I’m a fit, healthy 59-year-old man who takes health, wellness, and fitness seriously. I regularly track my health markers through various tests—blood, hair, feces—you name it. But my latest experience with the healthcare system, a seemingly routine colonoscopy, has me wondering: Where has medical humility gone? The arrogance and dismissiveness I faced by Dr. David Wenzke and GastroHealth are precisely why Americans are growing frustrated and losing faith in medicine.
Colonoscopy: The Preparation from Hell
Let’s start with the preparation, which is notorious for a reason. You’d think there would be some miracle advancement to replace the torture ritual they call “prep.” Fasting? That is no problem for me. I do it regularly. But the absolute nightmare is the “colon cleansing.” It’s a brutal cocktail of Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium that leads to what I can only describe as hours of watery hell. So, there I was the night before my procedure, sleep-deprived, dehydrated, and as empty as a gas station at 2 a.m.
Despite the mess of the prep, I knew this was for the greater good. Colonoscopies can save lives by catching dangerous conditions early. I’m a healthy guy, the kind doctors marvel at for my age. So, when I started feeling like garbage after my procedure, I knew something was off.
Post-Colonoscopy: The Aftermath Begins
When I woke up from the colonoscopy, I was exhausted, and I chalked up to sleep deprivation and dehydration. But things got worse. By evening, I was dealing with a headache that seemed to have taken permanent residence over my left eye, a fever, lightheadedness, and what I can only call brain fog. At first, I told myself it was just the aftermath and that I’d bounce back.
By day three, these symptoms persisted, so I called the gastroenterologist’s office to check-in. I asked for Dr. David Wenzke, the same doctor who performed my colonoscopy, but no – the good doctor was “too busy” to talk to me. Instead, I got one of his assistants, who claimed with absolute confidence that my symptoms couldn’t possibly be related to the procedure because, in her 30 years of experience, she’d “never heard of this happening.”
I know I’m not a medical professional, but dismissing my symptoms outright because she hadn’t heard of them? That’s arrogance at its finest. A quick Google search would reveal that post-colonoscopy symptoms can occasionally involve fever or infection. I wasn’t asking her to solve a Rubik’s Cube; I just wanted some basic follow-up care.
What I believe to be Medical Failure
As if the “prep” itself weren’t enough, I later learned from another doctor in the practice, Dr. Ravi, that a significant factor in my post-procedure dehydration was a recent change in protocol. Apparently, ever since COVID-19, there’s been a supply-chain issue with IV fluids, which are now rarely administered during colonoscopies. The idea is to “manage without them” to reserve supplies for emergencies. While that might make sense in a crisis, it’s hard to wrap my head around the logic here: we’re creating extreme dehydration with the prep solution and then not providing IV fluids during the procedure. No rehydration for patients who just had their bodies flushed dry?
To me, that sounds like a medical failure. These hydration steps aren’t optional; they’re essential for patient well-being. You can’t subject people to a prep regimen that depletes their system and ignore the consequences. It’s one thing to say that we’re dealing with supply shortages; it’s another to knowingly send patients into recovery at a disadvantage. And believe me, I felt the effects of that decision immediately after waking up from the procedure.
Do No Harm? Apparently, Not a Priority
At this point, I felt the healthcare system had become like a fast-food drive-thru: quick, standardized, and with no time to ask questions. You go in, get your procedure, and then you’re kicked out with a “see you in five years” wave. But what happened to that whole “Do No Harm” thing? I may not be a doctor, but I’m pretty sure ignoring a patient’s symptoms goes against that principle.
Dr. Wentz’s team didn’t take my fever seriously. In fact, they dismissed it altogether. And if there’s one thing that usually signals “something’s wrong,” it’s a fever. You’d think healthcare professionals would understand that, but apparently, this is lost on some.
