Ellison Craig L MD

Very very unhappy. You ever have that feeling like you are only a number? I had a colonoscopy recently. After all my complaints, ongoing scarey symptoms and problems, this doctor basically brought me in and rushed me out. I was so looking up to him. Because he didn’t find obvious cancer or huge protruding tumors, he dismissed me. I can’t shake that feeling he didn’t care about me. As I type this I’m still miserable and in pain and worse yet still don’t know what’s wrong with me! Why wouldn’t he say, well we need to check this next, and I’m referring you here, this is what is possibly happening, what you should eat, what causes this, what to expect, Don’t worry… I had to ask questions, otherwise he’d a said all-​is-​well-​good bye! I don’t recall him even saying see you soon or take care. I’ll be looking for a new Doctor fast. I’m so mad right now.

I came to Dr Ellison after treatment by several other GIs failed (mostly at the VA Medical Center); I have had Inflammatory Bowel Disease of an unspecific type that didn’t respond to treatment. Within the first few visits he scheduled me for a colonoscopy, from which he diagnosed a type-​specific disease that responded to a new treatment which other doctors didn’t tell me about (because they missed the diagnosis in the first place). He also prescribed treatment for IBS, as it appears I have both; although sometimes it is just trial-​and-​error diagnosis and treatment for a condition that is not clear-​cut. My prior GIs never let me in on this secret either.
Both of these medications are pretty new and very costly in comparison to older drugs, but it is worth it. I can now live my life without experiencing the constraints those who live with IBS and IBD are faced with – giving up many activities that keep you too far from the restroom, or giving up eating.
The one complaint is that it takes a while to get an appointment, even if you are requesting another of their reputable doctors in their practice or their PA, who is also very good (you may also see the MD when at an appointment with the PA if scheduling a procedure). I have found it to be a month at times, which is difficult to wait for medication for this type of issue.
However, Dr Ellison will prescribe via a telephonic appointment once you are a regular patient; I just like to be able to give them the benefit of my copay and insurance for the services they provide. And the office staff will assist you in attempting to get in when there is a cancellation if you are able to keep calling.
The GI Endoscopy Center is co-​located with Dr Ellison’s office, where you can be scheduled for an endoscopy soon after if the doctor determines you need one.
Overall, I have to say that I am very pleased with my experience with Dr Ellison and his staff. It has changed my life from one of having to plan around my disease episodes to one where I can plan for treating them and living life instead.