Frustrated and need to vent

#1

I just found out that one of my 11yo students is having surgery for Crohn’s today. I have no idea what her medical path has been but I’m pretty sure - based on everything I’ve heard from those who have suffered from it, and from what I gather from the family -that diet/lifestyle were probably not part of the treatment plan. I’ve heard so many success stories of folks whose IBS, Crohn’s, etc were improved or resolved through diet, and this breaks my heart.
I feel helpless because it’s just not my place to say anything (and besides, the surgery is today).
But… argh!!! to cut open a child and remove part of her intestine… :cry:

#2

So sorry to hear this @Madeleine.
You have a very sympathetic audience, here.

(I Am The Egg Man ku-ku-kachoo) #3

That’s awful.
I’m a 56 year old obese man and my IBS cleared up within 45 days of changing the composition of my diet. :unamused:
I believe medical doctors really do want to help their patients, but think that sometimes they’re following routine, predictable paths without considering all the options.

#4

I have incredible respect for the doctors I know, and I think we’ve learned so much about disease, and the advances in surgery are incredible… but the narrow mindedness about health and treatment options is mind boggling, and this just seems barbaric.

(Chris) #5

The fact that dietary treatments are mostly ignored (or at least the good ones) for these chronic ailments is [spoiler]BULLSHIT[/spoiler]. I don’t even know this poor kid and I am overwhelmed with feelings of anger and hate. Also, a lot of sadness. I’m sorry she has to go through this and sorry that you feel helpless.

#6

Thanks, everyone.
It really sucks :frowning:

Also, I thought she was 12 - typo in my first email because I was writing too fast - but she’s actually only 11 years old.

(Todd Batitis) #7

The sad thing is that for many doctors it is simply tough go against conventional wisdom and method of care. The older the doctor is the more they are typically steadfast in their ways. In that respect i am lucky with my PCP who is happy to learn more about things with all the things I am doing and is the type to research stuff on his own.

And I sympathize with many of them who don’t bother to give certain advice that would be best because they know the patient isn’t likely to follow it. Even if they know it is better, they often have to weigh out in the grand scheme of things, is it better to tell a patient that it is better to switch to keto, IF, do some extended fasts and work to reduce Omega 6’s and increase Omega 3’s and they will see improvement when you know they aren’t going to do it… or is it better to tell them to eat 6 times a day to make their insulin spikes smaller while eating low carb but higher protein when you know they can probably at least stick to that for a while?

As for this case, it is indeed hard to say. It is indeed sad at such a young age and you are right that we don’t know the specifics of her case but I am willing to bet that the ketogenic plan was not one that was even really offered as a possibility.

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #8

The poor thing, that makes me so sad.