How long to see a gastroenterologist

[Tiptoed07]

Anyone on the waiting to see a gastroenterologist (under nhs). I know it can take up to 18 weeks but my anxiety is through the roof. I have had abdominal pains with changes in my bowel movements. Gp ran some tests and turns out I have very low faecal elastase. I am going crazy thinking about cancer and the worst. Going for a private consultation but want to get an idea of the timeframe to see a consultant (NHS). Already stopped drinking which I think has had a major effect on my health 😭

[Wordesley]

I've just had a letter indicating it will be at least October before I get my appointment....and it's likely to be a telephone consultation, though I fail to see how that is going to be efficient or effective

[Tiptoed07 in reply to Wordesley]

Oh no October is so far away and I dont understand if everything else has gone to pre covid conditions then why cant Nhs too. What's the point of the telephone appointment 🙄. I hope it all goes well though.

Ekta x

[Richard-Allen]

Sadly Tiptoed, our beloved NHS is in a mess.

There is such a backlog of patients due to Covid and a shortage of staff throughout the service. It has become a rather postcode lottery as some areas have been hit harder than others. So many staff are off sick due to the pandemic and some are suffering from mental health issues due to all the loss of lives.

We are all in the same boat I’m afraid. There was a lady on here a few weeks ago who had been given a 44-week wait to see a hepatologist. I have recently spoken with two eminent hepatologist professors down are the Royal Free about this, and they both said, “That sounds about right, nationally”.

So much so, with many staff now leaving the medical profession it’s a case of just waiting I’m afraid.

I require having some polyps removed from my colon. This too is a worry for me as if these little devils grow too big there is a greater risk of cancer. One of my five polyps is already quite large. I have been quoted a waiting time of 72-weeks by the QE Birmingham.

The only problem about going private is that if you see a consultant that doesn’t also work for the NHS, they may not have access to your medical records. Also, any scans or tests that are carried out, all the images and data remain the property of the insurance company. If at a later time you do get to see an NHS doctor, then these tests will have to be repeated as they may not be on file.

I hope you get to have an earlier appointment, fingers crossed.

Just hang on in there and try to remain positive.

Best Wishes

Richard

[Tiptoed07 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Thank you so much for replying Richard. These waiting periods are madness. I think you have just got to be lucky and keep hoping you are not one of those people who'd have to pay the price for this. I hope your polyps are sorted soon.

Regards

Ekta

[BritishLiverTrust4]

Hi Tiptoed07. If you are concerned, have a chat with our nurse led helpline who can talk this through with you. Call 0800 652 7330 between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) or email [e-mail] (emails can be sent at any time and are answered during helpline hours).