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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Linz:
I really appreciate your support as well as the support of others on this board.
A couple of hours after I got yesterday I called the Dr.'s office back. I spoke with the gal who has been working with me and had scheduled me for my follow up. I told her to cancel my appointment. She was extremely nice and asked what happened, so I told her. She apologized for his behavior. He's all by himself in his practice - not with a group of Dr.'s. She told me he's "very" ill - Cancer. He must have not been feeling well that day. He shouldn't be in practice anymore if he can't be a little more patient, kind, and understanding. I set up an appointment with another group and they are setting me up with a female. Not sure why. As long as she's kind and understanding.
I have told what I know about my family history but maybe he's so ill that he no longer cares, I don't know. My PCP said he knew him and that he was really good. That wasn't my experience.
I had a bad night last night with the bronchitis and coughing and it's starting up again today. I need to go. All I'm doing is sleeping anymore - no energy left.
Again, thank you for you support. Take care. Heidi
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"All" of my Dr.'s know about this. My GYN has no idea why my stomach goes through shut down monthly. They all know the whole story but it gets me nowhere. Im more than discouraged.
Thank you anyway. Heidi
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You know that old saying?, "You gotta kiss a lot of toads before you find a prince?" I think it applies to GI Dr's as well  I saw 2 on my own, 2 in the hospital and then finally found the good one with try #5. What you have to do is this, when you find SOME Dr you think is really really sharp, I mean ANY kind, ear Dr, Gyn, whatever, you ask them who they would go to for a GI problem..The smart Dr's have smart friends or relatives, and that is how I found the good one I have now. Don't give up!
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I'm so sorry. It's so frustrating when you can't get an answer. Take heart - we're all here to help - anyway that we can. If you have any more questions, feel free to post them. Hugs, Han.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Heidi,
I'm glad I could help confirm that you're not crazy. Sometimes I think that if these Boards didn't do anything else except reassure IBSers about that, they'd still be more than worth it.
I read your response to Linz about calling the doc back and finding out he was so ill. I agree that he shouldn't still be practicing if he can't do his job right, but at least now you know he's not just a common garden variety jerk AND you can stop wondering what on earth your PCP was thinking to refer you. Good luck with your new GI guy (gal, I guess). In general I prefer female physicians. I've hit a couple of bad ones, but overall I think they tend to listen more. I hope yours fits the mold.
If you have true bronchitis, I assume you're taking antibiotics for it. If so, you might want to search the Board for info on the use of probiotics while taking antibiotics. If what you have is what my aunt calls "bronchitis" - a chronic cough with no fever - talk to your new GI about it. Sometimes acid reflux can keep a cough hanging around. (I'm not sure if that's the same as Esophagitis or not.)
As for feeling like a burden to the people around you, when I've been very ill and felt like that, I try to imagine what I'd feel like if our positions were reversed. I always realize that I'd still love them, support them, and want them around.
Please take care. Let us know how your next GI appointment goes.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Thank you for your support. I need all I can get right now. When my phelgm turned from yellow to yellow/green with traces of blood I did go on an antibiotic which cleared it up. I never take antibiotics otherwise. It has to be really necessary for me to take them. I've been taking probiotics the entire time. Another good thing is that I take FiberChoice 3 times a day and it has both Probiotics and Prebiotics in it. I also take Acidophilus, etc. I'm doing everything I can to stay healthy.
