My GP wanted me to follow up with GI because on my CT scan showed some swelling in my spleen. That was the first thing I addressed. He said that it is moderate and nothing to worry about. Then he asked how the medication was working? I said I’m not on any due to the $400
Dollar copay. He said you have to be on this medication to get you into remission. What are you doing for the diarrhea? I said i’m taking Imodium and Kaopectate and dieting gluten free.
Well then he said there is nothing else I can do for you without the medication. End of follow up. Wonderful
GI Follow up
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Re: GI Follow up
Hi Billy,
Don't let his ignorance in that wasted appointment depress you. Many of us have had a similar experience. Actually, that appointment was productive — at least now you know exactly where he stands, so you won't be wasting any more time on him. IMO, his knowledge of treating MC is very limited, because mesalamine is not normally the recommended medical first line of treatment, anyway. Budesonide is the most popular recommended medical treatment, and it's generally more effective for treating MC.
If he really wanted to help you, he could have offered to locate a way for you to get his prescription filled at a big discount, or possibly free. Manufacturers often offer such deals for patients who can't afford their overpriced medications, and he should be aware of those options. My guess is that he was just looking for a convenient excuse to dump you. He may be suffering from burnout, and he's just collecting his fees —he doesn't give a hoot about his patients. But that's just my impression.
Besides, if you're not going to have any prescriptions filled, you shouldn't need a GI doc now that you have your diagnosis. Many of us don't have a GI doc, because of similar issues, and that has had no effect on our recovery.
Also, please note that MC can (and often does) cause inflammation in other organs. If the CT scan doesn't show any specific indications, the swelling is probably just general inflammation, associated with the MC.
Tex
Don't let his ignorance in that wasted appointment depress you. Many of us have had a similar experience. Actually, that appointment was productive — at least now you know exactly where he stands, so you won't be wasting any more time on him. IMO, his knowledge of treating MC is very limited, because mesalamine is not normally the recommended medical first line of treatment, anyway. Budesonide is the most popular recommended medical treatment, and it's generally more effective for treating MC.
If he really wanted to help you, he could have offered to locate a way for you to get his prescription filled at a big discount, or possibly free. Manufacturers often offer such deals for patients who can't afford their overpriced medications, and he should be aware of those options. My guess is that he was just looking for a convenient excuse to dump you. He may be suffering from burnout, and he's just collecting his fees —he doesn't give a hoot about his patients. But that's just my impression.
Besides, if you're not going to have any prescriptions filled, you shouldn't need a GI doc now that you have your diagnosis. Many of us don't have a GI doc, because of similar issues, and that has had no effect on our recovery.
Also, please note that MC can (and often does) cause inflammation in other organs. If the CT scan doesn't show any specific indications, the swelling is probably just general inflammation, associated with the MC.
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.
Re: GI Follow up
Thanks again Tex,
My question is do I need Budesonide to go into remission, or can I tackle this with diet alone.
I applied for assistance thru the Manufacture it was turned down. I noticed a discount Pharmacey that you posted with discounted prices. I’d be willing to pay out-of-pocket if it is necessary.
My question is do I need Budesonide to go into remission, or can I tackle this with diet alone.
I applied for assistance thru the Manufacture it was turned down. I noticed a discount Pharmacey that you posted with discounted prices. I’d be willing to pay out-of-pocket if it is necessary.
Re: GI Follow up
The vast majority of us are able to each remission by diet changes alone (IOW, without any medications). Only a few of us actually need help from a medication. Budesonide will speed up the recovery process, but it's usually not necessary. You can speed up recovery, for example, by using the "Pepto" treatment, but it's not necessary.
If you want to use budesonide, anyone can buy it for pennies on the dollar (without a prescription), from a certain pharmacy in India, but because of the pandemic, delivery is probably a lot slower, these days. With meticulous attention to selecting safe foods for your diet, you shouldn't need budesonide. If you're unable to get the diet to work in your case, or you want to try budesonide, anyway, I can provide a link to that product on their website. If you ask.
Tex
If you want to use budesonide, anyone can buy it for pennies on the dollar (without a prescription), from a certain pharmacy in India, but because of the pandemic, delivery is probably a lot slower, these days. With meticulous attention to selecting safe foods for your diet, you shouldn't need budesonide. If you're unable to get the diet to work in your case, or you want to try budesonide, anyway, I can provide a link to that product on their website. If you ask.
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.
Re: GI Follow up
Hi Billy,
Wow, just wow. Many people get into remission from diet alone. In fact in order to get off of budesonide most have
to be following our diet or risk of serious reflare.
Wow, just wow. Many people get into remission from diet alone. In fact in order to get off of budesonide most have
to be following our diet or risk of serious reflare.
Re: GI Follow up
Thanks Brandy,
Well so far so good. Eating a lot of chicken and rice. Gluten free, being careful with veggies.
I was doing three Imodium a day, three Pepto a day. I eliminated Imodium this week and just working on Pepto. Hyssop tea and Boswellia extract has really helped my intestinal pain, CBD under my tongue in the morning after Almond milk and Cheerios. And the CBD before bed.
So now I am going only once a day. And not full on diarrhea thank goodness. I know everyone is different. And that I may be premature in posting this. But a little daylight sure helps.
Well so far so good. Eating a lot of chicken and rice. Gluten free, being careful with veggies.
I was doing three Imodium a day, three Pepto a day. I eliminated Imodium this week and just working on Pepto. Hyssop tea and Boswellia extract has really helped my intestinal pain, CBD under my tongue in the morning after Almond milk and Cheerios. And the CBD before bed.
So now I am going only once a day. And not full on diarrhea thank goodness. I know everyone is different. And that I may be premature in posting this. But a little daylight sure helps.
Re: GI Follow up
Congrats on your progress. A word to the wise: If you relapse after a few weeks, take a close look at those Cheerios. Despite what the "experts" claim about pure oats being safe for celiacs, most of us react to them. Avenin is slower to build up reactions (because it's a weaker prolamin protein than gluten) but eventually, oats seem to cause most of us to react.
Tex
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.
Re: GI Follow up
That’s interesting Tex. I did t know that. Ok I will cut that out as well.