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Tired of Needing to Stalk my GI!

xJillx

Your Story Forum Monitor
As usual, my GI is being horrible with the follow up. I had a colonoscopy on Thursday, Sept. 22nd. As always, I am instructed to call for biopsy results if I don't hear anything in 2 weeks, which I never do.

I called my GI's nurse last Friday and left a voicemail and heard nothing back. So, I called and left a second voicemail this Tuesday. Her nurse called back saying she has my file ready to be reviewed and put a post-it on it indicating I called. Have I gotten a call back? Of course not.

My GI really knows her stuff, and she's good when I am with her. Gives me a good amount of time, answers all my questions, etc. But she is so out of sight out of mind. And the communication with her and the office staff is just awful overall (issues with referrals, mix up with past results, emergency calls not being put through). I am so frustrated!

I wish I didn't have to be such a stalker to get some results! I feel guilty to place a call or email, but I'd never hear boo if I didn't. I think I may need to express my displeasure next week. Do you think I'd be justified?
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
Hey Jill,

I can understand your frustration, what a pain! And unprofessional in my opinion. Being a good doctor is more than just knowing your stuff and looking the patient in the eyes. Being responsive to them and providing them their test results is so basic!

You should absolutely not feel guilty contacting them! And I would certainly express your displeasure in a diplomatic way so they don't get defensive but strong enough so that hopefully something changes.

And hopefully something DOES change as you deserve better!

*hugs*
 

xJillx

Your Story Forum Monitor
My mom tells me, "Oh, she works for such a big hospital, she must be so busy." I know that is true, but she is working for me, isn't she?

I get better service from my dog's vet, and he has a huge practice. I just was in last night for her annual visit, and he left me a long and detailed voicemail last night to say she was positive for lyme disease :frown:. And he actually just called me a few minutes ago to be sure I got the message and to see if I had any questions. Why can't all doctors be like that?!
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
I wish I didn't have to be such a stalker to get some results! I feel guilty to place a call or email, but I'd never hear boo if I didn't. I think I may need to express my displeasure next week. Do you think I'd be justified?
Too bloody right!

It is just plain good manners to return a call and not to do so, or have someone do it on your behalf, is rude.

They say the squeaky wheel gets the oil and I must admit that I have a tendency to go that way. I know your shocked at my admission! :lol: But seriously I just keep ringing morning and afternoon until I get answers, they get sick of it and I say..."Well deal with it and I'll stop, then we'll both be happy."
It doesn't take long before you get answers pronto...;)

Dusty. xxx
 

Cat-a-Tonic

Super Moderator
Jill, I understand completely, I'm going through something similar with my GI and have been contemplating switching to a new GI. He's pretty good during appointments, he listens to my questions and concerns and discusses things fully with me. But he takes forever to return my calls! Case in point, I called him every day this week and left messages with his receptionists and nurses - he finally called me back just now, on a Friday afternoon. It took a full week to get a response! And that's not the first time this has happened. So I absolutely understand your frustration, I'm in the same boat!

I know he's busy - what doctor isn't? I know he works at two different clinics and the hospital AND he was the on-call GI doc at the hospital this entire week. But that doesn't mean he can't take 2 minutes out of his day to make a phone call. I'm supposed to call him back for follow-up in 6 weeks - I think I'll call him in 5 weeks time so that it'll be 6 weeks by the time I hear back from him.

Anyway, this is getting to be too long, but I just wanted to say I feel for you! Unfortunately though it seems like the only thing we can really do is switch doctors or deal with it. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do yet. I hope you can figure out what to do too. Good luck and hang in there! I hope your frustration is heard when you call back next week, and that you get those scope results too!
 

Terriernut

Moderator
Too right Jill. I've now given permission for results to be emailed to me. The GI nurse can do it. Because I can tell you...NOT ONCE have I received results for ANYTHING in the past.

Grumble. Now I tell em...email me. Or...DONT MAKE ME COME DOWN THERE!

I WILL sit on someones desk!
 
I agree totally. If they do not call back within a certain amount of time keep being persisitant. That is ridiculous....
 

xJillx

Your Story Forum Monitor
Thanks again to all who responded!

Well, I finally heard back from my GI after an email I sent to her directly yesterday. In her reply, she said had reviewed my file last week, and I should have received a call about my results. Story of my life...

