Medical Issues Video Transcript

Participants

, Esther Battock , Marla C. Dubinsky MD, Brooke Shealy , Allison Spitz

Summary

This program discusses medical issues affecting families and children living with Crohns and ulcerative colitis, types of inflammatory bowel disease. It explores the effect of IBD on a teenager and her mother, and the various medical strategies used to manage the disease.

Webcast Transcript

BROOKE SHEALY: Hello, I'm Brooke Shealy. Welcome to this webcast of the children's of inflammatory bowel disease. This program is being sponsored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Now in this part of our webcast, we're going to focus on medical issues facing children with IBD. Joining us is Allison Spitz from Phoenix, Arizona. Allison was diagnosed with IBD exactly two years ago. Also with us is Allison's mom, Esther Battock, and in from Los Angeles, is Allison's doctor, Marla Dubinsky. Dr. Dubinsky is director of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Thanks to all of you for joining us.

BROOKE SHEALY: Well, let's first start off with you, Allie. Now when were you diagnosed with IBD and tell us a little bit about the diagnosis.

ALLISON SPITZ: Well, I was diagnosed October of 2001. At first, it was terrifying, I'll admit. I was hoping that, you know, it was something that was curable right away. You know, one medicine, that was it, all done. But the first doctor I had gone to told me that I had ulcerative colitis at first. You know, never hearing those words before, I was really scared. I remember crying in the doctor's office and just not knowing what it was, nothing about it.

BROOKE SHEALY: Now Esther, what was your initial reaction to the diagnosis?

ESTHER BATTOCK: Well, initially, again, I thought, you know, it was just transient diarrhea, it was no big deal. And when we heard the diagnosis, part of me was surprised, I didn't want to hear it. But the other part was kind of confirmation of a fear that I just had, because I was familiar with a lot of the symptoms from family members that had it. So it really hit me like a ton of bricks also, and I also cried when the doctor told me.

BROOKE SHEALY: Well, and did Allison understand everything that was happening? I mean, did you have to explain to her what was going on, or what resources did you use?

ESTHER BATTOCK: Well, I actually knew a lot about the disease, because of family members, and I'm also the type of parent who immediately does tons of research, so I knew everything about it. And I was there to explain and answer questions, but, from her standpoint, from a child or a teen, there was almost too much. She just wanted to know when she was getting better and when she was going to feel better.

BROOKE SHEALY: What specific fears did Allie have with regard to maybe her social life or just her life in general with regard to the disease did she communicate with you?

ESTHER BATTOCK: She never communicated any fear, per se. She's a very independent child, and she just kept going. If she had fear, she really didn't tell me about it. There were very few moments where she came actually very, very scared and that was later on when she got a lot sicker.

BROOKE SHEALY: Now, Dr. Dubinsky, how can doctors best explain a diagnosis to a child and his or her family? And, in this case, Allie's family?

MARLA DUBINSKY, MD: Well, I think that what you have to realize is that parents have been dealing with a lot leading up to the time of the diagnosis. In Allie's case, it was a bit of a short-term presentation. Typically, when we ask the question and review the history, it tends to have been going on a lot longer and they've been struggling, often going to multiple doctors, been told that the stomachaches are probably just something they're eating, they're constipated, maybe they should avoid milk. There's been a lot of interaction prior to the actual diagnosis.