Am I being fobbed off?

[Anotherworriedone]

I have had stomach pain for the last two months. Started off intermittent, now pretty much constant and radiates around the back of my ribs. Feel sick a lot of the time and don't have much appetite/get full quickly. Have had bloods done - I'm anaemic (iron deficiency) and low folate too. Lost 3lbs in five days. I've been referred for an urgent endoscopy - but the wait is 6-12 months. What do I do now? Am I being unreasonable to be worried it's something very serious and I need a faster treatment plan?

Could you afford a private endoscopy? We've just shortened a family members waiting (for different, but similar test) from 10 months to 3 days by going private. Worth every penny.

I think I'm going to have to try and make that possible. Did your family member self refer? Can you just book an endoscopy or do you have to have a consultation first? Thank you

An urgent endoscopy is surely quicker than that I'd get in touch with doc, eexplain weight loss and ask to be fast tracked. Hope things improve OP.

Nope, that's an urgent one in Wales. I checked with the doctor what level the referral had been made at and then phoned the department for the wait time.

I’d definitely get a second opinion on this, private or push again through gp and escalate asap

There are so many things it could be, many not serious. Can you get a private endoscopy appointment? Have you had an ultrasound or MRI of the abdomen? Fecal calprotectin and FOBT?

I don’t think you can just self refer for an endoscopy but the GP should be able to write a referral a couple of days.

No ultrasound or MRI. Fobt was positive for blood so waiting on results of a fit test now (but I know they aren't that sensitive for upper GI cancers).

With that, I would do a fecal calprotectin test. If that is raised then it is possible you have something like Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis. It's not fully conclusive if it's normal but it's a pretty good screening test.

Thank you I've ordered a home one to get a rough idea and will go back to the GP too.

How old are you ? If over 55 plus weight loss and indigestion you would qualify for a 2 week wait ref, I’m not sure though how long that is currently in wales as know in areas its not . But should def be faster than 4-6 months

It could also be your gallbladder, symptoms can be different to the “classic” ones.

Ended up at A and E this morning as the pain was very bad. Ultrasound now booked for this week and they've asked me to get the GP to upgrade the endoscopy referral. They are currently thinking stomach ulcer or gallstones are the most likely culprits but want to be sure.

I’d also say gallstones - they’re awful!
Good luck and hope it’s sorted soon. Avoid any fatty foods in the meantime as this reduces the “attacks”

I'm 36 and no risk factors, just symptoms 😬

Just to update - I've now had a gastroscopy ( normal) and a barium swallow which showed oesophageal dysmotility so I've been referred to try and find out why it's happening.

Just in case anyone comes across this with similar symptoms - the neuro consultant is fairly sure it's myasthenia gravis. I've now developed double vision, droopy eyes and a croaky voice when tired. Unusual to start with swallowing but there you are.