I was going to caution you to take internet reviews with a grain of salt...but I've never seen an outpouring of legitimate frustration like that. One or two cranks, you can write off -- but that's a long long list of people all making very similar observations.

If it doesn't put you out more than a copay, go see him and form your own judgement. If you're paying out of pocket, I dunno. I wouldn't like the sound of him, either.

Now seems a bit late to cancel. I say see him, and be prepared to get a new referral if he is that big an asshole.

] pun intended, sorry [

Reading into some of the responses,it almost sounds like one thing that happens is he deals with a lot of people who think they have a hard-to-diagnose disorder - IBS, Crohn's - but really don't. It sounds like he is testy and suspicious of people whose illnesses might be of a more psychological variety. To a degree, I can understand that, because it can be a waste of resources and is probably a regular irrituation. That is not an excuse to behave poorly, though. I'm just noting that the idea "there's nothing wrong with you" is repeated often enough in the comments that perhaps if your problem is clear-cut your experience will not be as negative.

I reread the comments as well, and I don't trust nearly as many of them this time around. I would definitely look for a second opinion no matter what he says, good or bad. Personally, I prefer doctors who are arrogant with huge egos, so long as they know what they are doing.

I'm in British Columbia, Canada so no worries about copay and I can cancel without penalty.

I think with you two weighing in (many thanks!) that I will see him and just see how it goes. I can deal with arrogant if it seems he knows what he's doing. If he's just an every day garden variety asshole I'll get a new referral.

Pulling out my TMI file: I have persistent diarrhoea; I can't remember not having it. Family doc said I have a Vitamin A deficiency and am anaemic. Which could mean food malabsorption. Which should mean that I'm malnourished and thin. Well, thin I ain't; I have never been thin. I dismissed it as IBS years ago. This is all especially interesting since it's combined with Type 2 Diabetes.

Oh pleasepleaseplease give us an update afterwards. I'm a curious bunny.

I wouldn't waste my time on him, personally. I'd cancel and see someone else.

Actually, I'd see an allergist, too. That could be a symptom of something like a soy or gluten allergy. Good luck!

Update: I missed my appointment. I had a horrible night and woke with a horrible headache. I'll reschedule at some point.

Thanks again for the help.