There are many members on this forum and I was hoping there may be one or two in the Tidewater, Hampton Rds area of Virginia. I am very close to looking for a new GI doc. I just don't feel like I am being taken seriously enough, he just doesn't seem to care much. So if there is anyone out there who likes their Doc, would you mind giving me their name? Also if you know of a local Crohn's meetup group, I would be very interested in going. Thanks everyone. Jess
Any good GI Docs in Hampton Roads, VA
- Thread starter haakjess
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
I just did a google search looking for support groups. I believe this is your area:
Hampton Roads, VA - Windsor Woods Area Library
3612 S. Plaza Trail, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
2nd Saturday each month, 10:30a.m.-11:30a.m. (please note the new time/date)
Contact: Zenaida Limon- [email protected]
Found it here under Support Groups (scroll down):
http://www.ccfa.org/chapters/washingtondc/
From that same link: If you are interested in starting a support group in your area please contact Stephanie Campbell at 703-865-6130 via email at [email protected]
Hampton Roads, VA - Windsor Woods Area Library
3612 S. Plaza Trail, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
2nd Saturday each month, 10:30a.m.-11:30a.m. (please note the new time/date)
Contact: Zenaida Limon- [email protected]
Found it here under Support Groups (scroll down):
http://www.ccfa.org/chapters/washingtondc/
From that same link: If you are interested in starting a support group in your area please contact Stephanie Campbell at 703-865-6130 via email at [email protected]
Just wanted to post another update. It's been a few weeks since my steroid shot and I am starting to get the pain in my joints and heels again. The rheumatologist put me on sulfasalazine and told me to taper off of the Apriso. I had to bring it to the attention of the Doc that I was already taking a 5 ASA. So, I have been working up to taking 4 of those a day and no more Apriso. That was the instruction from the rheumatologist, now tomorrow I have a meeting with my GI. He didn't think I was experiencing Extra manifestation of Crohns because it affects only the large joints and since my fingers, wrist, and ankles hurt those are considered small I guess. I am also having pain in my heels. It's weird but I did some reading on all auto immune diseases and that is a symptom of Ankylosing spondylitis. I dont know. I am trying to find an answer but I dont want to become crazy and start thinking I have other illnesses when I don't. It's just very frustrsting when my GI doc says its up to the Rheumatologist and the rheum, says its in the GI's field. They keep passing me off to one another and I feel like I am being blown off. I am very close to finding a different GI doc. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Thanks for any input....
Ok, the GI doc has just accepted the fact that this a Crohns flare and he prescribed Humira. I am just waiting for insurance to pay then I will be giving myself my own injections. Kind of nervous about it but I have high hopes that it will get me pain free soon. I am still having very painful joints, cant open doors while holding onto a grocery bag, my wrist sends strong pain down through my arm and I drop the bag. Stuff like that. Hope the Humira works.
Update... I started the Humira today. 4 shots, and it burned like crazy! At least I wont have to do 4 all the time. I am looking forward to feeling better.
It took 9 months and finally the Docs took me seriously. I can't wait for the day when they actually realize that us Crohnies have brains too.
It took 9 months and finally the Docs took me seriously. I can't wait for the day when they actually realize that us Crohnies have brains too.
Update...It has been almost 3 years and I am beginning to have the bad joint pain and sensitive bowels. Constipation, mouth ulcers, same stuff that seem to come with Crohns flares. This time I am also having trouble with my left arm falling asleep at night. I wake up in the middle of the night because it hurts so bad. In the middle of the night and the morning I also have both hands in pain. My fingers are closed into a claw kind of but I cant make a fist or stretch my fingers because the pain is too much. I wonder if I am going to have to up my Humira from 40mg every other week to weekly. I have also had a couple of bouts with microscopic colitis. I took Entocort and that eventually went away. I am wondering if I have another auto-immune diease along with Crohns. Any thoughts? Anyone go through all of this before?
I had my first appointment with a new rheumatologist today. It's a female and she is young and seems like she is willing to listen and learn, unlike some of the old doctors who are bored and are way set in their ways. She ordered a bunch of labwork and xrays of my hands and wrists. I also see a pain specialist who is a neurologist. This Doc also did a ton of blood tests on me and nothing really sounded any alarms yet..still searching.
