I had another horrible experience today with a new GI - Heather can you help?
#169733 - 04/13/05 08:31 PM
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HeidnOut
Reged: 02/15/05
Posts: 148
Loc: CA, USA
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I saw my new GI (2nd opinion) and all he was interested in was the IBS which is the main reason I went to him. It took 2 months to get into see him for consult. When he walked in, he appeared to be very aggitated - maybe from the previous patients or maybe he didn't feel well.
I had a total of 15 minutes to get everything out. He told me for my IBS to use Motrin! That only helps in the very beginning stages. I tried to find out (since it's in his field) why my stomach shuts down each month for 3-5 days and told him that I can't even stomach water, it just sits there until the period and hormones stop. He didn't have an answer. I also told him that recently I started to feel esophagel pain again as I was once diagnosed in 1993 with Esophagitis. He told me I'm supposed to be taking medication for a lifetime with Esophagitis and I was told it was short term back then. That Dr. has since retired. I tried to explain the much of the time my foods weren't breaking down and digesting and coming out fairly whole. He wanted to know what kind of foods and all I could think about was steamed green beans at the time. He gave me an Rx for Nexium and said to come back in 2 months for follow up. He continually cut me off in the middle of a sentence and took control. When my IBS escalates fast within 10-15 minutes, Advil won't even touch it and I don't do pain pills. He was very abrupt. I asked him if he planned to do an EGD/Colonsocopy and he said "no." I didn't feel under the circumstances that I was out of line to request that.
The only good thing is that I found out since these attacks and shut down occur duing my menses that it "is" hormonal related unlike what the other GI said.
I walked out of there with no hope. My throat was tight and I started crying. It appears that I have to live with not just IBS but these other things as well and no one wants to further check and see if I have any problems that didn't show up on a CT scan or barium enema.
I told him I wanted to go back to work. He asked me why I wasn't working and I told him until I get this resolved that I can't see any employer hiring me knowing that I will be sick 1 week each month.
I'm "not" suicidal - it's against my regligious beliefs but I can't stand to live like this much longer. I wish God would just take me. I can't be the wife I'm supposed to be.
I got no where with this guy and I'm so upset. I've shut off the hones and don't want to talk to any one anymore and not checking my emails.
Basically, I walked out of there with instructions to take Advil for IBS, that it is hormonal related, and a Rx for Nexium.
Thank you for allowing me to vent. I wish all of you well. Take care. Heidi
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Heidi, I'm so sorry you're having such a terrible time. Don't let this stupid GI get to you. He was a complete jerk. Go to another one. I know it sucks that you've already been to two, but you've got to get one who is supportive. Have you had a colonoscopy before? It's critical that you get one. I'm concerned that that time of the month causes so much trouble. That might (and I have no idea - I'm not a Doc) point to a gynaecological problem. I don't know. Was the first GI any better? Maybe consider going back to him/her.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Doctors just don't understand- They are overbooked every day so they try to get you in and out in record time. I can so appreciate what you are saying. Been there.....
As I am sure, so many other people on this board have been also.
I would definately look into a different doctor- I wouldn't stay with this one.
Hang in there-
Melissa
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Melissa
Pain predominant w/occasional C.
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I'm so sorry your doctor was so awful. And after waiting 2 months to see him, the letdown at not being helped must have been devastating.
More specifically, his refusal to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy just doesn't sound right. I mean, forget being humane or decent or caring; it just doesn't sound right medically. I thought a colonoscopy, in particular, would be standard operating procedure for anyone with bowel problems. Gosh, what a doofus!
I've got a list of suggestions, but if you're not in the market for advice, just stop reading right here. Have some herbal tea, take a nap, read a trashy novel, have a good cry, do whatever will make you feel a little better.
Suggestions:
You can try checking this thread to see if anyone has listed a good doctor near you. There's also a suggestion in there about finding a doctor by asking an IBS hypnotherapist. Surely there must be a million hypnotherapists in a place like California. 
You can also considering letting this crummy doctor know how you felt about the way he treated you. I'm not very good at doing that face-to-face myself, but I find that writing a letter - it doesn't have to be rude or ugly, just straightforward - helps a lot when I'm feeling beat up and powerless. (I wish I could be more like my friend who tried to incite a riot in his orthopedist's office after being kept waiting for over an hour. I think he deserves a medal.)
The next time you make an appointment with any doctor to discuss your symptoms, you can emphasize to the person making the appointment that you have a lot of questions and want to schedule an extended appointment. You can also ask to see the doctor in his/her office rather than in an examining room. I've tried both of these a few times and it occasionally works.
If you have - or can find - a good primary care physician, she might be a great resource, too. Even if she's not as technically knowledgeable about the latest and greatest treatments as a GI guy, she might be more willing to take time and explain things. My Family Practitioner has been a big help through all kinds of stuff; even when I was seeing what felt like every specialist in the book, I liked seeing her because she would always listen.
