Just had mine done this morning and am feeling a bit sore and headachy. Will take some paracetamol. Found the experience more stressful and more uncomfortable than having my cataracts done but not quite as bad as a recent colonoscopy. I was really annoyed though that though I’d asked several times for some light sedation (I have a tendency to medical anxiety and claustrophobia) none was made available to me and the local anaesthetic they used was clearly not as quick- acting or effective enough as they promised - had to push them not to use an adrenaline based one as I know from dental experience they send me tachycardic and into a panic attack. As it was they had to top up a few times as I was feeling more than I should as they were sampling and stitching. Really shouldn’t be having to fight for this sort of stuff on the operating table. My tendency to anxiety was made worse by the amount of pointless waiting around they made me do, even though I was first on the list, and by their efforts to swathe my head with lots of paper drapes for no obvious purpose especially on the non operative side. Eventually got them to just to screen off the surgical field and leave me free to see and breathe on the other side., but they nearly scalped me getting the sticky tape off my hair at the end. Was there a total of 4 hours for a 20 minute procedure under local, including a lengthy time in theatre post op where they were cleaning around me whilst the team did the paperwork without which I wouldn’t be accepted back into the post op bay. Such a waste of capacity and makes me wonder how many they will actually get through in a day. Now just have to hope it was worth it and that the result is clear one way or the other.
GCA Biopsy: Just had mine done this morning and am... - PMRGCAuk
GCA Biopsy
You'd think that such minor ops would be done and dusted pdq since they don't need to be sure that there is a hospital bed other than post-op recovery.
oh my goodness, what a palava. 4h 20?! I wonder if the sedation was dropped because you would need more supervision that they didn’t want to have to give due to lack of manpower. Mine hurt too but round the back of the head, not where it was numbed.
Probably so. I always have to fight for sedation for procedures that those performing have probably never had and so have no idea what it really feels like especially for someone with anxiety. Women in particular seem to be expected to power through this stuff regardless of the cost to them in accumulated stress from a long run of so called routine but challenging medical procedures.. Even had one of the doctors suggest as an analogy that just as I'd had children and forgotten the pain so I would this. Told him pretty sharpish that I remember everything about those events - the forceps, the tearing, the stitches- and though my births were relatively easy compared with those of many other women it didn't mean they weren't traumatic to a degree. Only a man could be so crass - can you imagine how that would have felt to someone who had had a much more horrendous birth experience.
Considering it tbh. But previous more serious complaints we've made re my late husband’s treatment at the same hospital when he was dying of cancer, have achieved very little for the effort it took to make them. Will mention it to the Consultant when I see her next though.
I am sorry your experience was so inefficient, heartless and neglectful. These experiences leave you with trauma for the next procedure and so it builds. The doctor who made the idiotic analogy with childbirth ought to try it for 5 minutes, he would soon be screaming for relief.. These experiences are dehumanising and make me despair. They are assaults really.
Today I had a Synacthen Test with a very sweet, sensitive nurse. The experience was made so pleasant that it was almost like a social occasion, complete with tea and biscuits. There is hope whilst there are true professionals like her. Shout out to the Endocrine Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. It can be done folks!
Sheffield is my home city so knew the Hallamshire and other hospitals well in my youth. Been in exile in that London for 40 years and am seriously getting to dislike my local when it comes to A&E, surgery and in- patient care. Thankfully some of the outpatient consultants are much better and on the whole Rheumatology have been all over this since I first presented to my GP after the Easter weekend so I have a lot to be thankful for.
Yes, me too Menno1525 but it is tough at times. 🌼
Hi Menno1525,
it sounds absolutely horrendous and fascicle what you just went through. I get panic and anxiety attacks and I made that clear to them at the pre-assessment clinic, but the fact that I breathe through my mouth because of sinus issues and the consultant trying to put the endoscope down my throat at the same time and telling me to breath and swallow I ended up trying to pull the dam thing out that they knocked me out for it.
Now when I need one I always ask for a general anaesthetic which they give me, I may have to wait longer for the procedure but I don’t mind that. They can sedate you enough that you can’t remember what happened if that’s any easier which I was offered.
But the fact that the put paper to cover your face I’ve never heard of, it makes you wonder where they got their degree from. I hope it settles for you and you get the outcome you want 🤗
it is a horrible procedure...I had it before I discovered this forum. I had no idea what they were going to do and how painful it was. I had been admitted into hospital post PMR diagnosis with suspected GCA. The rheumatologist and the vascular surgeon had no time to answer any questions. I only had one side done because I was fainting with pain and I have trigeminal neuralgia on the other side and was worried about that. The nurse was lovely...so kind. But she was almost in tears at the end! She took my hand during the surgery and stroked me. I needed the same light anesthesia I had for the colonoscopy.
Yup I would have preferred it too but given how long it had been delayed I just wanted to get it done whilst it might still have some probative value. Won’t agree to having another on the other side if they suggest it unless there’s a cast iron rationale and a cast iron guarantee of sedation. On the upside 24 hours later although face feels a little odd with the dressing any pain has just about gone. Looking forward to losing the dressing tomorrow and being able to wash my hair., and thankfully the stitches are dissolvable so I won’t have the agony of having them removed.
Wow, mine took about 30 mins tops. The surgeon was awesome, as I'd heard she was. Local anesthesia started to wear off a bit, so she gave me another shot...and I was done. I also have generalized anxiety and was anxious right up to the moment. The nurse kept me talking though and then I was done. Next hurdle is the endoscopy in June for esophageal spams. Hurdle as far as the anxiety goes anyway, even though they use some kind of twilight pill, I'd rather be knocked out.
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