Hi All,
This article has some good suggestions for making the most of the time you have available during doctor appointments:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33383359/ns ... alth_care/
Tex
Tips For Getting Maximum Benefit Out Of Doctor Appointments
Moderators: Rosie, JFR, xet, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh, mbeezie
Tips For Getting Maximum Benefit Out Of Doctor Appointments
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Thank you for this information.
Since my D started in Aug., 2009 (and thinking it was only stress related) I waited about 5 weeks before deciding I should "at least" get stool culture and blood work done to see if anything showed up there. So I did have these done with my PCP. After those test results came back normal, her recommendation was for me to get a colonoscopy (even though the one I had only 1-1/2 yrs prior was perfect). Due to all of the circumstances that occurred after those test results, I was unable to get a colonoscopy until June, 2010. And the colonscopy doctor quickly rattled off that I should take 10 to 12 pepto bismol tablets daily for several months. And if I still had D, I would then need to be referred to a Gatroenterologist Specialist. My appointment with him was in Oct., 2010. I could instantly tell we were not on the same wave length as he said he would not recommend another colonoscopy. He gave me "maybe" 5 minutes and quickly recommended Entecort EC and telling me possible side effects which floored me. When he knew I was not ready to start with that course of action, he then said I could "up" my pepto bismol tablet intake to 15 per day, take immodium, and see what results I got then.
That is when I became very discouraged and was recommended to a naturopath doctor by a friend of mine, and started seeing her the end of April, 2011. With the grueling regimen she has had me on, I have tried contacting my PCP about 5 times. 2 calls were never returned (not even by a nurse). I do have to mention that I have kept my PCP up to date on the alternative route I have been trying. So... when I did get responses the other several times, the calls came from her nurse and it was recommended I stay on the recommendations of the naturopath doctor and try the gluten-free diet. I also told them I would take the Entecort if they could help me understand how this would help with my issues. But now they are not even recommending that. I was told that Entecort would relieve me of the symptoms while taking it, but they would more than likely come back when I discontinued taking it. So as of now, they are not recommending anything. It makes me feel like I am just a number lost in the system.
So at this time, I am only connecting with my naturopath doctor about every 6 weeks (via phone conference as her office is 4-1/2 hours away from where I live). And from those conferences she decides if she wants to add something else into my regimen. The most recent recommendation of going gluten-free is a wise choice on her part. But I am beginning to wonder about all of things she has me taking because of many responses I have gotten at this web site.
However, rather than staying in a confused state like I was a couple of days ago, I will ignore all and stay with going on a gluten-free diet, using the UltraFlamX, probiotics, and the vitamin supplements I take (Calcium with D, Multi, and B Complex).
I know I need to find another doctor, but feel I should first see what the results are after being gluten-free for at least a couple of months. In the meantime I will research which doctor I will choose as my PCP.
I am sorry for getting lengthy - and am not even sure if this comment fits in this category.
Paula
Since my D started in Aug., 2009 (and thinking it was only stress related) I waited about 5 weeks before deciding I should "at least" get stool culture and blood work done to see if anything showed up there. So I did have these done with my PCP. After those test results came back normal, her recommendation was for me to get a colonoscopy (even though the one I had only 1-1/2 yrs prior was perfect). Due to all of the circumstances that occurred after those test results, I was unable to get a colonoscopy until June, 2010. And the colonscopy doctor quickly rattled off that I should take 10 to 12 pepto bismol tablets daily for several months. And if I still had D, I would then need to be referred to a Gatroenterologist Specialist. My appointment with him was in Oct., 2010. I could instantly tell we were not on the same wave length as he said he would not recommend another colonoscopy. He gave me "maybe" 5 minutes and quickly recommended Entecort EC and telling me possible side effects which floored me. When he knew I was not ready to start with that course of action, he then said I could "up" my pepto bismol tablet intake to 15 per day, take immodium, and see what results I got then.
That is when I became very discouraged and was recommended to a naturopath doctor by a friend of mine, and started seeing her the end of April, 2011. With the grueling regimen she has had me on, I have tried contacting my PCP about 5 times. 2 calls were never returned (not even by a nurse). I do have to mention that I have kept my PCP up to date on the alternative route I have been trying. So... when I did get responses the other several times, the calls came from her nurse and it was recommended I stay on the recommendations of the naturopath doctor and try the gluten-free diet. I also told them I would take the Entecort if they could help me understand how this would help with my issues. But now they are not even recommending that. I was told that Entecort would relieve me of the symptoms while taking it, but they would more than likely come back when I discontinued taking it. So as of now, they are not recommending anything. It makes me feel like I am just a number lost in the system.
So at this time, I am only connecting with my naturopath doctor about every 6 weeks (via phone conference as her office is 4-1/2 hours away from where I live). And from those conferences she decides if she wants to add something else into my regimen. The most recent recommendation of going gluten-free is a wise choice on her part. But I am beginning to wonder about all of things she has me taking because of many responses I have gotten at this web site.
However, rather than staying in a confused state like I was a couple of days ago, I will ignore all and stay with going on a gluten-free diet, using the UltraFlamX, probiotics, and the vitamin supplements I take (Calcium with D, Multi, and B Complex).
I know I need to find another doctor, but feel I should first see what the results are after being gluten-free for at least a couple of months. In the meantime I will research which doctor I will choose as my PCP.
I am sorry for getting lengthy - and am not even sure if this comment fits in this category.
Paula
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Tex,
I am going to a new GI on the 15th, and want to go armed with the latest articles and info.
