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Do you ever feel that you have to "fight" to be heard by your doctor?

Jaclyngallagher

Advocacy can sound like a public act, but sometimes it's as personal as fighting to be heard and taken seriously at your doctor appointments. Does anyone else fight to be heard with healthcare professionals?

Karina Member

Absolutely. So many people in this community have experienced the struggle to be heard and taken seriously by healthcare professionals.
We even have several articles about that, like these two: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/good-doctor-please, https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/dismissive-doctors, and many forum discussions.
I have personally never found a doctor who takes my IBS seriously, so I just try to find solutions myself.
Have you been able to find a healthcare professional who actually listens?
Karina (team member)
scubaaflashnet Member

Absolutely....."it's just a disorder not a disease" If I hear that one more time I think I may come unglued.
1. Karina Member
  
  I'm so sorry. 🙁 Have you found any doctor who doesn't dismiss you like that? Karina (team member)
Kim Dolce Member

I haven't had that experience because I was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, and I don't bring it up to my primary care doc. After I was diagnosed, I have treated myself all these years. If I did bring it up to my primary, I know he wouldn't dismiss it, he's not like that. So I guess I'm lucky. I'm so sorry you and have been shut down by healthcare pros. What happened to 'do no harm?' Dismissing a patient's symptoms can do just as much damage as the 'the disorder.' Ugh! Hugs, Kim
1. Karina Member
  
  I'm so sorry you had such a terrible experience with you Gastroenterologist, I don't understand why he wouldn't talk you and explain everything. I absolutely hate it when doctor's don't take their patients seriously and act like we wouldn't understand it anyway...
  I hope the other practitioner will be able to help you with that and talk through the test results. Please keep us updated!
  Karina (team member)
2. Lady drummer Member
  
  i have a medical background myself so can talk to the best of them using their jargon. I have been a medical translator and interpreter for decades and always do my own research. I don’t have any problem getting my point across. I’ve largely cared for my own IBS.
CommunityMemberf75b15 Member

I found one doctor at a clinic who took me seriously, but she left the area. I still go to the same clinic but have not gotten a doctor who believes yet.

My primary doctor told me too many people have used IBS as a reason to get out of Jury Duty permanently, so the courts are not taking it seriously anymore, at least in my area. Leave it up to someone to screw up things for everyone.
1. Karina Member
  
  Oh wow, I can’t believe people would do that! It’s terrible that doctors don’t take IBS seriously, that makes it so much harder to deal with… Some community members have had success with naturopathic doctors, I’m going to link two articles for you: 1) https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/good-doctor-please, 2) https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/naturopath-experience, in case you’re interested in trying that in the meantime. I hope you’ll find a good doctor soon. Karina (team member)