Upper Endscopy Clinics in Western Canada - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

binkyholder · 09-06-2008, 03:37 PM

Hello,

I am wanting to have an upper endoscopy done, but my doctor will not do it. So I am taking matters into my own hands and looking for a private center in Canada that does this.

I live in British Columbia, Canada. Anyone know of a private center that does this?

TIA

flowergirl2day · 09-07-2008, 11:15 AM

You could ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist. As you know, more often than not these referrals mean months-long waits (unless it's an emergency).
My doctor has ordered this test, which will be performed at the hospital by a surgeon. We have completely by-passed the gastro doc. I have met with the surgeon, but still have to wait for a date. Basically, doing it this way has reduced the wait time for the procedure.

Be glad your doctor refuses to perform the procedure. It probably means he is not skilled enough. Let him refer you to someone who specializes in gastroenterology.
As for private clinics, there's only one that I know of. I am not sure whether or not they deal with GI issues. Why won't your doctor help you? I just don't understand, unless there is a physical reason why the intubation cannot be done. You should consider changing doctors.

binkyholder · 09-07-2008, 11:32 AM

Thanks for the info.

It's not that my doctor can't perform it or not, it's that she wanted to go the drug route first and see if it took care of the problem. She put me on Pantoloc 40 mg. Well it's been 2 years and all my symptoms are back i.e. pain between the shoulder blades, swollen feeling in esophagus and digestive problems.

I just want to know exactly what is wrong and not hope that a stronger drug it going to take care of things. Last time I saw the doctor she said even if she did agree to an endoscopy it would take over a year to get in. Very discouraging!

So I thought a private clinic is the way to go. What about an MRI, would that disclose any problems that an endoscopy would? There is a private clinic here for MRI.

beachcomber3 · 09-07-2008, 02:21 PM

Check with your insurance - they may allow you to by-pass your general practitioner and go directly to a GI specialist for an endoscopy. I'm speaking from experience: you may have a serious problem and that could be life threatening down the road, such as Barrett's Esophagus.

Kassie29 · 09-08-2008, 04:19 PM

My GP wanted to go the medication route first too. She said probably 1/2 the population has acid reflux issues at one time or another, and as this was my first bout, I agreed to try the medication for 2 months. When that didn't help, I insisted on a referral to a GI. I had to wait for about 3 or 4 months initially but then I only waited another 4 weeks for my endoscopy, pH test, manometry, and ultrasound. If this has been going on for 2 years for you, I think you have been more than patient and should insist on an endoscopy. My Dad died from esophageal cancer so my doctor was probably more apt to not wait too long before seeing if there was indeed something serious going on. Regarding the private clinic route, if they are funded by your provincial health care dollars, the wait can be almost as long as going the hospital route. If they are truly private, you usually have to have a complete health assessment done before they will do specific tests. I checked into that here in Ontario for a family member, and the clinic wanted $1,800 for the 4 hour health assessment, and then another $400 for the colonoscopy which is the test which my family member needed urgently.

Kassie