Thank you again, Heidi
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I won't go through the whole letter but much of what the arrogant GI said was completely false. Here goes:
He states, and I quote: "At the onset (first visit) that the history was difficult to obtain. He said I was extremely tangential." All he did was ask me a bunch of questions in which I was only to answer either yes or no which I did except for one. Only one because it wasn't a clear cut and dry yes or no. He was angry when I explained that part. Then he states that "I inidicate that beginning 1991 I began to have episodes of retrosternal discomfort at times radiating into my back." Never had that happen. I was having esophageal pain and food felt like it was sticking in my throat. First of all the letter I gave him from the GI I saw has since retired and saw for the first time on 10/1/1992, not 1991. Then he goes on to say that in April I started having IBS episodes of lft lower quadrant pain. I never said this. My first episode happneded in May 2004 and I told him all of that. Then he says my normal intake of fluids are 4-5 glasses of water a day. I drink 4-6, and sometimes up to 8 glasses. He knows this. He then goes on to say that "I drink 2 sodas per day week." At that time I told him I hadn't had a soda in 10 days but once in a blue moon I might have a soda or too but rarely. He also states "I drink 3 glasses of wine per day." This outraged me!!!! I do "not" drink wine at all and never told him that. I told him I do not drink alcohol at all. I don't even like it. He goes on saying that "I have been drinking Soy Milk for the past 3 weeks back then averaging 1 glass per week." I don't drink Soy Milk, I gave it up fat free milk July 2004 and only use it in a bowl of cereal. Then he says "My current stress factors are the fact that I was relieve of my job 13 months ago." I voluntarily quit my job with Health Net November 2002, and mentioned the demise of my Grandmother." He also said that " I have a negative history for family member with any form of Gastrointestinal disease." Lie!!! I specifically told him that my Grandmother had died of Iscemic Colitis and had IBS. He goes on to say that "I don't smoke cigarrettes or use aspirin." True. But.......he goes to Social History and mentions Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and a list of meds." First of all I do not drink and I have never smoked. He later states: "Patient once again counseled in the treatment of her irritable bowel syndrome in the presence of my husband." It was at that point my husband got to see for himself how this GI had been treating me. He also states that "I've been drinking citrus fruit juices" which I don't because of the Interstitial Cystitis.
If anyone would like to email me directly: my email address is: time2heid@cs.com I would love feedback.
There are some contradictions as well as flat out lies in these records. I plan to have both my Mom and Husband present for a confernce in May when my Mom gets back from out of state.
My first thought was to go to the Medical Association but my husband and Mom feel I should first go to my primary. What avenue's can I take legally?
Im extremely upset! The rest of the records are pretty much accurate. Someone help direct me. I will not speak to him anymore and I know he will not speak to me. Trust me on that one. Thanks! Heidi
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I don't know what you can do legally. You can try calling the AMA - or maybe they have a Website - and see if they have anyone who can advise you on what to do about an incorrect doctor's report. At a bare minimum, I think you should write the doctor a letter correcting his mistakes and insisting it become part of your file. And what a good idea to get your own records! Who knows what's in those things?
I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday about a wonderful doctor of hers (yes, they are out there!). She said one of the things she really liked about him was that he would dictate his patient notes on you as soon as he finished examining/talking to you, while you were sitting right there with him, so you knew he wasn't trying to reconstruct who you were at the end of the day after seeing 50 other patients. Thinking about that makes me think this guy has gotten you confused with another patient. I am NOT saying it's okay that he did this - it's horrible, and terrifying when you think about the potential for life-threatening mistakes - but it's a possible explanation for how he could get so many things so terribly wrong. Sounds like you're well rid of him - shudder.
To refer to your earlier reply to me about your bronchitis: I'm so sorry you've got the real thing. I've had true bronchitis twice in my life and that's two times too many. It sounds like you're way ahead of me in terms of taking care of yourself - I just did some serious Board reading on taking probiotics while on antibiotics and wish I'd known about it years ago. What kind of probiotic do you take?
Take care of yourself. I hope your bronchitis clears up and your new GI can help you with everything else.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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This Dr. was taking notes as we spoke. I know I'm not "that" poor in the way I describe any symptoms. Could he be ad libbing???
I think Linz told me the Lactobacillus Cultures/L Lysine in the Digestive Advantage-IBS were probiotics. Also, in the FiberChoice it's got both Probiotics and Prebiotics in it. I take other things too.
