How do you determine if a doctor/clinic is legit?

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Hey all,

Looking for a hand with whether my wife should see these people: https://ibstreatmentcenter.com/

We don't want to go to a bunch of quacks, but the in-network GI doctor seems completely unhelpful on IBS and disinterested once there wasn't anything on a colonoscopy. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell the quacks from the real out-of-network people, and we're looking for solutions, but don't want to go down some path of giving cash to charlatans.

On the good side, the clinic seems to get good reviews on RateMDs.com

There are more mixed reviews on Yelp https://www.yelp.com/biz/ibs-treatme...eatment+center

And one thing that worries me - I'm not sure how to check for naturopathic doctors' board certification

The first doctor listed has a license in the state of WA: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/provider...h/Default.aspx

The second doctor listed on the website seems to have an expired license: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/provider...ookieSupport=1


What do you all think? Red flags, stay away, or don't be too cautious?

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

And one thing that worries me - I'm not sure how to check for naturopathic doctors' board certification...

What good is "board certification" if the doc is a quack?

They might use complementary medicine -- like homeopathy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture -- in addition to naturopathic treatments. They may also use touch, such as massage and pressure, to create balance in your body.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

So are you saying all naturopaths are quacks? I'm all for the idea that homeopathy, for example, is quackery, but 'naturopathy' is a broader and vaguer term - what about naturopaths who don't use homeopathy?

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

The second doctor listed on the website seems to have an expired license: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/provider...ookieSupport=1


What do you all think? Red flags, stay away, or don't be too cautious?

That expired license would be a big-time red flag for me. You can come up with your own evaluation...

ETA: All my cancer doctors are professors at the medical universiity. So are some of the NPs. And I like all of them. It's really nice to live in the territory of a medical U, when you get cancer. You literally get 'top rated care'.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Originally Posted by C2H5OH

That expired licence would be a big-time red flag for me. You can come up with your own evaluation...

Yeah, I've been thinking about that - I wasn't sure if it's not unusual for smaller clinics to not update their websites when someone moves on or something, but it does seem to be the most alarming thing my research on them showed.

[Musicat]

Mixing quack treatments with legitimate medicine does not confer legitimacy on the quack treatments, it casts doubt on the practitioner. Anyone who believes in treatments like homeopathy cannot be trusted for medical advice. This pretty much defines Naturopathy. Why not concentrate on doctors who use evidence-based medicine to decide what works, not fantasy and superstition?

[fucktard loser]

I don’t know if I would bother checking board certifications for naturopaths. I’m sure they are great people, and if I met one I might listen to friendly advice, but I’m not seeking out their opinion until I’m out of any better options.
damn sure ain’t paying to be told to avoid foods from the nightshade family, drink more water, and something about milk-thistle supplements, I got pop up ads for that ;(

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by C2H5OH

ETA: All my cancer doctors are professors at the medical universiity. So are some of the NPs*. And I like all of them. It's really nice to live in the territory of a medical U, when you get cancer. You literally get 'top rated care'.

*Like Dr Laura, who is professionally an NP, but is officially a 'Doctor' because she also has a fucking PhD, and is a professor at that medical university.

You get poked, prodded, and looked at naked by lots of students people (eventually you get over that and you stop caring who sees your ass) but the care you get is cutting edge, top notch.

I get poked and prodded by professionals, who are studying me for SCIENCE

I'm probably some student's research project.

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by C2H5OH

*Like Dr Laura, who is professionally an NP, but is officially a 'Doctor' because she also has a fucking PhD, and is a professor at that medical university.

She's also a hot lookin' babe, but I dare not say that, because she pokes me regularly with sharp things, and I do not want her to do that with the intent of making me fucking FEEEL it.

[hilarity n. suze]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

So are you saying all naturopaths are quacks? I'm all for the idea that homeopathy, for example, is quackery, but 'naturopathy' is a broader and vaguer term - what about naturopaths who don't use homeopathy?

Not saying that all naturopaths are quacks, but at this point I think I would go for maybe a registered dietician before a naturopath. I knew two people who went to an NP and frankly the guy seemed more like some kind of charismatic healer, from what they said.

I have no idea if you have tried that already, but what the RD did for my son was had him do a food diary (I don't remember how long) and that alone helped him identify some triggers. Unfortunately for him, one of them was beer.

The thing about MDs is that once they've exhausted the tools of their specialty without finding a problem they know how to fix, as seems to have happened, they send you on your way. The naturopaths will keep you going forever. Based on the opinion of a couple of people some rando on the internet (me) knows, YMMV.

I would say when someone's website says they have a unique, proven (TM) method for something, they start sounding like the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group to me. "Two simple things you can do at home to look 15 years younger in 7 days! Here's a 40-minute video, turn up your speakers! Not until the very end will we tell you how to order this product that will solve all your problems--at home!" Yes, I would say that's a red flag.

[Solfy]

I would trust your instincts, which seem to be telling you to stay away.

