Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
CROSS: I try to encourage my patients in practice
to go to sites that are kind of tried and true, such as the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation,
MyIBD.org. A lot of the academic medical center Web sites will have useful information for
patients that will give you good kind of baseline information.
SCHERL: The best thing is to use the internet in a
limited way and then bring that information to your physician so that we can discuss it
together.
LEGNANI: If you see something that's interesting or
different or maybe something that you haven't discussed with your doctor before, write it
down, bring it up. It's something that may take ten or fifteen seconds to discuss and
will put you at ease, will likely make you feel more comfortable that your doctor knows
everything that's going on and is current with the literature.
CUFFARI: Another thing that is very important is to
get hooked up with the local CCFA, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. They are
a wonderful support group, and they have community get-togethers, not only with professionals
but also with patients like yourself, in terms of talking about the disease, interacting
with patients with the disease, and certainly to voice and air concerns that the disease
may be having. SNINSKY:
They have a superb Web page; it's called www.CCFA.org. And it is an excellent organization that will
help in regard to not only things that your physician and nurses will help you with, but
a variety of other questions that maybe we don't even think of, and you'll find them
on that Web page and those support groups.
CROSS: If you do not have a good family and friend
support system in place, you can use a patient-oriented support group, which may be helpful; you can
seek out a counselor to perhaps help you deal with those complex interactions.
REISS: Support groups provide individuals with an
opportunity to share experiences and coping skills with others who have had similar issues,
with others who have gone through similar difficulties.
SNINSKY: I think support groups are also important
because you can identify and appreciate that other people are going through the same thing
that you are.
For more information about ulcerative colitis, visit www.ShireUCentral.com