Proctologist
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Hi @ozzievargas, if you can, get a referral from your regular doctor, or if you know a specialist maybe you could call and ask if a referral is needed. If not then maybe you can make an appointment. But you may be just as well off seeing a gastroenterologist since they handle proctology issues as well.
It's probably easier these days to just see a gastroenterologist as opposed to someone who just does proctology.
My regular doctor diagnosed me with GERD and sent me to a gastroenterologist, who also did a colonoscopy while he did an endoscopy to confirm the GERD diagnosis.
It's probably easier these days to just see a gastroenterologist as opposed to someone who just does proctology.
My regular doctor diagnosed me with GERD and sent me to a gastroenterologist, who also did a colonoscopy while he did an endoscopy to confirm the GERD diagnosis.
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Thank you so much for the information. I tried to make an appointment to see a GI specialist at the hospital where my pcp works and was informed that no appointments were available. I have been on a waiting list to schedule a GI appointment for 2 months. Still no appointment. I am hesitant to see a GI specialist outside of my regular hospital because they will not have access to my medical records
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@harrisjmh has good points here, @ozzievargas. Maybe if you can find someone else and you don't have to wait inordinately long for an appointment, you can ask about the consent form for them to access your records. But since you feel a need to see a doctor ASAP then two months is too long to wait!! There is really no need to suffer if you don't have to!!
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Thank you. I was able to obtain an appointment to see a GI specialist at another facility. I will complete a medical release form so that the new facility has access to my medical records. Thank you so much for your help. I greatly appreciate it. I have an appointment on September 14th at the other facility. My regular hospital still has me on the waiting list for an appointment
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FYI... What is the difference between a Colorectal Surgeon (formerly known as a Proctologist) and a Gastroenterologist? This is a very common question and patients are often unsure of which field is appropriate for their needs. Although these fields overlap in some areas, the specialties are actually very different in the conditions they treat and their method of training.
A Colorectal Surgeon (Proctologist) is a general surgeon who has undergone further training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. Colon and rectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of colon and rectal problems. Colon and rectal surgeons treat benign and malignant conditions, perform routine colon screening examinations and surgically treat problems when necessary.
A Gastroenterologist is a doctor who has completed initial training in internal medicine and further training in gastroenterology. Gastroenterologists do not operate on patients. A gastroenterologist specializes in diseases of the digestive system (gastrointestinal (GI) tract). Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat many conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and biliary system (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts).
A Colorectal Surgeon (Proctologist) is a general surgeon who has undergone further training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. Colon and rectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of colon and rectal problems. Colon and rectal surgeons treat benign and malignant conditions, perform routine colon screening examinations and surgically treat problems when necessary.
A Gastroenterologist is a doctor who has completed initial training in internal medicine and further training in gastroenterology. Gastroenterologists do not operate on patients. A gastroenterologist specializes in diseases of the digestive system (gastrointestinal (GI) tract). Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat many conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and biliary system (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts).
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That's really interesting @Padded53. I always thought the two were interchangeable. I've had 2 colonoscopies done and I believe they were done by gastroenterologists. So is it possible that that type of doctor can do colonoscopies as well?? And that's considering that a colonoscopy isn't really surgery although they do snip out polyps. But I know you don't feel any discomfort upon awaking when you've had polyps snipped out.
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@billliveshere ... discomfort upon waking? I had a colonoscopy including polyp removal last year and I watched the whole thing on-screen while it was happening (they did give me pain meds to stop me wriggling around while they were - you know.)
It was fascinating actually. Hard to imagine that your own insides can have the appearance of such a sinister and alien landscape.
The prep was absolutely horrible. Worse than for my prostate surgery. But @snow is absolutely right. Dying from cancer would probably be even worse.
It was fascinating actually. Hard to imagine that your own insides can have the appearance of such a sinister and alien landscape.
The prep was absolutely horrible. Worse than for my prostate surgery. But @snow is absolutely right. Dying from cancer would probably be even worse.
