No luck getting a new GI in Vancouver

So I have been in remission after being diagnosed 6 years ago. After my first colonoscopy 5 years ago my GI never contacted me and to be honest I didn't connect with him. At that time I convinced myself to go at it own and I was pretty successful but a recent flair up, my family doctor has insisted on a GI. I asked could I request an appointment with a different GI, I explained my reasons and it didn't seem to be a problem.

8 weeks later every time my family doctor tries to make a GI appointment the appointment is rejected, redirected , After prescriptions from family doctor have failed and wanting to get better I have one choice, going back to the original GI. I am curious does anyone know the reason even tho 5-6 years passed but they are needing continuity.

Post Edited (mark steele) : 12/22/2019 9:40:41 PM (GMT-7)

sorry should have thought of that.

Vancouver Canada

Hey Mark,

I'm from the valley, and there are a couple others here as well. I too was problem free for 10-15 years seeing my GI once every few years. Then when I started flaring 2 years ago, I found my GI had retired. My GP wanted me to go to Maple Ridge to see a GI there that he recommended. But he wouldn't take me cause he said he had enough patients from there already.

And the worst part is, I was rushed in and out of the appointments and feel like I'm just another colonoscopy to book. There was no compassion at all. I may try to switch in the new year after my colonoscopy.

I hope you can get into see someone soon who you trust. Keep us informed.

Hi, I'm in the Vancouver area but I have no idea why you are unable to see a new GI. My GI never contacts me proactively either, it is up to me to stay connected. Even in remission I see my GI once a year. At the end of each appointment she tells me, or else I will ask, when is the next time I should see her (and it is always "in a year unless you start having symptoms").

The best IBD GI in Vancouver is Brian Bressler if you can get into see him. His entire group in fact is very good.

Hi I am new here I was just going to post my intro but I saw this thread and jumped here instead.

I live in Vancouver, the GI care here is really bad. I've had to go to other cities and even the U.S. one time for treatment because the GIs here are lazy. When you visit other cities, they all tell you how bad Vancouver's care is, so don't feel bad, you are not crazy.

Dr. Bressler was my primary GI for 2 years, then I fired him. He is considered the best in Vancouver but I have met many patients who had very negative experiences with him, myself being one. He has terrible bed side manner and if you cross him he will deny all treatment options to you. He gave me remicade, then entyvio, and then when my flare got really bad he told me to go across the street that day to have my colon removed. He told me not to bother even going home, just go right to the hospital. Well, I asked him why we he wouldn't try imuran or methotrexate, or humira, or the other drugs available. He just told me that he would not let me waste the medical system's time anymore and a colectomy was the only option he would give me. He folded his arms and stared at me silently across his desk like a child and would not say another word. This guy is considered "the best" in Vancouver. The truth is that Vancouver has no "best" GI doctor. It is not a city known for top quality GI care. It has middle rung doctors with big egos.

Well, I then tried to get my GP to fax referrals to other GIs to ask for a second opinion. They all rejected my referrals because I already had Dr. Bressler as my GI doctor. Turns out that in Vancouver, the GI doctors all look out for each other and won't poach each other's patients. So it makes it impossible to get a second opinion here, which is actually ILLEGAL but nobody does anything about it. I filed complaints with the college of physicians but they did nothing.

I ended up having to go to Langley, over an hour one way of driving, to see a new GI. He gave me other medications and I eventually got into remission. It is really pathetic that the system here is this way but it is. It's why Vancouver is a laughing stock in Canada for GI care. They make you feel crazy like you should be grateful to be under their care but then they cut corners and protect their buddies in their profession.

I'm saying all this because you should not give up, you should trust your instincts. If you think something is wrong then you are entitled under Canada's laws to get a second opinion. Even though colectomy is a real treatment option it is also a radical body altering procedure that will change your life forever. If there is any doubt about it, you should be allowed to ask questions and not be shut down by an arrogant doctor who thinks he is god. Good luck!

That’s awful vanjordan , I’m sorry you went through that and glad you know how to advocate for yourself. Makes me feel like I wasn’t crazy for feeling completely neglected over the last six months, and maybe my mind switching back and forth is a good thing, because I’m learning in the meantime. I live in Langley.