Finding a medical provider that gives a sense of assurance and genuine care is a job in itself. Searching for the right doctor after receiving a tough diagnosis can often be stressful and confusing. The feelings of desperation and quick remedy can often overrule the need for careful evaluation. Many people assume that the first doctor or Gastroenterologist in my case have the best answer for their health needs. The methods they choose for treating patients and level of care vary greatly just as in most any other profession.
Unfortunately, my first few Gastroenterologist appointments were negative experiences. The communication felt robotic and didn’t bring any assurance to me. I have always been a bit of a research nerd on most any subject that has my interest. Trying to learn about my diagnosis from every angle was no exception. The first three Gastroenterologists I saw were solely focused on getting me on their prescriptions. Anytime I would bring up the prospect of alternative therapies such as diets or natural supplements, I was always met with a short response such as “There’s no medical proof that will help anything.” One doctor wouldn’t even maintain eye contact with me and basically gave me the shortest responses to end the appointment quickly. I remember being so angry driving away from that appointment saying to myself “I just paid money to see this rude ignorant person?” I then understood that finding the right doctor is a similar process as choosing a home or finding the right car. Dealing with realtors and salesmen requires the need for patience, making comparisons, and not necessarily accepting the first offer that presents itself.
With continuing symptoms and frustrations, I had no choice but to pull myself to see the next doctor hoping he or she would be different than the others. This fourth Gastroenterologist has been my doctor for the past twelve years and is nothing short of a great friend to me. His demeanor towards my health concerns and thoughts on treating myself naturally were fully supported. Once he understood that I did not want continual prescriptions beyond Prednisone when needed, he worked with me. He explained all the various options and testing that would aid me in finding the best outcome for my health. He first ordered specific lab work that checked vitamin and enzyme levels to assess my health. Since my doctor knew I was interested in gut health he informed me about GI-Map testing. This test displays a detailed snapshot of your microbiome and is worth every out-of-pocket dollar. I believe this type of testing evaluation should be a standard protocol for all Gastroenterologists, yet it is scarcely heard of by doctors and patients.
When I had asymptomatic C.Diff my doctor didn’t hesitate to schedule a fecal transplant. I will give a brief description for those who are unaware of what C.Diff is. It is type of bacteria that is both highly contagious and antibiotic resistant. It kills about 30,000 people each year in the U.S. alone. He knew that the first approach of antibiotics would undoubtedly put me into a flare and chose to bypass this harmful medical protocol. Antibiotics are a horrible first response to C.Diff. They rarely work and they leave your gut health in a worse state than before. Fecal transplants known as MFT’s have a higher than 90% success rate and boost your microbiome with the ultimate probiotic therapy. I knew this was a very uncommon move and one that only a friend would do for another. Two weeks after this procedure I took another GI-Map test which revealed that the C.Diff had been eradicated by the MFT. The test also displayed additional new beneficial bacteria strains that were not present before the procedure, giving me a stronger microbiome.
He also referred me to a functional RDN who was very knowledgeable and had vast experience in dealing with her IBD clients. Lastly, my doctor was the person who first asked me if I had ever tried CBD, I was not expecting him to mention this as a potential option. I still remember him saying, “Hey, I have a patient with Chron’s who has been using Cannabis oil tinctures and has been in remission since using it. I can’t explain it, but I can see it when I do her colonoscopy.” It would be about five years later that I found out how truly effective cannabis can be for gut health.
My doctor has been a huge blessing in my life and has shown his legitimate care for me multiple times. I’ve chatted with countless others who have had similar experiences in having to go through a few rotten apples before finding a winner. I believe a good Gastroenterologist shouldn’t be one dimensional in their approach of treating their patients. Even though they’re taught to follow certain protocols they should know each patient is different, and that IBD is not a one size fits all strategy. Regardless of whether a doctor is open to unconventional therapies or not, it’s important to be persistent until you find a doctor you can trust and understands your needs. Selecting a good quality doctor who plays a crucial role in your health should be your utmost priority.
