Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Do I call or email the surgery

55 replies

AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:12

I had to got to hospital last week for a colonoscopy appointment. I wasn't long in the ward. I went for 12.15 and I was out by 2.30. the nurse gave me a piece of paper with a vague list of the findings. The doctor didn't speak to me afterwards. One of these words is a condition of the gut that causes inflammation and infections. This was the reason for my GP referral by the way. It was suspected I had this but we didn't know it. The paper I was given from the hospital was one piece of paper and it was so vague. The never spoke to me after the procedure. The paper said the endoscopy report will be sent to the GP. Not one doctor rang me all week from the practice.

I am on a support group now for the condition and there's different levels of severity. I don't know anything about this except for what I read on Google and from the support of strangers on a group. I wasn't told anything about the findings of the scope from the doctor who performed it on me or even from my own GP practice. So pretty much I got a diagnosis on a piece of paper and that's all it was.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:13

I was never sick before ecvtfor the usual stuff like colds/sinus infections/chest infections. I never had to go to hospital before until last week because of the referral. From what I am reading this is a chronic condition. There's no cure for it and not one person told me about this. It was just written on a piece of discharge paper.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:18

There were biopsies taken as well and not one person explained things to me. Some people would freak at the idea of biopsies but my thinking is that it's probably just routine. It would have been nice to be told. I was sent the bill from the hospital before somebody would even talk to me about the condition that I was diagnosed with on a piece of paper

OP posts:
RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/02/2022 16:21

Is it diverticulitis?

If so, you may need access to rescue meds if and when you have a flare up. So GP should be aware as it would need to be on records and you'd need access to the script quickly.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/02/2022 16:23

That's pretty shocking service that you've had mind. I'd send an email or call the number you have to Express dissatisfaction. It basically comes down to whatever you are more comfortable with. You're right about biopsies. Pretty routine, but they do make a lot of people worry. again, it should have been discussed with you in more detail.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:30

Yes it's diver.

I had suspected diverticulitis last year. The scope confirmed diverticulosis. My GP mentioned one word to me last year in her office and the rest I found out myself in case it shows up as diver. The result should have been sent from the hospital.

My issue is that not one person spoke to about the condition in the past week since the scope. The doctor who performed the procedure or my GP.

I was given:
Diverticulosis
One polyp removed
Biopsies taken

On a piece of paper and that's all I got. I know there would be a wait for the biopsy results. Not one professional was able to spend 5 minutes speaking to me about the diverticulosis condition. I have no idea what state my colon is in. If the diver is in one part of the colon or all over. I got billed before somebody would tell me how diseased my colon is.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:35

@RainbowZebraWarrior

That's pretty shocking service that you've had mind. I'd send an email or call the number you have to Express dissatisfaction. It basically comes down to whatever you are more comfortable with. You're right about biopsies. Pretty routine, but they do make a lot of people worry. again, it should have been discussed with you in more detail.
There wasn't one person to tell me that the biopsies are routine.
OP posts:
RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/02/2022 16:36

That truly is shocking.
Ring up and ask for an appointment to discuss the findings and management of your condition.

From what I remember, diverticulitis needs colonoscopies every 2 years or so to check on the colon.

Would it be possible to move surgeries if you don't get any luck. That's the only other thing I can think.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:42

@RainbowZebraWarrior

That truly is shocking. Ring up and ask for an appointment to discuss the findings and management of your condition.

From what I remember, diverticulitis needs colonoscopies every 2 years or so to check on the colon.

Would it be possible to move surgeries if you don't get any luck. That's the only other thing I can think.

There wasn't one professional that would give me 5 minutes of their time to tell me what I have. It's hitting me hard now and I am nearly in shock. I feel sick.

