CT Enterography

[trickylou]

My gastroenterologist a.k.a. the ignorant devil, still cannot get over the fact that budesonide did not cure my collagenous colitis. He tells me he’s not buying my story, I remind him. It wasn’t a story. It was a biopsy he says because it wasn’t him doing the procedure or his lab he’s not again buying my story Now he wants me to have a CT Enterography, which sounds invasive. I feel this may be another unnecessary invasive test. I need your wisdom. I am taking one packet of cholestyramine and having good results unless I introduce a food that I am sensitive to please share your wisdom with me. Thank you.

[Gabes-Apg]

are you able to change to a different gastro?

The test he is suggesting is used moreso for crohns

if you are having good results with cholestryamine, and having minimal symptoms why the need for another test that will not confirm or deny MC?

[tex]

Your suspicions are correct — he's probably looking for Crohn's disease (despite the fact that that should have responded to budesonide, also), or he thinks he'll find some other problem. When their prescribed treatment doesn't work, many/most gastroenterologists order additional tests to look for something that was missed during a colonoscopy. But after reading about dozens and dozens of similar experiences reported here by members over the years, I don't recall ever seeing anyone mention that their gastroenterologist ever found anything useful, despite the trouble and expense of doing all those extra tests. Gastroenterologist talk many MC patients into suffering through a second or third colonoscopy, just to satisfy their suspicions after their prescribed treatment doesn't work.

CT scans are expensive, but they are noninvasive, so the only risk is the possibility that you might have an allergic reaction to the contrast material (plus, of course, the exposure to the additional radiation used for the scan). Still, it seems a shame to waste all that money on an unnecessary scan.

He's basically saying that he's a better gastroenterologist than the one who diagnosed your MC — maybe he is — or maybe he isn't. But he's ignoring the fact (or maybe he's ignorant of this fact) that according to published medical research, only about 70 to 80% of MC patients respond to budesonide.

That said, all this is just my opinion.

Tex

[trickylou]

are you able to change to a different gastro?

The test he is suggesting is used moreso for crohns

if you are having good results with cholestryamine, and having minimal symptoms why the need for another test that will not confirm or deny MC?

He said it was to look for crohns, which he tested for (negative) and also I was still symptomatic months after going gluten free. Then he said he wanted to check the ilium.
I have changed from one “gastro group” to another after being told I could not change to a different practitioner in the same group. I've now been told that this practice has the same rule. This man does not hear me, nor write anything but his own thoughts.

[trickylou]

Your suspicions are correct —

That said, all this is just my opinion.

Tex

I absolutely appreciate your opinion! Thank you. There is a risk that insurance will not cover the entire thing, as happened with all of the labs this MD ordered from “his lab”.
I need for him to fill out paperwork for when I need to use sick time to cover myself at work. So I can’t cut ties with him. I have an appointment with a naturopath (have to wait until October!)
Thank you so much for replying!!