Doctor Follows Up Weeks Later?

[dbuhl79 0]

I'm sure many of you have followed my previous posts but I'll recap briefly. After a lot of digestive episodes, I was referred to a GI specialist (who specializes in Celiac Disease, IBS, Crohns). I was tested for Celiac Disease. After calling to receive my results, I was informed that they all came out negative. No exact numbers were given, nothing. And the assistant/nurse informed me that there was no follow up since they hadn't turned up positive.

I was disappointed to say the least that my GI doc had not bothered to have me come back, and review other avenues of diagnosis. Even if it was to generalize me and label me IBS I would of respected, but I didn't even get a follow up appt.

Now the doctors Phys. Asst has called and left a msg on my machine, asking how I am doing. If the Levsin they prescribed is working (which made me feel worse and I stopped taking it). Indicating they may want to see me again if I had issues still. This has been weeks since my appointment. Almost a month.

After getting these test results I've gone gluten-free and know that I feel normal when I am off gluten. When I occassionaly slip up and cheat (yep I'm just weak!!) I will feel the effects of it sometimes in 30 minutes or the next day or so.

I realize this is a personal choice, but I'm curious to get others opinion. Is itworth calling the doctors office back? Should I bother pursuing a follow up appointment? (And no I dont recommend self diagnosis) I'm just not sure its worth my time.

Thanks for any thoughts!

[Tasha2004 0]

I went through this yesterday with the rheumatologist. Test results normal, therefore nothing else to do and no reason for me to come back.

I say, get your test results out of them, and then tell them what you are doing and how you are feeling better.

I intend to do this with this guy, if I can get some kind of different help somewhere else.

There is probably no point setting your foot back in their door, because they essentially dismissed you anyway.

[plantime 12]

Why go back to them? They obviously don't think they can help you, or they would have tried. The gastro that did my endo gave me a positive diagnosis in Sept, and I have yet to hear from him about it. No follow-ups, nothing. Just "you have celiac, don't eat wheat, barley, rye, or oats." It wasn't even him that I heard it from, it was from the surgeon that removed my gall bladder! So, why give your moeny to a doc that doesn't want it?

[tarnalberry 314]

If the doctor is otherwise good, then I wouldn't necessarily decide to leave just yet, though it's always an option. I would go back (or call) and let him know the progress, since they asked. They may well not have called sooner because getting data that covered less than a month on the med you took may not mean anything to them. Doctors don't always call to follow up on every single thing, so I'd be willing to cut him some slack, but also proceed with caution. It's a tough call between a doctor being proactive and a patient being proactive. In the end, though, if you need more follow through, and less reliance on the patient to call back if he/she wants to pursue things further, then it sounds like this isn't the style of doctor for you.