GERD & Heartburn Support Group
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.
I went to my first gastroenterologist today. (I was diagnosed with gerd and gastritis in the ER two months ago). I was excited to tell him that I was no longer taking the Omeprazole prescribed in the ER or the Zantac because I had weaned myself off and that the herbal supplements I've been taking have helped me. However, he was not excited about this at all and told me I needed to be on the Zantac and probably take it for life. Then he asked me if I've lost weight and I said yes about 30 pounds but it has been from anxiety and not eating because of the pain of gastritis. But since my pain is gone I now can eat and feel like I've gained a few pounds these past 2 weeks. He said that having this gerd and weight loss is concerning. I can understand how it could be concerning if there was no reason behind the weight loss, but I explained to him WHY. Then he seemed completely uninterested in the whole gastritis aspect and agreed with me that it probably was healing if I no longer had pain, which I'm not sure if that is true or not, but he went along with it. Then he pressed on my stomach HARD. He pressed where the breastbone meets the stomach and I said OUCH and he said do you have pain there and I said well yes, when you pressed on it, it hurt and he said that is concerning too. Then he said, well since you have pain and have been losing wait we need to do an endoscopy.
I had figured that I probably would wind up having an endoscopy, but I never imagined that the doctor would come up with reasons like Explained weight loss and pain after pressing the breast bone area (I had three people have theirs pressed today and they all said, heck yeah it hurts when its pressed). I'm not saying there is nothing wrong and I shouldn't be alarmed, but it's almost like this doctor was finding a reason for me to have an endoscopy. I thought GERD was reason enough.
Then I said I don't know about the endoscopy because I feel that I am healing and I don't like the idea of something invasive unless necessary and he said, "don't worry only 1 out of 10,000 people get hurt by the procedure.
He had his back to me the whole time and was typing on his computer and did not seem interested in anything I had to say about what has helped me. I am so upset that I think I am going to call my insurance company and see if I can see a different doctor or maybe not go to any doctor again.
What do ya'll think?? Does this sound like a normal experience with a GI doc?
I had figured that I probably would wind up having an endoscopy, but I never imagined that the doctor would come up with reasons like Explained weight loss and pain after pressing the breast bone area (I had three people have theirs pressed today and they all said, heck yeah it hurts when its pressed). I'm not saying there is nothing wrong and I shouldn't be alarmed, but it's almost like this doctor was finding a reason for me to have an endoscopy. I thought GERD was reason enough.
Then I said I don't know about the endoscopy because I feel that I am healing and I don't like the idea of something invasive unless necessary and he said, "don't worry only 1 out of 10,000 people get hurt by the procedure.
He had his back to me the whole time and was typing on his computer and did not seem interested in anything I had to say about what has helped me. I am so upset that I think I am going to call my insurance company and see if I can see a different doctor or maybe not go to any doctor again.
What do ya'll think?? Does this sound like a normal experience with a GI doc?
They always want to do an endoscopy and the other end to boot -- the colonoscopy. I don't think they have many other tools in their box. The G.I.'s only have PPIs, Zantac, tests, surgery and anitbiotics if warranted for H. Pylori.
Sorry you guys didn't have rapport.
My first trip to the GI was awful and after he prescribed something that GAVE me heartburn I never felt before -- I dropped him. That took nerve for me. He is ranked number one in the area too. He was nice enough just quick to diagnose and quick to order an endoscopy and a colonscopy AT THE SAME TIME. I don't know about you, but I can only concentrate on one area at a time.
Sorry again! Hang in there. Do any of your friends have a recommended doctor? Sometimes word of mouth helps!
Diane
I just read the symptoms of stomach cancer and now I see why the doctor came to his conclusions. Upper stomach pain (although I don't feel the pain unless pressed, but this could be early symptoms,and loss of weight are symptoms (even though mine is explained) and my appetite is increasing, not decreasing, but still he has to be cautious. I just didn't like the way I felt I wasn't being listened to. I am still not sure if I want him to do my endocscopy, but I guess I'd rather have a doctor who is aggressive rather than one who who wants to wait and see. I saw on the stomach cancer forums that some doctors did that and then it was too late.
I lost about 30 pounds that way a couple years ago.
It's about to get that way again. have had a lot of bad days and missing work because of it.
But what that doc did to you would hurt anyone. I would dump him in a second. If you have options to see another gastro you should certainly consider it.
Have you googled him and looked up his standing?
That may help you decide.
Wish you all the best and most of all a better gastro visit the next time if you need to go back. Sounds like you are doing pretty good right now :)
Little Mac:
Thank you for sharing that you lost weight, too! I couldn't imagine that losing weight with this stuff would be so abnormal. I did google him and he has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Healthgrades, that's why I chose him..lol! He might be a great doc, but I need a doc with a more gentle manner, so I called my insurance company and they said I can try another GI doc. Thank goodness! I am calling someone who works at a doctor's office this weekend and finding out if she has any recommendations
Diane
I googled this doctor's name on the internet and I found on another doctor rating site that someone wrote about this doctor (to paraphrase)
"this was the worst doctor ever! he is a mean MEAN man! I went home from this visit and cried for two weeks and it took me a long time to go back to any doctor after his treatment!"
I guess I got lucky, because I wasn't that upset! but I know exactly what this patient means about him. I also saw two other patients had written that this doctor always seems rushed, which is exactly how he was with me.