[Sad_Chelsea]

So this is kind of a complicated story but I'll try to explain. I had an appointment with my neurologist in April, I asked to have an MRI, he felt it wasn't necessary but because I was persistent he agreed to send a requisition for an MRI. In May, I unexpectedly developed double vision and deteriorating vision. I went to my family doctor, he sent me for a CT scan. I was booked urgently and my results came back immediately. The CT scan showed an obvious abnormality of my pituitary gland. My family doctor said he wanted me to get an MRI done and assured me I wouldn't have to wait long. I didn't receive a call from the MRI department so I called today to ask how long I'd have to wait. The person I spoke to said they listed me as having a semi-urgent problem and I'd have to wait three months minimum. I then called my doctor's office and said that seemed like a long wait, his receptionist agreed and suggested to call my neurologist as a neurologist would have more influence in assuring I'd be seen quicker. I called the neurologist and spoke to his receptionist. I explained I had a CT scan done, it came back with an abnormal finding and asked if the neurologist could try to get me in sooner. She took my number and left a message on my answering machine. She then relays a completely different story, she said my MRI requisition is considered "elective" and additionally that I have no CT scan findings. The second part, I clearly do not understand because I did have a CT scan and according to the radiologists who did the scan and my doctor there is something wrong with my pituitary gland. I called back and she insisted she was right and I was mistaken. She said I won't be seen anytime soon and the best case scenario is that I'll be seen in October but it's more likely I'll have to wait even longer than that. I'm just so frustrated and confused. I literally feel like I'm dying, having all these health problems. My weight has dropped down to 100 lbs (very underweight for a 31 year old woman who is 5'8) I'm eating as much calories as I can, a high fat diet and large portions, but still I keep losing weight. I don't even know what to do anymore. I feel I tried to advocate for my rights as a patient to get help and if anything I only made the situation worse. Now what do I do? I guess it doesn't matter anyway, if I keep losing weight at this rate I'll probably just be dead soon enough anyway..

[cloudyn808]

Aloha Chelsea,

Wow... sounds like a mess. I know how frustrating it is trying to deal with medical screw ups when you're not feeling well to begin with. Please keep trying to resolve the situation, be a total pest if you need to- you deserve answers. I don't know the system in Canada but shouldn't you be seeing an endocrinologist? Perhaps call your primary care doc and ask them to follow-up because something isn't adding up and its critical you get proper care immediately. Grrrrr...wish I could go yell at them for you!

[helloitsme27]

When I had issues with my pituitary gland, I saw an endocrinologist. I had a MRI quickly, and continued blood work for quite a while. Luckily it was a flook in my case and I have been fine ever since.

Go back to your primary and enlist their help, ask for referral to an endocrinologist, and do not give up self-advocating.

[Sad_Chelsea]

I made an appointment with my family doctor for tomorrow. I'm just so upset about my neurologists error and arguing with his receptionist sent me into such a tail spin that I'm having a mental health crisis. I woke up physically ill this morning from the stress of this, panic attacks, shaking, nausea, had to call in sick from work. I do have mental health problems obviously in addition to my physical problems and having confrontations with people is a tough one for me. I'll also ask about a referral to an endocrinologist as well, that's a good idea.

[lorna]

I live in Canada as well and have had to navigate through the medical system here and it is brutal. We need referrals for everything , and in my case I just was seen by an endocrinologist which was referred back in February and I knew she wasn't right and now have been referred out to another for September. It is common here for MRI's to take 3 months or longer. One suggestion I have is to get yourself on a cancellation list for the MRI and hound them until you get an earlier appointment.