Ringing in about symptoms??

[HorseLover!!]

I was just wondering how to go about letting my doctor know about my symptoms I've been having, so is it ok for me to ring my gastro's secretary and if so what do I say/ask?? and if not then how do I ring as I don't know the number for my IBD nurse and the only other number I have is for my GP surgery which when I ring them I don't get very far with them.

 

[UnXmas]

If the symptoms don't suggest something that could be an emergency, either make an appointment with your GP, or ring your consultant's secretary and make an appointment with the consultant. If you need medical advice straight away, you should be able to make a same-day appointment with a GP. It's unlikely a secretary will take medical queries, though you could always try. I have had a consultant speak to me on the phone without an appointment, but it was shortly after I'd had surgery which needed specialist knowledge. How urgent are the symptoms?

 

[SarahD]

Could you look up your IBD nurses number on the internet? My hospital has it listed under the gastroenterolgy section, yours may too.

Otherwise I usually make an appointment with my GP, who then decides on whether I need to be seen by my consultant and if I do then he makes the necessary arrangements for me. GP's can be a terrific help especially if you need to be seen urgently by the consultant. I've also called my consultants secretary at times and my consultant has been happy to call me back and talk to me over the phone.

 

[HorseLover!!]

If the symptoms don't suggest something that could be an emergency, either make an appointment with your GP, or ring your consultant's secretary and make an appointment with the consultant. If you need medical advice straight away, you should be able to make a same-day appointment with a GP. It's unlikely a secretary will take medical queries, though you could always try. I have had a consultant speak to me on the phone without an appointment, but it was shortly after I'd had surgery which needed specialist knowledge. How urgent are the symptoms?

Thanks UnXmas, I don't think that my symptoms are that bad but I could be wrong, I think I might ring tomorrow and ask for an appointment.

 

[HorseLover!!]

Could you look up your IBD nurses number on the internet? My hospital has it listed under the gastroenterolgy section, yours may too.

Otherwise I usually make an appointment with my GP, who then decides on whether I need to be seen by my consultant and if I do then he makes the necessary arrangements for me. GP's can be a terrific help especially if you need to be seen urgently by the consultant. I've also called my consultants secretary at times and my consultant has been happy to call me back and talk to me over the phone.

Thanks SarahD, I might try my GP tomorrow .

 

[SarahBear]

Would the GI's secretary not be able to give you the number for the IBD nurse? I would just call the number I did have, explain briefly what's going on, and ask who it's best to contact.

 

[HorseLover!!]

Would the GI's secretary not be able to give you the number for the IBD nurse? I would just call the number I did have, explain briefly what's going on, and ask who it's best to contact.

Well the last time I asked them for the IBD nurses number his secretary said that they didn't have one so that was a bit annoying but I think I might try it again because he keeps changing secretary's so maybe the one he has now might be able to I don't know.

 

[SarahBear]

Well the last time I asked them for the IBD nurses number his secretary said that they didn't have one so that was a bit annoying but I think I might try it again because he keeps changing secretary's so maybe the one he has now might be able to I don't know.

They definitely should have it on hand. If they don't, your call might at least make the new secretary aware of that so she has it in the future.

 

[HorseLover!!]

They definitely should have it on hand. If they don't, your call might at least make the new secretary aware of that so she has it in the future.

Thank SarahBear I will find out tomorrow when I ring