I've had a history of bronchitis since I was 16 yrs. old. It gets bad.
Thank you for your reply. Heidi
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I don't know what to say if he was taking notes (unless he couldn't - or didn't - read them, but I certainly do NOT think his complete misinformation could be a result of how you described things. A few minor details here and there might be the result of a misunderstanding, but this goes way beyond that. I sure hope your new GI is better than your last two - although it sounds like she'd almost have to be.
Take care. Keep us posted (so to speak).
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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I saw this thread (I'm constantly floating around these boards without posting) and it really annoyed me.
You poor girl! What a horrible doctor.
Anyway, I asked my friend who is a paralegal among other things, if there was anything you could do about this and her response was:
Quote:
She has every right to complain and she should! I hate MDs. I've only run across a handful that were worth their weight in swamp mud.
If she's in the States, there is a professional licensing board in each state that has protocols for complaints. There are also, I believe, specialty boards that police their members.
If she got a referral to this quack from another doc, she needs to go back to the referring physician and let him/her know how this one treats patients being referred to him.
And I think that's just what you should do. Also, it sounds like you are getting depressed (with reason!) so you might want to take some B Vitamins or a stress B forumla (it has vitamin C) that is timed-released. I've had a lot of luck with those. B Vitamins help give you energy and fight stress and depression and the C helps keep you from getting sick. They should be timed released as they are all water soluable. Just an idea. http://cms.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20040204-000002.html
I really hope things change for you.
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Thank you for your reply. I think your friend might be referring to the AMA (American Medical Association). That's one call I'm planning on making today. I know this first GI who stated that I smoke and drink is a member of the Better Business Bureu but I don't want to go through them because I know of several people who have gone that route with unhappy results.
About feeling depressed, I've been there before too but that's not the case now. I had a bad couple of days with this last experience. My hopes were set too high and it was a big let down. I'll be fine. I know there are other docs out there who are good. I just have to find one who will listen and take me seriously. Thank you for caring though and taking the time to reply. Any reply is always appreciated. Heidi
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I don't mean to sound negative, and I hope she turns out to be kind and compassionate as you hope for. But my experience with a female was 10x's worse that with a male..I had been dismissed by the first GI, a guy, and thought "well, maybe if I see a woman, she will be more undestanding".. WRONG!
She was harsh and abrasive, and told me to go to "a place called Walgreens and buy something called Ex-lax" when I told her I was constipated for 12 -14 days at a time, she told me that was impossible, I'd be dead.. I'm not saying this wll be your experience, but I guess I'm just saying gender doesn't guarantee a nice personality or competence!
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Thank you for your warning. I didn't specify a female, the staff stated they wanted me to see one of their more patient Dr.'s. My neighbor who is a female nurse also see's her and says she is very patient and nice. I hope I have the same experience. She might be more understanding knowing that it's hits during that time of the month and be able to offer "some" kind of advice other than to take Motrin or Advil. I've never heard of such a thing for IBS. I'm a little worried that I might not get a good Dr. but I have to try something. Heidi
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Well, MissyB thinks you might do worse with a female doctor and I think you might do better, so I suppose we cancel each other out.
Male or female, I do think it's a really good sign the office staff actually listened to what you were saying and went out of their way to try to match you up with a doctor who they thought would fit what you needed.
Good luck. Let us know it goes. And I was glad to see from one of your earlier posts that you're feeling a little better.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Weird, where did my post go? lol?..Well, sorry if this is a double..
Sand, I didn't say she would do "better or worse" I was just pointing out that just because a Dr is female and has a menstrual cycle isn't going to automatically make her more kind or compassionate or better than a guy. I saw 4.. GI Drs , 2 females and 2 males, then #5 is the one I've stuck with since he is a caring person and a great Dr. I hope this is the right Dr for her, and it sounds like since her friend goes to her, she has a good start..
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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