Dr Wants a Dietitian Consult

[vz101]

My check up last week didn't go well. Fatigue, nausea, and cramping have slowly been getting worse. My CBC was down to 6 so they ordered 2 units of blood. Ever since the infusion I have been feeling a little more off than usual. While at the appointment the Dr asked for a consult with a dietitian. I will humor the Dr but am really tired of all the extra expenses. And it seems like nothing ever really improves for me until things get to the point where surgery is the only option left. He also ordered a test to check for Humira antibodies.

Anyone else see a dietitian on a regular basis? I eat what my body will tolerate not sure what she can recommend that we have not already tried.

Thanks for letting me rant for a bit..

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Sorry to hear what you're going through. I know how hard it is to eat healthy on a regular basis when you're not feeling good. I have seen a dietitian once. However, my husband and I eat pretty healthy (sometimes almost too healthy). But, the time I did go was interesting. Plus, I was given some good info that did help.

Not sure if this is the same way in your situation. But, I hope all goes well for you. Take care. Xxxx

 

[Grumbletum]

I asked to see a dietician as I had gone on the SCD diet which was helping me, but was worried if my diet was balanced enough as I couldn't tolerate red meat which is allowed on the diet. I found it useful to go over things with her as she asked me to keep a food diary for a week, analysed it to see if it was deficient in any areas then we would discuss what tolerated foods I could eat to make up any deficiencies.

 

[Jennifer]

I saw a dietitian when I was first diagnosed and it did help back then (we didn't see them for very long, was only a few visits not on a regular basis). After having Crohn's for 22 years, I wouldn't see one now personally as I know what does and doesn't work for me. You can try seeing them and see how the first meeting goes. Even they should know if the visits will be worth it or not.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I have seen a dietician but on an as needed basis and not on any sort of regular schedule. It is a bit expensive since most insurance companies won't cover it. They will find out what you are feeling (symptoms), look at disease reports, find out your typical food intake and what you enjoy.

They will probably give you a sample menu too. It's worth at least a one time try?

 

[UnXmas]

I'm in a similar situation. I have seen dieticians years ago and found them unhelpful. Now my GP wants me to see a dietician because she says my diet will need to be different after I have an ileostomy, but I can't see how a dietician will be able to tell me anything I don't already know. I started a thread about it in the surgery-stoma sub-forum. I know about basic nutrition, and I know which foods I can and cannot tolerate - which I worked out by trial and error anyway, I don't think a dietician can predict which foods an individual will react to.

I'll let you know how mine pans out.

 

[Johnnysmom]

We have seen two different dietitians, one from Michigan and one from Ohio. (Because of a move)

Neither of them was helpful at all. They gave really obvious suggestions like, "to gain weight add more calories", "use trial and error to find the foods that work for you". This was some what helpful when my son was first diagnosed and I really didn't know anything about crohn's, but I got a lot more information on the forum than I ever received from the dietitian. In fact, the first protein supplement they suggested to us was Beneprotein. It tasted horrible and only had 5 grams of protein per packet. And, it was low calorie and expensive. So basically if we didn't get about 6 packets a day into my son it wasn't really changing anything. So we had to try and hide it in everything which made everything taste bad and he ended up eating less. Now we have him drink a protein zone mango drink every morning with 30 grams of protein and 300 calories, it is so much easier.

Just my 2 cents, I really hope it works out better for you.