My Story w/ CD

[Col]

Hi all,
I just came across this site and decided to write after a HORRIBLE exp. I had at gastro. today.
Although my only symptom is diarreah, I was diagnosed with CD 4 years ago. 3 years ago I was pregnant with my 3rd child and the diarreah subsided. After her birth and the onset of diarreah I decided to get a 2nd opinion. One colonoscopy and I had the same diagnosis. Dr. did not listen to me about my symptoms (no cramping, no fever, no loss of appetite, no weight loss etc...). So lately I've been pretty much debiliated by the diarreah. No matter what I eat or when I eat it, within one hour I have about a 10 second window to get to a bathroom. Interestingly enough I happen to be walking by the TV one afternoon and heard some woman describing these same symptoms. HABBA SYNDROME. Well, I talked w/ Dr. Habba's staff and discussed how Dr.'s aren't very open to hearing about this new diagnosis. I finally got an appointment with my gastro. (I sent her a letter and info about Habba Syndrome) and I thought THANK GOD..someone is going to listen to me. The first words out of her mouth were "I don't know about this Habba Syndrome stuff". Once again she did not want to hear about what I was going through, only that the reports say I have CD (I guess pathologists cannot be wrong). So, at the end of the meeting she is saying that we cannot continue to butt heads etc etc. I finally said "are you saying that you no longer want to continue with me as your patient?". Thats EXACTLY what she was saying. How in the world did my concern for my health turn into me feeling like the criminal? She also said she was sending a report to my primary care dr. So, I got on the phone with that office a.s.a.p. to let them know how I was treated b/c there is NO way she will ruin my credibility. Now, I am on the hunt again. Dr. Habba charges $425 for the initial consultation...whew!!! Pretty steep, not to mention it's 3 1/2 hrs away.
So, that's it. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I feel like a prisioner in my own home. Food is no longer enjoyable. To leave the house means loading up on Immodiums then they have me so screwed up the next day.
Enough is enough.

 

[Kev]

Hi Col... Welcome to the forum. I cannot begin to express my sympathies at your treatment at the hands of that dr. I hope you will find a better one closer to home, or failing that, come up with a way to pay for the sessions with dr Habba. Good luck.
my understanding of Habba Syndrome (also known as Bile Salts Diarrhea) is that it can occur with or without UC, CC or CD. now, bear in mind that I'm just a layman, I don't have any medical training or qualifications. just a very basic understanding of it that says it can occur because your body produces too much bile salts to tolerate, or the part of the GI tract that normally deals with it stops dealing with it, perhaps due to some form of IBD.. There are some tests doctors can do that will measure your stool, and the bile, fat, etc.. Shocked your gastro didn't test for this BEFORE ruling it out. course, it's a pretty disgusting test.. Been there, done that, I dont' want to ever repeat it.. If the pathology from earlier testing says crohns, the chances are they got it right. but that doesn't necessarily preclude H.S. as well. I hope you meet with Dr Habba, get a definitive diagnosis, and start on treatment..