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How to go about seeing a GI doctor on the NHS?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/25/2013 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

My doctors surgery are really unhelpful and I am still none the wiser about my condition, medication or the severity of it and without an official diagnosis.

A couple of people have mentioned to me about seeing a GI doctor.

I was wondering if any of you could tell me how to go about seeing one through the NHS and let me know if it costs?

Thankyou
Posted 9/25/2013 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Your should be referred to one, and then see one regularly. How did you get your diagnosis?
Posted 9/25/2013 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I really don't know how it works over there but I do know there are a lot of UK'rs on this board who see GI's all the time and I don't believe they pay anything extra for it. I'm sure you would have to get a referral from those idiots you are currently seeing. They should know better and should have already referred you.
Posted 9/25/2013 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
They should do a biopsy to determine if it is UC, then you are referred to the GI every 6 months depending on your symptoms, they do blood tests before you go see them (before your appointments) and when you go, they weigh you. Just to monitor your health. You should also be offered an emergency help line, as if you have any troubles they can see you, without bothering with the GP. GP's tend not to know how to deal with UC or Crohns, they cannot change your meds or give you anything for it, the only thing they are good for is that if you are sick from work they can give you a doctors note, which will help you with any HR difficulties in your job.
Posted 9/26/2013 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
@hellokitty I've had blood tests, given numerous stool samples then recently I had a sigmoidoscopy and had biopsies taken, then received a short letter from the hospital saying they had found inflammation. The receptionist from my doctors phoned me and told me there was a prescription ready for me at my chemist and that is all I have been told.

I had to google the name of the medication I have been prescribed to find out what condition it's used to treat.

So I haven't been officially diagnosed, given any information/advice or told what the plan is for me and this medication.

I haven't been referred to a GI doctor either. I would like to see one though as I feel my doctors surgery are clueless (one of them who didn't bother examining me told me I 'probably had piles' and sent me home with pile treatment)
Posted 9/26/2013 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
That figures. They told me the same thing for years. That sounds like the typical sh** service I was getting. What did they prescribe you? It they have found inflammation it is not piles and is probably more serious, have you had bleeding and mucus? You need to demand to speak to the GI and they need to go though what the sigmoidoscopy has reviled. Call the GP back and tell them to refer you. They cannot deny you the referral.

I hate when the GP's say you have piles, when they don't even know the results of the sig.
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