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Does your GI office respond to your needs?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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GingerGirl
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2015
Posts : 64
Posted 10/26/2016 11:28 AM (GMT -7)
I'm really frustrated. I emailed my GI's office and called when I didn't receive any follow up. The receptionist was super nice and concerned about the level of pain I was in but hours later I only got an email. The nurses or medical assistants who email me back only ever say to go to the ER and provide no help whatsoever. From the posts I've read here it certainly doesn't sound like the ER is ever very helpful with problems and pain related to UC. If you contact your GI office in pain with worsening symptoms are are they more responsive? Or is this what I can expect?
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16197
Posted 10/26/2016 11:51 AM (GMT -7)
If I call my gastroenterologist office in the am and leave a voicemail to my doctor's assistant, then I'll get an answer the same day. Late afternoon calls are usually next morning responses. Never had any situations where I was unsatisfied with answers or had to wait longer.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 10/26/2016 12:04 PM (GMT -7)
The hospital clinic my GI works out of is amazing!!
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Mrs. Brady
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2015
Posts : 279
Posted 10/26/2016 12:13 PM (GMT -7)
My current GI is amazing about responding via the on-line portal. My past GI was HORRIBLE. I would have to call multiple times and if I missed his return call it would be another day or 2 before I heard from him.
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ks1905
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2005
Posts : 5857
Posted 10/26/2016 12:19 PM (GMT -7)
Sounds like you need to see someone in person since you are in pain; I'd probably get a similar response from my GI's office if I told them that I was in Pain. Usually email is for clarifications, refills, test results or updates on your condition.

I'd prefer to see my GI than to go to the ER or Primary Care doc. Sometimes the GI's have cancellations or openings available the same day for patients who need immediate attention.
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Richard in NY
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 208
Posted 10/26/2016 1:12 PM (GMT -7)
Each doc in the GI practice I go to has a patient coordinator. I talk to her if I need rx's renewed or to tell her how I'm doing or to schedule my annual scoping. If I was in pain they'd want me to come in. They can't give you a new prescription or anything like that without actually seeing you. It's too big a malpractice risk.

Overall I've been very happy with them and my doc is great about calling me back when he has a few minutes.
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DBwithUC
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 4545
Posted 10/26/2016 1:40 PM (GMT -7)
pain may be tricky. it almost evoked a need for assessment at the ER to make a proper response. if they can't see you that day, and you are reporting severe pain - what else can they safely recommend?

When I've called about sudden worsening of symptoms (e.g., blood, D), or wanting bloodwork orders to test iron levels, I get a call back at end of day. Generally lab orders or infusion orders or prescription changes sent the next day.
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ontheflipside
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2013
Posts : 68
Posted 10/26/2016 6:33 PM (GMT -7)
My GI doctor is really good about calling me back same day I leave a message. His nurse has even contacted him about me while he was on vacation and he got back to her, same day. I don't always agree with everything he says or does, but I have no complaints about his response time.

With the er, I personally avoid it at all costs. Because they will just give you some pain meds, fluids, and SOMETIMES if you're lucky they'll actually do an ultrasound or cat scan to make sure nothing dire is going on. But the majority of the time they will just tell you the pain is ulcerative colitis related and send you on your way with a $1,000 bill or more! With no tests other than a simple blood test.

I have however gone to the er if the pain becomes unbearable, because I am in need of immediate pain relief. But unless they send you off with a script for pain meds, you'll be in the same amount of pain within 4 hours of leaving.
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AnnabelleLee
New Member
Joined : Oct 2016
Posts : 10
Posted 10/28/2016 12:31 AM (GMT -7)
Once I finally catch the triage nurses it's usually a couple of days of phone tag. They leave messages but it's never anything helpful just call us back. I have thought about trying an new GI once this flair is kicked for this reason.

When I tried urgent care in 2014 for pain/discomfort they said see my GI and gave me xanax (?!?) to try to make me more relaxed from the pain. I didn't find the experience pleasing at all!
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MNBeachgal
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 900
Posted 10/31/2016 11:44 AM (GMT -7)
I always talk to the patient coordinator for my GI first, then she leaves a msg for my GI and he will call me back. He seems to be going into semi-retirement so is only in 3 or so days a week. So if he isn't in he won't call back till he's back in the office. But he is always the one to call me back, and he'll help me over the phone if he can. If what he gives me doesn't help, then he'll have me come in to see him sometime in the next few days.

My previous GI office would just have me go in and see a physicians assistant, who would never be able to help. The GI himself would always be booked for at least a month or two. Which is why I stopped going there.
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Michelejc
Forum Moderator
Joined : Jan 2011
Posts : 2584
Posted 10/31/2016 11:46 AM (GMT -7)
My GI is fabulous!!
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