Hi Kitty,
It's horrible to deal with the doctors. All of the ones I've seen have been very disappointing. I feel like I've been labeled as a hypochondriac mainly because of insistance on diet being the cause of my problems. I was expected to just take prednisone for the rest of my life and be thankful that it stopped the D. If they only would realize that I hate going to doctors and don't believe in running to the doctor for every little ache and pain, expecting to leave with a prescription to magically solve all my problems. If they really knew who I was and what I believe they would take notice that something was/is very wrong because I actually made an appointment.
The doctors' biggest frustration with me is my attitude about taking drugs. They would prefer to throw up their hands and blame me for not playing the game as is expected.
Can't believe how much this Hurts
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Kitty,
In a weird way, this is good news for you. I say this because your doctor has now shown her true colors. What I mean is, she is not the doctor you need and you need to find another, ASAP.
Any doctor who would suggest that MC is due to nerves is:
1) CYA (covering her ass)
2) has basically given up on you (note how she was upset that your GI couldn't find out what is wrong with you, but was not upset with herself) and
3) will have nothing more to offer you, because she is in the dark.
Why on earth would you go to see her again? If you confront her with your displeasure over what she told your husband, is she going to apologize? Promise to do better and find someway to help you? I don't think so. And truly, would you accept any advice from her knowing what you know now?
I saw so many doctors that it would make your head spin. My family couldn't figure out why I was so insistent on changing doctors. Why couldn't I leave well enough alone and stay with one "expert"?
Well, the reason is that I finally found the one professional who did help me. Who listened. Who was smart enough to think out of the box. Who found things that specialists who were "supposed" to know better didn't.
So that is why I feel confident to take her suggestions. And even then, I don't do it blindly. I question everything, because it's my body and my health and I want to make healthy steps forward, not backwards!
Yes, it took a lot of time, money and patience. I threw away a lot of money on so called "experts", but I gained invaluable knowledge on what type of medical professional to look for and to trust.
Sorry for the rant, but I am so upset that you had to go through this. Press forward. Question everything! The only expert is you!
You know your body and mind better than anyone. Don't let anyone....family...friends...doctors tell you false assumptions. And most importantly, don't let yourself accept people's misconceptions on what they think is "wrong" with you!!!
God bless,
Mandy
In a weird way, this is good news for you. I say this because your doctor has now shown her true colors. What I mean is, she is not the doctor you need and you need to find another, ASAP.
Any doctor who would suggest that MC is due to nerves is:
1) CYA (covering her ass)
2) has basically given up on you (note how she was upset that your GI couldn't find out what is wrong with you, but was not upset with herself) and
3) will have nothing more to offer you, because she is in the dark.
Why on earth would you go to see her again? If you confront her with your displeasure over what she told your husband, is she going to apologize? Promise to do better and find someway to help you? I don't think so. And truly, would you accept any advice from her knowing what you know now?
I saw so many doctors that it would make your head spin. My family couldn't figure out why I was so insistent on changing doctors. Why couldn't I leave well enough alone and stay with one "expert"?
Well, the reason is that I finally found the one professional who did help me. Who listened. Who was smart enough to think out of the box. Who found things that specialists who were "supposed" to know better didn't.
So that is why I feel confident to take her suggestions. And even then, I don't do it blindly. I question everything, because it's my body and my health and I want to make healthy steps forward, not backwards!
Yes, it took a lot of time, money and patience. I threw away a lot of money on so called "experts", but I gained invaluable knowledge on what type of medical professional to look for and to trust.
Sorry for the rant, but I am so upset that you had to go through this. Press forward. Question everything! The only expert is you!
You know your body and mind better than anyone. Don't let anyone....family...friends...doctors tell you false assumptions. And most importantly, don't let yourself accept people's misconceptions on what they think is "wrong" with you!!!
God bless,
Mandy
-
fatbuster205
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 342
- Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 7:53 am
- Location: Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
Oh Kitty - I so feel your pain! When I first got ill with this disease I was working in the Canary Islands over 20 years ago. Now hot climate and odd water, stomach upsets were par for the course but looking back I had always had sporadic problems and they usually were when I was stressed i.e. working my way through school and university, exam times etc. I ended up in hospital in Spain - they stuck needles in my back side, gave me enemas, tested my kidneys, told me I was pregnant - I asked if there was a start in the east! - and then concluded it was a pychological problem. I said psychological is the chocolate McDonald's milkshake which is constantly coming out of me?? 
I returned to England and the Doctor diagnosed IBS!
In 1997 I had my next big flare and I was given a barium enema - which of course showed nothing. IBS again. But the doc did suggest candidiasis as well and recommended I see a homeopath. I followed through, had one consultation, a couple of pills and I was fine. Problem solved I thought.
Then in 2004 it happened again triggered by a gastric bug doing the rounds. Bad cramps and D for about 4 days for most people - for me 8 weeks and 22lbs weight loss. Coming up to Easter my Mum got really angry - I was living with them temporarily - and made me get up one day and "stop acting like Auntie Maureen" - my father's sister who is the world's biggest hypochondriac! I saw my GP who was brilliant - I kept saying that it was my IBS gone mad but he didn't agree and when ended up in hospital as an emergency his comment was good - now we will get to the bottom of this! The consultant was a complete bastard but he was tenacious in that he wanted to prove it was IBS and that I was just neurotic. He carried out a barrage of tests including a colonoscopy. Boy did his attitude change when the diagnosis came back - he had only seen MC once before!
He has since retired and I have a new consultant who is a gastroenterologist rather than a surgeon and he seems more willing to listen. The first thing he did when he met me was test for caeliac.