I had a suspected flare last summer and then it was diagnosed on a piece of paper that was handed to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:44

It's Friday even here now. I am looking forward to the weekend (and I will drink myself silly after my week) and I will phone Monday morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:45

If I brought an animal to the vet I would get more information quicker.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 04/02/2022 16:46

If you only had it done last week then it’s likely that the GP won’t have received the report yet

RainbowZebraWarrior · 04/02/2022 16:46

It does sound like it has hit you now.

I'd try and gather some thoughts together and email a request for a chat.

I'm so sorry there was nobody there to talk to you about your diagnosis at the time. Flowers

Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:54

The discharge paper said it would be 2 to 3 days working days. That would be Wednesday at the latest. I know the GP would have to read through it.

I'm left wondering and confused if there's some sort of a communication error along the way. Would the gp presume I was informed after my procedure of what the findings were.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:56

I got a diagnosis on a piece of paper.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 16:58

@RainbowZebraWarrior

That truly is shocking. Ring up and ask for an appointment to discuss the findings and management of your condition.

From what I remember, diverticulitis needs colonoscopies every 2 years or so to check on the colon.

Would it be possible to move surgeries if you don't get any luck. That's the only other thing I can think.

They will have a job getting me to pay for this one after this. I am not paying that bill or I will at least wait it out a few months before I might consider paying. I wasn't worth 5 minutes of anyone's time. Just a piece of paper I was given.

I was never sick before. I don't know what the route is going forward. If the condition will be managed at the GPS through antibiotics or will I be referred to a GI consultant or anything of that matter.

OP posts:
Flyingbymypants · 04/02/2022 17:02

Please don't worry too much. Divertculosis is a very common finding on colonoscopies (a quick Google tells me that >50% of people over 50 have it). I think it would be more useful to watch until the biopsy results come through (usually 10-14 days) and them speak to your health care professional about everything.

Flyingbymypants · 04/02/2022 17:04

*useful to wait

FrancesFlute · 04/02/2022 17:08

You mentioned a bill... are you in the UK?

DistrictCommissioner · 04/02/2022 17:10

Are you in the U.K.?

Flyingbymypants · 04/02/2022 17:14

And no you don't need 2 yearly colonoscopies for diverticular disease.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 17:15

If I was a dog my owner would be told more information sooner.

OP posts:
Dilbertian · 04/02/2022 17:18

That sheet of paper is a record of observations and interventions. It is not a diagnosis.

Duverticulosis is not the same as diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is a very common condition, and usually doesn't care any problems. It is when you get outpouchings (diverticula) of the colon. A weak spot in the muscles of the colon allows the colon itself to bulge outward. Sometimes poo gets trapped in these pouches. Diverticulitis is inflamation of the diverticula become inflamed.

Diverticulosis is not something worrying.

As for the way you were treated - well, I'm not surprised you're upset. You would expect the doctor to explain what has been observed, even if they don't give you the diagnosis straight away. (Which they cannot, because they have to wait for the biopsy results.)

Original poster
AutumnDance · 04/02/2022 17:25

@Dilbertian

That sheet of paper is a record of observations and interventions. It is not a diagnosis.

Duverticulosis is not the same as diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis is a very common condition, and usually doesn't care any problems. It is when you get outpouchings (diverticula) of the colon. A weak spot in the muscles of the colon allows the colon itself to bulge outward. Sometimes poo gets trapped in these pouches. Diverticulitis is inflamation of the diverticula become inflamed.

Diverticulosis is not something worrying.

As for the way you were treated - well, I'm not surprised you're upset. You would expect the doctor to explain what has been observed, even if they don't give you the diagnosis straight away. (Which they cannot, because they have to wait for the biopsy results.)

I was sick last summer and I had to go to the GP two months in a row. The second time she zoned in on the colon as the issue so last summer's sickness would be suspected diverticulitis. The scope confirmed diverticulosis.
I am anxious about this because there wasn't one person to speak to me about this.
OP posts:
Dilbertian · 04/02/2022 17:36

Did your GP say she suspected diverticulitis? You can have other colon conditions at the same time as diverticulosis without it being diverticulitis. IBS, for example.