Is your doctor (not specialist) knowledgeable about Crohn's and IBD?

[mikeyarmo]

No matter what we think of them, I think we can all agree that being a doctor can be quite tough. Imagine someone coming into see you with a variety of off symptoms, and having to find out what the reason for these symptoms are. There are so many different diseases all with different symptoms and severities that it can be quite difficult to treat so many people.

Since IBD is not the most well known of diseases, I was curious if your doctor (not specialist) is quite knowledgable about IBD. All doctors I would assume have some knowledge of it, but what I want to know is if your doctor has really understands what you are going through and is able to effectively help treat your condition (to the best of their ability).

I am fortunate that my GP also has Crohn's Disease, so therefore I know that I am getting good information from someone who really knows what it is like to go through the disease.

 

[Kate]

she knew enough to diagnose me but not much more then that

 

[Calum]

I'm happy with my GP, he has a fairly good knowledge of IBD and he's never afraid to ask for a second opinion if there's something he's not sure about.

Calum

 

[Janet]

My doctor doesn't know jack squat! I know IBD is difficult to diagnose but she spent a good 18 months convincing my parents I was anorexic. Then I was just anemic. Then I was a carrier for Thallysemia. Then I had Cystic Fibrosis. TOTALLY ignored my symptoms. It wasn't until she referred me to an Endocrinologist (who was the one to refer me to a GI) that we finally got somewhere. She has to sign some stuff for me for University and I want to chew her out!!!

 

[Janet]

Oh yeah, she pretty much had no knowledge of it. She's a manipulator and I'm glad I'm moving and I won't have to suffer with her. A:SJFSIOADf!!! So freakin frustrating grrrrrrr

 

[boneyboy]

I don't even have a GP doctor. At all. So, uh, no, he sucks

 

[Valentina]

mine is pretty good. she jokes around that she is just my personal secretary.. organizing all my results from all the specialists.
she is great about sending me to an "expert" instead of just guessing at what to do next, and is willing to take over again when the "expert" is too busy to see me. so Im pretty happy with her. she has been great about not letting me fall through the cracks. and insists on keeping a close eye on me and all my test results.

 

[Jonny]

Well my GP didnt diagnose me and when ive seen him in the past hes said he knows very little on Crohns disease so i rely on my physican consultant but hes a very busy guy and i rarely get to see him.
Have to say hes great at other things but crap at IBD.I usually see different doctors now anyways as its quicker to get an appointment when you say you dont mind what doc you see and the other docs have been pretty good for me with things.

 

[Jeff D.]

My doctor thought I was faking it but he has told me that recently he has sent three other patients because he knew my story and they had very similar symptoms.

So now he knows about it but before he did not at least he knows the symptoms.

 

[Maggie-Muffin]

Hello, my gp doesn't know much about Crohn's, but she isn't afraid to try and find out the answers from my GI or surgeon

~~~HUGS~~
ika: