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How long did you wait for GI referral?

R

Rae100

Hi everyone!

Just wondering what the typical wait time has been to get in to the gastroenterologist for diagnosis?

My GP sent an “urgent” referral about 5 weeks ago after receiving stool test results (negative for infectious stuff, but FIT+, calprotectin 475, and “many white blood cells present”). Bloodwork is normal though.

Lost ~10% body weight earlier this year but stable now. Having some low grade fevers (all <38C), only a bit of intermittent abdo pain, diarrhea 4-8x daily, only sometimes nocturnal, nonbloody (except while I had a fissure a couple of weeks ago which is almost healed now). One episode of full loss of bowel control - while driving the car - which has made me very anxious to leave the house. Fatigue +++

Seeing as I haven’t even been triaged to an appointment yet, is it fair to assume I can expect to keep waiting a few more weeks...months? I assume things are slow due to COVID. I’m of course glad my symptoms aren’t severe enough to warrant a hospital visit, but the waiting is difficult!

thanks for reading :)
 
my little penguin

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
What country ?
Assume UK ?
But wait to me varies by country
In the US it can vary by state /location
More rural fewer Gi so longer wait
More urban more Gi
Average here in US -you make the actual appt by calling Gi and get an appt within 2-3 months for kiddie go’s
If it’s really bad head to ER of university hospital with the Gi to get evaluated/admitted
 
L

lukesjr

country is important. In the USA it took about 5 seconds, lol. I literally walked in my primary care and complained and that afternoon was walking into a GI dr. People complain about the cost of American health insurance but it is really top notch. I once had a knee issue and walked out of my orthopedist's office right into the MRI building to get an MRI the same day.
 
Tesscorm

Tesscorm

Moderator
Staff member
I'm not sure. In my son's case, he was transferred from a children's hospital GI to an adult GI (the hospital managed the transition) but I recall it took about 3 months between his last pediatric apptmt until his first adult apptmt.

Unfortunately, I'm sure there have been some delays re COVID and I agree your symptoms probably don't qualify as 'emergency' (although it is hard waiting when you know there's something that needs treatment! :( )

Do you know the name of the GI? If yes, I would reach out and ask when they expect you will have an appointment and if they can add you to a cancellation list. If you don't know the name, ask your GP's office for the GI's name/number.

I would also research other GIs (you can start with www.ratemds.com) and reach out to their offices to ask what the wait time is for an appointment. If there's one you like (ie from ratings), who doesn't have a long wait time, you can ask your doctor to send a new referral to them.
 
Pilgrim

Pilgrim

We are in a small town in Canada. Sometimes things get lost in the system in the summer. Call your GP's office and be the squeaky wheel.Ask for the name and contact of the GI. Ask for time frames.
 
R

Rae100

Thank you all! Apparently my GP's office received confirmation that my referral was received and is "being triaged"... This was a couple of weeks ago so maybe I'll poke again. There's a centralized intake system, so haven't been assigned a specific GI yet. Based on what I'm reading from others, it sounds like with no anemia and without a FCP in the 1000s, I'm probably lower down the priority list anyways...
 
Pilgrim

Pilgrim

Rae100 said:
Thank you all! Apparently my GP's office received confirmation that my referral was received and is "being triaged"... This was a couple of weeks ago so maybe I'll poke again. There's a centralized intake system, so haven't been assigned a specific GI yet. Based on what I'm reading from others, it sounds like with no anemia and without a FCP in the 1000s, I'm probably lower down the priority list anyways...
Click to expand...
Are you kidding?! I think your description sounds very serious and definitely an urgent referral. A lot of us on here are dealing with kids of various ages with unusual or severe disease so in a sense we aren't great examples. A Calprotectin result of nearly 500 is definitely not normal. You describe many red flags.
Keep us posted. I hope you get in very soon. The fatigue and urgency alone are horrible to deal with.
 
R

Rae100

Well, had my colonscopy today (~10 weeks after calprotectin/referral) and it was normal (aside from the fissures). Some biopsies sent offfor microscopic colitis (results expected within 4 weeks), but as of now the diagnosis is IBS with no plan for further workup/imaging. The GI said they consider my calprotectin result 'indeterminate/borderline.' I guess I am relieved that things look ok, but honestly a bit surprised and confused, because the symptoms have felt pretty significant to me in my daily life. I guess I might look into an elimination diet or naturopath next. Big thank you to everybody here who shared their support and wisdom ❤
 
Scipio

Scipio

Well-known member
Location
San Diego
lukesjr said:
Rae, I also had a clean colonoscopy.=, all biopsies also came back clean. MRI with contrast, clean. Sonogram, clean. My crohns was only found via pill capsule.
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Same here. X-ray showed mild thickening of small bowel, but colonoscopy and biopsies were all negative. CRP was negative too. The capsule camera endoscopy finally spotted the ulcers in the ileal region of the small bowel - enabling the diagnosis of Crohn's.
 
R

Rae100

Just an update from me. Colonoscopy looked normal on the day, but just received biopsy results by email as microscopic collagenous colitis. Just wanted to thank you all again for being so supportive while I was waiting for my referral and test results - it really meant a lot <3
 
L

lukesjr

Scipio said:
Same here. X-ray showed mild thickening of small bowel, but colonoscopy and biopsies were all negative. CRP was negative too. The capsule camera endoscopy finally spotted the ulcers in the ileal region of the small bowel - enabling the diagnosis of Crohn's.
Click to expand...
Scipio, you and I are a clone! I had the exact same diagnosis.

RAE100, happy you got your results, now you know and can take action. There are things you can do to compliment your medical treatment, diet, supplements and such that will really help preventing it from getting worse. Look into it, and start now.
 
V

VictorViega

7 Months. In USA, I kept getting told by every other provider I ran across to see a GI and get a scope. Symptoms of diarrhea "flares", inflammation and septic anal abscess. It took about 4 months to get into a GI... My C&R knew the waitlist was long and referred me to a colonoscopy back in June. When I made the appointment, earliest available was in January.

Saw the GI in September, she ran a calprotectin and came normal. The plan was to get the scope "just in case", I have 1 month+ to go. My scope appointment has been rescheduled by 10 days before, so IDK how my luck will pan out.

I did get my CT scan re-interpreted, does suggest possible inflammation of last loop of ileum (5mm thick). My providers do not know, probably don't care. Sick of being referred to referral loop. But think my symptoms are awakening, dialed up so I should be ripe and ready by January.
 
V

VictorViega

Rae100 said:
Some biopsies sent offfor microscopic colitis (results expected within 4 weeks).. calprotectin result 'indeterminate/borderline.... I guess I might look into an elimination diet or naturopath next.
Click to expand...
That does not sound right, MC is IBD? If slides show that. Borderline results could be IBS or non-active IBD disease, that's why scope + biopsy comes hand and hand. You might want to look at the GI Profile from Genova Diagnostics, IBS+IBD stool profile. Great for knowing if you need diet elimination (food allergy), or have parasites, fungus (yeast), bacteria.. helps with type of gut inflammation.
 
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