Changed GI Docs

I changed GI docs 2 weeks ago. I also had a very expensive CT scan and a lovely run of Entocort. Ok, I just finished the first 14 days of it-not quite as evil as prednisone but don't believe anyone who says no side effects. Just saying.

Growl

My tummy troubles have been problematic in the past week. Not the trips to the bathroom, those have been few. Instead it is a growling, burning pain. Sigh. I don't have time.

Tummy Troubles and BlogHer

I have blogged about attending BlogHer before and my tummy trouble anxieties related to attendance. I wasn't going to do it again. My daily life is packed more than usual lately. (House guests, my mother lives with me now, uh LIFE)

But then the Queen of Spain, one of my daughter's heroes posted this: Spilling My Guts. Now, I follow Queen of Spain to some degree on Twitter, BlogHer and such. I had noticed her posting that she had puked or felt icky...but I also tend to blank out such things since, well, they can be a daily occurrence around here.

So, here it is my annual discussion of BlogHer and Crohn's

1. I scope out bathrooms first thing. I will note the hidden tucked away ones. I will know which men's rooms turned into women's rooms. I will in an emergency USE a men's room...even if it hasn't been turned into one.
   
   
2. I will likely pick at a lot of meals or excuse myself from food smells.
   
   
3. I am a food blogger who avoids food blogging things...because of my tummy troubles and knowing that I will be in a situation where I will feel awkward for not eating this or that or smelling this or that, or gushing over food pictures.
   
   
4. I will limit handshakes and hugs...but avoiding all of them is impossible (and damn it, I will want to shake your hand or hug some of you) because the drugs for the Crohn's give me the immune system of well...I can't think of a comparison. Likewise, even off the drugs, I will catch and my body will overreact to whatever. However BlogHer Bola is a real threat...take and use plenty of antibacterial gel. (This would be my dream swag each year)
   
   
5. I may look like "death warmed over" even when having fun. Ignore it. I am not grouchy. I feel fine. I don't want the pity look. Do talk to me. Do know that I am something outside of tummy troubled. I am gorgeous and raccoon eyes are in.
   
   
6. I may need a nap. That doesn't mean I didn't want to attend your session.
   
   
7. I will pack my heating pad and meds...even ones I rarely use at home.
   
   
8. I will pack extra pants and an extra nightgown just in case.
   
   
9. I will need to not party all night. Even if I don't sleep...I need to have the quiet time and plenty of baths.
   
   
10. I will have a good time.
    
    
    

New Doctor Advice

Do I choose a doctor on the potential to have great shoes or one who has a great podcast voice? That is the question.

I recently moved and now I need new doctors. This really competes with my middle school daughter's angst over not finding any friends in her new school. No, I haven't told her about my anxiety over this problem. However, just about anyone who knows me knows this ranks up at the top of my list of stressors.

I found a family practice doc today without too much stress. She is in a practice with a recommended doctor. She allows you to email her, schedule appointments online, and her office location is around the corner.

But, I have IBD. That means I spend more time with a GI doctor than I do with my family practice doctor. There begins my angst. I got some recommendations. I looked on health grades. Then I Googled. This is where my problems start...compare and pick a doctor.

Doctor A-Great picture online. Friend commented that she looked like she wore great shoes. (My last doctor did) Specializes in IBD. 20 min drive away. Office hours: 2 afternoons a week.

Doctor B-man, recommended by a nurse in another hospital in town who just knows of him via reputation for his IBD specialization. Approx same age as Doctor A, newer in town though and has an office with Doctor C, 11 min away, that he has office hours in 1 time a week, and is in the same building as doctor A twice a week.

Doctor C-woman, General GI specialty, normal 8-5 office hours, office 11 min drive, finished med school in 1990. (A & B finished the med school portion in 2001) Looks friendly.

Doctor D-Man, recommended by friend, finished med school in 1975. General GI, pancreatic cancer specialty. Really don't feel good about him from his picture, office again, 20 min drive, again limited office hour, twice a week in the afternoon

Doctor E-Recommended by partner of last GI doctor, accidentally heard a podcast by him while reading my feeds today. Ok, accidentally doesn't seem right. I saw that there was a new podcast series about IBD and clicked in to see whether it was at all interesting. It was AND it happened to be this recommended doctor. He had a great podcast voice. Really. His research interests also include virtual colonoscopy (pretty cool stuff) and ways to better communicate with patients and families/better health outreach. That is really cool stuff. About an hour away by car/train/etc...could be extremely stressful for me if I am sick to be in the car that long. Would need to scope out public restrooms along the way.

All five are affiliated with teaching hospitals and are active faculty. This means that I may get great innovative treatment. It will mean my chances of actually seeing the chosen doctor seem low without me being a problem patient. It also means I will either need to deal with my Resident and Medical Student distrust/dislike OR be the problem patient from day one and say no, not willing to deal with them.

So, do I go with great shoes? Office hours? Great podcast voice? Recommendations? (If so, whose?)

So an Update

I have a horrid cold. I have had it for a week. I thought it was going away but it didn't. I would grumble about insurance companies that require mail order scripts and the problem with dealing with the morons who work there (who sent the WRONG script unless of course the GI doctor would like to kill me off with the dosage) but I have this cold. Blah.

Happy Valentine's Day