Needless to say, she said biopsies are "entirely normal, no sign of Crohn's or IBD" and for me to call her this week to discuss this (I already left a message). I just don't know what to think anymore. I may be finding my self a member of the Undiagnosed Club soon.
 

Terriernut

Moderator
'Shoulda, woulda, coulda' received a call. Humph! Just because they didnt see anything, you still should get that info in a fast and professional manner. And you are soooooo not alone in getting info!

Also, just because you arent inflamed right now doesnt mean you dont have CD or UC. Dont Drs drive you mad???
 

xJillx

Your Story Forum Monitor
I am going a bit mad! I think it is quite clear I have CD. But without the positive biopsy results, my GI says "let's not put any labels on this". But come on! If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck!

I have a lot to discuss with her once (or should I say if) she calls me back.
 

Terriernut

Moderator
Jill, my first MAJOR flare was in 1997. Here I finally sit with Stan the stoma. In February 2011...I'm finally told...well, we're 99% sure it Crohns. I said 99%, after this long eh? Whats with the 1%?? He says, well, we can never be for definete. :ybatty:

:voodoo: I shant repeat my reply.
 

Cat-a-Tonic

Super Moderator
Jill, I hope you don't have to join the Undiagnosed Club! If you do, we will of course welcome you with open arms - but I really hope it doesn't come to that. It drives me nuts to hear stories like this, of diagnosed people facing "undiagnosis". To think that the thing I've been striving for could be taken away so easily - it's just plain wrong! I hope it's not the case for you. How frustrating.
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
I am going a bit mad! I think it is quite clear I have CD. But without the positive biopsy results, my GI says "let's not put any labels on this". But come on! If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck!

I have a lot to discuss with her once (or should I say if) she calls me back.
Matt's biopsies from his colonoscopy weren't positive either. His pathology from his bowel resection said there was no convincing evidence of crohn's disease. Based on that, Matt doesn't have Crohn's but he certainly does.

I think the clincher is not the pathology but finding a doctor/s that have faith and confidence to make a diagnosis based on what they see when they either scope or operate on you. We were lucky enough to have a GI, colorectal surgeon and Crohn's specialist all agree he has CD regardless of the pathology.

I get a tad sick and tired of doctors using the old "we don't want to label you" excuse. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with throwing around labels willy nilly either, but as you say...If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck...so just get on with it and stop the needless suffering.

Dusty. :heart:
 
I so agree with dusty I think it's all in how the doc / consultant interpret the results and who have the confidence to call a spade a spade. I think I unconcsiously used the reverse psychology with them, I was so much in denial they had to convince me I had it, maybe thats why they didn't sit on the fence!!! if all else fails try that method.
 
Sounds like you need to get a second opinion anyway. I'd go to your GP ask for a referral to a new GI (tell them about your frustrations with the current one) and then go from there. You never know, you may find your 2nd GI better and gain more detailed results.

Don't just hang onto the current GI b/c she listens and is great at appointments. As previous posters said you need the whole package with this illness.
My GI is wonderful, he takes his time at appointments, records his own views on a tape recorder after the appointments (for his records-shows he's thorough), writes to my GP after every visit. I can call him any day as long as it's after 6pm at his office. When in hospital (which i hope will never happen to you) he visited every day at 8am, without fail.
I've called his surgery when i thought I was reacting to a medication and they put me through to him straight away (even though he was with a patient)
Goodluck.
 

xJillx

Your Story Forum Monitor
@ Cat - I am waiting to speak with my GI over the phone before making my official debut in the undiagnosed forum. But I think I may be there shortly.

@ Dusty - I think doctors are afraid to make a diagnosis without a supportive pathology report in fear of a lawsuit. They are trying to protect themselves. That's my theory anyways.

@archie - I kind of have taken this approach. In previous appointments, I have asked what else it could be if not Crohn's, and my GI really didn't have much to suggest except for "post-infections IBS". But you don't bleed with IBS. So, that just leaves Crohn's, right?

@jaggartini - Your doctor sounds amazing. Can we clone him? By no means am I in love with my GI. I think a third opinion (I had one other GI prior to this one) may be in the near future, but I'll see how our phone convo goes this week first.
 
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