Update from Mondays consultation

[Pamelah5]

Met with the Dr / surgeon Monday evening after giving account of symptoms with stomach who decided a "Capsule Endoscopy" would not be the correct procedure he would not be able to take any biopsies, losing 4.5 kilos in short time, needing a "Endoscopy and Colonoscopy". Both procedures have been booked for tomorrow (Thursday afternoon) feeling tad nervous remembering the gagging from years ago. The Dr will be doing the procedure himself said I won't feel anything, I wait to see. He feels he knows what's going on that with meds I will get my life back.

Today I start taking my preps - to which I am not looking forward to.

I will keep updated.

Best wishes to all

Pamela xx

[helixhelix]

The prep is the worst bit! Horrible stuff, put bottles of water in the fridge so you can make it up cold. Other than that the experience was fine, but I was sedated. And didn't even have a sore throat after (or sore anything else).

[sylvi]

Best of luck darling.xxx

[Pamelah5 in reply to sylvi]

Thank you Sylvi. xxx

[Gnarli]

Oh bless you. That's not what you wanted to hear. With any luck they will offer sedation and you won't know anything about it. The prep is nasty as you know already but HH's suggestion of using chilled water is genius. Keeping everything crossed for you

Jan

[Pamelah5 in reply to Gnarli]

Hi Gnarli, so true. I would of chosen a hospital which was closer. Although I'm not driving still dreading the journey with traffic. Finally finished the prep, completely exhausted so resting for a while.

Pamela x

[wishbone]

I would think they will offer sedation. If not then I'd ask for it, especially having two procedures.

During my stay in hospital a couple of weeks ago, a patient on the same ward told me that he was given a small general anaesthetic when he had an endoscopy some time ago. I was a bit surprised by this as I did not think they would give someone general anaesthetic for an endoscopy unless there were complications??

Good luck Pamela.

[Pamelah5 in reply to wishbone]

Hi Wishbone, thank you for reply. Possibly he was so heavily sedated which seemed like a general . I did not think he would of be given a general as you need to swallow the tube. Unless, maybe if it was done private not nhs it might be slightly different , I will find out this afternoon .

Pamela x

[wishbone in reply to Pamelah5]

Hmm, thinking about it, I thought it a bit strange when I overheard the nurse giving him diazepam considering he was in hospital due to a leg infection. He later told me that the diazepam was to keep him calm because he had to go without alcohol & nicotine while in hospital. He obviously had a drink problem, so I wonder if they decided to knock him out to stop him playing up during an endoscopy?

Dunno mind, you could be right about the heavy sedation...I'm just going by what he told me.

[MargaretStirling in reply to wishbone]

No some nervous people get an anaesthetic as they would be all tenced up and the surgeon wouldn't be able to get the camera down the persons throat I've had it before and have managed with the anticeptic spray I was able to go home after the procedure but if you have anaesthetic you need to stay in hospital for a few hours. The hardest part is swallowing the camera on the line

[wishbone in reply to MargaretStirling]

I see. Thanks Margaret.

[Downtime]

The prep bit is the worst but it’s important. My colon is tortuous (born with it) so I couldn’t have sedation in case they perforated it and even that was ok, so try not to worry. The endoscopy is easy as they sedate you and you can’t remember anything about it afterwards.

[Pamelah5 in reply to Downtime]

Downtime, thank you for replying. Prep was disgusting!

Now need to get the procedure done which is not till just after 1pm . I'm sure the day will go quick

Pamela x

[Lizard28]

I had an endoscopy last year and was given the choice, worse bit for me was the throat spray as I felt I cudnt breathe, fortunately it was only for seconds as I was put under. Best thing for me, I'm not a brave soldier.

[Pamelah5 in reply to Lizard28]

Thank you Lizard28.

Dr / surgeon said he will do the procedure. I will be heavily sedated I won't know a thing. Having had this procedure before you know what to expect, so much not looking forward to this afternoon.

Pamela x

[Entero]

Ah, best of luck Pamela5. Having had one before you also know how good that cup of tea and biscuit is going to taste afterwards! Btw I’ve had this procedure done privately and on the NHS and am happy to say the only difference was the quality of tea 😃