Last, but not least, talk to someone about how much despair you're feeling. Maybe your husband, maybe your clergy, maybe a close friend or family member, maybe your primary care physician. A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved. You shouldn't try to carry this all by yourself if someone else can shoulder a little of the burden.
Good luck.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Oh honey, I'm so sorry, I've been to more than my share of a&&hole doctors!  You've gotten some good advice but I can't believe her told you to take advil/motrin. If I even look at a bottle of those types of medications, my tummy goes into an uproar! They do work better for mestrual type cramps but are you sure they don't make the IBS worse for you?
Has anyone talked to you about birth control pills? You can get pills now that only allow you to have a period 3-4 times a year, this might help decrease the amount of attacks you get from hormones.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thank you so much for your advice. Just to let you know, all I have been drinking is water and herbal teas. Mainly Peppermint and Chamomile. I watch what I eat.
When I called for the appointment, I specifically told the Receptionist that I needed extra time because I had a lot of questions about IBS, my stomach that quits digesting for a week when I'm hormonal, and the esophaeal pain. All he wanted to discuss was the IBS. But when he told me to take Advil or Motrin for pain I went into shock. Advil barely helps me if the pain is mild.
He was obviously in a hurry and was becoming irritated with me for asking questions. I have a wonderful primary care Dr. In fact, after each visit he takes my hands and prays for me. We go to the same church. If he has samples of something he feels I need, he gives them to me. He always schedules me at the end of the day because he takes the time to go over everthing with me. This new GI only checked my breathing and said he wanted to see me in 2 months leaving me with an Rx for Nexium.
I have a concern that could it be possible I might have something else going on and it just so happens to hit me when I'm hormonal? I'm 45 and with the history of IBS and my Grandmother had it too and died if Ischenic Colitis, you would think he would suggest a colonscopy - at the least.
I'm so upset and feel like I wasted time only to go through this all over again. I went through this years ago when I had IC but hadn't been diagnosed yet.
You know what? I'm tired of everything and I just with and pray that God will relieve me once and for all and take me while I'm asleep. I'm not suicidal - I'm too chicken first of all and I believe it's also a sin. I guess praying and asking God to take me home must be a sin too. If it is, I pray that God will forgive me for those kind of thoughs.
Thank you for your reply. I know I'm not crazy and you helped confirm that. Take care. Heidi
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Thank you Melissa. I don't think I have it in me anymore (at least for now and a long time) to go back through all these Dr.'s and testing. If I was working I think things would be different. I feel like I'm a burden to my husband. He makes decent money but much of it is going toward ER visits, meds, and Dr.'s visits.
Take care. Heidi
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The first GI was extremely arrogant and that's putting it mildly. Without going into the whole story, when we left my husband said "What a jerk!" That was the first time my husband had gone with me to that Dr.
This last one came in with a very serious look on his face. His body language should have given me a clue. He wasn't arrogant but appeared to be extremely irritible. He was short with me and only wanted to focus on the IBS. I had 3 things I wanted to discuss and had asked for extra time to go over this with him. I wanted to know why I'm having pain in the esophagus. He tried to get out of that one but I was persistent. Finally he said just take Nexium. How do I know there isn't something else going on there? As far as my stomach going through total shutdown, he has no idea why. Apparently he doesn't care either or he would have made some suggestions. How do I know there isn't an ulcer inside or worse? He chalked everything up to being hormonal because I'm in Perimenopause. Easy way out. What he said could be true but how can you really tell unless they scope you. The barium swallows don't do jack - I've been there already.
I refuse to go back to either one of them. I give the facts and have an open mind but I refuse to be humiliated and left out to dry.
Thank you for your advice. Heidi
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Michelle
#169845 - 04/14/05 08:58 AM
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HeidnOut
Reged: 02/15/05
Posts: 148
Loc: CA, USA
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Yes, my GTN has talked to me about birth contol pills but for personal reasons I won't go on them as my experience was not a positive one. I have taken it in the past though. I also used natural Estroven and Pro-Gest cream and it made me so sick and I was going 3-4 nights in a row with not a wink of sleep. Since I've quit taking them, many things have improved for the better so I think it's best for me not to take anything in the form of birth control. I'm very sensitive to a lot of medications.
Thank you anyway for trying. Heidi
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That sucks!
#170028 - 04/15/05 01:04 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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Complain! Really...I would! Get hold of the name and address of whoever's in charge of the clinic/department and write them a letter asap. Refusing to give you a colonoscopy/endoscopy is extremely medically unsound...point out your family history as well - with that I'm surprised you're not getting 5 or 10 year check up colonoscopies as it is!  Also say that you were extremely unhappy with the standard of treatment you received and need to see another doctor.
I'd say you need to have an endoscopy done to check for inflammation in the upper GI. You might also need a test to check on your stomach emptying during your period.
Good luck. So many docs suck. I wish I could send you all to my lovely GI.  He knows nada about diet, but is soooo thorough and nice.
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