HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How long do you wait to get in to see your GI?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/12/2017 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
I finally saw my new GI on July 25, he wanted a colonoscopy to see what was going on now, so fine, had that done on Thursday, called Friday to book a follow-up appointment and the earliest I could get in is October 10th. Is it just me or does this seem like an excessive wait time? I have been stuck on prednisone since early March and really want to get off of it, and this is making me frustrated to say the least.
Posted 8/12/2017 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I recently got a new GI myself (thank goodness). For the initial consult I waited 6 weeks. She scheduled a colonoscopy for 4 weeks later, which was done on July 21st. then I called to schedule a follow up appt.as advised, and that takes place Thursday (so a 3 week wait).

I have a friend who lives 2 hours away in a larger area and she had to wait for a rheumatology appt consult for 4 months !!!

I have a feeling this depends on many factors. And MAYBE your long wait could be because the doc is popular? I hope that's it.....it is definitely frustrating to wait.

I went to pick up some recent blood work results and lo and behold, my path reports from my scope were there, too. I took copies for my records.

Can you call the hospital and pick up reports like that, too? it would at least be something to work with while you wait !
Posted 8/12/2017 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
a more organized practice would have booked the followup at the same time as the colonscopy.

since the appointment is so far off, and for new meds now.
Posted 8/12/2017 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I changed GI's because the last one couldn't keep track of what he had prescribed, amongst other things. Hoping this practice will be more organized and that it is popularity not disorganization I am seeing! I am not sure if I will get my path results directly, but since I can't write my own scripts it doesn't make much difference!!
Posted 8/12/2017 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
That's so frustrating! I would call and explain the situation with the pred and see if they can get you in sooner. Sometimes office staff are just giving out what they would for a "normal" patient. And as we well know uc is anything but normal. Maybe at least you can get on a wait list for cancellations.

Do you have enough pred to last 3 months? Is this new doc going to prescribe more for you? Add that equation into the mix and maybe theyll see you sooner.
Posted 8/12/2017 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Did you tell them that you were flaring when you booked your appointment? They usually hold open appointments for people that are flaring.

I can usually get in to see my IBD-GI in 3-5 days but that is not always the case, I think 2 weeks max.
Posted 8/13/2017 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
If I have an issue, I can see mine immediately.
Posted 8/13/2017 11:14 AM (GMT 0)

Michelejc said...
If I have an issue, I can see mine immediately.

Yeah, this may be true for me, too. When I made my previous reply, I didn't take into consideration that I have no current immediate issue----and the times I stated were based on that. I'd expect a much more speedy result should I be in need.
Posted 8/13/2017 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
My GI has emergency spots left empty in his schedule. If I'm flaring then he can get me in within a day or two for an office consultation and/or flexible-sigmoidoscopy.

Call and ask for an emergency spot, cancellation spot and whatever might open up!
Posted 8/13/2017 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
so the only med you are currently taking is pred ?
Posted 8/13/2017 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
yes, TroubledTurds, been on pred since March, have gained weight, can't sleep, have horrible moon face, extremely irritable, high blood pressure and even at 30mg/day I've noticed my hips are a bit sore which worries me. Really want to get off it but when I tried tapering in June I had symptoms return within 5 days of dropping from 20 to 15. Had to go up to 30 to get it back under control.

I will try and call next week and see if I can get in sooner.
Posted 8/14/2017 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
If I'm having really bad trouble, they can get me in to see a PA (or sometimes the doctor) within 2 weeks.
Posted 8/14/2017 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
My GI apps are 7-8 weeks out. Now I've learned that when I'm there, I make the next appt - I can always cancel it if I don't need it. They told me to call if I was having an emergency and they'd squeeze me in, so you should definitely tell them what's going on to see if you can get in sooner.
Posted 8/14/2017 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
My GI would always squeeze me in within a few days if I needed her. Your appointment is way too long of a wait in my opinion. You should see if you can get in touch with the GI directly, it may be the office staff scheduling, and they are not fully aware of the importance. I used to have my GI's email address, and she would respond to emails quickly.
Posted 8/15/2017 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I would definitely try to find out if your GI communicates through an I-chart or email. I only see doctors now that use either of those. They call in meds, change orders, advise and send urgent requests for scheduling. That would be my first step to escalate a follow up.

Most of my practices also have moved to a new scheduling approach. After your appointment they put you in a que to call 2 weeks in advance of your next follow up. They call 2 weeks prior and schedule me in. It works great because they tend to have more availability due to less cancellations.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply