Re: first visit with gastroenterologist

[Guest guest]

Jeanne B wrote:

> Tomorrow I finally see the gastroenterologist for my Crohn's.

> “Suggestions,please! I do realize that their practice will not give

> pain medicine and God knows I don't like having to take them but this

> is a quality of life issue. I'm 62 and need to function in order to

> get things arranged. That said, there are a number of options other

> than a few Asacol to treat the Crohn's.

Jeanne,

I would talk to the Patient Advocacy Officer at the Hospital that he practices

to get some suggestions, then you are not dealing with him.

They might have some insight on how to deal with him and address your issues.

Ask to be assigned back to the Doctor you are comfortable with and cite that the

stress the communication he had with you bothers your

heart condition and Crohns and you have set goals to try and get better.

This is why I kept a pain dairy, as it speaks for you and there is not the

bantering from the other, just facts.

This way, you might be able to be covered by the other doctor. Just let them

know that you have a problem, it's not the other Doctor

(even though it is), but that you understand the other gastroenterologist

better.

Bennie

[Guest guest]

Bennie, thank you! I hadn't even thought of the Patient Advocacy

Officerand asking for the other doctor because of not understanding is

brilliant on more than one level.

The gastro they allowed me is not originally from the US. As I am

hearing impaired and need the visual cues plus what I can hear to make

sense of what people are saying. The permitted doctor speaks away from

me and I can't see or hear what he is saying.

Then there is the " we're just not on the same page " not understanding

which can't hurt. I like a doctor who will take the time to explain

the dynamics of my illness and ask for questions then answer them, not

just inform me that he is doing this or that, period, don't ask

questions because you are too stupid to understand what I am saying.

The worst case is that he releases me from care and I end up having to

drive 8 hours round trip to go to a gut doctor with whom I am

comfortable. The best case would be that he lets me go to the partner

with whom I am comfortable.

You have relieved my mind so very much, thank you. I admit that I've

been stressing about this and have gone through a month's worth of

Nitrostat in a week, which is not normal for me. I think my tongue and

lips are permanently numb now.

Thanks again, Jeanne B in GA