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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think urgent should mean urgent??

35 replies

seasid · 08/09/2025 11:44

TMI but I have had blood in my stools for the past months and extreme stomach pain and bloating to the point that I can’t eat without belly going rock solid and agonisingly painful. I had a stool test (the one bringing with c) and my result was 1904. The guideline was anything over 100 is a risk, 100-250 is a high risk and over 250 is concerning and requires an urgent appointment.

so considering my result is almost two thousand and I have blood in my stool - I should be seen urgently. Apparently not, I got put on the ‘normal urgent’ list and have been waiting almost two months. I chase up every single week and am being told to just ‘wait’. I’m severely concerned and no one is helping me and I’m so gutted that my symptoms are severe and my test results are severe yet I’m being treated as if it’s just slightly high results instead of results that are sky high.

OP posts:
Theraffarian · 08/09/2025 13:21

Has your GP arranged a FIT test ? I wonder if that would move you up the scale to have a colonoscopy on the two week pathway to at least get the ball rolling .

canyon2000 · 08/09/2025 13:20

It's called a calcoprotectin test. I'm surprised you haven't been given a colonoscopy on the 2 week wait if you have blood in your stools. What are you eating? I have ulcerative colitis and if I am having a flare I eat very bland food like fish, rice, eggs, white bread. Also try peppermint tea to ease the bloating. I hope you get seen and treated soon.

Happyapplesanspears · 08/09/2025 13:15

If you feel really unwell then go to A&E. This is the advice DD was given when she had similar symptoms and was waiting to be seen by gastro. DD was admitted when she went to A&E and diagnosed while an inpatient.

Digidestined · 08/09/2025 12:53

Gall10 · 08/09/2025 11:53

If this is your thoughts about the NHS then I assume you’ll be loving Fartage’s policy of everyone paying for private health insurance?
please stop disrespecting the NHS and its staff…it’s pretty pathetic of you.

Show quote history

Wtf!? It's not "pathetic" it's accurate.

People are dying on waiting lists all the time. My "urgent cancer referral" that was promised in under four weeks on the letter took 5 months. I'm very lucky I didn't actually have cancer or I would have died on the list like other people I know who have died on the waiting lists.

It's a bloody shit show.

What is pathetic is people worshipping a failing health service like it's some sacred cow that cannot be criticised while it actively harms its patients and shaming others for not doing the same.

I lost half of my reproductive system and a large chunk of bowel to endometriosis whilst waiting 15 years for a diagnosis because the NHS treats women like shit. Oh my baby nearly died during my high risk pregnancy too because no one gave a shit about me then either.

The only decent care I've ever had I've had to pay for. And this god awful service isn't free, we pay for it through tax and you can't opt out when you pay for private treatment so you end up paying twice. Anyone forcing the attitude of we should shut up and be grateful on other people should be embarrassed.

MumofCrohnie · 08/09/2025 11:58

Those numbers are not especially high for IBD I'm afraid. My daughter's were 2300 last time she was in a flare and people get over 6k sometimes.

They are at a level that suggests IBD but the numbers don't always tally exactly with the severity of the disease - for example people with small bowel Crohn's often have lower calprotectin numbers, but that doesn't mean they are less unwell.

I assume you are waiting for gastro consultant? And then cameras? It is horrible and I hope the wait isn't too long. You can always present at A and E if it's unbearable.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 08/09/2025 11:56

Laura95167 · 08/09/2025 11:52

Honestly, if youre concerned and can manage it financially I would get a private test

I agree. Best to do this if you can.

RatCatBat · 08/09/2025 11:54

Yes, it’s awful. The NHS is a shambles.

My dad died recently while on their urgent waiting list for a neurology appointment and scan. He had been waiting for an urgent appointment for 8 months.

Gall10 · 08/09/2025 11:53

Badbadbunny · 08/09/2025 11:50

Assuming it's NHS, they have a different definition of "urgent" which basically works from when they can be bothered to find an appointment rather than the needs of the patient. Basically, you "may" get prioritised over other less urgent patients for any appointments when they become available, but that's about it. They're not going to make a new appointment slot for you and it's a lottery whether the appointments clerk will contact you in case of a cancelled appointment slot becoming free.

Edited

If this is your thoughts about the NHS then I assume you’ll be loving Fartage’s policy of everyone paying for private health insurance?
please stop disrespecting the NHS and its staff…it’s pretty pathetic of you.

Laura95167 · 08/09/2025 11:52

Honestly, if youre concerned and can manage it financially I would get a private test

Badbadbunny · 08/09/2025 11:50

Assuming it's NHS, they have a different definition of "urgent" which basically works from when they can be bothered to find an appointment rather than the needs of the patient. Basically, you "may" get prioritised over other less urgent patients for any appointments when they become available, but that's about it. They're not going to make a new appointment slot for you and it's a lottery whether the appointments clerk will contact you in case of a cancelled appointment slot becoming free.