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Nervous; appointment with new Gastro tomorrow

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Posted 9/3/2015 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am hoping that my appointment goes well with my new doctor and that I have a better experience with them. My last DR was awful so I am nervous about seeing a new one. I requested all my records however I wasn't too impressed when I read my previous DR's reports. First off he said that there was a hiatal hernia located in my esophagus but he didn't put down the size of it on the record. Isnt that usually described? Also no where in any of my records does it state I suffer from GERD/acid reflux or esophagitis even though he told me I did. Now I guess my new Dr. will have to take my word for it at the appointment. Another thing is no images were saved from my past endoscope however I don't know if that is common or not. This new Dr has pretty impressive credentials and has worked out of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital so I am really hoping that I can finally get pointed into the right direction here so I can recover and get my life back.

Wish me luck tomorrow!
Posted 9/3/2015 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I would think of your new doctor as a clean slate. Don't be nervous think of this as a chance to get the awesome care you deserve. Try and let them make the diagnosis and then if they are missing anything put in your input. They should look at your previous test results etc and be able to come up with a plan from that. I'm always surprised when new doctors come in and already seem to know everything about me. They might suggest new tests etc.

It is common for them not to have pictures from your endoscope but you should still be able to get the final report sent from the hospital or doctor who did it. By the way I saw about 10 doctors for my hiatal hernia and all of them guesstimated different sizes. Some said I barely had a hernia some said it was large. Even my surgeon who just fixed it guessed it was about 1/3 of my stomach but not until they got in there can the know for sure and mine was actually 50% of my stomach.

I'm sending you good thoughts and hoping you are so happy with this new doctor for tomorrow and you finally get on the same page working towards what will get you feeling better.

Take care!!
Posted 9/3/2015 7:45 PM (GMT 0)

LAWCHICK said...
I am hoping that my appointment goes well with my new doctor and that I have a better experience with them. My last DR was awful so I am nervous about seeing a new one. I requested all my records however I wasn't too impressed when I read my previous DR's reports. First off he said that there was a hiatal hernia located in my esophagus but he didn't put down the size of it on the record. Isnt that usually described? Also no where in any of my records does it state I suffer from GERD/acid reflux or esophagitis even though he told me I did. Now I guess my new Dr. will have to take my word for it at the appointment. Another thing is no images were saved from my past endoscope however I don't know if that is common or not. This new Dr has pretty impressive credentials and has worked out of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital so I am really hoping that I can finally get pointed into the right direction here so I can recover and get my life back.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

First off, I'm happy to hear you're going to see a new GI doctor.  You've been doing through a lot for awhile now, so this is welcome news. 

It sounds the your last doctor's back office staff and/or your doctor seemed to have dropped the ball big time as far as documenting what they've been doing and what your diagnosis has been.  This happens more often than people might think.  I've had two different doctor's offices lose or misplace my medical records.  Thank goodness I always request copies for back ups. 

Good luck with your new GI doctor.  Please let us know how you are doing and how it went, if you're so inclined.

Posted 9/4/2015 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Lawchick, glad to see you are done with that last doctor...wishing you success with this new one!My son had a barium swallow and they remarked the HH was "small to medium sized"...very informative! We had to do another one because the tif procedure we want can only be done exclusively through the esophagus if it is less than 2cm. I had to specifically ask the radiologist to get an exact as possible measurement to submit to the surgeon...it was a resident Dr. and he got really into it and had my son laying on a special yardstick during testing to get an accurate measurement..so I don't think they get too crazy about specifics unless it's requested.I hope this doctor will give you the help you need.If you are comfortable with it, would you share his name with me after you decide if you like him? Best of luck to you!
Posted 9/4/2015 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck Lawchick, hope everything goes well with this one!
Posted 9/4/2015 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lawchick, Good luck with the new DR. One thing I am adamant about is getting copies of everything from every visit. I keep a binder. When I got my endoscopes done, I asked the doctor before we started that I wanted pictures of what he found. When I had the 24 hr ph, I asked for the copies of those test. I don't let them get away with not getting them to me. If I don't get them in a couple of days, I go back to the doctors office and ask for a copy. It is the only way to have all the info with you in case you have to see another doctor. I actually had more info with me for my surgery consult than what my GI doctor sent to him so I gave him copies. Be the steward of your own medical history! Again, good luck.
Posted 9/4/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
How did it go Lawchick???


Cali that is very smart!!! I've only recently realized how easy it is to get medical records if you request them either before or soon after the procedure. I wish I would have started this years ago. Makes it very easy to take them with me to new doctors etc.
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