Ultimately, I think the best case scenario is to deal with the intimidation issue first of all. The preparatory work you do to center and empower yourself ahead of time is one of the best ways in the world that you can make your case.

In the discussion thread below, I discuss something I finally told my doctor. I can't say he liked it, but in a funny way, he did respect it.

http://www.jinipatelthompson.com/bb2/vi ... php?t=1356

If YOU know the immunosuppresants disagreed with you before, then that should be the bottom line. But you need to be able to speak up and tell the doctor that in a very firm, but non-combative way.

If that's hard for you, (standing firm - I think of it as being like a big boulder in a streambed, which doesn't fight, attack or retreat, yet exerts enough influence that the stream shapes itself around it - in a one-on-one confrontation with an "authority figure" was definitely something I had to grow into), EFT or some other therapy that appeals to you may be hugely helpful. Jini discusses several in both Listen to Your Gut and Listen to Your IBS.

I can't comment/make recommendations on the other meds ...

I hope this helps, but don't hesitate to write back if it gives rise to additional questions or concerns.

All the best,

Nicole

Got it.

That can be a tough one, because I really think it has to do more with the type of person a doctor is to begin with. Some people are good listeners and have a strong ability to see the same thing from more than one (their own) perspective - some people have never developed those skills - a few people don't see much value in those skills to begin with.

However, here is the website for a link to the whole article of a study mentioned in Chapter 2 (in the subheading Natural Antibiotics / Antimicrobials) of LTYG:

http://aisweb.wustl.edu/alumni/atwu.nsf/crohns

And here's a link to a discussion thread which references a website regarding utilization of low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of autoimmune disorders:

http://www.jinipatelthompson.com/bb2/vi ... .php?t=479

In both cases, immune stimulants, as opposed to immune suppresants, have been used to successfully treat IBD.

He may respect those more than anecdotal evidence such as you'd find on a website like www.askapatient.com, but again, how he will respond depends in large part on what kind of person he is in the first place ...

But in the end, if you're very clear about what you want, you can usually get it. I learned that from my mother-in-law. My youngest brother-in-law was born with a congenital heart defect and required several surgeries during his childhood. Researching and contacting doctors, and dealing with insurance companies basically became her career for a number of years. She had very specific ways that she wanted her son to be treated and while she eventually had to travel from Massachusetts to Oregon to get the criteria for surgery that she set met (he had a local pediatrician for day-to-day stuff and they went to Boston for general diagnostic tests), she did indeed find a doctor with whom she was entirely comfortable as a partner for his care.

Well, nobody likes being looked at like they've grown two heads.

If you feel like sharing, let us know how it works out with the doctor at your appointment.

Either way, glad you enjoyed the studies!

All the best,
Nicole

After maintaining years of happy remission through my own studies and experiments with diet and supplements, not one ever inquired as to why I thought I was doing so well.

That's the thing that I've always found especially sad, too.

Nicole

Hi, darkangel.

Hey, that's great that the appointment went well!

If my experience is anything to go by, gas and bloating seem to take the longest to resolve. Sometimes I thought I was going to be following the Reduce Gas & Bloating Diet forever (although in reality, it was more like nine months before I was able to successfully transition to and remain on the Maintenance Diet).

Regarding the probiotics, you may find some helpful explanations on page 58 of LTYG. (I can't remember for sure if you said you already have it, but I think you do.)

It definitely does take some time to get everything back in balance. Usually, along the way to getting out of balance, there were several contributors. Ferretting out the various contributors and dealing with them takes some time, but when you have - look out world!

Here's another principle that I came across recently that comes to mind. It was specifically about EFT, but I don't see it as being limited to that application:

Just because you have been working on an emotional trigger doesn't mean that you're not going to be triggered by it in the future. But by doing the work, you are going to insure that the response is less and less intense. Each time you work on a trigger, the closer you are going to be to having no negative emotional response at all. -- Gene Monterastelli

All the best,

Nicole