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Welcome to Episode 41 of Wrestling the Octopus IBD. This time, we're talking primary care and inflammatory bowel disease - how to get the best from your GP when treating your IBD and how we as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients can help too.
Our guest is north London GP, Dr Lindsay Samaan. She tells us how GPs can help IBD patients with everything from flare symptoms and investigations ,to vaccinations and bone health,. Our discussion highlights the importance of collaborative, patient-centred care.
Topics covered
- The role of the GP in inflammatory bowel disease
- When to contact your GP, IBD team or A&E
- Blood tests, stool tests and faecal calprotectin
- Vaccinations and biologic medicines
- Bone health and osteoporosis risk
- Patient portals and healthcare communication
- AI in healthcare letters
- Preparing for consultations
- Managing mental health and other conditions alongside IBD
Key takeaways
Your GP can do more than you might think!
GPs are often the best first point of contact when symptoms change. They can help determine whether symptoms are related to IBD or another condition and arrange many initial investigations. They also take a broader view of health, helping to manage other medical conditions, mental wellbeing and overall health needs.
Investigations available in primary care
Your GP can often arrange:
- Blood tests
- Anaemia and nutritional deficiency screening
- Faecal calprotectin tests
- Stool tests to rule out infection
- Certain scans and investigations
- DEXA scans for bone health assessment
When to seek urgent help
Go to A&E if you develop:
- Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling or distension
- Fever with gastrointestinal symptoms
- Possible bowel obstruction symptoms such as severe cramping, not passing wind or not opening your bowels [
Vaccinations matter!
Patients taking biologics or immunosuppressants should discuss vaccinations with their GP practice. Vaccines mentioned include:
- Annual flu vaccine
- COVID vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
If you are unsure whether to attend a vaccination appointment when unwell, your GP practice or practice nurse can advise.
Don't overlook bone health
People with inflammatory bowel disease who have received repeated steroid treatment may be at increased risk of osteoporosis. Your GP can arrange DEXA scanning and provide advice on vitamin D, resistance exercise and lifestyle measures to help protect bone health.
Know your baseline
One of Dr Samaan's biggest tips is to understand what is normal for you:
- Typical bowel frequency
- Usual symptoms
- Current medications
- Previous test results and treatments
Being able to explain what has changed since your usual baseline helps your GP assess whether symptoms may represent an IBD flare or another gastrointestinal condition. [
Use patient portals
Hospital portals can provide quick access to:
- Clinic letters
- Test results
- Appointment details
- Treatment information
Having this information available can be particularly useful if communication between hospital and GP systems is delayed.
Final thought
Good patient-centred care relies on partnership. While your specialist team manages treatments such as biologics, your GP can help with investigations, monitoring, vaccinations, mental wellbeing, bone protection and wider gut health concerns. Understanding your own condition and communicating changes clearly can help you get the most from every consultation.
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Follow Nigel at @crohnoid
Oct 22 202636 mins