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You didn't say if you have insurance. Mine will not pay for a specialist unless I get a referral. Further, they won't pay unless Medicare is billed, even it it is known that Medicare don't pay for that. (Talk about stupid.)
Not sure about Medicare needing referrals. Some doctor's offices do that for you, or outright tell you: "You need a referral."
I had to stop going to a specialist I needed. He sent his patients a letter saying he wouldn't deal with Medicare patients - meaning even if you had other insurance. He graciously offered to hand you your files - if you asked by a certain date.
As if we needed more paperwork....
Not sure about Medicare needing referrals. Some doctor's offices do that for you, or outright tell you: "You need a referral."
I had to stop going to a specialist I needed. He sent his patients a letter saying he wouldn't deal with Medicare patients - meaning even if you had other insurance. He graciously offered to hand you your files - if you asked by a certain date.
As if we needed more paperwork....
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Fully agreed that having colon cancer when it could have been prevented is not the way to go!!! But the prep is the worst of it. AS a two-day procedure the first day is by far the worst. And one would be well advised not to go away from home on that first day. And that clear liquid diet where you can't have anything that's red or brown or purple makes me cross by "dinner" at the end of the day. For the second day you sleep for a few minutes and then you wake up and you're ready for lunch! But don't go to work or make any big decisions or do anything else important for the rest of the day. Just go home, have lunch and take a nap!!! And contemplate a good dinner that night!!!
It would be interesting to watch the procedure on screen but I was talking with the anesthesiologist and watched the propofol as it went through the IV and got closer and closer and .................!
It would be interesting to watch the procedure on screen but I was talking with the anesthesiologist and watched the propofol as it went through the IV and got closer and closer and .................!
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@Phil6003 I would probably watch, also. I have a 5” jagged scar that wraps across my right elbow, from melanoma. I watched all five surgeries on that sucker. The final giant hole was about 3” wide x 7” long, and down to the muscle layer. I hate the scar, but I’m glad I’m alive. And yes, cancer is scary. I’ve also had cancer in my reproductive region, which took five surgeries - all during the same year as the melanoma. The two cancers were diagnosed with three days of one another. F*** cancer!
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Hi @snow, I assume you mean what happens during the prep phase when you're getting all "cleaned out." I won't say that it hurts but you do know when you have to go and you definitely know you aren't leaving home until it's time to go have the procedure. The thing that bothers me is they have you take a laxative tablet first (early afternoon) and then the first time I had it done nearly a whole bottle of Miralax by the time you get up in the morning. The second time I had it done (different doctor) I got like a half gallon bottle from the pharmacy with powder that you mix with water. There is supposedly a lemon flavoring but that does very little to dispell the generally icky tasting stuff. In fact I just shudder to think of the way it tastes and it's almost like a carbonated beverage that's gone flat. I forced myself to take that stuff according to the schedule and finally said "to hell with this." I didn't finish the whole bottle but what I did drink did the trick since I wasn't turned away from the surgery center because I hadn't finished all of it.
You take the medicine throughout the evening after your clear liquid "dinner."
But if I had a choice of which one to do, I would definitely go with the Miralax.
When you make your plans to have it done maybe you can ask about what you're going to be given the day before. I really don't know the name of what I had the second time (or I have already forgotten it) but your doctor will know what I mean.
But for all of the unpleasantness endured on the first day, the second day is really a breeze and is so much easier!!! But do get it done so at least you will have a baseline and then the doctors won't be constantly after you to get that colonoscopy!!! My next one is due in two years.
You take the medicine throughout the evening after your clear liquid "dinner."
But if I had a choice of which one to do, I would definitely go with the Miralax.
When you make your plans to have it done maybe you can ask about what you're going to be given the day before. I really don't know the name of what I had the second time (or I have already forgotten it) but your doctor will know what I mean.
But for all of the unpleasantness endured on the first day, the second day is really a breeze and is so much easier!!! But do get it done so at least you will have a baseline and then the doctors won't be constantly after you to get that colonoscopy!!! My next one is due in two years.
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