New doctor questions

[Caeryn23]

I have an appointment with a new clinic/primary care doctor on Friday. They may be able to refer me to a new GI doctor. They are not affiliated with my old doctors. I don't think they have access to those records. I am going to show them copies of my test reports/results.

I get nervous going to the doctor's. Maybe that's one reason why they don't listen to me. However, I don't understand why they dismiss me, because I have had abnormal test results.

How can I talk to them so they won't dismiss me? Or, say that it's all in my head?

Thank you.

 

[SarahBear]

Hi, Caeryn.

I think the most important thing is to be persistent. If they mention doing a test and don't schedule it, call them until they do. If they don't answer your questions, ask again. Make sure you feel well-informed and comfortable with everything you've discussed before you leave. If you don't feel like your doctor listens to you and truly tries to help you, move on and find a better one!

It might help to write down some questions you want to ask before you go in. I know I tend to forget things if I don't do that! There are a couple threads around here where people compiled lists of questions for that purpose.

Is there any reason you're concerned about getting a referral?

 

[KatyBuckeye]

It sounds like you've had some bad experiences in the past! I have too and it's very, very frustrating. Just be very firm and clear with what you would like the doctor to do for you (i.e. give you a referral, etc.). Remember that the doctor is working for you!!! I know it can sometimes be difficult because we are socialized to think of doctors as being authoritative figures, but do not leave the appointment until you are satisfied with the outcome. Don't be afraid to ask questions. As the above poster stated, writing down reminders of what you want to say or ask can be helpful.

 

[Caeryn23]

I'm worried that they won't refer me to another GI. They might not take me seriously. However, I've heard good reviews for this new primary care clinic. Maybe, I'll have good luck with them.

In the past, I've written down questions. I've also asked other doctors to clarify things for me. But, some of the doctors didn't like me asking a lot of questions.

 

[SarahBear]

I'm sorry, Caeryn! Any doctor who has a problem answering your questions is probably not the kind of doctor you want to see. I'd definitely try to find another one in that situation.

As long as you tell them exactly what's been going on with your stomach and ask that you get referred to a GI, there shouldn't be much issue. Sometimes referrals take a while, though; don't be shy about calling their office in a week or two if you haven't heard back.

I hope things go well for you!

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Is there someone you trust who you can take with you for support? If you do, this might help some. I know it's helped me when sometimes the doctors haven't been wanting to listen to me but had no choice but to listen to my husband. Good luck.

 

[dannysmom]

I agree with both suggestions:
- Write things down (symptoms, questions ... and try to prioritize your questions as many doctors do not want to spend too much time answering questions)
- take someone that can confirm your symptoms

Good luck. I get nervous too when bringing my son. I found it helps SO much to have my husband there too ... doctors tend not to think BOTH parents are crazy (I already had the crazy mother implication)

 

[Caeryn23]

I saw the new primary doctor. He is a retired GI doc. But, I think the referral would be for another GI doctor. I didn't have anyone to come with me for support.

He said I had IBS, because the colonoscopy didn't show signs of IBD. He said the elevated lactoferrin was not IBD related. He didn't seem that worried about the bowel thickening on my CT scans. He said the bleeding could be form hemorrhoids.

He also didn't seem to believe me about all my allergies. I was tested by an ENT/allergist. I also have symptoms when I eat those foods/take those medicines. I could show him the test results.

The only tests he ordered was a liver panel and CBC. He told me to eat more fiber, take Senokot-S, exercise, and drink plenty of water.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Hmm. Doesn't sound too promising. I do think that when you get your referrral you should take someone in with you for support. Looks like you might need that extra help especially if the new doctor appointment is like this one...

 

[UnXmas]

I sympathise entirely. I had a thread a little while ago about how stressed I got going to a new doctor - worrying I wouldn't be believed or taken seriously. It's happened so many times in the past that even now I have a diagnosis and have had posititive test results, I still worry. I worry they'll say the level of disease indicated on objective tests doesn't warrant the level of symptoms I experience, and therefore find some way to blame me for my symptoms still . I always thought getting a diagonsis would stop the fear of being dismissed, but it was such an anticlimax for me.

I have found a couple of good doctors though, eventually. It seems to be a matter of finding the individuals who do believe me and treat me well. And stopping going to the ones who don't as soon as possible - don't get upset, just don't go back, and go to someone else as soon as possible until you find the right doctor. It does embarrass me sometimes how many I've seen, but if they don't treat me properly then I try to remind myself I'm entitled to find someone who does!

It sounds like this appointment didn't go so well, is that right? Keep going - don't take this doctor's attitude as any reflection on you or your severity of symptoms if he wasn't concerned. Some doctors only seem to care if you're at death's door. If objective signs show you're not that sick, take that as a good thing and see your doctor's lack of concern as a sign you at least don't need urgent attention and there's no immediate threat to your health.

But I know it's no help to be told there's nothing that wrong when you're quality of life is being affected by symptoms, and it hurts when doctors seem to imply you're a hypochondriac for caring about this. It seems they do this to many patients, so don't take it personally. You'll find the right doctor and get some answers eventually. Some patients end up finding out they actually have something wrong. But as I said, for me the diagnosis didn't solve these types of problems with doctors, so maybe it's not such an important thing to come back with a positive test result after all. Some do end up with a "functional" diagnosis like IBS, but even then you can still hope to find a doctor who recognises that IBS causes suffering and needs treatment.

 

[Caeryn23]

This appointment didn't go that well. However, he noticed that my liver function tests were elevated, and I might be anemic. He ordered a new CBC and Liver Function tests. I am seeing a different doctor on my next visit. Hopefully he will be better. I'm still waiting for a new GI doctor.

I don't have insurance, so my options are limited.