What a joke.

[MissEd]

Finally got a referral to gastro after 7 months of gas and bowel changes. Next available appointment 8th January 2018. So I've got to carry on for another 3 months thinking I've got cancer

[Gettingoldnow]

Wow that is a long time what part of the country is that ?

[MissEd in reply to Gettingoldnow]

Northamptonshire x

[Zesther]

You`re not alone MissEd, I have waited for mine months as well, and after seeing the gastroenterologist, he said that is nothing absolutely wrong with me, even tho I started to have pains and other symptoms like 2 years ago. Anyway, they had their guesses that it could be IBS, but haven`t told me what for sure. So I have to live with it, or look for some other medical attention elsewhere (like another country probably).

Stay strong, I believe all is good with you !

[MissEd in reply to Zesther]

Thanks Esther. I'm sure you feel my frustration at constantly feeling under the weather and now the prospect of another 3 months with no answers

[Gettingoldnow]

Hi there .i cannot understand why it takes so long .have you asked for a colonoscopy ? Don't know how old you are (as this sometimes makes a difference ) have you had an ultrasound scan of stomach ? If not I would ask your doc.for one as you are in so much pain .they cannot say IBS without ruling out these things first.it probably is but you won't know for sure .try not to worry .i learnt something from my local hospital in Essex .they automatically put everyone on the bottom of the 12 week appointment list when referred.sometimes you can phone up and ask for an earlier referral as you are in desperate need so that might be worth a try .we all think of the dreaded C word but 99% of the time it's not so try not to worry.

[MissEd in reply to Gettingoldnow]

Hi I'm 30. I must admit though I'm not really in pain just have every other day with a strange feeling stomach and every day with gas.

[silleecharle]

I had to wait over 6mnths to see a colorectal surgeon, I was showing classic signs of bowel cancer and given my family has a strong history of the disease ud think they wud have seen me sooner, my nerves were shattered, i had a stool and blood sample taken and tested for inflammatory bowel disease, all was clear so waiting on a colonoscooy for further investigation, I'm in Belfast and our waiting times for any specialist r shocking

[MissEd in reply to silleecharle]

It's so ridiculous isn't it

[walkmiles]

i was backwards and forwards to Gp's and hospital for 2 years trying to get tests done. i got appointment for endoscopy very quickly but when they wheeled me in and i saw the equipment I freaked out and said no! I then requested through my GP to get it done under a GA. Then I moved house and had to start again with a new set of GP's. after waiting a few months for a consultant appointment I got seen and they agreed to do both endoscopy and colonoscopy under GA. I was told i would have to wait 12 weeks for the procedure but then I asked if there were any cancellations could I be considered. they phoned me the next day and I got the procedures done within 2 weeks. So perhaps worth asking for a cancellation?

[MissEd in reply to walkmiles]

Yes good idea I think I may ring and ask them to consider me for cancellation x