How long did you wait to get a uro appointment?

[miz_sunshine87]

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious to see how long other people had to wait to see a specialist. I'm wondering if wait times are better or worse in different areas. Does anyone have a female doctor, and if so was it nearly impossible to get in to see her?

I got an appointment for 5 months from now (yes, 5 months!), but this is liekly only because I decided I needed one of the only female urologists in the city. Not that I have anything against men, but I've got some gynecological problems too, which I definately find easier to discuss with a woman.

Going back to my GP next week and asking him to see someone... anyone else. I know what my options are, and even if I get stuck with a jackass it will be better than doing nothing about my IC fro the next 5 months!

[waterflow]

Before I knew it was the bladder (thought it was female parts) I had to wait 3 months to see the gyno, then after waiting another 3 months to get back to hear there was nothing wrong with me I then had to wait another month to see my Uro. I wouldn't wait the 5 months. Demand to get in earlier or maybe find another doc who will see you sooner. There was another gyno that I could have seen the following week back then instead of waiting the 3 months for the other guy but then I found the 2 gyno on my own. I don't think most who work in the office care. They have rules to follow and you could walk in dieing and they would still have you wait the 3 months. I found the male doctors to be much better and understanding then the women. Wouldn't trade my male Uro for any female doctor in the world and I used to think woman docs for women and male for males.

Also wanted to add that I have talked more about female problems with my Uro then with any other doc including the gyno or femal nurse. He had no problems talking with me about it. Guess it depends on how you feel about the male doc and how long you have been with them. I know in the beginning I couldn't do that but after a while when I knew he cared and I could trust him then I could. I bet I am his only patient he has had to talk to about a pap test and having him do one for me.

[Roxie2007]

HI! WOW 5 mo. is a LONG time to wait! LOL
It usually takes me 2 days to get into my dr. or a cpl weeks if it's a dr. I haven't seen before, never a month!
I hope you can get into another dr. more quickly. All of my dr.s are men and they are all great. Good luck! Roxie

[littlemyrn]

I see a female URO, I go to a group that has 28 URO's and when I called and explained that I had IC, (had been already dx by URO/GYNO, they said we have a great doctor who is very knowledgeable, and set me up in one week for an appt with her. It just so happened she was their specialist for IC. But, I would have no qualms going to a male, if they were the ones that new of IC and could help me. Call back, and see if you could be put on a cancellation list or try for another dr. Good luck.

[ICNDonna]

I have heard that it can take a long time to get appointments with the medical system in Canada. It usually takes me less than a week to get an appointment with my regular urologist.

Donna

[mary124]

I don't remember how long it took me to see the Uro the first time as its been at least 20 years! but for me to see him now it takes about 2 weeks. I know when my regular Uro sent me to see a Specialist --Urogyn this last year it took 6 weeks for the first visit, and again after that each appointment was when ever we scheduled it. Can't imagine 5 months out.

[Cardholic]

3 weeks

It took me 3 weeks to get in to the Uro my PCP referred me to. 2 weeks for follow up visits for testing. Jury is still out if I like him. I am usually more comfortable with a woman doctor, but I like my PCP and he's male. I'd keep the appt with the female Uro in 5 months, but make another appt sooner with another Uro just to get some help. Who knows, you may just like the male Uro better than you thought you would. Good Luck!

[ihurttoo]

For new patient visits, it usually takes longer to get in because they have to block off more time for the appt. This is b/c they usually want to do an extensive exam, plus take a very complete history. But, for the follow-up visits, it is usually alot easier to get in since not as much time is required. (At least that has been my experiance.)

It took me about 2 mo to get into my first Uro, and about 3 to get into the 2nd. After the initial visit, it would only be a week or 2. My Gyno is the best, and I can usually get into see him the same day I call. (But, since I had to see him 3 x a week for 4 yrs, and then once or twice a week while I was pregnant (high risk), they know me and dont have to get into the history or meds at each visit. That helps alot!

