How would you approach this ?

I was rushed to the hospital in March with what I thought was pneumonia. It was several days before a CT scan discovered that I had complicated diverticulitis, which led to sepsis and an acute kidney attack. As soon as the CT scan was read, I was rushed into surgery with complicated diverticulitis, requiring a colostomy. The surgeon told me prior to the surgery that my condition was generally rated on a scale of 1-4 and I was in the high 3's. She said that immediate surgery was critical, so I agreed, and it saved my life.

I had seen several doctors in the months preceding the hospitalization because I was experiencing alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. None of them took the situation seriously, until a nurse practitioner did, and insisted I go to the ER. I had had a colonoscopy seven years prior, was given a clean bill of health by the doctor, and told to come back in 10 years. I didn't push with the right questions, but I now know that I should have.

Push, push, push. If you can't get answers from your doctor, immediately make an appointment for your husband with someone from GI. You are your husband's advocate, and, truthfully, those of the male species sometimes don't like thinking about medical stuff. So we have to. I wish you the very best.

Call the referring Doctor and demand he tell you why a GI Doctor is needed.

I would definitely call again. If that doesn’t work I would make a virtual appointment with the doctor. They’re usually quicker to schedule. It’s important, as you know, to talk about why he needs to see a GI doctor. Good luck!

Do you have access to electronic records and notes? (MyChart or Epic or similar patient portal?) This would allow you to see the colonoscopy reports and clinical notes, and ask questions if still needed. If your healthsystem and doctors don't use this, I suggest to look for this in future years ( i.e., find new docs). Electronic records are helpful, and better healthsystems have been using electronic health records for 20 years or so.

I agree. Or ask for your hospital or phycians notes if you have a portal. No one should die from incompetence or lack of communication.

Any word yet?

My daughter's first colonoscopy was also inconclusive as it was cloudy. She threw up the prep liquid and so was unable to clean out before procedure. My doctor comes in to talk to me after procedure but I have no clue what he said as I am not fully awake at the time. As his wife are you his health care proxy? I would also be demanding some answers from the doctor. If your husband is not demanding same sone people are happier not knowing. But I would absolutely demand to know before seeing the next doctor. I don't care how busy anyone is. It is never a valid excuse to me.

Does he have a healthcare portal online? Just get his sign in and password and look at the test results, the doctors, clinical notes, and the visit summary. If he doesn’t have one, create an account!

I always put things in writing now with situations like you are describing. I word my questions very respectfully and always put c:c file/legal/medical at the at the end. EG Dear Dr. Smith, re: your patient my husband Tom Jones.... and so forth.. I always end by thanking the Doctor for his care and expertise. I then have a paper trail and it helps me care for my husband who is palliatively ill. In your case l would probably give the office one more call and say you realize the doctor is very busy but you are concerned for your husband etc. and thankful for his response etc. It never seems to fail. As people have also wisely suggested get a copy of the procedure notes and recommendations, they are a good source of clear info and you may find that the recommendations to see a GI or other advisements have come from the expert who wrote the conclusive notes based on the results of the procedure. Keep calm and respectful and don't give up. Take care.

I like your reply.