Week Two: My Symptoms Take a Nosedive
After a week of trying to fight through it, things got worse. Not only did I still have the fever, headache, and brain fog, but now I was dealing with more concerning symptoms. My bowel movements were inconsistent, and urination became challenging. Alarmed, I made another call to the office and demanded to speak to a knowledgeable doctor. They eventually connected me with Dr. Ravi Ravinuthala, who confirmed my suspicion that something was wrong.
Finally, I was told to get a CBC and a CMP – basic blood tests that check for infections, imbalances, and other potential issues. But why did it take over two weeks for someone to give me the time of day? Why wasn’t this a standard follow-up?
An Emergency Room Epiphany
After my blood tests, my symptoms got even worse. My fever hit 100°F, and I told my wife it was time for the ER. I braced myself for another round of dismissive healthcare workers but was pleasantly surprised to encounter Lindsey Rhodes, a Nurse Practitioner who actually listened to me. She took my symptoms seriously and ran the necessary tests without rolling her eyes or brushing me off.
I finally got the care I needed, thanks to Lindsey and her ER team. They diagnosed me with prostatitis, an infection that procedures like a colonoscopy can indeed trigger. A round of Cipro (an old but powerful antibiotic) and a potent anti-inflammatory were prescribed, and, lo and behold, my symptoms started improving, but my infection would last another five weeks as my PSA was at 13.5 (when just weeks before my colonoscopy my PSA was 2)
Why Americans Have Lost Faith in Medicine
Here’s the thing: my situation didn’t need to escalate to an ER visit. If Dr. David Wenzke and his team had taken my concerns seriously from the start, I might have avoided two weeks of suffering. Instead, I felt brushed off, ignored, and belittled, all because I dared to question them.
Doctors are human, yes, even though “do no harm” isn’t in the Hippocratic oath, it is in their zeitgeist. Somewhere along the way, many have developed an almost god-like confidence that makes them dismissive. Medical arrogance is running rampant, and it’s costing lives, time, and trust.
When a healthy 59-year-old who rarely gets sick suddenly experiences unusual symptoms, medical professionals should at least listen. But our healthcare system often prioritizes speed, profit, and pride over patient care. No wonder more Americans have lost faith in medicine and are opting for alternatives or delaying medical visits altogether.
Advice for Navigating the Medical Minefield
If you’re in a similar situation and lost faith in medicine, my advice is simple: don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns. Here’s my hard-learned guide to dealing with healthcare professionals in today’s climate:
- Insist on Direct Communication: Make it clear if you want to speak to your doctor. Don’t settle for a “medical assistant” when you need a professional’s insight.
- Do Your Research: Yes, Google is no substitute for a medical degree, but basic research can prepare you to ask informed questions. Knowledge is power; sometimes, it’s your best weapon against being brushed off.
- Demand Accountability: Don’t be afraid to push back if you feel your symptoms aren’t being taken seriously. You know your body best, and it’s your right to be heard.
- Seek Second Opinions When Necessary: Find another who will listen if one doctor dismisses you. You owe it to yourself to get the best possible care.
- Document Everything: Record your symptoms, calls, and any responses you get. You might need this for follow-ups or, in extreme cases, legal protection.
The Need for Empathy and Humility in Medicine
The healthcare system has its heroes – people like Lindsey, who genuinely listen and care. But it’s also riddled with arrogance, dismissiveness, and a shocking lack of follow-through. The spirit of the Hippocratic Oath is clear about doing no harm, yet too many in the field view patients as numbers on a chart rather than individuals with unique needs.
Healthcare needs a serious dose of humility to regain Americans’ trust, especially after Covid. Doctors and medical staff must start treating patients like partners in their health journeys, not problems to be shuffled out the door. As patients, we need to hold them accountable, advocate for ourselves, and never let arrogance overshadow our right to quality care.
So, if you’re gearing up for a colonoscopy or any other procedure, remember: don’t settle for anything less than a team that treats you with the respect and care you deserve. And if they don’t give it, find someone who will. Because ultimately, your health is in your hands – even if they’re too busy to notice. I don’t like that I have lost faith in medicine.
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