I have one female Dr. now, my Rhematologist, and she is wonderful! But, I saw a female OB/Gyn when I was pregnant and we clashed big time. I really think that there are just as many great female Drs as males (and vice versa). There are also just as many horrible female Drs. as there are male Drs. All I want from my Drs is competence. Compassion is nice too, but not necessary. Competence is the only necessity. (After all, if they are competent, they will know what causes pain and treat the pain too.) JMHO!

I would definately try to get into see another Uro sooner, or else ask to be put on the cancellation list at this Uro. Hopefully, they'll be able to get you in sooner. But, like you, I wouldnt want to just sit in limbo for the next 5 months.

I hope you get in somewhere soon and get some help to start feeling better.

Hugs,
Amy

[stacyY]

Hi, I also have a female urologist. Is hard to get into her also. I had to wait for along time to get into her. I acculy then decided to see a male doctor, who did my cystoscope. Which he was acculy a great doctor, but then he didnt take my insurance. So then it took me another 2-3 months to get into see the female doctor.
She is good to talk with its more easy. But to be honest she is not very agressive twords the right treatment. Even my family doctor who is female surgested to see a differant urologist. I had to ask for 3-4 month to do another cystoscope before she acculy did one. She tried one instilation in the office and after 3 weeksit wsnt working and then she didnt try anything else and said there is nothing she can really do for me.
Honestly Just because she is a female doesnt mean she is the best doctor for you. You might feel more comfort its true i deffinatly do. But that doesnt make up for the weeks of pain i go threw because she says she doesnt know what else to do for me.
My advice is go for who is the best docotor in your town, maybe it is the female doctor. maybe its not. I ask around, ask your family doctor who they recomend most. Or ask what they have heard on that doctor.
Good l uck with your wait. Hope it works out for you.
take care
stacy

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious to see how long other people had to wait to see a specialist. I'm wondering if wait times are better or worse in different areas. Does anyone have a female doctor, and if so was it nearly impossible to get in to see her?

I got an appointment for 5 months from now (yes, 5 months!), but this is liekly only because I decided I needed one of the only female urologists in the city. Not that I have anything against men, but I've got some gynecological problems too, which I definately find easier to discuss with a woman.

Going back to my GP next week and asking him to see someone... anyone else. I know what my options are, and even if I get stuck with a jackass it will be better than doing nothing about my IC fro the next 5 months!

[GriffsMommy]

It took me a couple of weeks to get the first appt with my new uro. I called and asked around about which dr's were treating a lot of IC patients. I found Dr. B and I know that it was a couple of weeks before I could get in. I have no idea what they would do if I needed to be seen right away, maybe they would have me see a different uro in the practice or maybe that have emergency appts but I haven't had to worry about that yet.

[Berkshire Road]

I waited about two months to see my uro/gyn, who is still the only doctor (besides my pain doctor) who treats my IC. He is one of the sweetest, most gentle men I have ever encountered. I feel so much more comfortable with him than I did with my past gyn, who was a woman. This woman did not believe I had any pain and she demanded that I see a psychiatrist before I came back to her office! I don't see her anymore since the uro/gyn can take care of my annual gyn checkup as well.

This is the first time for me to have a male gyn, in almost 25 years of seeing gyn's. I was surprised to find out how comfortable I feel with him. Now that I am a regular patient, I can get in for an emergency usually the next day, for a regular visit it takes a couple of weeks on average. If I just need something like a prescription refill, or supplies for at home instills, I only have to telephone.

I agree with Amy and the others who say that five months is too long to wait. For me, the important question is not whether this doctor is male or female, but whether he (or she) is knowledgeable and compassionate. If you can see someone sooner, please do. You can still keep the appointment with the woman doctor, in case you don't have good luck with whoever you see.

Good luck to you.

[Rose Fish]

Fema;e Doctor

Hi -- I live in Toronto, Ontario too. The only female doctor I know of is Dr. Leslie Carr at Sunnybrook Hospital and she will no longer see IC patients. Is there another female doctor around town? I presently see a male out of Sunnybrook.

Good luck, Rose