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It took my LO 3-4 months to get see a pediatric/developmental neurologist for an evaluation, at a facility where she is already in the system as a patient for other services. We've waited 4-6 weeks for evaluations from Early Intervention, and for an appointment with a specific pediatric ophthalmologist.

I don't think it is unusual, unfortunately, for them to say they don't keep a cancellation list (unless you have an "in" with the receptionist and he/she does it for you as a personal favor, rather than something systematic they do. Of all the specialists we've seen, only a handful do keep "wait lists" and it's usually more of the personal favor sort rather than a formal wait list.

I DO think that these specialists reserve "emergency" appointments or will double book for cases that need to be seen sooner, so if you have another episode or feel like your LO's situation qualifies as an emergency, you can call, say so, and try to plead your case.

We had to wait over a month to see an ENT specialist about getting tubes, but it definitely wasn’t an urgent situation. I assumed they kept some appointments for more urgent cases.

@periwinklebee: I’d be reporting the nurse. Peanuts are a serious allergy and reactions aren’t consistent. Without guidance regarding cross contamination or introduction of other allergens you could end up in a serious situation. So many eye rolls.

Are there multiple groups you can call? When we need a dermatologist for my DS, the closer very good medical group didn't have any appointments for 2 months. But when I called the next closest, even better, children's hospital we only had to wait like 2 weeks.
Also, re allergies, last summer I had a very extreme allergic reaction to something, but I had no idea which of the things I'd eaten it was. And I had to wait like 3 months for an appointment. I was so nervous during that time that I'd accidentally eat the same thing and have an even stronger reaction.

We have waited 9 months to a year at least twice. That said I would definitely call and see if you can be put on a cancellation list. We were anticipating a really long wait for one particular appointment but they called us one afternoon and asked if we could be there the next morning at 8am and we did it. I don’t know if you have that kind of flexibility with work or if this is an option but I would definitely call and ask.

@periwinklebee: It took us a couple months to get in with the allergist the first time, unfortunately. Until then, just avoid contact with any suspected allergens.

Unfortunately, your LO's reaction sounds IDENTICAL to the one mine had when I introduced him to bamba and he IS allergic to peanuts AND tree nuts. Just a heads up, 50% of children that are allergic to peanuts are ALSO allergic to tree nuts, so I'd maybe avoid both until you get in to see an allergist!

Sorry you're dealing with this, but if you have any peanut allergy questions, feel free to ask!

I’ve never had to wait more than 3 days.

@periwinklebee: I think the US and Canada can vary but for our neurologist, ENT, cardiologist, urologist (yeah... know.... he's 100% fine... any tiny concern my PA sends us to fancy specialists. No wonder our health care system is in shambles) took about 1-2 months each. They were all "wait and see" stuff (hydrocele, umbilical hernia, reflex anoxic seizures or "fainting goat syndrome" and a lip tie that I made into a big deal and wasn't) so I didn't stress but if it was something more pressing, 6-8 weeks is a really long time to wait.