Healthcare Provider Satisfaction With IBS

By IrritableBowelSyndrome.net Team

2 min read

We recently conducted the 5th IBS In America survey, in which we asked the community about experiences living with IBS. Specifically, one section of the survey asked about healthcare providers and satisfaction with care.

We learned that 72 percent of those who took the survey do currently see a healthcare provider for their IBS, but only 51 percent of those people are satisfied with the care they receive.

In general, a person with IBS might only see a gastroenterologist at their diagnosis and if something else comes up along the way. With only about half of respondents reporting satisfaction with care, we wanted to take a deeper look into how our community advocates have felt throughout their disease journeys.

Healthcare provider satisfaction

Amy Dodd Pilkington, IBS advocate "I was diagnosed more than two decades ago and have consulted with my healthcare provider periodically over the years. When I was primarily dealing with IBS-D, I did take medication to treat it and felt it improved my quality of life. Now that I have IBS-D and IBS-C, treating one triggers the other. I do not feel like there are any viable treatment options for people who suffer with both sides of IBS. Knowing this, I rarely mention IBS. It is disappointing that there are no options that effectively treat IBS-M." – Amy P.

Shannon Grantham, IBS Advocate "I have seen many healthcare providers over the last several years. Up until the last one I went to I never really got anything out of the visits (except debt). The last one I have seen, though, she was different. She really seemed to care and worked with me to figure out something that would help me. I do think it takes a lot of trial and error to find someone who works with you and for you." – Shannon G.

Karina Ioffe, IBS Advocate "I don't currently see anyone for my IBS. However, I saw many different healthcare professionals when I first got diagnosed. I tried many treatments that my doctor prescribed me. When nothing worked, I went to see a specialist. But there, again, he just prescribed me various treatments that did nothing for me. I even ventured into osteopathy, but once again, it did nothing. I felt like every person I went to see brushed me off by saying that all my problems were only due to stress, so they weren't "real." In my experience, the only thing that truly works is trial and error. Figuring out my triggers and adapting my lifestyle and diet helped me gain a bit more control." – Karina

Sawyer Matheny, IBS Advocate "I saw a gastroenterologist when I was first diagnosed but haven't really followed up. I have been treating myself with my prescriptions as is, but I'm looking into seeing a dietitian. Sure, I am somewhat satisfied with my treatments, but I would prefer some premeditative choices." – Sawyer

Share your experiences

How about you? How do you feel about your relationship with your doctor? How would you rate your healthcare provider satisfaction? Share in the comments below or visit our forums.

The 5th IBS In America survey was conducted online from June 8 through August 3, 2020. All of the 1,930 people who completed the survey were screened for IBS symptoms.

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ozziecookie Member
I have not felt that my gastroenterologists have been very helpful, although my present doctor is a caring professional. The person I have seen for past couple years (during which I switched from IBS-D to IBS-C) is very warm and personable. He takes my issues seriously, unlike the past doctor, who was a woman, but not a very patient or personable individual. My present doctor put me on a regimen of Miralax and Ex-Lax-which I have recently had to increase. I am going to see him in a couple weeks and will have to tell him that many days I am not taking a suppository to feel better. I am married to a pediatric gastroenterologist and he has been the one who told me about the FODMAP diet that helped me when I had the D symptoms (which involved intense pain and vomiting)-mainly I was wheat free except for spelt for periods of time until I developed C symptoms. He also told me about fecal transplants-which he uses for children with Cdiff and which I would like to do someday.
1. ozziecookie Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> Thanks fir your kind words. If you don’t mind me asking: what did the naturopath do in terms of treatment?
2. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ozziecookie" user-id="2309623"/> not at all. He was amazing. My first consultation lasted an hour and a half. I told him my whole history then he tested me on a bunch of things. Turned out one of the big culprits was that I had SIBO. For that he gave me supplements to kill off the bad bacteria and I felt so much better. But basically he ran a bunch of tests and then gave me supplements to correct the issue and I have to say he's the only doctor that gives me results. I got to him for everything at this point. -Elizabeth (team member)
explodingguts Member
Respirologist who helped me control my asthma prescribed Rabaprazole for my chronic IBS-D but it worked only for about 4 days. He did explain the connection btwn acid reflux and asthma so advice to eat earlier did help. A bit. But no follow-up beyond asthma. Tried to help me find a new GP but no joy. In CA, everything flows thru GP. I did plead my case for gastro specialist but they seem to follow very ltd protocols rather than facts. If neither colon- nor endoscopy yield an easily recognizable result, they give up. When symptoms cont'd I contemplated assisted suicide order. Chronic diarrhea is not living. To exhaust options I contemplated Mayo Clinic but $$$ plus prospect of covid detention at $$$ hotel scuppered that idea. Last resort before dying: moved back to a hood with more public washrooms so that I could go walking again. W/in a few wks 90% improvement. So MDs to me have been unhelpful re IBS-D, which shocks me. I wish more of them would succumb. Then there might be some changes. MDs grade in treating IBS-D -- F- FAIL. 
1. ozziecookie Member
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> sorry to hear of your despair to the point of considering suicide. I want to validate that IBS can be a disability that impairs one’s ability to function! I have found it lonely many times because it is hard to talk about with people and often one dies not get empathy for the suffering caused by the condition. Even though I have a family member who is a (pediatric) GI, I still often feel my family doesn’t think it’s as hard as it truly is. 
2. ozziecookie Member
 I’m sorry you cannot see a GI to treat the acid reflux without positive results on scopes. Who does the scopes-it must be GI SPpecialist?
explodingguts Member
Blood, stool tests, endo-, colonoscopy by gastro specialist apparently revealed nothing requiring treatment. Fb convo with MD prompted spit test for a parasite but no joy. Gastro guy prescribed Rabaprazole and $$$ Metamucil stuff that was both revolting and useless. Told me if I contd having symptoms to see GP again - a waste of time. I've been horrified to learn here that there were things he might have prescribed to stop the diarrhea but didn't. I have no affection or respect for any of them. I continue to rely on Immodium. Long-term FX? Who knows. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 Oh I'm sorry to hear this @explodingguts. Is the Immodium helping? Wondering if you have ever seen a functional or Naturopathic Doctor? I find them to be so so helpful. Best, Elizabeth (team member)
explodingguts Member
Immodium is effective. One must take care not to exceed the daily limit - no getting proactive with it - but so far so good. Naturopaths are pricey and not covered nor is their snake oil. Tried the whole probiotic BS $$$ to no effect. Immodium for me is survival. Have also removed tomato sauce, lettuce and fruit juice and reduced intake generally. To me, IBS-D feels like a recurring parasite - fever, cramps, fatigue and other flu symptoms - but no such parasite has been identified in my case despite all the usual tests. Thanks for your interest. Much appreciated. 
1. explodingguts Member
 <inline-mention username="dklocey" user-id="2292873"/> Actually about 90% better since I moved back to a neighborhood with places to walk with washrooms. But 90% is still nasty and the years of explosions leave a legacy of stress that requires Promethean will to overcome. I have a sense that it's actually quite a simple thing to solve but there is insufficient interest/will by MDs to pursue it beyond their ltd protocols. 
2. dklocey Member
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> You're right about the years of explosions & the stress! It's horrible & nobody should have to live this way.
dklocey Member
Explodinguts You're right about the years of exploding guts & the stress! Nobody should have to live this way.