I'm having trouble deciding which doctor I should have treating me. My GI is 360 miles away. Throughout the process of getting diagnosed I have been less than happy with him. He doesn't communicate well, explain anything, etc. Today I went to see my GP (an internist) originally to fill her in on the whole Crohn's thing and get some pain meds as my GI will not prescribe me any. I was with her for over an hour, filled her in on what has been going on, and she explained a lot of things to me; the results of tests done by the GI, the ways the medication I have been taking works, etc. She ended up prescribing me azathioprine and prednisone as a "bridge" until the aza kicks in. My GI is (was) going to prescribe me azathioprine this week. The word prednisone has yet to leave his mouth. My problem is I know I can't really have two doctors treating at the same time. I have picked up the prescriptions from the GP, but haven't started them yet. Common sense tells me the GI is going to be much more knowledgeable about Crohn's. I also feel a little loyalty to him because I've been through several months of tests and procedures with him. On the other hand, I don't really like him, I don't like the way he has handled most everything to this point and he is 360 miles away. My GP is here and very helpful. She is not a GI, but she says she treats others with Crohn's. I don't know what to do!
Confused about which doctor to use
- Thread starter Akcat
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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I can imagine that this is difficult for you! 
It is frustrating that we have to deal with so many different doctors, and that they either don't want to take responsibility at all (in my case they just send me along to another doctor to deal with it), or in your case that more than one doctor is willing to treat you for the same thing, and you don't know which one to choose! I can't really advice you on what to do in this case, but I know that for me it is incredibly important that I can have a fruitful dialogue with my doctor, and good communication. I suppose I still would have stuck with the GI that only deals with IBDs when it comes to the actual treatment for Crohns, as he is bound to be more experienced in the field than your GP. You should regard yourself as quite lucky, though. Your GP seems very well informed, and you can use her to get second opinions when it comes to treatment etc.
Don't know if that was much of an answer to your question. Best of luck with everything!
It is frustrating that we have to deal with so many different doctors, and that they either don't want to take responsibility at all (in my case they just send me along to another doctor to deal with it), or in your case that more than one doctor is willing to treat you for the same thing, and you don't know which one to choose! I can't really advice you on what to do in this case, but I know that for me it is incredibly important that I can have a fruitful dialogue with my doctor, and good communication. I suppose I still would have stuck with the GI that only deals with IBDs when it comes to the actual treatment for Crohns, as he is bound to be more experienced in the field than your GP. You should regard yourself as quite lucky, though. Your GP seems very well informed, and you can use her to get second opinions when it comes to treatment etc.
Don't know if that was much of an answer to your question. Best of luck with everything!
Thanks for the advice Sophia! I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time getting any doctor to take responsibility for your treatment. I'm sure that has to be even more frustrating then my situation.
I'm considering going with my GP for the time being and when things get more complicated, finding a new GI in "town" 360 miles away. I imagine there has to be someone who is better at communication then what I have now. Like you said, good communication is an important part of this whole thing. If the doctor doesn't tell me anything how am I supposed to have any faith in what he is doing?
I'm considering going with my GP for the time being and when things get more complicated, finding a new GI in "town" 360 miles away. I imagine there has to be someone who is better at communication then what I have now. Like you said, good communication is an important part of this whole thing. If the doctor doesn't tell me anything how am I supposed to have any faith in what he is doing?
DustyKat
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Unless the GI is the absolute, and I mean absolute guru on CD I wouldn't stick with a doc I didn't like. If you don't feel comfortable with him, for whatever reason, and he is dismissive of you then go elsewhere. CD is a difficult enough disease as it is without the grief of a doc like that.
Is it possible to go to a GI farther away on perhaps an annual basis and then have your GP do the run of the mill stuff and liaise with the GI on a needs be basis. All your bloods or any other tests results can automatically be cc'd to the GI. I live in a rural area and the GI is 300kms away and this is how it is set up for my kids, plus there is always the option of calling the GI myself if need be.
Dusty. xxx
Is it possible to go to a GI farther away on perhaps an annual basis and then have your GP do the run of the mill stuff and liaise with the GI on a needs be basis. All your bloods or any other tests results can automatically be cc'd to the GI. I live in a rural area and the GI is 300kms away and this is how it is set up for my kids, plus there is always the option of calling the GI myself if need be.
Dusty. xxx
