Use this GI

If you are in Chicago you must see GI Dr. Ali Keshavazarian. He gets back to me by email within a half hour. One time I emailed him at 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday night and low and behold there was a return email at midnight.

Also, he responds to follow up questions and keeps a thread going.

So use this doc!

Ellen

Ditto Ipoop. I have no idea what my GI's cellphone number is or his email address. I think the bottom line is how good of a doctor is a particular doctor. One doctor may be the best but not get back with you easily through emails, etc. while another doctor may be extremely accessible but not really know what they are doing.

My ex-wife is a nurse who once worked for this one doctor who was absolutely adored by all of his patients and looked up to like he was God. She said he was the absolute worst doctor she had ever worked for and the sterilization techniques used in his office could have led them to be shut down by the health department. Sometimes you have to look past the warts and with others not fall for the doctor's charming personality and accessibility and see them only for how good of a doctor they really are.

Thats great to hear, but unfortunately it cant really be an expectation we have of physicians. They are humans too, they have lives and families away from work. They sacrifice a LOT as it is. The fact that your GI is so accessible is definitely an asset though

I know what you mean by second opinion.

I have a different opinion about GIs, yes they are the most important part but I think you should also look at what resources they have at their disposal.

It's nice to have a GI who responds quickly to emails and has a good personality but I want someone who is very familiar with all the tough cases and all the new medications.

Sephora, who is your doc in nyc?
B

Guardian7 said...
According to the doctors for dollars database on propublica, a former doc of mine received $30,000 from pharmaceutical companies. This includes all expense paid trips, speaking engagements, lunch money and so fourth. This raises a strong ethical dilemma to me and crosses the fine line between genuine patient care and the profit motive. I question the integrity of every doctor I come across now. Propublica basically says it's not wrong to ask your doctor if they are getting kickbacks for prescribing medications, because it's a serious issue now. All I can say is be wise about who you pick. Research them thoroughly. Make sure they aren't profiting from that biologic prescription you so desperately want.

I like the database and transparency is usually a good thing but I wouldn't read too much into it because they are just numbers. Databases like this will shed light on the industry and will hopefully clean up the Pharma industry practices. I'm not sure how to judge all doctors listed on there, I'm sure some of them are unethical but the vast majority aren't.

My GI received $27,000 from Abvvie (the makers of Humira). He told me that Humira wasn't nearly as effective for UC as Remicade(which had stopped working for me). He said it was worth a try to hold me over until I was ready for surgery(I was trying to wait 6 months). One-time he gave me (4) Humira pens while we were waiting for my insurance company to approve the higher dosage that I needed because the standard dose wasn't working. I'm assuming that he had been give free samples of Humira because of the relationship that he had with Abvvie.

I trust my GI because of my numerous office visits with him and how he cares for me; sure, I would take into consideration the money paid to him by the pharma companies if it was really excessive compared to his peers.

I agree that most doctors are genuine people. In fact, I was considering surgery (and simponi) two years ago and a locum GI dissuaded me from it. I am grateful because I have almost recovered from my situation. He urged me to try FMT, LDN and alternate modalities, which surprised me. Some doctors are definitely worth seeing, but finding a gem is rare.

Nevertheless, I think it's important for us to question their intentions and whether there are financial motives behind them. Checking propublica is a right step and I'll know immediately whether it's in their best interest to prescribe medications or not.

I do think the collusion between pharmaceutical companies and doctors definitely leaves a stain (not that it hasn't already been tarnished).

My remicade nurse said my gi often asks drug reps how their companies drug works on a biochemical scale. If they cannot answer it (and often they cannot) he asks them to leave his office

Thanks Sephora!
B