How do I get them to listen?

[sfriedrichs]

For many years I have had digestive complaints. During my graduate years, I had some problems which were treated as an infection with tetraclyne. Then several years later, I had alot of pain beneath my sternum and the doctor thought it was a food allergy. After a time on an elimination diet the symptoms went away. After the birth of my son ten years ago, I begin have the digestive pains as well as muscle aches and was diagnosed with post partum depression and put on Zoloft. Since then I have had my gallbladder removed with diarrhea as a complication. I was put on questrain and that seemed to calm the storm. I also took digestive enzymes on my own which seemed to help. I have been diagnosed with Gerds and h pylori several times. I've been though the antibiotic regime three times and taken several proton pump inhibitors. One spring after a colonoscopy I was diagnosed with colitis for which I am taking azulfidine. Once they even thought it was my heart, but after a heart catheterization that was found to be normal. Now I am again having the pain under my sternum and have tried two different proton pump inhibitors with no relief. The doctor is planning to do an endoscope if this last medication didn't work, but I would like to have the CD panel first. How do I convince them to do this? Whenever I mention they look at me like I'm crazy, after all, I'm overweight and don't have the classic diarrhea symptoms. What do I have to do to get them to try these tests? My insurance is good and even if it wasn't I would be willing to pay just to find out or eliminate this diagnosis. By the way my mom has had many of these problems in her life also and still suffers the flareup of pain under her sternum and bloating that I do. Any suggestions or does anyone know a doctor that would listen in northeastern Kansas or southeastern Nebraska? Thanks, Susan

[dtilghman]

My dad was misdiagnosed for years before he was finally hosptalized and diagnosed with Celiac Disease. After his diagnosis I was placed on a gluten free diet because my symptoms were similar to his. Once gluten free, we do not have any symptoms unless we accidently eat the wrong thing. We both had tests performed and no one ever thought to test for Celiac Disease. Hopefully you can convince your doctor to do the blood work, if he still looks at you like you are crazy, find another doctor. I have had this since I was a child and it took until age 30 (six years ago) to be free of my symptoms some of which are similar to yours.

[maria1223]

Hi sfriedriches, U have to make a pain in the *** of yourself for them to listen to u. I went through so many Dr's because they would not listen to me I just told them that I was leaving them to go to someone better than them which pissed the Dr. off OH WELL u r # 1 not them they just want to make their money & that is it. I hope that u find a good Dr.

[WheatFreePDX]

I'm not promoting them, but just giving the option of Entero Labs as a way of testing for anti-gliadin in your system. I found a doctor I can order around-it's a great relationship

But you can order an Enterolab stool test for $118 (with shipping) without a doctor's note. I did it both ways (doctor ordered blood test/celiac panel) and the Entero stool test & both had the same results-very postive for celiac.

Erica (29)
Portland, OR
_________________
Diagnosed with celiac disease (bloodwork & biopsy). GF (again in my adult life) since March 2005.

[sfriedrichs]

Thanks for the replies. I finally saw the Medical Assistant who is much easier to talk to. After giving her my life history of digestive problems, she said, "Sure, what have we got to lose". Of course she had to look up what tests are necessary for Celiac. I gave her a hand out I had found over the internet. I am currently waiting for the results of those tests. At this point I am "almost" hoping they are positive, so that I can have an explanation of these symptoms.

Susan

[NewCeliacPatient]

I, too, lacked the classic symptoms of extreme weightloss and diarrhea; I had severe pain just below my diaphragm, and eating, drinking or getting upset bothered it. I had been in to see a GI doctor about the possibility of ulcers brought on by stress (I am a graduate student). He recommended the endoscopy before anything else, so Im surprised your health care provider did not-- its much less invasive than a colonoscopy.
The best way to get someone to listen to you is to treat medicine as what it is-- a business. If you are not happy with the care you are recieving with your current doctor and are with an HMO, you have the right to seek a number of different doctors that they are able to reccomend until you find one that suits you-- and more importantly, will listen.

[Patty C]

I also had difficulty getting my dr to take me seriously, I had every test imagineable then I read about Celiac. My dr said she didn't think so, I switched dr's and my current said "why not" and did the Celiac panel, first one was inconclusive, she referred me to a gastro where I had the blood tests, followed by the endoscopy. Bingo, tests were all positive. Before all of this happened, I had my gallbladder removed (3 years ago) and last year I had a large esophagal cyst removed, both may have been caused by Celiac. I have suffered for a long time (I'm 34) with various ailments and am really glad to have some closure. I'll eat whatever I need to, forever...

[maria1223]

I also had some Dr's that didn't listen to me when I told them that something was wrong. well I got rid of them. now I have a cancer Dr. from fox chase cancer center who did a lot of listening. and on june 27th I will be going in for surgery to find out if the chron's is getting worse. they did an upper GI last week and above my hiatial hernia there is a real narrowing of the esophugus. so when he goes in he is going to check every thing out to see what can be done.. You just have to be real assertive with these Dr's. because they think that it is all in your head unlike myself I'm in & out of the hospital so they know that there is something wrong.. Just keep looking for the positive & it will come to you as it did me.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE