GI visit

[harma]

now being in the Netherlands I also took the chance to make an app. with my GI. Sigh, sigh, big sigh!!! When he asked how I was doing, I told him about my flare up. How bad things could be after an evening dining out, but also how quick it sometimes recover after going back to my very simple basic diet. His conclusion? That is not part of MC, that is IBS. Sigh, sigh, sigh!!!!!! During my last visit we discussed other symptoms than only the big D and his conclusion was IBS, so that is now in my file. And once it is in your file, it is almost like a curse.

So even when you have an IBD, so there IS a course for the bowel problems, than still there is that need to label patients with IBS. Really I don't understand why. My logical thinking is, why is the bowel "irritable", well because it is inflamed. But maybe this is too simple thought of me. And how on earth can food be of influence on a bowel disease??? Only the idea...(I mean this cynical)

I had a short discussion with him about it, that I did not have these problems and symptoms (and reaction to food) before my MC started and I explained that a reaction to food is quite common for people with MC (based on what I read here), but well it was a useless discussion, so I gave up.

Really without this group and all the knowledge, my life would be so much more miserable than it is now.

[Polly]

Hi Harma,

It is so frustrating, I know. Of course, your GI doc is dead wrong. IBS should only be used as a diagnosis when every other possible cause of symptoms is eliminated - it is really nothing more than a "waste-basket" term used by the medical profession when they can't find an answer, when they have no clue. The fact that you were diagnosed with MC by biopsy means that you moved from the IBS diagnosis into the IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) diagnosis. You had an actual medical finding, so the IBS term is no longer appropriate. BTW, I agree with you that MC can cause the bowel to be irritable and can appear to be IBS. But in your case it is MC.

Hope all is going well with your settlement. Are you having mixed feelings or are you gung-ho to get back to Jordan? Congratulations on this milestone in your life!!!

Love,

Polly

[Zizzle]

I'm hearing more stories of MC patients whose doctors think MC should only consist of "painless, watery D" so when they complain of any discomfort, they slap on the IBS diagnosis.

[Joefnh]

Hi Harma, I read your other post about your house sale, congratulations on that, in this real estate market that's a great achievement and certainly will help with your long term plans.

I had to laugh at your description about your GI doctor and his IBS comment. Last December after my second bowel resection to take care of a section with chronic diverticulitis, I went online to read my GI docs note from my latest appointment (we can access all of out medical records online)

"Microscopic colitis with extraintestinal symptoms and Crohns jejunum: I will continue Imuran as it seemed to be doing its job. Patient may have a component of IBS on top of microscopic colitis which might be causing mild abdominal pain"

The next time I see him I have to ask about this, what part about 2 bowel surgeries removing large segments of my bowels and MC and Crohns might just cause some bowel pain... Hmmmm let me think bout that one....This one is pretty funny though. Why in the world would he say this?

[tex]

so when they complain of any discomfort, they slap on the IBS diagnosis

The funny thing is, it never seems to occur to them how unprofessional that makes them appear.

Why in the world would he say this?

Because GI docs are "eat up" with the concept of IBS, and the advantages that a "diagnosis" of IBS brings -- it explains everything, so they don't have to worry about little details such as symptoms. It's a doctor's Shangri-la, and an IBS diagnosis always fits, (and it's especially handy for incompetent or lazy doctors).

It's really sad when even doctors who seem to know what they're doing otherwise, are caught up in this stupid game.

Tex

[Lesley]

That was precisely what my doc said. Cramps = IBS. WD = MC. They can co-exist. How come all of us have cramps, bloating etc.? Why is it? Do we all have 2 dxs?
When will they look at the evidence and open their eyes?

Harma, I hope it is going well in Holland other than meeting with your GI doc. All I can do is roll my eyes, and shake my head, and curse!

[DebE13]

Hi Harma-

I can relate- it's so frustrating. I just had an appointment a few weeks ago and it was the GIs nurse I had to see. It was the first time I left the office without being irate. I just decided she wasn't worth the effort, got my RX for entorcort to use as I see fit (pretty much the nurse's words), and left. I expressed my concern with my thyroid and she held up her hand and told me to contact my family doc. I also told her I was concerned about lack of nutrition since my diet is so limited and she laughed and told me to take a vitamin. She leaned closer and said with a wink that most of us eat more than we really need to anyway. I decided not to let her ruin my day and left it at that. I also asked about the Enterolab tests which they allowed me to take (to be covered under insurance) since none of them ever commented on it to me after they were done in February. Somehow she danced around that question and I still have no answer. I hope someday soon the GI's will understand how important those results are and finally realize that some of us know more than they do.

I seem to be stuck at 3mg/day and think I may keep it that way through the summer, at least, to allow for more healing. Now I just need to work up the courage to make another appt. with my family doctor but have been dragging my heels because I just don't feel like dealing with more stupidity.