I know you know exactly where everything is. I would so appreciate it if you would concentrate all the info you think I should take with me so I can print it out.
I am SO hoping he will listen better than the other one, who really isn't a bad man, and he did dx the MC, but just wouldn't see beyond his lying eyes.
I am going to a new GI on the 15th, and want to go armed with the latest articles and info.
I know you know exactly where everything is. I would so appreciate it if you would concentrate all the info you think I should take with me so I can print it out.
I am SO hoping he will listen better than the other one, who really isn't a bad man, and he did dx the MC, but just wouldn't see beyond his lying eyes.
Paula,
That sounds like a reasonable plan.
Good luck with it, and please keep us posted on your progress.
Lesley,
That's a mighty tall order, because IMO, most doctors are so busy, that if we hand them more than one or two articles, they're probably less likely to look at any of it. But the biggest problem, IMO, is that trying to "educate" a "new" doctor on the first appointment, is probably going to be counterproductive, because most specialists are irritated by such attempts, (it says that you presume to know more about your disease than the specialist, and while that might be true, no self-respecting specialist is going to appreciate hearing that from a patient, especially one who is a stranger. After you get to know him better, you will be better able to tell whether he might be receptive to new information and/or suggestions concerning treatment methods, but I would be afraid that any attempts to provide new treatment information at a first meeting would just alienate him.
A first meeting should include questions such as, "do you have many patients with MC?", "Have you had good success in treating the disease?", and if you want to test the waters, you could say something such as, "I've heard that some MC patients control their symptoms by changing their diet - have you had any experience with that, or have you heard of that?" If he seems open to it, you'll know you're in the right place. If he's not familiar with it, but he's interested in learning more, he'll ask if you have any information to support treating MC by diet changes. If he gets mad as a wet hen, you'll know that he's probably not gonna work out.
Tex
That sounds like a reasonable plan.
Good luck with it, and please keep us posted on your progress.
Lesley,
That's a mighty tall order, because IMO, most doctors are so busy, that if we hand them more than one or two articles, they're probably less likely to look at any of it. But the biggest problem, IMO, is that trying to "educate" a "new" doctor on the first appointment, is probably going to be counterproductive, because most specialists are irritated by such attempts, (it says that you presume to know more about your disease than the specialist, and while that might be true, no self-respecting specialist is going to appreciate hearing that from a patient, especially one who is a stranger. After you get to know him better, you will be better able to tell whether he might be receptive to new information and/or suggestions concerning treatment methods, but I would be afraid that any attempts to provide new treatment information at a first meeting would just alienate him.
A first meeting should include questions such as, "do you have many patients with MC?", "Have you had good success in treating the disease?", and if you want to test the waters, you could say something such as, "I've heard that some MC patients control their symptoms by changing their diet - have you had any experience with that, or have you heard of that?" If he seems open to it, you'll know you're in the right place. If he's not familiar with it, but he's interested in learning more, he'll ask if you have any information to support treating MC by diet changes. If he gets mad as a wet hen, you'll know that he's probably not gonna work out.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Lesley,
I agree with what Tex has written.
When I showed my PCP the two articles on mast cells that I posted recently, he asked me if he could copy and scan them into my file. I wonder if he's planning on reading them, or if they actually will just go into my record. I'll probably never know. I gave my GI one of the articles, co-authored by a doctor he knew, but he just added it to my file and clearly never read it.
Gloria
I agree with what Tex has written.
When I showed my PCP the two articles on mast cells that I posted recently, he asked me if he could copy and scan them into my file. I wonder if he's planning on reading them, or if they actually will just go into my record. I'll probably never know. I gave my GI one of the articles, co-authored by a doctor he knew, but he just added it to my file and clearly never read it.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Tex - I like your recommendations to Lesley about brief (but to the point) questions to ask a new doctor. It is true that his/her answers will tell us if we are in the right place, or if we have to look further.
Paula
Paula
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
-
WhirledPeas
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 10:25 pm
Tex,
I may add these three questions to my list for my gi doctor who dx my LC this week. The one I consulted with > did the endoscopies and then spoke to on the phone for my results... so I've seen him twice. I think these questions would be okay even though it's not the first visit.
"do you have many patients with MC?", "Have you had good success in treating the disease?", and if you want to test the waters, you could say something such as, "I've heard that some MC patients control their symptoms by changing their diet - have you had any experience with that, or have you heard of that?"
I may add these three questions to my list for my gi doctor who dx my LC this week. The one I consulted with > did the endoscopies and then spoke to on the phone for my results... so I've seen him twice. I think these questions would be okay even though it's not the first visit.
"do you have many patients with MC?", "Have you had good success in treating the disease?", and if you want to test the waters, you could say something such as, "I've heard that some MC patients control their symptoms by changing their diet - have you had any experience with that, or have you heard of that?"
1st severe flare 5/1/17 Budesonide started 6/7/17. MC/Gastritis 5/2013; IBS/GERD 2001nobiopsy. Celiac biopsy neg2013. Protonix2001-2006.
IMO, those are excellent and very tactful questions, and if any doctor is offended by them, that doctor is probably not a good choice.
Thank you for the suggestions,
Tex
Thank you for the suggestions,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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dolson
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 12:35 pm
- Location: Hilton Head, SC
- Contact:
Re: Tips For Getting Maximum Benefit Out Of Doctor Appointments
I've been to every doctor in Savannah for my brain fog, fatigue, and feeling out of sorts. Had no idea it was Celiac Disease. I had one doctor inform me I needed to have more sex. WHAT? Health care in Savannah is poor. I know being a RN! Dorothy