Beth
#210263 - 08/31/05 05:56 PM
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jen1013
Reged: 05/06/05
Posts: 1322
Loc: the wabe
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So sorry you're feeling like this again!  No one here is sick of you. We just all wish you could get the relief you deserve.
Haven't read through all the responses, but everyone has some great ideas. I do have to say that this new guy is a JERK! Just as much as the other one! And I refuse to believe that your old GI DIDN'T say anything about you to him. I used to work in hospitals and for most doctors, patient confidentiality was a joke. Doctors would talk in loud voices not caring who would overhear, or talk to each other about patients. I worked in IT and it was like I was invisible to them. One time I was working on an internist's computer (who spent a lot of time on a website with "lonely Russian women") and saw the nurse usher the patient into the exam room across the hall. The internist sat there and read the paper (since I was working on the PC) until he finally got up and ambled into the exam room like he'd been busily studying the patient's chart. Ugh! For every good doctor, there's about 137 bad ones!
You can't give up, you have to keep trying doctors until you find someone who can help you. Is there anyone not in the practice that's covered by your insurance? What about going to a doctor in another city?
Going to a university hospital or some place like the Mayo Clinic doesn't necessarily mean your condition is "that awful" -- it just means your doctors have been "that awful". A friend of mine ended up going to the Mayo Clinic after years of problems. They found her problem and fixed it. I hated the GI I was initially referred to, so I went back to my GP and was referred to the University of Iowa's Health Clinic. They are supposed to be really good and one of the GIs is supposedly an expert on Crohn's. It took me months to get in. I really wasn't crazy about the GI I ended up seeing. I tried to make myself feel good about it for a couple weeks by telling myself that at least he listened to me, but even then, the listening was punctuated with questions that made me feel like I was making it all up. So even if you DO end up going to a university hospital or whatever, you may end up with another cruddy doc -- so don't feel too bad if it's just not feasible to go somewhere like that.
Like others said, I think it is imperative that you get a good PCP. A PCP who cares about you is worth twenty rotten GIs. A PCP can also order a lot of the same tests, too. The best doctors I've ever had are women who work in "family-friendly" clinics. I actually see a PA and love her.
I also second (third/fourth/fifth/whatever) the thoughts of getting therapy. Even if it's not as much as you want.
Wish I could do more to help!  I did mail you the hypno CDs today, so hopefully you'll get them Friday. Take care!
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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If you start over with a new primary care doctor, don't even have your records transferred over (I never EVER transfer my records when I start to see a new doc), you'll have a fresh pair of eyes looking at your problems. If he or she feels you need a specialist, they'll go from there, but honestly, you'd be surprised how much a good doctor can know.
My PCP is actually a kidney specialist. LOL When he moved to Maine, he settled in a poor part of the state and took up family practice, because he wanted to help people. He's remarkably knowledgeable about a lot of things - heck, he's told me things about BC that my gyno didn't even tell me! But most importantly, he knows what tests to order, and he knows when to send someone to a specialist. What I'm getting at here is that a PCP can be a lot more helpful than you'd think.
I don't think there's any good way of finding one who's especially knowledgeable about GI problems, but I look at it this way: GI problems are SO common these days that the chances of finding a doctor who knows enough to work with you are very good. 
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Someone else will because they're not a lazy jerk and it's their job to treat you! Same thing happened to my mom, she had a lousy specialist, asked to be referred to a different one and it made a huge difference. Not sure how many there are in your area, but keep trying. For all you know maybe he did that because he knew you saw the other doctor? That's still not right, you should write a letter of complaint to the board of physicians. What would happen if you went to the emergency room?
I read something in last month's issue of Self magazine that made me think of you - it said you are entitled to a copy of your health records. It allows you to ensure everything is correct and maybe they made a mistake a future doctor could pick up. Not sure if you get charged for medical tests, but you could use those results instead of being tested a second time.
Stay strong! We'll be thinking about you!
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Beth,
#210320 - 08/31/05 10:47 PM
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_Willow
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 2090
Loc: Canada.
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I cannot believe that GI ddoctor was so arrogant to you. That makes me SICK!
After you finally got the courage to do all this, too, babes!
I definintely think Stephie has a great idea in letting everyone know what unprofessional SERVICE you received from a member of the SERVICE community! Whatever happened to the hippocratic Oath? That's a breach, IMHO!
Don't stop fighting even if it takes all you have. You will win, and God wants you to. remember that.
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Keep on keepin' on...
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He** yeah! He deserves to be "told on." Sometimes being a tattle tale is not so bad when it is for the good of most people! Let us know how the phone call goes!
Christianne
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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about???
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Beth, I'm so sorry for what you've been going through. It saddens me that you can't get the help you need. I wish I had some words of wisdom, but all I can offer you now is my prayers and thoughts. You are never a burden. We are always here for you.
My very best wishes,
Kristine
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Beth
#210352 - 09/01/05 07:11 AM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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I'm sorry you had to go through this. It sounds like the doctor had already looked at your files and made up his mind before he even saw you. (Or he had talked to the other doctor).
Please don't give up! And please don't take this personally. Unfortunately, a lot of doctors today don't have any compassion for their patients. They're only in this business for the profit. If a patient won't bring in money for them, they're not interested in them!
I had the same experience when I was having back problems. I saw 2 doctors that were highly recommended. After waiting months for an appointment and hours in the waiting room, they both took one look at me, and said, "I'm sorry there's nothing I can do to help you!" One of them----the most pompous jerk I've ever met---told me I just needed to exercise!
I was in severe pain. I couldn't even sleep at night lying down. I had to sleep sitting up. A nurse friend persuaded me to go see another doctor, and guess what? He took one look at my X-rays (that the other doctor had taken. One didn't even bother to take any X-rays!) and said, "OH MY GOSH! This is not a normal X-ray!" He was appalled that the other 2 doctors had dismissed my pain and treated me with such disrespect. He sent me for an MRI, and I do have a serious problem with my back (a problem with 2 discs).
I am without back pain today because of the compassion and kind heart of this sweet doctor who---unlike the other 2 jerks---cares about his patients immensely. (He even calls me at home at the end of the day to discuss tests results with me, and goes over every option available to me.) I worship the ground he walks on.
I'm telling you this so that you will not give up! There is a doctor out there that cares ----and will help you. As for the two doctors you saw, I'd make sure I registered a complaint about them.
I think the recommendation that you call your insurance company (or nurse hotline) for a referral is a good idea. Keep searching, and you will find a good doctor. I will pray that you find one as wonderful as mine!
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and he is listed in Chicago's top doctors.
The problem is, my insurance co only has a handful of doctors to choice from...and they are either in this docs practice or my old GI's practice. I can't go to anyone in this past doctors practice because he has talked to them and they are sticking together. I just got the call from the other doctors nurse this morning.
I told her I was going to register a complaint against both doctors and tell my insurance company about the "groups" decision not to see me.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I'm in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. You are so sweet to want to help.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Thanks Shell
#210400 - 09/01/05 10:28 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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...but there were no docs in my area in my insurance plan. This just makes me sick.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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