What do you all think?

[Purrsnikitty]

I had a perplexing experience this morning. I went to my primary care doctor - the one who first suspected the CD - for a 6 month checkup. He was only going to check my iron levels. I had to beg him to rerun the celiac panel. Darn it - I want to know where those antibodies are. He was very snotty and asked - "why - aren't you being compliant?" And "do you think you are cured of celiac disease?" Oh sure - ten pounds heavier and I feel good, but stupid I am not.

He agreed to order the panel "just to satisfy my curiosity" but said he wouldn't do it again. Hey - this is my body; am I out of line to want numbers?

Excuse the rant, but his attitude was just awful.
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"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

[aklap]

Nope - you are not out of line. Numbers should be checked every 1 year..sometimes @ 6 months when starting out.

You could be the most compliant person on the world, but still get caught. I had a friend have issues like that. Did you tell him you could be getting hidden gluten and not even know it? I suspect he may not nderstand that...

Maybe some info to backup your claims might help... It's out here, but I'm short on time.

Is it time for a new doc??



http://www.celiacdisease.net/CeliacDisease/FollowUpTesting/tabid/85/Default.aspx

[ostrich]

Sounds to me like you need a new doc. Or your current doc needs a slap of reality: it's your body. Why does he care if he has to order another test? All he has to do is draw some blood and ship it out.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[Purrsnikitty]

Thanks, Al and Os. I am beginning to suspect it is time for a change.

Since he did order the panel, I will see what it looks like. I'm curious if he will call me or if he will have his nurse do it. Regardless, I am going to ask for copies of the results to be mailed to me - I know I have that right.

It was almost as if he seemed threatened by the possibility that I might have learned something about this disease.

From the population I usually see in his office, I think he treats mostly elderly folk who are of the "yes, doctor, of course, doctor - it's disrespectful to ask questions" generation.

Sorry, but those days are over.
_________________
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

[nancw]

I've had three doctor experiences in the last two weeks, only one of which left me feeling like I wasn't made of cardboard.

First: the opthamologist who neither listened to a word I said about CD and autoimmune diseases, nor responded to anything I said come to think of it, did a basic eye exam and pronounced me fine. Waste of time and money. ARG!

Second: a gynocologist I'd been referred to by my PCP. I had high hopes as everything I read/heard about her was very positive, and she practices integrated medicine. Again, acted like I was just another person who spends too much time on the internet, glanced at my written history (several pages of details they asked for in advance), and immediately suggested day surgery for a minor problem I needed some insight about. I'd like to think it was because it was late in the day (after I waited an hour) and she was fried, but there was no interaction I'd call positive in the whole visit.

Third (POSITIVE): A check-in with my PCP after six months of GI. I'd had all my diagnostic tests done in advance (at my request), brought a list of questions, and had an intelligent and satisfying discussion of self-care and management of GI/CD and all of it's ramifications. This is a woman who knew very little about CD/GI back in May when I self-diagnosed, but has learned much since then. She wasn't critical of my information sources, and thanked me for helping her get a new perspective. I wish more docs were like her - willing to listen, learn and interact with the patient.

My mom says I probably intimidated the first two docs. So be it. Doctors really don't like that their patients are more educated than ever thanks to the internet and other sources. Not that there aren't people out there creating bad health scenarios cobbled together with bits of this and that, but those who do their due diligence shouldn't be ignored or shunned.
Yeah, Purrsnikitty, those days ARE over!

Getting down off my soapbox....

[Noatak]

Good posts, everyone! This is a valid complaint about doctors today and they wonder why some people fail to show for the check-ups they all claim you can't live without.

Nance...I am in the same boat with a PCP. I changed recently to someone who was given a glowing report by a former patient and she also practices integrated medicine. I just hope I have a good experience and she's a listener and not like all the dopes I've had the misfortune to encounter over the years.

The "other" kind of physician that doesn't like their patients to ask many questions or, heaven forbid, look at the internet to learn something, are going to always be there but will thin out a bit. My MIL and mother are like that and will tell you they don't have something because their doctor tells them so. It's their generation and can be very frustrating when they have symptoms they do not want to acknowledge!

[ostrich]