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I have to go in for an office visit to get my entocort Rex refilled. I explained I still have D at 3 mg and the assistant said the nurse may want me to go back to 9mg. I'm at about 3 WD a day with almost Normans appearing sometimes so I'm not too motivated to up the dose only to have the same D when I taper down. Does that make sense? I can't bring up food because their eyes just glaze over with disinterest.
My restasis isn't working so my eyes hurt bad again and now I have stomacHE pains and nausea that is almost unbearable. I find myself holding my breath because of the discomfort. My stress levels at work have been a contributing factor but I can't change that situation and deal with it the best I can.
Very frustrated and want opinions if it's a good idea to stick with my plan for meds and diet or if I should consider what they may have to say. I don't value their opinion and just want them to give me my RX and stay out of it. Very crabby today.
Suggestions on how to be nice
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi DebE,
I always try to go to appointments with an open mind. Like you, I don't expect much, so that way I can't be disappointed, but occasionally, I'm pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Most doctors take their work seriously, of course, so they deserve respect and courtesy, even when we disagree with them.
The main advantage to being "nice", is that the nicer we are, the nicer we will usually be treated. Of course there are unfortunate exceptions to that, but that's their problem, not ours, and it will eventually come back to bite them in the butt. Patients who are not "nice" run the risk of being categorized as "difficult", and doctors tend to tune out difficult patients, so it's the patient who suffers, not the doctors.
And as we all know, being nicer than we have to be, is contagious. Likewise, an unpleasant demeanor is contagious. That implies that the atmosphere with which the next patient is greeted, probably depends on how we treated everyone in the office during our visit. That sort of makes us responsible for the quality of care that the next patient receives. LOL.
Of course, you will have to be the final judge, but there might or might not be an advantage to following their suggestions. One thing to consider is, "Were the symptoms that you are having now, a problem when you were on a higher dose of Entocort"?
I hope the visit goes well, regardless of what you decide to do afterward.
Tex
I always try to go to appointments with an open mind. Like you, I don't expect much, so that way I can't be disappointed, but occasionally, I'm pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Most doctors take their work seriously, of course, so they deserve respect and courtesy, even when we disagree with them.
The main advantage to being "nice", is that the nicer we are, the nicer we will usually be treated. Of course there are unfortunate exceptions to that, but that's their problem, not ours, and it will eventually come back to bite them in the butt. Patients who are not "nice" run the risk of being categorized as "difficult", and doctors tend to tune out difficult patients, so it's the patient who suffers, not the doctors.
And as we all know, being nicer than we have to be, is contagious. Likewise, an unpleasant demeanor is contagious. That implies that the atmosphere with which the next patient is greeted, probably depends on how we treated everyone in the office during our visit. That sort of makes us responsible for the quality of care that the next patient receives. LOL.
Of course, you will have to be the final judge, but there might or might not be an advantage to following their suggestions. One thing to consider is, "Were the symptoms that you are having now, a problem when you were on a higher dose of Entocort"?
I hope the visit goes well, regardless of what you decide to do afterward.
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.
Thanks for the reminder Tex 
Reading back over my post I sure was crabby yesterday. You are SO right! I work with the public everyday and know that's exactly how I react to people that come in with attitude. It takes a lot of effort to be nice to someone who isn't. I've already experienced being labeled as "difficult" and it did not help me at all, which is why I've been through a couple GI's and thankful to have the one I see now even though he frustates me beyond end. It appears I have somewhat of a Jeckle and Hyde personality when it comes to my healthcare. Lately my mantra has been "Try harder."
Reading back over my post I sure was crabby yesterday. You are SO right! I work with the public everyday and know that's exactly how I react to people that come in with attitude. It takes a lot of effort to be nice to someone who isn't. I've already experienced being labeled as "difficult" and it did not help me at all, which is why I've been through a couple GI's and thankful to have the one I see now even though he frustates me beyond end. It appears I have somewhat of a Jeckle and Hyde personality when it comes to my healthcare. Lately my mantra has been "Try harder."
HI Deb,
Tex summed up the critical issue in one sentence--- "were the symptoms you are having now, an issue when you were on a higher dose"?. How were you on 6mg? Maybe you won't have to back up to 9mg. Or possibly, the taper was too soon and you need more time to heal before dropping to 3mg. I've been on Entocort. Fine tuning is tricky from my experience. But you are a better judge than your doctor is when it comes to how you responded to Entocort.
Hang in there,
Take some deep breaths. Get centered. Your good people skills will come through.
Carol
Tex summed up the critical issue in one sentence--- "were the symptoms you are having now, an issue when you were on a higher dose"?. How were you on 6mg? Maybe you won't have to back up to 9mg. Or possibly, the taper was too soon and you need more time to heal before dropping to 3mg. I've been on Entocort. Fine tuning is tricky from my experience. But you are a better judge than your doctor is when it comes to how you responded to Entocort.
Hang in there,
Take some deep breaths. Get centered. Your good people skills will come through.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Every time I've gone off Entocort or lowered the dosage and flared, I've always had to go back to the maximum dosage for at least a few days before I can drop down to an intermediate dose. I think we need to "jump start" our system to respond to the steroid.
I don't usually give the doctors much reaction when I see them. I'm not there for their advice; I realized a while ago that they don't know much about autoimmune problems. I'm just there for the meds, so I do what is necessary to humor them. I take my prescription and don't bother seeing them until I need another script.
Gloria
I don't usually give the doctors much reaction when I see them. I'm not there for their advice; I realized a while ago that they don't know much about autoimmune problems. I'm just there for the meds, so I do what is necessary to humor them. I take my prescription and don't bother seeing them until I need another script.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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A few years back I realized that it was unlikely that any doctor was going to be particularly helpful so I go to appointments expecting nothing and consider it a pleasant surprise if anything useful comes out of it. I try to remain unfailingly pleasant and if some doctor is obnoxious I no longer take it personally as I once did but just figure that the doctor is a jerk. By remaining polite I don't burn any bridges, so if there is something I want from a doctor like a medication, I'm likely to be able to get it.
Jean
Jean