Frustrated By Gi Wait Time - Anyone Else?

[JustAGirl79]

After 12+ months of digestive issues and being told it was IBS, I asked my family doc for a referral to a gastroenterologist. She agreed and said she'd have to run blood work first (why this wasn't done 12+ months ago, I'm not sure). Anyway, much to my (and her!) surprise, my blood work tested positive for celiac.

So she's proceeding with the referral to a gastroenterologist. Originally, before the positive blood work, I was told it could be 18+ months to get an appointment. I've since been told it'll likely be quicker than that now that we have a diagnosis of something, but still no inkling as to when my appointment will be.

In the meantime, my family doc suggested I go gluten-free - which I have, though, I'm struggling with it - but of course, if my GI eventually wants to do a biopsy (is it likely? Is it a good idea?), I'll have to go back on gluten. Honestly, I would just feel so much better if this could all happen now. The biopsy could be done. I could get some answers and could get on with feeling better.

How long have others had to wait to get into a GI specialist? I'm in Canada (Alberta).

[Rondar2001]

Hi, I'm in Calgary. First off, if you want to go with a biopsy, you need to keep eating gluten.

My daughter managed to get in to see her GI specialist within a month (pediatric). Because she had positive blood work they upped her ranking in priority. I also called and had them add us to the cancellation list. This is how we got in so quickly. I know the wait for specialist referrals can be frustrating, but try calling them (once you know they have received your referral) to see if you can get moved up the list on a cancellation.

Good luck and hang in there.

[JustAGirl79]

Hi, I'm in Calgary. First off, if you want to go with a biopsy, you need to keep eating gluten.

My daughter managed to get in to see her GI specialist within a month (pediatric). Because she had positive blood work they upped her ranking in priority. I also called and had them add us to the cancellation list. This is how we got in so quickly. I know the wait for specialist referrals can be frustrating, but try calling them (once you know they have received your referral) to see if you can get moved up the list on a cancellation.

Good luck and hang in there.

I'm in Calgary, too! But, I don't even know who to call about a cancellation list as my family doctor's office has simply said "someone" will call me with an appointment (hasn't named a specific doctor or specific office). I did some Googling and found a number for the Gastroenterology Centralized Referral Service; is that who I should call?

And, my family doctor did say she has received confirmation (Apr 17, approximately) that they've received my referral. And I was given my bloodwork results (positive) on April 14, so whoever has received the referral should have those now, too.

Thanks so much!

[JustAGirl79]

So I decided to just go ahead and call the centralized referral service number that I found online. I called and asked the receptionist to look into my status. She found me in their system, but explained that I could have an 18-month wait because I've been classified as a "routine" patient. I said I was surprised to hear that I'm routine now that I have a celiac diagnosis - turns out, the centralized referral service hasn't received my blood work results from my family doctor's office! My doctor sent in the referral before the blood work came back and then once the blood work came back, never sent it to the referral service.

Thankfully, the receptionist I spoke to was very nice and seemed on the ball. She was going to call my doctor's office right away, get the blood work sent over and have it reviewed by a specialist right away and she said they'd try to move me up on the list.

This is so frustrating.

[Rondar2001]

Wow, I hadn't even heard about the centralized service, it's nice to know if I ever get a referral like that. Good luck with having your appointment moved up. I would suggest that once you have a specific doctor's name, that you contact them directly as well.

I fully understand your frustration!

[JW88]

18 months!!!!!

I just said "To heck with it!" and went gluten-free without the test. I don't have much faith in the medical profession, anyway, and I refused to wait -- and it would have only been a few weeks for me (I'm in the States). I felt so much better after going gluten-free that there was no freakin' way I was going to start eating again just to get a test.

I'm actually shocked the wait is so long in Canada. I'd have thought Canada would have been far and away more prompt than the United States is.

Anyhow, if you still want to wait for the test, might I suggest you look into colonics as your colonoscopy prep. I've recently learned about them as a viable and friendlier colon prep, and have been spreading the word about them to anyone who'll listen, simply because I DREAD the laxative prep with a passion!!!

Good luck!