Time to find another new doctor already. :/

[Deleted]

I went to see my new PCP (/Internal Medicine Specialist) today for a
follow up. Strike one: She told me she'd looked through my old records,
and then asked if I've ever been to a GI specialist. Uhm, yes. I've been
to at least three or four. Which is in the files she'd just told me she
looked over. Her response: "Oh, I must have missed that part. I'll have
to look it over again." Strike two: I mentioned wanting to test for
Crohn's, and she laughed at me and said "Who gave you that idea, Dr.
Google?" Strike three: She asked how I've been doing, so I told her that
my nausea was not any better, my headaches are back daily, my mouth
hurts from so many canker sores, I went a week without pooping, and my
bowels are unhappy and painful all the time. Her response to that?
Eat more veggies, less animal proteins. Come back in a month or two.
That's it. That's all I got. Eat. More. Veggies.

THANK
YOU, DOCTOR. If only someone had told me to eat a salad ten years ago,
maybe I wouldn't still feel like this now! And the fact that I used to
eat a lot of vegetables, but leafy greens destroy my digestive system
top to bottom, and have since I first got sick? "Well, just give it a
try anyway. It will help your headaches."

[greenscreen]

I'm new here so I hope you don't mind the response. I have Crohn's and you definitely should look into finding a new doctor! I'm so sorry. I follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet/GAPS, if you are looking for guidelines. And, yeah, no salad or veg when I am flaring.

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2013 0:21:54 GMT -5 greenscreen said:

I'm new here so I hope you don't mind the response. I have Crohn's and you definitely should look into finding a new doctor! I'm so sorry. I follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet/GAPS, if you are looking for guidelines. And, yeah, no salad or veg when I am flaring.

I absolutely don't mind the response! Thank you! You are the second person to mention the GAPS diet on here, so I'm definitely going to have to look into it. Is it fairly easy to follow if you can't eat most veggies or eggs?

[OrangePixyStix]

Ugh, I'm sorry she didn't take in your concerns or even bother to review your history in detail. I would definitely find another doc, hopefully one that takes the time to explain things without just a knee-jerk reaction or assumption that there's nothing seriously wrong.

Hopefully the next one is much better and can help you figure out what's going on.

[bcv513]

I'm so sorry Pixie. She sounds like a condescending jerk.

[aimeedyan]

Do you have to get a referral to see another GI? Maybe we can help find you a well rated GI in your area that specializes in IBD (since it sounds like that's your closest diagnosis possibility.)

Sorry she was such a jerk. What a waste of time!

[greenscreen]

Apr 23, 2013 5:54:49 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Apr 23, 2013 0:21:54 GMT -5 greenscreen said:

I'm new here so I hope you don't mind the response. I have Crohn's and you definitely should look into finding a new doctor! I'm so sorry. I follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet/GAPS, if you are looking for guidelines. And, yeah, no salad or veg when I am flaring.

I absolutely don't mind the response! Thank you! You are the second person to mention the GAPS diet on here, so I'm definitely going to have to look into it. Is it fairly easy to follow if you can't eat most veggies or eggs?

You can definitely follow them if you don't eat most veggies of eggs. I have gone through flares where my doctor has told me to eat high protein/very low fiber.  
Here is the info on SCD:
www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
And GAPS:
gapsdiet.com/
I also like this blog for recipe ideas, but there are some other good ones out there too:
www.againstallgrain.com/

The diets haven't been the answer for everything, but I think they help. Sorry this is long! Hope it helps!

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2013 11:14:59 GMT -5 aimeedyan said:

Do you have to get a referral to see another GI? Maybe we can help find you a well rated GI in your area that specializes in IBD (since it sounds like that's your closest diagnosis possibility.)

Sorry she was such a jerk. What a waste of time!

All the ones I've been to in the past, I've had to have a referral. But, hey, if I try to schedule without one, the worst thing they can say is no. And if I do have to get a referral, at least I could go to a new PCP and say "Hey, refer me here, please."

[aimeedyan]

Apr 23, 2013 14:19:26 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Apr 23, 2013 11:14:59 GMT -5 aimeedyan said:

Do you have to get a referral to see another GI? Maybe we can help find you a well rated GI in your area that specializes in IBD (since it sounds like that's your closest diagnosis possibility.)

Sorry she was such a jerk. What a waste of time!

All the ones I've been to in the past, I've had to have a referral. But, hey, if I try to schedule without one, the worst thing they can say is no. And if I do have to get a referral, at least I could go to a new PCP and say "Hey, refer me here, please."

Typically, if you have an HMO you have to have a referral but a PPO doesn't require one.

The Crohns Colitis Foundation of America lists GIs, dieticians, etc that choose to become a member of the CCFA.Which would probably mean they have a good knowledge of Crohns... you can search their listings for people near you: www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/find-a-doctor/

In addition, CCFA have local chapters in most areas that offer support groups, fundraisers, events, etc and this page will give you contact info. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot off an email and ask for recommendations from the contact person: www.ccfa.org/chapters/

The Crohns discussion board at Healing Well has been really helpful to me and lots of people ask for recommendations on there - maybe join and ask if anyone has a recommendation in your city? www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17

There are also some active Facebook groups for people with Crohns that you could ask on - the CCFA page seems to post questions from people (it's a huge board) looking for local recommendations. Crohn's and Me is another page that is large, active, and often has people asking for recommendations.

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2013 22:24:04 GMT -5 aimeedyan said:

Apr 23, 2013 14:19:26 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

All the ones I've been to in the past, I've had to have a referral. But, hey, if I try to schedule without one, the worst thing they can say is no. And if I do have to get a referral, at least I could go to a new PCP and say "Hey, refer me here, please."

Typically, if you have an HMO you have to have a referral but a PPO doesn't require one.

The Crohns Colitis Foundation of America lists GIs, dieticians, etc that choose to become a member of the CCFA.Which would probably mean they have a good knowledge of Crohns... you can search their listings for people near you: www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/find-a-doctor/

In addition, CCFA have local chapters in most areas that offer support groups, fundraisers, events, etc and this page will give you contact info. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot off an email and ask for recommendations from the contact person: www.ccfa.org/chapters/

The Crohns discussion board at Healing Well has been really helpful to me and lots of people ask for recommendations on there - maybe join and ask if anyone has a recommendation in your city? www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17

There are also some active Facebook groups for people with Crohns that you could ask on - the CCFA page seems to post questions from people (it's a huge board) looking for local recommendations. Crohn's and Me is another page that is large, active, and often has people asking for recommendations.

Yeah, it's not my insurance that requires it, it's the local GI offices that do. They don't want to see you unless a PCP has said "Yes, you need to go see a GI." I will definitely be checking out those sources and making some calls, though. I'm thinking I need to expand my search area and be willing to make a bit of a drive, so maybe that way I'll be able to find one that doesn't require a referral, at least for an initial appointment. I mean, I do need a PCP for my regular care (thyroid meds, BCP, etc). Haha.

[aimeedyan]

Wow, I've never had a GI office - or really any specialist - require a referral! That's crazy, and frustrating. I've yet to find a PCP in our new city but I saw a GI within a month of living here. Though, maybe with a confirmed diagnosis they are less likely to care if I have a referral or not...

Good luck in your search