Steph, getting a second opinion is a real thing. Ask to be seen by another doctor. If I had a big repair on something for my car I'd want to get multiple bids, I think the same thing for major repair work on my body would benefit from the same.

What everyone else said. Though I would consider the endoscopy...I'd probably think on when my last colonoscopy was and if I was due for one anyway, but definitely wouldn't prioritize that.

I haven't had a colonoscopy, because I'm only 46.

I keep putting mine off. If I could do it and drive home by myself, I'd do it, but everyone I know works jobs with less flexibility than I do. It's hard to schedule when I don't know if I'll have a ride home. And apparently just calling a taxi is frowned up.

Steph I would call Awesome Doctor and editor a referral for a second gastro opinion. Explain that the Dr didn't/wouldn't grasp your medical history and you don't feel comfortable because of that.

It's not stupid. But you should definitely call Awesome Doctor and tell him that Not Listening Gastro did not inspire confidence and before undergoing the invasive procedures he recommended you want a second opinion. Because Awesome Doc needs to know that he shouldn't send more patients to Not Listening Gastro, and also, you should not have to undergo treatment with someone who's not listening.

I agree with all of this. If the meds seem to be working, and none of the other possible things are things that are totally urgent, then see if the meds keep working, and talk to the doctor you trust.

I used my wheelchair on campus again today. It still makes me a little nervous -- I'm not too good at dealing with awkward questions about it, and mathematicians tend to ask a lot of awkward questions, because really, we have no idea how to human. It went OK. I also tried using my new ramp to get it back into my trunk, which didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped. The wheels of the chair are at a weird angle when it's folded up, making it difficult to push up the ramp. I think that some kind of little cart would help, like just a wooden platform with wheels on it and a raised part on one side. I can picture exactly what I want, but I'm not sure I have the skills to build it. I wonder if I could pay a carpenter or someone to make one -- it seems like a pretty simple thing, but the dimensions would have to be exact, and it would need to be sanded and corners rounded and varnished really well, since my EDS skin means I get splinters from everything.

Oh, and I also saw my rheumatologist this morning, and got a referral to a foot and ankle specialist. Which I think will bring me up to six different kinds of doctors I'll have seen this year, not counting dentist and eye doctor.

Steph, I agree with the majority here -- keep taking the Nexium, tell Awesome Doc that the gastro guy was a dick who didn't listen, and ask him to think of someone else to recommend if the Nexium doesn't keep your stomach settled.

I'm sorry he didn't listen to. Doctors with god syndrome infuriate me.

Hil, I bet a good carpenter would love that kind of a challenge! And if it makes getting the chair into and out of the car easier, it's totally worth it.

Sending love and hugs to smonster, whose roommate deserves stabby stomach pain and all the splinters.

Just realized that the high school guy I was arguing with the other night didn't delete his thread -- he blocked me.