I understand your frustration, as I too was dismissed by my GP with a diagnosis of IBS and instructions to "take Imodium and eat lots of fiber" literally as he was walking out the exam room door. Which did nothing to help the episodes I was having, but as long as there wasn't anything pathologically wrong with me he didn't give a damn about my quality of life. The GI doc I saw suggested a colonoscopy but I had to go back to college and never got around to scheduling it. Years later when I discussed it with my midwife, she was adamant that it's not okay to just shrug and say "live with it," and that if I was still having trouble, she would refer me to a GP she knew who would actually care/help. Fortunately by that stage of my life it had mostly resolved.

So that's my advice - find a different (better) GP. How? Yeah, that's the tricky part. I don't know. But keep in mind you're not limited to a GI doc since you've ruled out serious GI troubles. There may be medication/lifestyle changes that can help, and a doctor who treats the whole person might be more helpful/patient in this case. I agree with Hilarity re: food journaling to identify triggers. There was also some good literature a while back on IBS being related to small intestine bacterial overgrowth and responding to antibiotic therapy.

[Inna Minnit]

If you have a primary provider, ask them for suggestions. The docs I work with will refer to naturopath especially in regards to diet and supplements. And there are doctors who are both naturopath and md/do. I personally think that going to a naturopath INSTEAD of a western type provider is a mistake. Using them to enhance your treatment can be beneficial.

Edited: Reading what @Solfy wrote above, maybe see if you can get a referral to a nutritionist, they might be of some help if you suspect diet related issues.

Also, maybe an allergist could be helpful as well.

Good luck.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Good news - her GP asked her to come in for bloodwork tomorrow, and is amenable to finding her a new GI doc.

Thanks for the input - if we can find a different GI doc, we won't need to take any risks. Maybe if we're lucky it'll even be someone in-network!

We are already getting ready to try the FODMAP diet (she's still not eating much so I guess we're already on it??), so whatever else we do will be in addition to that.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Well, shit.

CT scan today showed an abscess in her lower abdomen - it wasn't IBS after all; or, if it is, it's massively complicated with this other condition.

She's in the ER now and hopefully they can do surgery tonight?

[Wolf Larsen]

I hope the surgery goes well.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

Well, shit.

CT scan today showed an abscess in her lower abdomen - it wasn't IBS after all; or, if it is, it's massively complicated with this other condition.

She's in the ER now and hopefully they can do surgery tonight?

Good luck. hope it all goes well.

[Solfy]

I'm glad it was found instead of just being dismissed.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

Well, shit.

CT scan today showed an abscess in her lower abdomen - it wasn't IBS after all; or, if it is, it's massively complicated with this other condition.

She's in the ER now and hopefully they can do surgery tonight?

damn.

hope it goes well.

[Oxirane]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

Well, shit.

CT scan today showed an abscess in her lower abdomen - it wasn't IBS after all; or, if it is, it's massively complicated with this other condition.

She's in the ER now and hopefully they can do surgery tonight?

Holy crap, Squid! I hope it all goes well and glad that they found the potential cause - this sounds a lot like what my wife has been experiencing. She thought her issues were IBS/diet, but the CAT scan revealed perforated colon due to 'complex' diverticulitis - she was able to avoid the emergency surgery with massive antibiotics and a five-day hospital stay, but is going in next week for surgery. Please keep us posted - I certainly hope all goes well!

[Jaglavak]

Woah! That's kind of a major deal. I hope both y'alls wives feel better soon.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Quick update - surgery is scheduled for this morning

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and wishes ::fingers crossed for all to go well::

Oxirane - best wishes for your wife's surgery; it's crazy how things kinda 'hide' behind IBS until all of a sudden they don't - I hope your wife has a smooth and rapid recovery!

[mjmlabs]

Jeezis! Best wishes for both surgeries!

Accentuating the positive: At least proper diagnoses have been made. That's an important prerequisite.

[thorny locust]

Originally Posted by mjmlabs

Best wishes for both surgeries!

Accentuating the positive: At least proper diagnoses have been made. That's an important prerequisite.

Seconding both parts of that.

[Rebo]

That's some scary stuff! And I have IBS.

[Pure]

Good luck to your wife! Sending fast healing vibes

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Hey all - thanks for your well-wishes - discoveries at the hospital meant they decided not to do the surgery after all (indications from ultrasound and bloodwork are that this is not an abscess, and probably not cancerous)

Wife is home now, resting - still in significant amounts of pain, but not in immediate danger and is able to eat limited amounts.

She still has something the size of an orange wedged between her bladder and large intestine, though. We have an appointment with a surgeon next week & hopefully we'll be able to figure out steps then?

[Solfy]

Thanks for the update. I hope they can get her feeling better soonest and it ultimately becomes a blip in your rear view mirror of life.

[hilarity n. suze]

So sorry! I hope this all works out and your wife feels better really soon.