Another Uninformed GI

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:22 pm

My friend who lives in Mesa, Arizona, saw a GI because she's been having constipation and D intermittently, plus she's been having some pain in her gut.

She had a colonoscopy yesterday and her doctor told her that he'd likely be taking biopsies. I told her to be sure to tell him to request that the biopsies get stained to look for excess mast cells.

The GI never took the biopsies. He told her that he didn't see anything amiss. She asked him what she should do about the problem she's having. He told her to see him in 4 weeks if she's still having issues.

I'm so disgusted. It's so hard to understand why a GI wouldn't even bother with a biopsy, especially when someone is the classical "elderly woman" presenting with D and C.

I told her that she needs to find a different GI, but of course he/she will want to do another colonoscopy. I'm not sure she'll be willing to undergo another. I told her she could follow a GF diet to see if her symptoms improve, but we all know that without a diagnosis, it can be difficult to follow one religiously.

When will all GIs get with the program?

Gloria

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:09 pm

Oh, Gloria,

My heart goes out to your friend, and to you - you likely have a much better idea what's going on with her than her GI, and you obviously care a great deal more as well.

It's so hard to grasp (especially without 'official' confirmation) that you have to follow a GF diet near-perfectly for it to help at all, so you won't even know whether it's helping unless you're in with all four feet, and for a little time to see results. And of course, when you're feeling awful, it's hard to be motivated to take on a tough project.

What a disappointment. I bet you're feeling it more keenly than your friend, at this point, because you have all too deep an understanding of what was at stake for this lost opportunity.

And I wouldn't blame her for not being keen to undergo another colonoscopy - if insurance would even pay. (Actually, Enterolab testing would be cheaper than an uninsured colonoscopy... though still an expense your friend likely has not planned for.)

All my best,

Sara

Post by **tex** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:50 pm

Gloria,

I never cease to be amazed at the level of incompetence that seems to abound in the GI specialty.

It almost makes one wonder if stupidity is a prerequisite for specializing in gastroenterology.

Maybe she would be willing to at least do an Enterolab test for anti-gliadin antibodies. That would at least provide some incentive for trying the diet.

I definitely understand how she feels, since the same thing happened to me.

Tex

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:47 am

My GI didn't take biopsies the first time either. After months of ongoing D, I called the office and said I was going to become a recluse. She then did a sigmoidoscopy with biopsies to diagnose me.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 9:05 am

A lot of doctors graduate at the bottom of their class. Perhaps the passing grade for doctors should be raised or we could request to see their report cards.

I'm going to see my GI in about 10 days to discuss how I'm doing on entocort. I plan to give him a copy of my Entero Lab results, discuss the GF diet and try to educate him to the need to address diet with patients with MC. He's a bright, inquisitive kind of guy but really, really busy. I wonder if he will bother to investigate. One can only hope.
Sheila

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:36 pm

Good luck, Sheila. He'll probably "poo poo" it all.

Pun intended.

I hope you have one of the rare ones who doesn't

his eyes.

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:38 pm

I think my GI started believing me because she wasn't writing me any prescriptions.....

ant · Post by **ant** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:12 am

Wow, a GI who did not take biopsies while doing a colonoscopy on a patient with C and D issues.

If my garage failed to check the tires on my car when doing an MOT, I could sue.

Maybe the medical industry needs to at least reach the standards of car mechanics!

One would hope human bodies count for more than cars!!

best ant

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:51 pm

Wow, Gloria--your poor friend. As the daughter in law of a 90 year old, I have seen first hand how dismissive some docs are of the elderly, and how they often do not think of how they could address a problem in the most efficient way without repeat visits, unnecessary repetition of tests, etc. My FIL's GI doc is arrogant (guaranteed to get my hackles up) and I have had no luck getting FIL to go elsewhere.

I feel lucky that my GI doc went straight to biopsy--colonoscopy/endoscopy at the same time, and she biopsied all the way through.