Urgent ultrasound referral - 6-7 week wait

[middleoftheroadlife]

Hello,

I'll explain from the beginning so here goes....

Back in mid October I started feeling really sick and nauseous. I could only eat plain toast and started losing weight ( not normal for me). I was never sick but the nausea was constant and I felt quite unwell.
Gp sent me for bloods and my Liver function came back high. They made an urgent appt to see the gp again ( a diferent one) and they sent me for more bloods to rule out hepatitis ( I have no risk factors for that).
That all came back normal so then they said they'd send me for a scan. They did not mark it as urgent so i waited and waited feeling rubbish most days.
I went back again and they just gave me motion sickness pills and told me to wait for the scan.

I went back again last week as though the nauseous feeling is not as bad, I am not feeling right and having some tummy pain in upper abdomen. I still feel really full after a small bite to eat and don't really have an appetite though I am having to eat to keep me going and not get lightheaded. I had lost weight again and still feeling generally unwell.
The doctor (again a different one) ordered more bloods (which I have to wait 2 weeks for) and sent an urgent referral through for a scan to rule out cancer. I hadn't heard anything so called today and they told me urgents are on 6/7 week wait. I just don't know what to do in the meantime.
My sister (a nurse) and BIL (doctor) kept asking if I'd heard anything and can't understand the wait.
I work F/T and am on my own with 3 children. I can't really afford to go private but I am seriously thinking I might have to and get a loan or something.
I am under the welsh health service and not sure if it's different to England.

Can anyone advise?

I was referred with the NHS and it was a 16 week wait. I have got healthcase which works with the NHS so only if waiting lists are more than 3 weeks so I used that and was seen within days for the ultrasound.

I know it is too late this time but would really recommend it as it only costs around 10 pounds a month.

Hopefully your scan will come faster now due to new referral but there does seem to be big delays at the moment.

*healthcare. called Benenden

The insurance said it would have cost about £350 for the scan I think in case you want to do that

Thanks oranges and lemons. I'll consider it. I think I need a referral for a scan but do I need one to see a private GP (who could order ultrasound privately)?

Also, how do I get a referral letter. Our routine gp appointments are taking weeks (dd been on waiting list for at least 5 weeks) so I'd only get to see the gp via an urgent same day appt.

You can get a private ultra sound scan without referral from a GP. Try uk.scan.com, just googled it but I haven't used the service.

You can def get a scan without a referral. I had an abdo ultrasound and it was about £150, mri or Ct will be more.

I have found one which doesn't require referral in the larger area but my local private hospital does require it. They only have appointments are in the evening though and I'm not keen on driving far at night at the moment. It's about £200 for the US at that one.

I'm in SE Wales if anyone knows of somewhere.😗

Ultrasound Direct Cardiff have daytime appointments.

I get gasteoparesis when I'm stressed and it makes me feel as you describe - worth reading up to see if you think you should be tested for it. I wasn't tested but have Gilbert's syndrome and it's known to be associated with that. Antidepressants keep it at bay for me. When I have it I find chewing gum helps reduce the nausea, and then I try and eat some about every 1.5-2 hours - just some raisins, a spoon or cereal or half a biscuit - to try and keep my weight up. If you're stressed or depressed it might be worth getting that treated as for me that's the trigger

Ah, thanks Misty. I'm taking a look at that.

Likely gallstones. My DH had an urgent referral for a scan and it took 5 weeks for this in 2016. Also he was in his 30s and not really the typical gallstone sufferer. I really wouldn't panic.

Can you call the bookings team and ask for a cancellation appointment. I was waiting on an urgent pelvic ultrasound. I called and they added me to a waiting list, called me the next day and had my appointment within the week

Thanks runforit. I do have most of those symptoms but until about a week ago didn't realy have pain. It's more a dull pain rather than sharp like gallstones but it's just under ribs mostly right side though it has stretched across to the other side too. I didn't know you could do that Michelle. Guess it's worth a try.

You could email the surgery or leave a message and ask the GP to write a private referral, mine were happy to do this and they just emailed the letter over to me

Talk to the practice secretary. You won't need to see doctor again

I found it better to get my own GP to write the referral as they know me and examined me etc.

A big city practice and very busy but I have been surprised how quick and efficient they were with sending over the private referral, they asked if they should send it to me or the private hospital directly.

That was on the Friday, i then rang the hospital and booked in for the scan on the Monday, it was that quick.

They needed a Bupa code from my insurance (who needed the referral letter also) or you could self pay.

Wonder if it is easier for them to refer privately as they don't have to jump through certain hoops they may need to do / criteria with the NHS? Not sure

Update: received letter from gp this am saying they'd referred me for urgent scan and if I don't hear from the hospital in 2 weeks to call them. Does this still mean a 6/7 week wait or could I have been given wrong info?