How many GI's?

[porter89xxx]

Hi all i no this is a random question but how many GI's did you have to go through before you found the right one that could diagnose you and help you etc?

 

[MapleLeafGirl]

I got lucky with the first one. I really like him and so far he has not steered me wrong.

 

[dustydshook]

two

 

[scifi-enthusiast]

The one that diagnosed me (didn't even really do the diagnosis since it was done by a pathology lab in San Antonio), turned out not to be that good. He wasn't willing to change my meds which weren't working and he kept on saying that diet doesn't matter with crohn's.

My new one which I got in February actually is proactive in my care. He put me on new meds, and is willing to put me on something else when those don't work, which they are not doing as well as they should. He told me what foods I should cut down on (red meat, leafy veggies, etc), and told me to keep a food/poop diary so I can keep track of what does bother me and what doesn't bother me (in other words what will give me the big D).

 

[belle1999]

Like MapleLeafGirl, I got lucky with the first doc I got...well, in terms of diagnosis. I did see someone many years ago who told me IBS. But when things got bad, I got a great doctor that I really like.

 

[Silvermoon]

Because I was diagnosed as a pediatric, I have had two docs: the one that diagnosed me as a child, and then, when I turned 18, he referred me to an internalist who I have been seeing ever since (18 years now - omg - what am I going to do when she retires?!?!?! lol).

I went to one GI when I was in college (on the advise of my internalist, as he was right in the city were I was attending school, so I wouldn't have to travel to see her), and he was nice, but as I had already been diagnosed, there was no issue there.

I did see one GI specialist in Edmonton during college as well... got introduced to him through a clinical trial I volunteered for. I LOVED his nurse (we are STILL friends) but he had the bedside manner of a baked potato - which is too bad because he is a brilliant clinician and world renowned in his feild....(he was actually the one that told me the pain and other symptoms I was having at the time may disappear if I sought psychiatric help....I very politely told him I was seeing a psychiatrist, and he could go f*** himself now, and walked out of his office....)

Anywhos (sorry, that was a ramble and a half), I think some of us have been extremely fortunate to have found a doctor we "clicked" with so easy. Some are going to be very good clinicians, but if you don't feel good about them, they aren't going to be able to help you....

Sometimes it takes time, but I hope you can find one you "click" with, (((((( porter )))))

Good luck. :ghug:

 

[DustyKat]

Roo never saw a GI until after she was diagnosed, she was diagnosed on the operating table. The GI she was referred to was great and on the ball with maintenance treatment and very friendly and approachable. She has now moved and found herself another GI who I haven't met but she likes him so that's good.

Dusty.

 

[Dexky]

EJ has only had one GI. He could use bedside manner 101 classes but other than that, he has been satisfactory. I think the biggest problem is he's just so busy!! I guess they all are.

 

[vonfunk]

I've only had the one GI. Mainly because my first flare put me in the hospital for 3 weeks, and he was the GI consult for the case. But it worked out really well and I've had nothing but luck with him. He thinks i should have my colon removed, but he's been more than willing to listen to my concerns and put me on the treatments that I've requested to try prolong the time that my colon and I have together.

 

[VintageAnn]

I am on my second GI. My first one I had up until just recently. He was my GI for over 10 years and was the onw that diagnosed me. He was really good until he prescribed Remicade for me in April of 2009. A few months after I started it I began catching ever cold and bug going around. I had bronchitis and a content sinus infection and when I brought it to his attention he told me Remicade would not cause those problems. I had to be the one to tell my own doctor what the side effects of a drug he prescribed were.

I lost all faith in him over that and the fact that he discouraged me from stopping the remicade and trying something else.

So I switched to a new GI and am now trying Humira. My new GI is much younger and more proactive than was my first one.

 

[Becky]

The one I saw in hospital and diag. me I didnt like at all. His only treatment was pred. I switched to another Dr that was great. Unfortunatly she stopped practicing. I stayed at the same practice and just saw a different Dr. He followed her treatment plan and I like him too.
So I am on #3 but I liked #2 as well!

 

[katiesue1506]

One for diagnosis and then I got too sick for him to handle so I was referred to a university teaching hospital. Then we moved to Michigan so now I'm seeing someone at the University of Michigan and I like him I think.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I had 5 doctors, a surgeon, and 2 Gi's and a year later! Yes, it sucked. A teaching Gi figured it out, within minutes.

 

[JMitch]

I had 8 and 1 surgeon. I saw doctors at UCLA, USC, Cleveland Clinic (ranked #2 in US for GI) and many small offices. I thought the major hospitals would be some of the best, but I guess it really doesn't matter who you see-nobody could tell me what was wrong. I was told I had Crohn's, then IBS, then it was in my head-that I should receive bio-feedback, that it was my Gallbladder and had it removed, had to see a Nutritionist, that it was the tone of my rectum, etc. I personally knew something was wrong and I never gave up. Four years later, I was diagnosed by a doctor in training at the VA hospital with Crohn's.