Should I Go Straight To A Specialist? / Help Me Find One Please.

[randomperson]

To summarize, my doctor gave me some medication to try to help with some bleeding, and told me that if it doesn't resolve, I may need to see a specialist. Well, it didn't help, so should I just go to a specialist and skip going back to him? I mean I don't want to pay for a doctor's appointment just to have him go "yep, go see someone else."

I live in Wisconsin, about 30 minutes north of milwaukee, if anyone knows of any good doctors. I don't know how much this is going to cost even with my insurance...

[mushroom]

You could always just call him on the phone and ask for the referral because his medication didn't help. I have no idea what kind of specialist he had in mind.

[randomperson]

gastrointestinal

are you supposed to get a referral before seeing a specialist? If it's just to let the specialist know what information he has documented on me, he doesn't really have any.

[mushroom]

gastrointestinal

are you supposed to get a referral before seeing a specialist? If it's just to let the specialist know what information he has documented on me, he doesn't really have any.

It depends on your insurance plan. Some will let you self refer. If it's an HMO you will need a referral.

[cassP]

gastrointestinal

are you supposed to get a referral before seeing a specialist? If it's just to let the specialist know what information he has documented on me, he doesn't really have any.

i have to get a referral with my insurance- but you JUST saw this doc recently yes? he may be able to do the referral over the phone without you having to visit him again. at least i hope for u

[Naezer]

If you are talking about a specialist for celiac disease I would say you could do without one if and only if , you are properly diagnosed.......... I am not a doctor but I have had celiac for 2 years and only saw my specialist for diagnosis. If you are truly gluten-free and you are sure you are 100% gluten-free then what more can you do????? Any thing else should be managed by a primary. If you are really lucky you may be able to find a primary doctor that may know enough about ceiac to help you monitor your anitbodies without having to see a specialist. It all boils down to you and how well you can follow the gluten-free diet. Good luck and hope this helps.....

[randomperson]

I think I'll call and talk to him on the phone when I get a chance. I don't think he knows enough of my symptoms to want to order a test for me yet, and I don't think he'd want me to just list them off over the phone. Maybe I can at least avoid a specialist I guess, though.

[cassP]

I think I'll call and talk to him on the phone when I get a chance. I don't think he knows enough of my symptoms to want to order a test for me yet, and I don't think he'd want me to just list them off over the phone. Maybe I can at least avoid a specialist I guess, though.

my PCP did my 1st Celiac panel. i HAVE had problems with her of course- BUT i had been complaining of stomach issues for years- and when i asked her to be tested for Celiac- she said "ok". (which was nice for a change, not to have to beg like i have for other things).

my PCP ran a pretty complete panel too! and she even ran the Endomysial Antibody test (which my Gi didnt even run)

there's no reason why your reg. doc can run a complete test. you may need to see a Gi for a Diagnosis- and if you want to have an Endo or Colonoscopy done to make sure everything is ok in there.