fellow colleagues had to see me because she never came. Then when I got out of the hospital, she yelled at me for ending up in the hospital. She didn't even know why I was there. I was there 2 months and she didnt even know why I was there. Then she prescribed Pentasa to me and told me to see her in 3 months. I'm having this HUGE flare and she prescribes Pentasa. I think that's just stupid considering I was on Imuran before ending up in the hospital.

Needless to say, I switched by GI after being stuck with her for a year and some. I finally made the plunge. I've only met my new GI twice but she is so kind. She asked me what I thought about starting Imuran again. She even told me which vitamins and minerals to take. AND best of all, she's sooo empathetic. Empathy goes a loooooong way.

Mr. Natural,

No you're not crazy, unfortunately the medical establishment we're all dealing with has a huge profit motive: to keep you tied to Big Pharma through expensive mesalamines, biologics, etc... They have a built-in customer base that keeps returning because of lack of choice, sad but true.

I'm sorry you got the wrong answers to your questions.

The FACT is that:

 - LDN does work and has put many in remission,

 - Diet has everything to do with UC and inflammation and therefore your symptoms,

 - Rectal meds do work

 - Your condition can be put into remission, and if you go on an anti-inflammatory diet, I believe you might find it almost cured

I applaud your looking into things which will help you.

There are other things you can do too besides diet: probiotics, slippery elm  powder, L-Glutamine powder, other supplements.

But LDN would be a good way to stabilize as well.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

Mr. Natural,

I am shocked at how similar our GI's are. Her approach was exactly the same.

"* LDN doesn't help with UC.
* It doesn't make any difference what you eat when you have UC.
* I should consider 6MP because I'm not getting any better (note: after I decided on my own to stop using Rowasa and Canasa I DID improve).
* My condition can't be cured, only controlled."

It was so frustrating dealing with her! I've finally switched my GI and I'm glad you're thinking of doing the same!

My GI is great! The first one I saw I didn't like, but this one is awesome and really listens to me. I'm grateful the surgeon who originally diagnosed me (there were no gastroenterologists in the town I lived in so surgeon did my first colonscopy) did not put me on pred even though I was in a severe flare. I'm glad they started me on Asacol because it worked. This is such a GI bashing thread...how would you guys even know what was wrong with you if a GI hadn't diagnosed you?

Wow. For a minute I was assuming everytime my doc said "Diet has nothing to do with it" that I was the only one with this type of response. I dont understand where some of these doctors are quick to pass judgement on dietary being an option! Could it be because if they did agree with dietary changes that they would feel like we're wasting our time with them - and instead go to a nutritionist? I doubt they would be out of a job though. Or is it because there is truly no hope and we're all going to suffer and go to hell and feel as though we deserve what we have? ... I'll take number #1 please!!