My brother is in the military and is suffering with a severe case of UC. He is stationed at Fort Bragg. Is there anyone or any support groups in the area he could contact? His dr has been deployed and he is now seeing another dr who he is not pleased with. I need some direction in helping him find more drs for second opinions. I know it may be difficult to get second opinions in the military medical facilities. If you can help me find the info I need please help me. I suffered with UC until my colon was removed. The surgeons who performed my operations were the best in my area, Lexington, KY. I went through two surgeries without any complications and haven't had any problems for three years. I am afraind that my brother won't be able to get the medical attention he needs at this time. Please help if you can. Thank you abstone@jellico.com

Alex:

I don't have any information for you, but you might want to also post this in the general discussion forum because more people will see it there.

I hope your brother finds someone he likes!

kathy

Hi Alex,

You can go to the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs website: www.vba.va.gov and search there. Here is a helpful link from that site: VA facilities locator and directory I would suggest finding the nearest VA hospital and locating a doctor there.

Good luck.

Gus

Hi Alex.

I had UC that was unable to be controlled so I had the JPouch surgery last year. I have had many, many complications since.

My surgeon is actually in Louisville but she is awesome and might be able to help find an expert for your brother. Her name is Susan Galandiuk, M.D. 502-583-8303.

Also, have you or he considered the Cleveland clinics? If he is able to access their care with VA benefits they are supposed to be the best for GI surgeries and problems.

I would be interested in keeping in touch with you for support for JPouch since we both live in Lexington. It helps to bounce things off of other people.

I thought the VA was only for veterans, not active duty service, or has it changed since I worked for the VA? Looks like Tricare Military Health System is where you need to look for referrals. http://www.tricare.mil/

Jan

I thought having UC made you unfit for duty in the armed services.

I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be on the front lines without my meds.

I spent 24 yrs in the AF. Was diagnosed with UC in '87. Went through the surgery in '90 at Wright Patterson AFB in OH. Having experienced Army hospitals I know how you feel. I was fortunate in that I was able to get a second opinion from Drs at Keesler AFB and Ft Gordon, neither were of any help. Then made contact with a great Colorectal surgeon at Wright Pat who fixed me up. Good luck in finding a surgeon you feel comfortable with.