I think the thing is a lot of doctors are as Tex says outside their competence with this. The guy who diagnosed me had only seen this condition once before and he retired 3 years after making mine. Kitty definitely look for a doc who is sympathetic because for us who have only found the Potty People it will take a little time to take on board the knowledge and experience and therefore advice that is provided here. I know most of my friends and colleagues think I am neurotic etc - no doubt they think it is all in my head! But under UK law my condition falls under the Disability Discrimination Act - I have invoked it at work. I now have a desk closest to a disabled loo because going to a normal suite of loos is too embarrassing. I am allowed to come in late in the mornings - usually my worst time.
I think what I am trying to say - and I am obviously beginning to feel a bit better! - is don't be a victim! Don't accept the crap - pun intended - from professionals who are outside their competence. I am looking forward to seeing my consultant because since this site a few days ago I can now go armed with so much more knowledge and information.
What I have come to realise over the last few days is that my management of this disease (I am still getting used to calling it that!) needs to be a partnership between me and the docs - except I am the Senior Partner!
Sending a ton of hugs!
Anne
I returned to England and the Doctor diagnosed IBS!
In 1997 I had my next big flare and I was given a barium enema - which of course showed nothing. IBS again. But the doc did suggest candidiasis as well and recommended I see a homeopath. I followed through, had one consultation, a couple of pills and I was fine. Problem solved I thought.
Then in 2004 it happened again triggered by a gastric bug doing the rounds. Bad cramps and D for about 4 days for most people - for me 8 weeks and 22lbs weight loss. Coming up to Easter my Mum got really angry - I was living with them temporarily - and made me get up one day and "stop acting like Auntie Maureen" - my father's sister who is the world's biggest hypochondriac! I saw my GP who was brilliant - I kept saying that it was my IBS gone mad but he didn't agree and when ended up in hospital as an emergency his comment was good - now we will get to the bottom of this! The consultant was a complete bastard but he was tenacious in that he wanted to prove it was IBS and that I was just neurotic. He carried out a barrage of tests including a colonoscopy. Boy did his attitude change when the diagnosis came back - he had only seen MC once before!
He has since retired and I have a new consultant who is a gastroenterologist rather than a surgeon and he seems more willing to listen. The first thing he did when he met me was test for caeliac.
I think the thing is a lot of doctors are as Tex says outside their competence with this. The guy who diagnosed me had only seen this condition once before and he retired 3 years after making mine. Kitty definitely look for a doc who is sympathetic because for us who have only found the Potty People it will take a little time to take on board the knowledge and experience and therefore advice that is provided here. I know most of my friends and colleagues think I am neurotic etc - no doubt they think it is all in my head! But under UK law my condition falls under the Disability Discrimination Act - I have invoked it at work. I now have a desk closest to a disabled loo because going to a normal suite of loos is too embarrassing. I am allowed to come in late in the mornings - usually my worst time.
I think what I am trying to say - and I am obviously beginning to feel a bit better! - is don't be a victim! Don't accept the crap - pun intended - from professionals who are outside their competence. I am looking forward to seeing my consultant because since this site a few days ago I can now go armed with so much more knowledge and information.
What I have come to realise over the last few days is that my management of this disease (I am still getting used to calling it that!) needs to be a partnership between me and the docs - except I am the Senior Partner!
Sending a ton of hugs!
Anne
Dear Fatbuster and all,
Thank you for the replies, hugs and sharing your experiences I actually did sit down and have a good old fashioned cry last night. Felt great after. Then I did what any person would do booked a vacation to visit my son in Forida lol.
It was hard to feel so betrayed. I will talk to her on tuesday when I go for my visit as for my family what can I say they just don't want to deal with the fact that I'm not always going to be able to run around the way I used to. If it's a bad day I stay home.
Hugs to all
Thanks
K
Thank you for the replies, hugs and sharing your experiences I actually did sit down and have a good old fashioned cry last night. Felt great after. Then I did what any person would do booked a vacation to visit my son in Forida lol.
It was hard to feel so betrayed. I will talk to her on tuesday when I go for my visit as for my family what can I say they just don't want to deal with the fact that I'm not always going to be able to run around the way I used to. If it's a bad day I stay home.
Hugs to all
Thanks
K
Hi Kitty,
Not that you need one more voice to express empathy and outrage but...."been there, done that" is all I can say!
First, I'm aghast that your physician would share such information with your spouse. There are so many laws against sharing medical information without a patient's consent, it's unimaginable to me that she even bring up your care, regardless if it was with your spouse. Terrible ethics in my opinion.
Second, stress does play a role in ALL chronic health conditions. I think it's pretty obvious that anyone who walks in our shoes would understand this fact. Being sick is stressful...duh! However, to imply our illness was brought on by stress is just so demeaning and dismissive.
Honestly when I hear a doctor even make that suggestion I just want to say, "Really, is that the best you can do?" Impressive diagnostic skills, doc!
I hope you have a chance to speak with your doctor about her transgression. She was wrong on so many levels in saying what she did.
We've "got your back" on this one Kitty!
Hang in there,
Julie
Not that you need one more voice to express empathy and outrage but...."been there, done that" is all I can say!
First, I'm aghast that your physician would share such information with your spouse. There are so many laws against sharing medical information without a patient's consent, it's unimaginable to me that she even bring up your care, regardless if it was with your spouse. Terrible ethics in my opinion.
Second, stress does play a role in ALL chronic health conditions. I think it's pretty obvious that anyone who walks in our shoes would understand this fact. Being sick is stressful...duh! However, to imply our illness was brought on by stress is just so demeaning and dismissive.
Honestly when I hear a doctor even make that suggestion I just want to say, "Really, is that the best you can do?" Impressive diagnostic skills, doc!
I hope you have a chance to speak with your doctor about her transgression. She was wrong on so many levels in saying what she did.
We've "got your back" on this one Kitty!
Hang in there,
Julie