Hooray! I think I am one of the lucky members who actually has a good gastroenterologist who listens to me and is interested in how to treat this disease. He started out by telling me that I have collagenous colitis. I had Tex's book with me and he wanted to look at it. He wrote the name and author down and was very interested in Enterolabs. He was quick to tell me that he thinks the only good the drugs for MC do is quiet things down while the person figures out what kind of a diet will work. He read the excerpt in the book from Dr. Fine saying that he takes biopsies from parts of the colon that look a shade pinker to him. He said, "Oh yeah, that is sooo true. I don't see the color difference as much as there appear to be more translucent areas and those are the areas I biopsy and they usually show up with microscopic colitis."
He was impressed with the stool anaylsis idea over blood. He said that blood analysis for figuring out food sensitivities was pretty worthless and he wanted to read a little more about Enterolab and if I am still having a hard time deciphering what to eat in a month, he will be more than happy to order the lab work from them. That was a bit disappointing because I'd like to be done with this guess work. I think he is thinking that he might save me some money if my insurance doesn't cover it, but at this point, I don't care--especially considering it will take another three weeks beyond the month to get the results.
He and my internist were all for me taking a lot of Vitamin D. He was adamant that I stop Pepto Bismol. He does not like anyone to take it for more than 2 weeks as he worries about toxicity. I am very glad that he is so cautious about meds.
He thinks that the fact that I have allergies to tree nuts and have hypothyroid sets me up to be a proud member of "your club". Looking back years ago, I can see so many things that would have predicted this if only I had been paying attention. Makes me wonder what I am missing at present that will catch up with me in another 20 years.
My Gastroenterology Appointment
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
My Gastroenterology Appointment
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Hi Jane,
I agree, you have an awesome gastroenterologist. Kudos to him. Hopefully he will help to inspire many of his colleagues to learn more about treating the disease.
If you don't mind sharing his name, I would love to add him to our list of doctors who understand how to treat MC, so that other members in that area can benefit from his superior abilities.
FWIW, Ant probably holds the record for the longest distance to ship a stool sample to Enterolab. He lives in Hong Kong.
Tex
I agree, you have an awesome gastroenterologist. Kudos to him. Hopefully he will help to inspire many of his colleagues to learn more about treating the disease.
If you don't mind sharing his name, I would love to add him to our list of doctors who understand how to treat MC, so that other members in that area can benefit from his superior abilities.
FWIW, Ant probably holds the record for the longest distance to ship a stool sample to Enterolab. He lives in Hong Kong.
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.
Leah, I wanted to wait because I think my insurance may pay something towards it if my doctor orders it and if not, then my flexible spending would pay it. That is the ONLY reason I am waiting and I may not be able to. I have had some almost decent days this week and today, I feel like my batteries are just flat. I have no energy and a really deep ache/mixed with spasm low in my abdomen. Words cannot describe it, but I am sure many of you know exactly what I am very poorly trying to articulate.
Tex, my doctor is Dr. Steven Crane with Grand River Gastroenterology in Grand Rapids, MI Office phone number is 616 752-6525. I have not met one bad staff person in this group. They are very kind and very professional and extremely efficient. When I've called the office and asked to speak to my doctor's nurse, my experience is that I rarely talk to a machine and if I do, I hear from a real person in less than an hour. So very different than my experience in Kalamazoo where I live. I heard from the internist friend who told me about this gastro group that they are all very good and I am a believer, BUT my only contact has been with Dr. Crane.
Tex, my doctor is Dr. Steven Crane with Grand River Gastroenterology in Grand Rapids, MI Office phone number is 616 752-6525. I have not met one bad staff person in this group. They are very kind and very professional and extremely efficient. When I've called the office and asked to speak to my doctor's nurse, my experience is that I rarely talk to a machine and if I do, I hear from a real person in less than an hour. So very different than my experience in Kalamazoo where I live. I heard from the internist friend who told me about this gastro group that they are all very good and I am a believer, BUT my only contact has been with Dr. Crane.
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Jane,
You're correct, of course, that your insurance company is a lot more likely to pay for the tests if your doctor orders them.
Many thanks for sharing information about your doctor. This will probably help more patients with MC than we will ever know. If you want to review the listing, it's here.
Tex
You're correct, of course, that your insurance company is a lot more likely to pay for the tests if your doctor orders them.
Many thanks for sharing information about your doctor. This will probably help more patients with MC than we will ever know. If you want to review the listing, it's here.
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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MaggieRedwings
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