He is fantastic.
Totally believed me about HRT causing a flare - looked it up in MIMS and it wasn't listed as a problem, but just acknowledged that they don't always know. Went through my whole dodgy immune story and thought that would be the underlying cause. Happy to accept that dairy causes D and gluten makes my head fuzzy. Not surprised gluten doesn't show up on blood tests or 'scope.
Before long he was doing Google searches and encouraging me to look at what he found, as he found a few relationships between MC and my other immune conditions. Thought some of those online support groups can be really useful, and was really interested in this groups findings on food intolerances. Wanted to know if we had found a cause of MC, because he didn't know of one.
Told me how food intolerances are underrated as a cause of IBS and in particular how important fructose intolerance is. Sorry I missed the name of the doctor he swears by as an expert in the area of fructose intolerance. Was interested in the idea of Enterolab style testing of stool samples, as he didn't know about that. Did tell me he has access to three labs that can do good tests for lactate levels using biopsies. Was happy to organise that for me if I wanted, but didn't see it would make any difference to the management of my condition. I passed on the biopsy.
Agreed that Entocort works, but reluctant to use it due to the cost (to the health system). Not that it matters as we agreed to use a 'conservative' treatment and do nothing at this time.
Checked that I was seeing doctors he liked for other things, and encouraged me to keep researching and learning as the individual specialists won't find the linkages between things well. Liked my folder full of lab reports.
I felt like I had made a new best friend!!
For the record, I haven't had a single problem since I stopped the HRT patches. A bit soft when I got too generous with the flax, but that is a known pattern for normal people.
I wish you could all find a doc like this one.
Lyn.
Kudos to him for being so open-minded and knowledgeable, and congrats to you, for finding him.
