Hello everyone, I am new to this site and unsure of how it all works. It would be nice to have some connections with people who understand what we live with. I was diagnosed 3 years ago and I am in my 50's. I know that I have likely had this for many many years. I have suffered with IBS most of my life. Almost 2 years ago I added GERD which at times is chronic and the worst of all ailments for me. These are all connected no doubt about that. My frustration is my GI is horrible to me. He is constantly dismissing my concerns about my discomfort. I am not clear about what part of my symptoms is IBS or IBD? He denies they are similar. He says a 'little bit of diarrhea" every day is normal? Really? Is this true? I suffered constipation all my life.....for this past year it all changed to diarrhea. Sometimes no signs, no warning, no stopping it? I want to know why? Of course I could live with diarrhea if it was just a " little". I have been told my crohns is minor...and then told it is moderate...and then told it is minor...I have been told my symptoms are not related to crohns....but it IBS. Then I saw his colleague (for a 2nd opinion) started she walked in and started telling me that I don't have crohns. What the? After some time arguing with me she finally read the file and realized she was wrong. No apology. Why are they in this line of work if they can't be compassionate? EGO trips in the GI area too? Haven't we lost enough control? I hear of so many great specialist and I get this? On three occasions now I suffered so much for over three MONTHS before he finally gets me in for testing and by this time things calm down. Months of suffering like I do starts to wear on me and I feel like jumping off a bridge. I get very depressed. I am terrified of going through this again. I need a good doctor (mine is a loony and tells me all about her personal problems over and over again) and I need a good specialist, one who truly gets the suffering and helps me feel hopeful. Obviously these disorders can have control over you life when they act up....I am a public speaker! I am terrified before I present. The last location I showed up to present at did not have a bathroom on my floor.....I had to go down along hallway, elevator and walk......CAN YOU IMAGINE? WHAT IF? ? ? ? Anyone have any suggestions for any of this? Right now I have no faith or trust...or respect for our medical system. This same GI just diagnosed my adult daughter with a very serious case of crohns. We are scared and do not trust him. We are at the mercy of quacks!
