Comments on: Getting the Most Out of your Visit with the Gastroenterologist

By: Five Things Friday 1.23.2015 - Treble in the Kitchen

Five Things Friday 1.23.2015 - Treble in the Kitchen — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:01:32 +0000

[…] Getting the Most Out of Your Gastroenterologist Visit via Kate Scarlata […]

By: katescarlata

katescarlata — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:46:17 +0000

In reply to Laura. Hi Laura, Has the pedi GI tested your daughter for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth?-that would be something I would recommend. As far as initiating the re-introduction phase, I would try to do this when she has good symptom control on the low FODMAP diet rather than try now when she has symptoms. It would be difficult to determine a food reaction vs. an upset stomach from the antibiotics. The antibiotic probably altered her gut bacteria and hopefully that will settle down soon. Be sure to discuss any concerning symptoms w/ her GI doctor.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:06:40 +0000

My 7 year-old daughter has been on a low-FODMAP diet for the past five weeks. Her GI suggested it after finding no cause for her daily abdominal pain. He suspects IBS. She has had a definite improvement in symptoms! We were looking forward to starting the process of reintroducing foods when she got a sinus infection and was put on a anti-biotic. Toward the end of the 10 days anti-biotic regime she starting having stomach aches again and they haven’t stopped. Wondering if it is the anti-biotic? Although it did not start until the end of the treatment. (By the way, she is taking the Bio-kult probiotic as well). So, now I am at a loss as to when to start the reintroduction of food. Feels like we should just stay on it to get to a good baseline again, although after 5 weeks she is more than ready to add some foods. We met with the dietician at the GI office but unfortunately she and the Doctor have just recently heard of the FODMAP diet and are not yet very knowledgable. The dietician gave me some handouts and thankfully – your website! I would love to hear any suggestions you may have at this point!

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 04:14:07 +0000

I missed this article until now. Thank you. It’s always good to be reminded of ways to improve the doctor/patient relationship. I am getting ever more comfortable with my Gastroenterologist.

What do you think of this? I have two friends who have been given information about the FODMAP diet. One was given the information from her Internist, the other by a Gastroenterologist (when she asked for it at my suggestion). Both were handed a sheet of information and told to avoid all the foods in the high FODMAP column. When I said it was supposed to be an elimination diet and that not all foods needed to be avoided forever, they said that’s not what the doctor said. Neither has any intention of looking into the diet further after seeing how many foods they believe need to be eliminated.

Do you run into this kind of misinformation often? Or am I way off base?

Thank you

By: Shannon Muhs

Shannon Muhs — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:44:54 +0000

Thank you for this great information! As always, I love your delivery and key points!

By: Jill @ Champagne for Everyday

Jill @ Champagne for Everyday — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:30:26 +0000

I love this article! I have been to so many different Gastro docs, and none of them ever can give me a conclusive answer. Thankfully I just manage symptoms myself with FODMAP and have been successful. This is a good guideline to have for any doctor visit, tailored to the specfic type. Thanks for sharing! Jill Latest Post: Flat Belly Myths Debunked + Life Changing FODMAP Diet

By: Trish

Trish — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 22:44:01 +0000

What good questions! Some things I had forgotten but these reminded me. Good point to note, that sometimes you need to seek out someone you feel more comfortable with (not just with gastroenterologists). I am lucky that I like my current gastroenterologist a lot and trust him. In this I am doubly fortunate – that he is the person my GP referred me to – and I like her a lot as well. Having had other experiences in the past, I really appreciate my good fortune. You’ve given me something to be grateful for today.

By: Christianne McCall

Christianne McCall — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 22:16:21 +0000

Thanks for this article. I just had my first appointment with a Gastro after suffering with IBS for over 20 years. I met with the PA. She ordered bloodwork, and xray and a colonoscopy.

She was nice but YOUNG. Not sure I am completely comfortable with her. I will get all my tests done and see what happens. I may move to someone else.