Tired of this shoddy treatment.

[skylardaisy]

I have not been feeling too well over the past month or so...lots of joint pain, nausea, fatigue, etc. I have not seen my GI since last March so decided it would be a good idea to make an appointment to see her. I phoned yesterday and spoke to the office assistant. This is now the second time that I've been told that I couldn't make an appt. until the doctor reviewed my file and they would get back to me in a few weeks to tell me whether or not the doctor would see me. I cannot believe this arrogant, inhumane treatment. I have had it with this woman and will asking my GP to refer me to someone who actually acts like a doctor. Has anyone else been treated like this ?

 

[xmdmom]

No I haven't. That's unbelievable. I would definitely ask your GP not only to refer you but to help you get an apt with a GI soon. Best wishes!

 

[shamrock15]

Had similar treatment here. Is your doctor based in a clinic in a hospital, or at a private office? If she is in the hospital, try one last time, record the date and time of the call and ask for a specific call back time. Let them know that you will be going to either the head of the department or someone in the administration if you are not responded to promptly. As someone with a chronic disease, the hospital has a financial interest in you not becoming an inpatient. Procrastination on the part of the GI is a guarantee that you will be plugging up the ER or possibly taking up a bed. Make that really really clear to them. Also, should something untoward happen, it would be really good to have a record kept if some form of legal action is required.

I ended up changing GI's, and my health improved almost immediately. Best of luck in your treatment.

 

[skylardaisy]

Thank you xmdmom and shamrock15 for your replies. I am definitely going for a new GI specialist. That's a really good idea about keeping a log of phonecalls. She practices out of a hospital, so I'm sure the administration would not be happy with her professional standards.
Last time she did this, I ended up in hospital for a week with a bowel obstruction.

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

Are the medical insurance policies the same in Manitoba as Ontario? In Ontario if you have not seen your specialist in 6 months, you have to be re-referred by your GP. I had this problem with my OB/GYN. Her office assistant was extremely rude when I called assuming that this doctor would automatically be the Dr. For birth #2.

I had to be re-referred to my GI this year too as I was in a drug free remission for many years.

 

[purdueCrohns]

Go to the best doctor you can

 

[nogutsnoglory]

That's horrible, I never heard of a doctor needing to review a file before seeing a patient. Is that standard in Canada? Either way its outrageous how rude they are and if they need to review they should expedite and let you know.

 

[skylardaisy]

Well, I called the G.I.'s office again today. Decided I wasn't going to let them treat me like dirt. I must have gotten my point across because I now have an appt. to see her on Sept. 4. Still thinking of changing doctors though. I don't need to have to beg for every appointment.
Thank you to everyone who replied to me. Much appreciated.

 

[jlm]

I bet you're talking about Dr. Ilnyckyj. If so, she's been on vacation the whole month of August and isn't back until Sept 3rd. Can't say I've had too many issues trying to get an appt when I need one. I just find that the GI's around here take a lot of vacations. I needed a scope done last month I called her on a monday and she phoned me back same day telling me to come in on Wednesday.

 

[skylardaisy]

I'm not naming any names. I can tell you that the 10 years I have spent with this doctor have been a nightmare. She has questioned every symptom, every test result, did not believe that I have Crohn's, even though it was confirmed TWICE by capsule endoscopy. It was finally confirmed by biopsy last year and did she acknowledge this ? No, she did not. I have stayed with her this long because I kept hoping our relationship would improve, but I have pretty well had it. I will see her in September and then decide what to do. As a human being, I deserve better treatment.

 

[jlm]

You most certainly do. If I could make a suggestion. Get your family doctor to refer you to Dr Deurksen or Dr Moffat. Both work out of St B. I'm currently under the care of two GI's one being Dr Deurksen, and he's wonderful. Hopefull everthing works out for you.

 

[skylardaisy]

Hi jlm,
Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard that Dr. Duerksen is very good. Do you know if it takes long to get in to see him ? Also, is Dr. Moffat a younger guy ? I know he was very good about refilling prescriptions last summer when my regular doctor was away.

 

[jlm]

I think most of the GIs around here have a pretty slow turn around. As in it takes a few weeks to get in. Dr Moffat is a younger guy. I like him quite a bit because hes pretty knowledgeable about new techniques.