Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Time to ditch my rheumy?

I have been seeing the same rheumatologist for 10 years since I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. He is very smart (or so I thought) and in high demand. I have always valued his opinion....until recently. I have been unable to get pregnant for nearly 5 years. A few years ago, when I asked him if he thought my inflammation had anything to do with it, he said no way. Today, at my quarterly check up, I told him how I was on a program (I did not say Whole30) and had cut out all dairy, grains, etc this entire month, but that my flares have been worse than ever ( I suspect I need to go AIP and cut back on eggs and nightshades as my intake has increased significantly while on the program). Before I could even finish my thought, he explained that diet has absolutely nothing to do with inflammation. Say what? this is SO closed minded. To not even be interested in what I have been doing and just shut me down like that stunned me, and pissed me off. So, I think it is time to find a new doc. However, how do I make sure I don't have this problem with another Doctor? I need someone covered by insurance because I do have to continue my Humira, but do I just start trying different doctors and feeling them out? Any advice would be appreciated (and if you are reading this and in the San Diego area, please give me some names!)

Sadly, doubt you are not going to find much different viewpoints from any of them ! Closed mind full stop. Only the exceptional few recognise gut, inflammation and inflammatory foods play a part in autoimmune diseases. You would think the wake up call by looking at the human microbiome research project must have had a knock effect...hope away. Has not happened yet !

Only answer is to do one`s own thing, carry on regardless. You can keep him informed if can be bothered to educate him, otherwise, just use him for your meds and hope eventually he might see the light of day.

That`s medicine. Easier to keep to their own well trodden treadmill...stuff the patient. Don`t want to be involved.

Have met it myself. All quarters in fact. So hardly bother with them now. Pointless. Only go when I think I need a referral, and then go armed with the appointment already made with my chosen consultant. All they have to do is to write the note <grin> Fortunately, I take hardly any meds, at all.

Don`t let it get under your skin. Go do your own thing. When you have it all working your way, in your own way, you can gleefully tell him <LOL>

You can tell us instead - we`ll cheer you on

Take care - go well -

I stopped even going to mine. Rheumatologist are pretty much worthless, once you have been diagnosed.

Most definitely time to ditch the old school doc and move on to better, more modern thinking!

Try seeking out doctors focusing on funtional (integratvie) medicine - they are typically fully versed in the connection between food and inflammation, and various secondary health issues connected with inflammation.

Unfortunately those types of practitioners often need payment out of pocket I suspect (at least here in Canada), I have never sought one out because of that (too cheap & and tired of doctors, period!). Maybe a younger, more recently graduated person would have a better grasp on inflammatory problems. Rheumies are tricky, as any specialist tends to be older, but hopefully there's someone in SD? Call some functional medicine clinics and ask if they know of any "modern" Rheumies...

Incidentally, I have long wondered about "no-go pregnancy" and inflammation... Have had no luck in that department while on strict AIP+NSD at times, and taking LDN.

Interesting topic, hope you get some insigth, and ultimately, have success

If you intend to stay on humira, you will need a smart, high demand, rheumatologist whose opinion you value. Most primary doctors or other specialists will not prescribe these meds or follow someone with active AS. And for long term records and monitoring, there are benefits to continued followup with the same doctor. You likely won't find a rheumatologist trained in scientific method/research that will agree with you on diet because to date there has not been enough research completed though that may change in the future. Therefore many rheumatologists may roll their eyes about diet but that doesn't mean you can't experiment on your own unless you can't get over being "pissed off" and have lost faith in his medical skills and training. I disagree with some of the opinions you've received here but perhaps you can survive without humira?

At the same time, you can explore other providers who take an alternative or integrative approach until you are confident that you don't need biologic meds and/or a rheumatologist. Best wishes

Try to find a rheumatologist that takes care of a large number of patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. I ditched my first rheumatologist after receiving bad advice on several occasions. I found a rheumatologist that specializes in Ankylosing Spondylitis at Johns Hopkins, but he is in Maryland and not in you're area. The majority of my specialist are at John's Hopkins and are heads of their department and also teach.

When I get hit with mind numbing BS, I throw the BS card.

I've pointed out to doctors before that food is basically different chemicals that are digested and spread thru the body...medicine is different chemicals that are digested and spread thru the body. Why would you think that one has an effect and another one doesn't when they go thru the same process? It's shamed the doctor and brought him back to earth.

Remember that doctors are under an intense mind control and cult programming. They need occasional reminders of reality.