Monday, April 20, 2009

GI Distress

I really dislike the whole 'GI Doc for Julia' dance. It was a flipping nightmare to get the first GI appt. That GI doctor turned out to be useless, so we finally got an appt with a doctor at Children's Hospital. That involved tears with our normal pediatrician, who mercifully had to call Children's on our behalf (since they will only make the first appt with the doctor directly). As much as we cried and wheedled to get that appointment, basically the GI doctor told us that Julia was perfectly fine & that no tests were needed. Whatever.

She's had a bit of a decline (in weight, appetite, everything) lately. So it's time to revisit the whole GI doctor bit. I call Children's, and I think we already have an 'in' because she's been seen. Hooray, I as a measly parent can get her to be seen without tears and without involving her normal pediatrician. But wait! The doctor she saw last time has cut back his time at the satellite location we go to. He's only there once a month.

No problem - right? There's another doctor in the same office. Can I have Julia see her instead? NOOOO! You can only see the doctor you've seen before because they want 'continuity of care.' But, but, but... we've only gone one lousy time three months ago; the doctor is not going to remember Julia anyway. And the other doctor is stationed there more often. NOPE! You cannot see another doctor unless your pediatrician calls the Chief GI Dude to plead your case.

For the love of GOD! I swear, they want to wear you out before you even get there. So by the time you're actually seen, you're flat exhausted from 1) the rigamarole to get the appt 2) the amount of time you wait from the time you make the appointment until the day the appointment actually rolls around 3) the amount of time you sit in the lobby on the day of your appointment and 4) by saying your child is perfectly normal & you're the one that's insane.

Tell me this, GI Doctor Supreme Ruler of the GI Universe, is it normal for a child to scream and refuse food ALL THE TIME?

1 comment:

Leigh Ann said...

That is just crazy!! I would be a basket case in your shoes :( Maybe you can get out the phone book (archaic, I know), start calling GI docs and ask if they see children? You never know, you might hit one that does and not have to fool with Dr. GIP(Greatly Important Person).
I am sooooo soooo sooooo sorry you have to deal with medical red tape. But if you find an answer, it will be all worth it!
Have you ever seen that show Medical Mystery, on TLC(or is it on Discovery?). I could SO SEE Julia being featured on that show when you finally figure out what the cause of her distress is.
Fix it mama! You can do it!! :)