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I have a family history of depression, so I do wonder if that's why I just feel like there's no point in life, with this disease. I actually feel quite well, didn't need steroids to stop the 6 month long flare that led to a final diagnosis, but... I don't know, it's like my doctor makes me feel this way. I go in for a check up, and she says things like, "when you lose your colon" and judges my decision to try treatment without steroids. It worked. Asacol had me 98% better in less than a week. A scan of my small intestine showed absolutely no sign of damage, 6 months after my diagnosis. All these things should be great, but it's so frustrating to go and see her, knowing she's going to, once again, convince me that this is going to kill me, that I'll never LIVE again because this disease will take everything from me. I don't know how anyone does it, with a worse case than mine. I admire your strength because I just can't find it. On my visit last Tuesday, I casually mentioned that my hip was bothering me. This is something I've dealt with all of my life. My pelvic bone is slightly misshapen, and my hip gets out of whack from time to time. She has me convinced that this is because my colon has fused to the surrounding muscle. I understand taking precautions, but she said I needed a cat scan that her nurse has yet to call me back and schedule. You just can't do that to a patient, frighten them out of their mind, and not work promptly. Today, I've had this weird pain in my left side, almost like a tingle and a fullness, and I'm even more scared. Like, is this it? Is this when my colon goes and I die? My doctor makes it out like pain is not normal. It is, isn't it? Some days, I'll just feel, well, like crap, right? I should feel lucky that's it's not worse, but I'm just scared to the point of wondering why my existence is necessary. 

 Reply posted for KGFan13.

My doctor had me depressed--He even told me when I would have terminal cancer. Anyway, I outlived his prediction by 13 years so far. He was a good doctor otherwise, until I had no insurance and had to pay him out of pocket.

 Reply posted for nickrystal.

My doctor scared the you know what out of my kids... he said "cancer" and "cancer" and "cancer".  He wanted them to understand just how serious IBD is.  He finished his speech with a smile and "I am going to help your mom." 

Do let your doc know how the comments make you feel.  If the response is not what you need to hear, start looking for another one.  Just remember doctors are human.  They have good days and really bad days.  Mine (he is a big guy) almost cried telling me about another patient of his.  He had to go tell her she would die if she didn't drink gallons of liquid a day.  Sometimes they need us to be there for them.

Hugs,

Breezy

 Reply posted for KGFan13.

Just to play devil's advocate, the doctor's job is to think of the worst case scenerio and then work backwards from there.  Maybe he/she doesn't have to share those ideas out loud with you, but that's how the process works.  Otherwise, the doctor might miss something big.

Have you mentioned to the doctor that those comments bother you?  How can the doctor change if he/she doesn't know the statements cause distress?  I'd try to explain that to the doc, in writing if you don't feel comfortable with a face to face discussion, and give him/her a chance to improve before you go running off to someone else.  You might like the next person even less!

Just a thought.

 Reply posted for KGFan13.

Well this probably isn't an answer that is gonna go over well on the cite but from my experience I would stick with your doc.

 Reply posted for KGFan13.

I also agree please, please, please find a new doctor and do it soon.  You do not need a doctor make you feel any worse then you may already be feeling.  You may also want to find a "buddy" to talk to about how you feel and maybe feel better in the long run.  Do you see a therapist?

 Reply posted for KGFan13.

I totally agree. A new Dr. is in order. We have another poster on this site and after she changed Dr's her outlook changed with the first visit. Do you have a support group  in your area? If you do and you don't attend the  meetings, shame on you. First of all, a bad as you think you are, at a support group you'll realize that somebody has it worse. I like the saying that at a Mensa meeting, someone is the dummest person in the room.  You'll also learn about other Dr's and how their patients feel about them. Since you're not locked in because of your insurance, call your hospital of choice and get a list of gastroenerologists that have admitting rights. Also, don't be afraid to tell the new Dr. why you are changing. No matter how good a Dr. is, if you can't feel comfortable with him/her, that's not the Dr. for you.  Good Luck and don't be afraid to come back here if you need to vent.Marilyn

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Thanks for the reply. I called my insurance company today and, sure enough, the office had never called them for a preauthorization for the cat scan. Apparently with my insurance, however, I don't need a referral to another doctor, so that's a plus. Now for the search begins.

 Reply posted for KGFan13.

A new doc is definitely in order.   A good place to start your search is on this community and also the tab above "find physician".   You need to be confortable with your doctor so you work together on the best course of treatment. 

Good luck.

L:izzies Mom