Tips on a good GI (my experiances)

In 18 yrs of having IBD I've gone through a few GI's, I'm on #5 currently and he's a keeper...what I've learned from my experiances are;

A good GI will be open-minded (especially since they don't know a whole lot themselves snubbing naturals or any other forms of therapy besides traditional meds really isn't their place).

One that is or has been involved with a research team regarding IBD (they tend to know a little more than the average GI that isn't or has never been involved in research aspects of IBD).

One that spends time with you (and doesn't snuff off your description of symptoms as being over exagerated or rushes you out the door).

One that takes phone calls (and returns messages).

One that isn't arrogant and tries to convince you or comes across like you'll never find another GI that knows this disease the way he/she does.

One that makes you feel that you are working together to fight your disesase, not one that makes you feel if you don't do everything they say you'll be sorry.

If anyone else has more to share from their experiances I think it would be a great help especially for the patients that are new to this dreaded disease.

:)

 

It's important to get a GI doctor who listens to your ideas about what you think may work better for you, and will offer you feedback on them, and even consider them in his treatment options.

I've brought up everything from how and when to taper prednisone, to trying colazal over asacol, reducing/increasing azathioprine, changing my diet and supplements, and often the doctors I have seen have adjusted their original recommendations. Some of these changes may be minor, but they all make a difference.

I think that if your ideas are well researched and well thought out, then doctors respect the fact that you're going to a lot of effort on your own to study UC, and they are then more willing to discuss things with you, rather than stick to their own opinions.

Most important.  One that treats you as a person and not just your colitis.  Actually listens to everything that is going on with you and discovers that some of it is just stress related due to other things going in your life and doesn't just throw drugs at you to mask the symptoms....

I went too different GIs and neither of them I particular like. Maybe I should just keep searching, but by now I feel like I know enough to be my own doctor.