Frustrated

[AJLang]

I'm not sure what to do. In addition to my local diabetes clinic I go to another hospital which takes us at least an hour by car but this is just because of the diabetes gastroparesis specialist. I have to rely on OH to take me because it is very difficult to get to via public transport so he has to take a half day off. Received letter today reminding me of Monday's appointment BUT the doctor has changed. I phoned and the gastroparesis specialist has left and no-one knows whether the "new" doctor deals with gastroparesis. I've tried rearranging the appointment until they can find out if he is a specialist but at the moment I've been told that I can't because I had to cancel the last appointment as it clashed with DAFNE for my pump. I really can't face the thought of the hour plus journey on Monday to find out that it is just a general diabetes appointment. Also if he isn't a diabetes gastroparesis specialist then I no longer have a specialist. I've left messages at both hospitals but haven't heard anything yet.

 

[Northerner]

This is very unfair when your last cancellation was due to a clash with another healthcare appointment Most (all?) physicians have their qualifcations and interests online somewhere, so if you know his name then google him, or perhaps google the hospital and see what he is listed as.

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Alan. I've googled him and can't find any information that helps to know whether he is a diabetic gastroparesis specialist or not. When I went two visits ago they made sure that I saw the specialist even though she was very busy because they thought it was a waste of my time going unless I saw her.

 

[AJLang]

Just got a message from the hospital that the secretary will speak to the "new" doctor this afternoon and will phone me back later. Hooray!

 

[Northerner]

Just got a message from the hospital that the secretary will speak to the "new" doctor this afternoon and will phone me back later. Hooray!

Ah! Good news, and I hope that it is good news! 🙂

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Northerner. Good news and bad news. Good news is that I won't have a wasted trip to Leicester. Bad news is that I currently don't have a diabetes gastroparesis specialist - but my diabetic consultant is going to look into finding someone else for me. I was so very impressed with how quickly she responded to the query from the secretary. Just thank goodness I got the pump before the changes happened and that I know most of how to manage the gastroparesis myself as far as it can be managed.....obviously different if I need to go onto the next stage of treatment but if that ever happens, which I hope it won't, I will need a further gastro consultant anyway.

 

[Northerner]

Glad things have been sorted out and you won't have to make a wasted trip - hope they can find a good replacement specialist should the need arise, which hopefully it won't 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Amanda,

Meanwhile, why not contact Samantha Cleal and see who her group know of, in your area?

 

[Caroline]

Good luck with everything, I hope you get the specialist help you need.

 

[AJLang]

Amanda,

Meanwhile, why not contact Samantha Cleal and see who her group know of, in your area?

Thanks Jenny for the suggestion. I will give my consultant a few weeks as it isn't urgent but if I then don't hear from her I will contact Samantha. I have a lot of faith in my diabetic consultant because as soon as she got involved with my pump application she got the ball rolling very quickly so that gives me the confidence about her finding me a suitable diabetic gastroparesis specialist.

 

[Twitchy]

Hi AJ...have you tried searching on NHS choices? Whdn I was trying to get my eye 'care' away from the Leics Royal Inf it was quite helpful, I was able to search for opthalmologists specialising in diab retinopathy...best of luck! Xx

 

[AJLang]

Hi Twitchy
I hadn't thought of NHS Choices, thank you for the suggestion x

 

[newbs]

I'm really sorry to hear your gastroparesis specialist has left! I hope someone new gets sorted out for you soon. Good to hear that the hospital seem to be on the ball though.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about this Amanda, glad you seem to be making progress

 

[Flutterby]

Blimey Amanda, there's always something isn't there?! Hope they soon get back to you and that the new specialist is really good and someone you can rely on for sound advice.x

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Karen x