Frustrated! Just wanting to vent...

I had an appointment scheduled with a gastroenterologist today at 3.  Well, just over an hour before I was supposed to be there, the doctors office called to cancel the appointment.  Now it's May 3rd, before they can see me.  The doctor was called to the hospital for an emergency surgery, which I know happens, but 3 weeks for another appointment?!

Every decision I make seems to backfire recently.  I had my gallbladder removed in December due to a gallstone.  Thought that would solve all my problems...WRONG.  In total, I've been battling stomach issues for 8 months now.  At the end of January I went back to the general surgeon that removed my gallbladder over some achiness around my breastbone and back pain after drinking alcohol, along with several other symptoms.  He said he was sure that I had a hiatal hernia and acid reflux just based on symptoms.  Took Carafate for 3 weeks along with Prilosec for 2 weeks and then Nexium for a month.  He had told me during that time that if I wasn't feeling better he would do an upper endoscopy.

Well, I stupidly decided to go to a gastroenterologist, instead of back to him, when my issues still hadn't resolved.  Everyone recommended the gastro doc.  It took a month to get an appointment with her but at the time my symptoms had eased up quite a bit so we decided to wait before ordering an upper endoscopy or MRI of my pancreas and biliary tract (to check and see if maybe there was a gallstone).  She told me to call back if I started feeling bad.  I called back after a week but they said it would be 3 weeks before she could see me again.  Now, they canceled on me today and it's another 3 weeks.

Decided to call the surgeon's office and talk to them.  Since he is a general surgeon I didn't know if I should be going to him for continuing stomach issues but he does upper endoscopies so I guess I'm going to go to him.  He is out of town this week so the earliest they can see me is Apr 26th.  This is so frustrating and I'm tired of worrying about this.

I totally know how you're feeling. I had a barium swallow on March 19th and have yet to have a follow up appointment with the GI doc. He scheduled me for late April, then I received a letter saying that they were moving my appointment for some time in May. Finally my husband called (and called and called) and got me a cancellation for April 29.

Believe me, I know how you're feeling. I'll bet most of the members here have experienced something like what you're experiencing. Patience. It doesn't pay to stress...it'll only make you feel worse.

Good luck getting to the bottom of your problem.
Hang in there!
Denise

Hi NeedingAnswers,
You can get some information from a general surgeon, but keep in mind that a surgeon's first thought is surgery. Just know that whatever he finds, you should probably go to a GI doc as well. My family doc (in desperation because my asthma was uncontrollable and I didn't get any help from my GI doc) sent me to a surgeon. He ordered a barium swallow and did an endoscopy after which he announced that I was a candidate for a Nissen Fundoplication.

I wasn't ready to just make that move without another opinion. I went back to the GI doc armed with the test results. He did an additional 24 hr pH monitor, and finally told me that the asthma could very well be exacerbated by the GERD. (My reflux wasn't extreme, but was affecting my lungs terribly). At that point I chose to go to the surgeon that my GI doc recommended. My research had shown that selection of a surgeon who is extremely experienced in the Nissen procedure is the most important thing you can do to ensure success.

So, long story short...I don't think going to the surgery will hurt, but it would be good idea to see the GI doc as well.
Good luck!
Denise

I appreciate your advice. Never really had to deal with medical issues, before this all started, so I'm in unfamiliar territory. Decided that I'm going to keep the appointment with the surgeon. I'm sure basic stomach issues he is capable of diagnosing and treating. From there, if he can't help me, I'll then go to the gastroenterologist. Honestly I like the surgeon more than the gastro doc anyway. Found him easier to talk to and the appointment didn't feel as rushed. Also, if you have a problem and call his office he will take your call. Yesterday I was completey freaking out after they called and cancelled. Feeling much calmer today. Less than 2 weeks until I see the surgeon. I'm going to be alright!

I would agree with Alcie. If you don't like your GI doc (I grew to despise my first GI doc...he was dismissive and never really listened to me) talk to people, if you have a good primary care doc, tell him your requirements (that you need someone who will really listen and communicate with you), then make an appointment. Anybody good will take a long time to see, and if you get an appointment set up you can always push it further out. At least you'll have it.
Good luck!
Denise