I have to get another referral!
By 911Ricki
@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
July 31, 2012 9:42am CST
I'm jsut beyond irritated now, I called to make an appointment with my GI. I am a patient, but havent seen him since 2010. I call in my presciption every so many months (I don't takw 8 a day like prescribed). I actually didnt take them for about a year, I was fine no issues. Then the last 6 - 8 months everything coming back, so I started the medication again, and my stomach doesnt agree just painful, upset, and doesnt help with the symptoms. The secretary said after a year you need to get a new referral from your doctor.
This is ridiculous I have to make an appointment with my doctor (whcih who knows how long that will be), then refer me to see the specialist which technically Im a patient. Clearly, I'm not going to visit him every month, just like my family doctor there are times even years I dont see him doesnt mean I have to find a new doctor.
When I go to the doctors I;ll ask if every Gi is like this, if not then refer me to another one.
3 responses
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
31 Jul 12
I think most specialists are like this anymore. Not just where you are, but everywhere. It almost pays to have scheduled appointments to just keep in their system. I would see the GI on a yearly basis, as you have a long term problem that is not going to go away.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
31 Jul 12
Most specialists especially a GI your suppose to see every 2 years mine sort of dealt with me then pushed you out the door. I am going back to my doctor and asking to go somewhere else. I know so many who see there doctor even if there isnt any issues every 2 years. Mine doesnt follow medication (which I didnt take for 1 year or so). He also isnt specialize either he is general not just a GI.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
1 Aug 12
The medical system is confusingly frustrating. I don't understand why you can't just go to a specialist without having to have a referral, I don't get that. Do doctors assume we are not smart enough to know that if our feet hurt, we need to see a podiatrist? We live in the same body for a lifetime, why do we have to have a family physician tell us: "Yep, you have a bad foot so I;m gonna refer you to a foot specialist." I really don't get it.
