Do regular doctors know how to treat Crohn's Disease

[spcwife23]

hi guys, i wanted to know after you gastro puts you on your meds, what happens now, do you go back to your regular doctor to see them, or do you ask your insuarance company to see your gastro more? im kinda confuse only because my gastro told me to come pick up my meds next week and just that i have to see him every year.. and do regular doctors know what to do dealing with crohns? i know these are stupid questions but i seriously need to know who i go to now?

 

[DustyKat]

I'm not in the US so I can't answer as to the insurance question.

The kids GI and the GP work together. Between appointments the GP is responsible for their day to day care related to their Crohns, so ensuring bloods are done, writing scripts and any immediate care they may need. All lab results are automatically CC'd to the GI and if their are any issues the GP is unsure of he rings the GI and discusses it with him.

HTH,
Dusty

PS. Followed you to this forum.

 

[spcwife23]

lol yeah i saw.. thanks ill call my doctor in the morning and ask

 

[Jennifer]

I'm in California and my GP and GI do not work together. A GP is simply general medicine. You go to them when you have a cold or want some sort of check-up. A GI is your specialist for Crohn's/IBD. You've already gotten a referral to see a GI doctor so whenever you have Crohn's related issues including medications for Crohn's, you go through your GI doctor and not you general practitioner.

 

[Rebecca85]

That must be a bit of a pain, having to go through your GI just for repeat prescriptions? I am in the UK. I see my GI every 3-4 months, but they will only give you 1-2 month's medicine at a time. So my GI sends details of my medication to my GP so when I run out, I let my GP know and they issue me another prescription.

 

[spcwife23]

thanks, when i go into the gastro doc tommorrow to pick up my meds ill ask the doctor..

 

[jaycee]

My GP and GI don't work together either. All Crohn's issues goes to GI and he writes all the scripts for Crohns meds. He usually writes the script for a year worth because I have to do the mail order thing.

Jamie

 

[hindyg]

I don't need to have a GP with my insurance plan. I can see whatever doctor I want - specialist or not. I only see my GP for things like ear infections, flu, things like that. My GI has nothing to do with my GP. Anything crohns related - meds or symptoms - is taken to my GI. I guess it depends on what your insurance will allow? I know that some insurances and HMOs get iffy around specialists.

 

[Jennifer]

That must be a bit of a pain, having to go through your GI just for repeat prescriptions? I am in the UK. I see my GI every 3-4 months, but they will only give you 1-2 month's medicine at a time. So my GI sends details of my medication to my GP so when I run out, I let my GP know and they issue me another prescription.

The GI sends the prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy and the pharmasist calls the GI when prescriptions are out. You really don't have to do anything other than tell your GI what pharmacy to call (you only have to tell them once unless you move or something).

 

[spcwife23]

heya guys thanks for info, so went to pick up my new meds and im on pentasa not sure what thats for, but i asked the referal people and my GI office and i have one more appointment with them, and after that i have to go back to my regular doctor and she puts in a referal again for me to see my gi for how every long i need again..

 

[moogie]

In quebec Canada I get to see my GI whenever I need to. My GP is only for my annual check ups and new things that might pop up that is unrelated to my CD, However whenever I have a CD problem I see my GI

 

[spingirl]

If my GI told me I didn't have to see him for a year I would be thrilled - that would mean I am just in for regular maintenance check ups! I have a PCP (primary care physician) and a GI and they don't really work together but they share information. At least I hope they are doing that!! I do need to go through my PCP for referrals to my GI...that is how my insurance works. With my history - they just write them up - no big deal to get the referrals.

 

[LadyVik]

My GP and GI work together. But my GI is crap. Can never get through to him so I'm glad they do. My meds and mostly my maintenance (going back on pred, getting sent to hosp etc..) is through my GP, Ill see my GI every 3 months... If he ever keeps an appointment?!!?