GASTROENTEROLOGIST or DIETICIAN

[Uncle7]

I’ll try and keep my post brief, I work and live in Vietnam as an English teacher, I’m currently in the U.K. as my school is closed due to the coronavirus. The last time I was in the U.K. (December) I saw my doctor as I was having diarrhoea at least once a week, I had a blood test, provided a stool sample and also a FIT test, all results came back as normal.

At the time, my doctor mentioned about seeing a GASTROENTEROLOGIST referring me through the NHS, but the waiting time could be months, the only way to see a GASTROENTEROLOGIST is to pay for it, price I’ve seen is around £1260+ 😮

When I returned to Vietnam, I downloaded the MONASH FODMAP app, which I’ve been following, with mixed results so far.

Would it wise/advisable to bypass seeing a GASTROENTEROLOGIST and pay to see a trained dietician, or do I go and see a GASTROENTEROLOGIST first?

[C2691]

I was warned about long gastroenterologist wait I waited 5 months for my initial appointment. Maybe the dr would order tests scans etc which the dietician wouldn’t do... my gastroenterologist orders endoscopy and ultrasound for me but also referred me to a dietitian. Maybe it’s worth getting yourself on the waiting list if things are bad.

[Uncle7 in reply to C2691]

Thank you for replying, when you first had your consultation/appointment, did you then have to wait to have the procedure? If so, how long did you have to wait?

[C2691 in reply to Uncle7]

Yes so I saw my GP, waited 5 months saw gastroenterologist then got my appointment for endoscopy and ultrasound 2 weeks from that appointment. I believe dietician appointment is super long wait too. So haven’t got that appointment yet.

Gastroenterologist is going to see me again in 2/3 months time.

[Uncle7 in reply to C2691]

Thanks for the reply, I basically have 4 options...

1. Because I live in Vietnam, I could try and find a GASTROENTEROLOGIST in Vietnam, could prove problematic.

2. Get a referral from the GP to see a GASTROENTEROLOGIST via the NHS, then fly back to the U.K. when an appointment date has been arranged, and then stay until I have had procedure and get my results.

3. Pay private, expensive I know, but everything (appointment, procedure, results) will be done a whole lot quicker than going through the NHS.

4. Pay to see a dietician, without seeing a GASTROENTEROLOGIST, not sure is that’s wise/advisable.

[C2691 in reply to Uncle7]

Well it depends how unwell you are feeling. I would go with NHS route if travelling is not too much trouble and your not symptoms are not stopping your day to day life 🤷🏻‍♀️. But then if your are able to afford private appointments and treatments then maybe that’s the way to go. I wouldn’t see the dietician first though if it was me, I would want to know what the gastroenterologist has to say first. Hope you get sorted and are feeling well soon. 😌

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

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If not, there are lots of free resources on our website that may help regarding diet etc.