How long is the wait for an appointment to see a specialist

[meanie065]

Hi I am really new to this and very scared I was just diagnosed last Thursday. I am a single Mom of two and now all the sudden my world has fallen apart. I dont understand how i got this I had surgery less than two years ago was tested for everything and all was negative. Now all of the sudden I go for a normal check up you know Cholesterol and Diabetties, and of couse cancer due to some recent scares. Just trying to assure myself that I was taking good care of me for the kids. The really scarey part is I cant seem to get an appointment to the specialist office until February.
I called them today and they told me I had to take a drug test to make sure I wasnt still using cause the treatments wont work if I am using. How insulting!!!!!  
I dont use durgs and I resent the fact that someone bascially acuses me of it;

[copyman]

first, relax. this is not a fast moving disease like cancer, etc. For the most part it takes many years for any damage to occur.

If a doctor's office said that to me I would look for another doctor. It usually takes a few months to see a specialist. Until then just take care of your kids and try and learn as much as you can about this disease. read the archives on this forum and also visit the link below for more information.

http://www.janis7hepc.com

[vic199]

I found out in oct that i have hep c and feel the same way. I was on the phone for ever trying to get my med records fax to another dr. I wanted to go that day but i have to wait the dr i saw here once i told him i did things when i was in my teens i should not have done he just walked out of the room came back handed me a paper and said it will take a month to get the results back. So i called a guy in san diego and it is going to take a couple of months to see him.TICKED OFF is what i am but there is not a whole lot u can do about it so i just wait. I still call every monday afternoon if there is a cancle i am going to be there.Not much compassion for this i think plp think u did it to yourself. But i don't know i am now 57 have a hard time with it. It was so long ago but i guess if u play u have to pay somewhere along the line. both my kids are fine and my husband is fine. I just don't know yet. Just have to wait. And learn all that u can i have found out alot so i know what question's to ask when i get there.

[nygirl7]

I'd find another doctor those people sound like they have no class at all.  You really can find a GI who has experience in hep - you don't HAVE to go to a heptologist.

I think finding a doctor that you like is a very important part of the whole experience and hep is not a fast moving disease in fact you get very much used to hurry up and wait with this - patience is a big lesson we have to learn.