Needed gastroenterologist in UK

It seems that my diagnosis will be changed to indeterminate colitis as there are no signs of CD. I'm already pursueing my PhD studies in Cardiff. So, I have the chance to see a gastroenterologist in UK. Out of your experience, whom do you recommend I see and in which hospital?
My surgeon told me about Prof. Keighley? I browesd the net and found that he is a surgeon, who is interested in IBD. Do I need a gastronenterologist now at this stage or a surgeon? My condidtion has to be re-evaluated all over again.
Any replies are highly appreciated.

If you are coming from the states look to see where your insurance will cover you. As a student you can get into any NHS hospital but your insurance will most likely give you access to private hospitals. I would suggest looking into the hospitals that are in your area and choosing a gastro who is near. I don't think you need a surgeon yet and if you do the doc you see will be able to advice you.

I have no idea what St. Marks is like now, but I was there from 2000-2005 and I thought it was awful. (I used to live in Harrow, so it was naturally my local hospital.) I give it credit for one thing only: it gave me an an accurate diagnosis. Apart from that, I have rarely had such impersonal, indifferent treatment anywhere, even by the standards of an NHS hospital. They basically threw mesalazine at me for 5 years, even though I couldn't tolerate mesalazine. Literally no interest in my condition. If I'd been with a hospital who'd shown more interest, just possibly my disease might not have degenerated to the point it eventually did. Also, after the initial tests, they never bothered with any more tests after that.

I give St. Marks 1/10, seriously. And the 1 is for correctly diagnosing me only.

Post Edited (NiceCupOfTea) : 5/27/2013 4:01:04 PM (GMT-6)

Dear NCOT, Crohnielass and Deamer06, thank you very much. I really appreciate it. What do you think of Dr. Maxton Pitcher? He works at St. Mark"s Hospital. I corresponded him and he is willing to see me. I chose him as he is specialised in unexplained diarrhea and abdominal pain. This is my main problem. Also, I read a review by the Independent that mentioned that St. Mark's Hosptial was one of the best hospitals in an NHS survey.

As for Pitcher, the name rings a bell. Not gonna say any more, 'cos I don't want to be identified. Oh **** it, I don't care. I'll give you my full name, you can speak to Pitcher for me, and tell him that I think him and his department provided the worst service and care ever and if it wasn't years too late, I'd almost consider making an official complaint. I doubt he'll remember me; he (apparently) was my consultant.

Well, weren't you the lucky one? Getting all that care and attention that I never got. Maybe they just liked you. Maybe you appealed to them. Maybe you had a more interesting case. I don't kinow and I'll never know, but I am beyond angry and sad about the last 12 years of my life and I have had it.

I have absolutely had it with people gloating about their hospital treatments, their surgery, or wherever. I am utterly alone in this world, I have always been ignored and neglected, and I cannot cope with it any longer.

Hi NCOT, thank you. I'm not living in Cardiff now. It was recommended that I see a GI outside my country. I thought that since I can come to Cardiff to see my supervisor, I can seize the opportunity and see a GI in UK. It shouldn't necessary be in Cardiff.
Of course, you know better and that is why I'm asking you your opinion and I'm sure you can fill me in.
I've reached a point where they can't find me a diagnosis. The surgeon disclosed part of his conversation w my GI. They both think that I do not fit into the category of Crohn's anymore as the abscess I had did not turn into a fistula. Also, the MRI did not show deep fissures. So, I'm now more an indeterminate colitis patient rather than a Crohn's one. He mentioned that my GI told him that he tried almost all treatments w me but in vain. Finally, my GI, according to the surgeon, complained of my uncontrollable diarrhea. My GI is a member of a variety of gastroenterology associations (American and European), a professor, a hard worker and a renowned doctor in my country. This made me think that I n badly need a second opinion. Still, when I told my GI that I think that the combination of pentasa 4g + entocort 9mg + imuran 150 mg and xanax 0.25, put my abdominal pain under control, he was very gald and told me not to change any doses. However, he became again annoyed when he knew that my d is crazy and recommended Imodium several times/day.
When I read about St. Mark's and that Pitcher is specialized in unexplained diarrhea and abdominal pain, I thought then that this is what I want. I need a clearcut diagnosis. I know I have GERD 15 years ago but my colon has been a source of torture for 6 years now w/o knowing the cause.
For me, when you said that they gave you the correct dignosis, I thought what for a blessing. But then when I contemplated about the treatmant, I thought of seeking someone else. I'm still confused. I was told at work that I can look for a GI in the States if they can solve my problem. Still, they have see the offers, fees needed and accept or not to afford me.

I hope you get your diagnosis, truly I do.

But I can't say my being diagnosed with Crohn's felt like a blessing - then or now.

@minnie - I do actually feel quite bad for all the folks who are living in limbo, like yourself. I've always had the diagnosis of Crohn's, and that's never been changed, but for years I would sometimes wonder if I really had Crohn's because my symptoms seemed out of place - I had high fevers without abdominal pain, for example. So although I had a diagnosis, I do know what it's like to have horrible symptoms without understanding what's causing them. Probably not the same thing, but still...

Anyway, I hope St. Mark's can do more for you than your 'reputable' GI of fifteen years ago. I did feel like they let me down, and that's a bitter pill to swallow, but I also partly blame myself. I never asked any questions, or fought for better treatment. I was very naive and a bit dense at the time, tbh. But that's all in the past now; can't change it unless I invent a time-machine =/

Best of luck, minnie.