Looking for a good GI in the London area - UK

[spiceman]

Hi. Can anybody recommend a very good GI specialist in the London area - Cambridge - South east.

I think its time I had a second opinion. Im not well.

Thanks

 

[merrywidow]

do you need a stoma nurse or a gasto doctor? and is this on the NHS or private? welcome to our forum, regards sharon x

 

[spiceman]

Hi Sharon.

Im looking for a very good Gastro Doctor, Private or Nhs.

Thanks

 

[merrywidow]

if you go NHS then you will have to be referred by your GP. if you go private it will cost a foutune, and there must be a speacialist hospital in london, i personally dont know any doctors in london, i hope you find what your looking for, regards sharon x

 

[Agent X20]

Hi spiceman
Shouldn't be a problem getting referred on the NHS, under the "patient choice" thing. I did it when I was looking for a neurologist (for my "other" disease)... got a few ideas first (my wife works in the health service so she was able to get some recommendations off the professionals) then went and discussed with my GP and I was referred, no problem.
I know that doesn't help you with your question of Who to see... but at least it's easier when you've got some names. Try contacting the National Association of Crohns and Colitis (NACC) - google it. You can get in touch with local groups in the UK and maybe they can give you some personal recommendations.
Hope that helps

 

[spiceman]

Hi Steve.

Thanks for your reply, Ive done exactly what you have said. Today I joined NACC so hopefully I can contact somebody from there.

Its just that I'm after a second opinion because my existing GI thinks my bloating is due to my scarring stricture. He thinks my bloated distended stomach could be happening due to food trying to pass through, I'm not so sure. I've decided to go on a liquid only diet for 5 days and see if there is any real change.

Its a shame because I had a colonoscopy done about 11 months ago and the nhs hospital photography machine wasn't working so he's only going on a written statement from somebody else who investigated me.

I'm off work at the moment and need this sorted out very soon. I've been thinking about going private because waiting for the nhs is a joke. I know its going to be pricey but need the answers now. Plus hopefully all the machines will work.

Thanks again.

 

[Isla]

I would tend to agree that is the logical reason for a bloated distended stomach. This is one of the most common side effects of a stricture or obstruction.

What are you thinking it may be instead? Because your doctor is thinking the most logical explaination for it.

 

[spiceman]

HI Isla.

Well I wasn't really sure what it maybe, I must admit Ive never suffered with it before Until my last obstrucion but when I came out of hospital I noticed the bloating feeling about 4 weeks after, maybe the prednisolone were masking the symtoms.

Ok, so if it is scar tissue what do people do next, Live with it or go down the resection route?. Im just worried once I have it chopped out I may need the operation again and again. Is it really uncommon to have this operation done the once and live for years feeling good.

I still haven't read anybody reports only needing the operation once and never again.

Please somebody tell me some good stories about this procedure.

I understand that many people are worse off than me but im just a natural born worrier.

Thanks Isla

 

[Isla]

The statistics for surgery is thus:

50% of all Crohns patients will need surgery at some point in their disease.
Of those who have had 1 surgery, 50% of them will need a second surgery and half of those needing a second surgery will need a third.

So half of the Crohnies (and hopefully I am included) will never need surgery. But the general rule is if scar tissue has accumulated to the point where there is obstruction after obstruction, then surgery is really the only way to get rid of scar tissue. It may be never or many years before you would need a second surgery.

A lot of the people who had surgeries are quite glad they did because it offered them symptom free years. Just think of all the things you will be able to do once you feel better!

 

[Agent X20]

Spiceman
Sounds like your doc needs a kick in the pants. I'm not surprised you want a second opinion. The patient choice option is something I'll always keep in reserve in case I'm ever unhappy with my own treatment.
You shouldn't need to go private really, but one possible way is to have a private consultation (about £200 say) and then the Doc puts you on his NHS list. You'll need to be sure that the consultant will do this first, and maybe you'll need some feedback from his other patients (via local NACC groups maybe). This will shave some waiting time off the waiting time for the initial consulation

 

[soupdragon69]

Hi Spiceman,

I am with a really good gastro consultant in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. He is called Dr Middleton and my GP referred me saying he was really good. He put me on elemental diet when I was initially diagnosed but gave me a choice of treatments at that time of the diet, antibiotics or steroids and explained all the options.

Prior to my diagnosis of Crohns Dr Middleton did gastric emptying tests, bile salts tests (both nuclear medicine), alot of blood tests, gastroscopy (mouth down to upper small bowel) and colonoscopy. It was a combination of these that pointed to crohns even though the initial thought was I had Coeliac disease and it was confirmed with the colonoscopy.

There are other Gastro consultants at Addenbrookes and I have heard VERY good things about them too. There is a Dr Lee and she looked after me during my admission last summer for crohns whilst my own cons was on hols. She was very thorough and left no stone unturned - she was also on call when I was in again in October and remembered me! The whole team of gastro at Addenbrookes listen to their patients Spiceman and thats what I appreciated.

Hope this helps and that you get something sorted soon. If I can be of any further help PM me ok?

 

[spiceman]

Thank you everybody.

Soupdragon I've just PM you so hopefully you will receive it shortly.

Regards Spice.

 

[soupdragon69]

Have answered you now Spiceman - hopefully it helps.

Just shout if you think I can help any other way.

Hang in there it will get better!!