This is a little disturbing...

[jennythereader]

I just got a call from the office of my gastroenterologist Gastro-Internologist.

He just reviewed the info that my primary care doctor sent him, and decided he needed to see me almost a week sooner than the original appointment.

Am I the only one that finds that a little scary?

Comments

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear.

Yep, a little scary, but the good thing is that you're getting it seen to. Good luck!

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[jarien.livejournal.com]

Well... could be scary, could just be that he recognizes your symptoms as being actually part of his specialty right away, versus another patient who has more vague history. The good side is that you're getting seen right away, and treated as a patient with a real medical condition, versus one still in the vague hopscotch of diagnosis.

[sioneva.livejournal.com]

This was my instinct - there actually IS an issue (i.e., it's not just vague suspicions), so he'll make time to come in.

How much longer until your appointment?

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

There definitely is an issue. My primary care doctor diagnosed me with gallstones last week.

The original appointment was Thursday of next week, the new one is this Friday.

[sioneva.livejournal.com]

Then my feeling is that the specialist wants to get you in quickly but that it's not so urgent that they're seeing you TODAY instead.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I was diagnosed by my regular doctor. The appointment with this guy was mostly to find out more about the treatment options.

[nounsandverbs]

A little, yes, but at least you don't have to wait as long for it to be taken care of. Good luck.

ETA: ... and not as bad as if he had said, "OMG GET TO THE ER RIGHT NOW."

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

:-)

Yeah, that would be a lot worse.

[jarien.livejournal.com]

Ooooh. Randomness, but I am in love with your sprockets. That's an excellent icon. :)

[nounsandverbs]

Why, thank you.

[purpura.livejournal.com]

Well, scary yes. But better than ending up in the hospital the day before your scheduled appointment!

So hugs and luck. I assume by your tags gall bladder issues. I think this falls under the Grand Gall Bladder Exodus Conspiracy going on right now. ;)

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

This is true.

Yeah, I've been having abdominal pain for a while, and the symptoms finally lined up in a way that made my primary care doctor say "huh, I think it's gallstones". He sent me for an ultrasound, got the pictures back, and said "yup, it's gallstones".

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

On the bright side, it probably means you'll get useful treatment that much sooner!

It's spelled "gastroenterologist." The "enter" part is... something to do with the intestines, I think. Like "enteric-coated" aspirin where the aspirin doesn't release until it hits the intestines, so it won't upset your stomach lining.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

That would be the silver lining.

Thanks for the right spelling. :-)

[sunatrya.livejournal.com]

I think it comes down to, "positive test and having THAT severe symptoms"

He doesn't want to delay things because it could lead to rupture, pancreatisis... lots of bad. Sooner is defintately better.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

That sounds like it would be the worst-case scenario, given the situation.

[seawasp]

A bit worrisome, speaking as someone just out of the hospital for something in that exact field, but there's worse messages you could have gotten.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm hoping.

[stonetimber.livejournal.com]

Nope. For my recent surgery, consult was Monday, Surgery was Tuesday. As in the very next day.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

Fun...