Talking with Your Doctor

Crohn's disease can impact your life in various ways, both physically and emotionally. Managing your symptoms, finding appropriate treatment, and staying informed on ways to maintain your overall well being are all important in dealing with your condition. The other really important aspect of your Crohn's disease treatment is your relationship with your gastroenterologist. In most cases, people with Crohn's disease are treated by a gastroenterologist. Sometimes your gastroenterologist may be an internist or family practitioner.

Whether you are seeing a gastroenterologist or a family doctor for your Crohn's disease, you'll want to establish an open and ongoing relationship with him or her. It is important that you feel comfortable discussing your symptoms, as well as how they impact your life. Regular conversations with your gastroenterologist can help you find the appropriate treatments, learn about lifestyle changes you may need to make, and keep you focused and positive about your health and the management of your symptoms.

How do you choose a gastroenterologist?

Since you probably don't have a list of gastroenterologists handy, you may be a little confused or concerned about finding one, particularly a gastroenterologist with whom you're going to feel comfortable.

It's a good idea to interview a prospective physician when you are feeling well, instead of trying to find a new gastroenterologist when you are ill and feeling stressed out. At the interview, ask yourself the following questions:

• Was the gastroenterologist respectful to me?
• Did he or she really listen to what I had to say?
• Did he or she spend a sufficient amount of time with me, or did I feel rushed during the appointment?
• Did the physician seem to have any useful suggestions?

Often we wait to see the doctor until we're not feeling well or when our symptoms are unfamiliar to us. Regardless of whether you've been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, you should see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms that are characteristic of Crohn's disease.

These symptoms include:

• Severe abdominal pain, particularly in the lower right quadrant
• Blood in your bowel movements
• A change in your bowel habits that lasts more than ten days
• Ongoing diarrhea that is not helped by over-the-counter medicine
• Unexplained fever that lasts longer than a couple of days

Remember, if you haven't been diagnosed with Crohn's disease but you are experiencing these symptoms, you should still make an appointment with your doctor. He or she may recommend you to a gastroenterologist for additional testing as well as an accurate diagnosis. If you have Crohn's disease and are experiencing these symptoms, then you need to see your gastroenterologist right away and discuss your current treatment as well as other options that may be more appropriate for you.

More questions for your gastroenterologist

Below are more questions you can use as a guide for conversations with your gastroenterologist during your next visit:

• How did I get Crohn's disease?
• How severe is my Crohn's disease?
• How will Crohn's affect my body?
• How will it affect my overall health?
• What exactly is going on in my body when I have a flare-up?
• Is my disease under control if I'm still experiencing flare-ups?
• What are the complications I may experience from my Crohn's symptoms?
• What kinds of treatments are available to me that will manage my Crohn's symptoms?
• Am I a good candidate for biologic therapy?
• What are the benefits and risks of biologic therapies?
• Is there a cure for Crohn's disease?
• Is there any kind of diet, food, or fitness plan that can help me manage Crohn's disease?
• I have [insert number of flares-ups] flares-ups per month/year. What should I do during a flare-up?
• How do I know if or when my Crohn's disease is getting worse?
• What could happen if I did not treat my Crohn's symptoms?
• Is surgery the only option if my Crohn's disease is severe?
• How often should I schedule follow-up appointments?

Click here to learn about treatment options for Crohn's disease.