Just felt like I had to come on and share this. I am very happy 
.
I had a doctor that I wasn't happy with. I felt he was completely mis-diagnosing me, going way too extreme for my case (at one point attempting to put me on long-term Remicade, Imuran, and Prednisone for symptoms I had described as part of a flare that was only a few days long). He would never remember my last visit with him, even when he would refer to his notes and the appointments were only a few weeks apart. He even once told me, as a fact, that my disease was worsening and I'd need to increase my drug therapy. He did no medical tests to prove this claim, other than feeling my abdomen and sticking his finger up my butt.
I also felt like he never explained himself well, almost intentionally. It was almost as if he'd overly complicate things so you wouldn't understand and had no choice but to just go with him. I wouldn't understand something he'd say, so I'd let him know and ask if he could explain again, and he'd say it again in a way you'd have to be a doctor to understand.
Anyways, I was very disappointed, and after numerous visits with my family doctor after being disappointed with how things had gone with my specialist doctor, I got a referral for a new GI! The appointment finally happened early last month, after months of waiting patiently.
The appointment could not have gone any better with her! She explained everything extremely well. I left feeling I actually understood things quite well. I also found out that according to my paperwork, I only have about 3cm of infection in my intestine, which she said is very minimal, and if it has not progressed past that point since my last colonoscopy, which was 2 years prior, there may not even be any need to be on drugs at all. Of course, she wanted to do some tests to confirm this, so requested for me to get bloodwork done, and MRI to see if my fistula from when I was first diagnosed is still an issue, a colonoscopy, and a berium x-ray.
I had my bloodwork done later that week. The MRI, surprisingly, happened within a week as well, as they had a cancellation and were able to fit me in, and I just had the colonoscopy late last week. I got to see my new doc just before they put me under for the scope, but she told me that she had seen my MRI and bloodwork results and both were immaculate. The fistula is completely gone, and my blood levels for inflammation were perfect. The scope then happened, and when I woke up and got my discharge papers there was a note at the bottom saying "v. minimal crohns, 0 polyps". This is by no means an official diagnosis, but is very exciting news for me! My old doctor was trying to convince me I was close to being on my death bed with the severity of my condition. I couldn't be more relieved!
I still have the berium test to go, and then have to schedule a follow-up with her for the results of everything. Can't wait to get back in there to get the official word! I'm very glad I went with my instincts and sought a 2nd opinion.
.I had a doctor that I wasn't happy with. I felt he was completely mis-diagnosing me, going way too extreme for my case (at one point attempting to put me on long-term Remicade, Imuran, and Prednisone for symptoms I had described as part of a flare that was only a few days long). He would never remember my last visit with him, even when he would refer to his notes and the appointments were only a few weeks apart. He even once told me, as a fact, that my disease was worsening and I'd need to increase my drug therapy. He did no medical tests to prove this claim, other than feeling my abdomen and sticking his finger up my butt.
I also felt like he never explained himself well, almost intentionally. It was almost as if he'd overly complicate things so you wouldn't understand and had no choice but to just go with him. I wouldn't understand something he'd say, so I'd let him know and ask if he could explain again, and he'd say it again in a way you'd have to be a doctor to understand.
Anyways, I was very disappointed, and after numerous visits with my family doctor after being disappointed with how things had gone with my specialist doctor, I got a referral for a new GI! The appointment finally happened early last month, after months of waiting patiently.
The appointment could not have gone any better with her! She explained everything extremely well. I left feeling I actually understood things quite well. I also found out that according to my paperwork, I only have about 3cm of infection in my intestine, which she said is very minimal, and if it has not progressed past that point since my last colonoscopy, which was 2 years prior, there may not even be any need to be on drugs at all. Of course, she wanted to do some tests to confirm this, so requested for me to get bloodwork done, and MRI to see if my fistula from when I was first diagnosed is still an issue, a colonoscopy, and a berium x-ray.
I had my bloodwork done later that week. The MRI, surprisingly, happened within a week as well, as they had a cancellation and were able to fit me in, and I just had the colonoscopy late last week. I got to see my new doc just before they put me under for the scope, but she told me that she had seen my MRI and bloodwork results and both were immaculate. The fistula is completely gone, and my blood levels for inflammation were perfect. The scope then happened, and when I woke up and got my discharge papers there was a note at the bottom saying "v. minimal crohns, 0 polyps". This is by no means an official diagnosis, but is very exciting news for me! My old doctor was trying to convince me I was close to being on my death bed with the severity of my condition. I couldn't be more relieved!
I still have the berium test to go, and then have to schedule a follow-up with her for the results of everything. Can't wait to get back in there to get the official word! I'm very glad I went with my instincts and sought a 2nd opinion.
