I live in San Diego and My GI does not see patients with a J pouch.  Therefore, I must always see my super surgeon, Mathew Isho. I never have problems with his staff.  I believe Isho is only associated with Sharp Hospital..

Have you told your GI that you are planning to leave the practice for these reasons? He might not know just how bad it is for his patients, and there's a slim chance you could motivate some improvement.

LeSanDiego, I love Dr. Isho's office and Dr. Isho! You're right, his office staff is lovely. That's exactly the type of office I'm looking for. Dr. Isho did my first jpouch and my first pouch advancement surgery and after both failed he said he couldn't treat me anymore. Even though I'm still totally heart broken I understand, but I'm not going to lie that sometimes I daydream that he'll call to check-up on me or ask me back, lol. 

 

That's why I started seeing this new doctor, he's a GI since I'm now seeing Dr. Remzi for surgery. Not ideal to switch in the middle of everything I'm going through, but I can't fly to the Cleveland Clinic for everything and need someone locally too.

 

Scott, I've tried. I don't have direct access to my doctor, I can only communicate with him through the PA which seems to be the main person I'm having trouble communicating with. I know that being on pain meds, sick, depressed, isolated, etc. I'm not always clear headed so my therapist asked if she could help me work it out. Still my PA doesn't respond to the solutions she gave me and my therapist, so the problem still continues. My PA told me she doesn't think she's been fulfilling her commitment to me, apologized, and reaffirmed that she wanted to help me. In the meantime, I have antibiotic resistant bladder infection since December and still trying to get help treating it. 

 

Its a highly regarded office, which makes me feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Could I be imagining this? I can't be the only one, right? The problem could very well be me or simply a clash of our communication styles. 

 

Only 2 weeks and 2 days until Cleveland! Hoping this next pouch advancement will solve a lot of my issues. I found a GI in Dr. Isho's building that treats jpouch folks. I need to switch insurance, then I'll check her out.

 

A huge thanks for your responses. I really appreciate any suggestions/comments, mine are running low.

I switched surgeons in the middle of things.  No problem.  I never see my G.I. doc.  If I have any J-pouch issues I see my surgeon.  He's wonderful but he is in Newport Beach.  Don't worry about switching surgeons.  It will be worth it.

Thanks, CeeeeCeeee. You're completely right, I've already had one surgery with my new surgeon, Dr. Remzi. It was great, first surgery I've had with no complications.

 

The problem is, I live in Encinitas, CA and Dr. Remzi is in Ohio. I'm looking for a doctor closer to home for when things inevitably come up and a trip to Cleveland isn't practical.

There used to be members of this forum who lived in San Diego and highly recommended the doctors they had.  Maybe you could run a search of previous postings.

Dr. William Sandborn at UCSD. He came from Mayo and has seen dealt with pouches. He is a big researcher so not always in the office.