Gastroscopy And Colonoscopy With Sedation PLEASE DON'T WORRY

I thought I'd let you know about my experience of a gastroscopy and colonoscopy with sedation yesterday. I found this web site two days before my procedure and found it really useful.

I was told that I would have to have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy about three weeks ago and I've been so so worried about it ever since. I have a phobia about being sick so the thought of someone sticking a camera down my throat filled me with dread :shock: ....all that retching HELP!

Anyway I got to the hospital and after a short wait a really friendly nurse called me through to an assessment room. She asked me all the usual health questions. I explained to her that I was so anxious and was really worried about the retching and being sick. She explained that there might be some retching as this is the natural protection process to stop you choking.

The nurse said what might help is the anaesthetic throat spray. She also said that the camera had a little suction tube on it so if there was any fluid in your stomach they could suck it away. I asked if they could give me enough sedation to make me sleep, she said that they are only allowed to use so much, but I would be nice and relaxed and may fall asleep.

I was then asked to change into one of those groovy hospital gowns. The Doctor then came to speak to me and went through the consent form. I told him my fears, he was very sympathetic. He then asked me to walk to the endoscopy room. The doctor asked me if I wanted the throat spray, I said yes please! He told me that the spray may make me feel that there was a lump in my throat but I would still be able to breath and swallow normally. He then put a cannula in my arm and tried to put my mind at rest, he then asked me to lie on my left side. The nurse said she had to put a little sponge in my nose, this gave me oxygen. Also she had to put a tube in my mouth this was a type of mouth guard. The Doctor said that he would now be giving the sedation.

I felt myself relax, the next thing I knew the gastroscopy bit was over and they were nearly finished with the colonoscopy bit, with one of the nurses holding my hand. That was quite interesting as I could watch the screen (if I wanted), there was just one slight bit of discomfort, then I was taken back the to recovery area. The nurses said that I had tolerated both procedures really well. I was so relieved that I could not remember any of the gastroscopy...not even one retch :D ! The nurses then brought me tea and biscuits and shortly after was allowed to go home. I just wished I hadn't worried so much, so I hope you don't either!

I would like to thank the Endoscopy staff at DCH for looking after me so well.

View 1 Replies

Alzheimers :: Antidepressants Make You Worse

My grandfather is taking one and he is becoming way worse and just lays in bed all day and doesn't eat anything at all. And looks like he''s going to die soon. Only reason why I'm asking this question here too is because he has Alzheimer's too.

View 1 Replies

Does Alcohol Make Anemia Symptoms Worse?

The other day (Sunday) I did something stupid and had a few beers (about 2 pints). Yesterday and today I noticed my symptoms have gotten a bit worse. Does alcohol make anemia symptoms worse?

View 1 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Computer Use Make It Worse

I have been off work since the end of May and Cervical Spondylosis was diagnosed by the Occupational Health doctor via the Local Authority for whom I work. This discomfort and pain started and deteriorated whilst working on the computer at work. The OH doctor says it is age related and will not attribute this problem to the fact that I spend most of my working life in front of a computer. I have had physio and acupuncture and they say it is to do with posture. This treatment has not resolved the problem and I have now been referred to the Orthopedic Service. I am fighting this with the help of Unison. Has anyone out there had a similar experience.

View 16 Replies

Venlafaxine :: Does Coffee Make Withdrawal Worse?

I'm so used to having a couple of cups of coffee a day but since i started withdrawing it seems to make my symptoms worse...especially the buzzing in my brain. Has anyone else found this? Any tips?

View 24 Replies

Endometriosis :: Does The Pill (Cerazette) Make Endo Worse?

My GP gave me cerazette, and after taking it for a while I broke out in acne so stopped. But the pain then got miles worse. Last night I had an ultrasound which showed my left ovary has moved to the back of my uterus, causing me awful pain.

I am wondering now was it the Cerazette that caused this, or was it going to happen anyway and should I have persevered with the pill.

I have read so much conflicting information so I wondered if anyone knows?

Also, I have been told by 2 doctors that laparoscopy makes the problem worse, but one told me it doesn't. I am so confused.

Lastly, has anyone tried the estrogen metabolism tablet DIM Plus? I read the reviews and it sounds good but I am so nervous to try any other tablets.

View 1 Replies

Exercise Helps Diverticular Disease Or Make It Worse?

It may seem a silly question but I would like to get fitter - take up running - in my fifties and just wondered does exercise help with DD or make it worse?  Anyone out there exercises avidly?  I feel so depressed since my diagnosis - like my life is over!  I suppose this is a bit dramatic but anyone got advise on exercise?  

 

View 14 Replies

Lichen Sclerosus :: Menopause Make Things Worse?

i had my last period at the beginning of the year and although I'm happy to see the back of them I have since had numerous flare ups and the itching has been ridiculous, it has me demented through the night. Has anyone else had the same experience.

View 8 Replies

Sinusitis :: Can Neti Bottle/pot Make Things Much Worse?

I know this sounds weird but my chronic sinusitis has me completely bedridden and has been for almost 2 years now and I haven't been able to work etc. anyway, my last CT scan showed massive inflammation and infection on the left side of my head primarily in the maxillary sinus.

It seems since I've been using the Neti bottle every day that I've gotten so much worse and consequentially my fatigue and weakness has been absolutely debilitating. My question is, has anybody ever heard of the Neti bottle or Neti pot making their sinus infection worse?? Thanks for reading.

View 23 Replies

Atrophic Vaginitis :: Drinking Alcohol Make Symptoms Worse?

When i drink..sometimes urethra burns..irritation vulva etc..anyone else?

View 4 Replies

GERD (acid Reflux) :: Zantac And Prilosec Make It Worse?

I've never ever had heartburn, or throat irritations (that weren't from a cold) in my life, and suddenly in January I started getting a lump in my throat feeling, that felt better as I ate, but came back when I was done. I was also noticing a dull chest pain on my left, but i figured it could had been from working out. It wasn't a big deal at the time, and I saw my GP about it. She couldn't really help me, other than refer me to an ENT.

A day after I saw the GP, I ate some instant ramen and got my first episode of heartburn/acid reflux. I went back to the GP shortly after, letting her know about the heartburn and she put me on 150mg of Zantac. Over the next few weeks, it didn't help much (neither did the constant Tums), and I had several more episodes of heartburn/reflux. It was always the same, I'd have the episode, the next few days I'd feel sore in my esophagus, and I'd almost get to the point of feeling better, then I'd eat/do something that would make me flare up again. It snowballed to last weekend, when I woke up on Sunday, drank some water, and just had the most acrid backwash. I panicked and went to the ER, where they put me on 20mg of Prilosec.

First few days were terrible nausea, migraine, chest pain and tense/twitchy muscles. Those went away, but now I always have the acrid backwash at night (I did get a wedge to keep my upper body slanted up), lots of throat gurgling/burps when I eat, and little-moderate acrid/stingy taste afterwards. It also feels as if my throat tenses on and off, and sometimes "clicks" when I dry swallow.

I'm having some other weird little side effects too, but I'm bothered that this reflux seems so constant now. I've already worked on cleaning up my diet, quit coffee, don't smoke, no fatty/greasy/sugary foods in the past week since starting Prilosec. Both parents have acid reflux, and my mother has GERD (a side effect of migraine meds). I'm not sure if this is made worse by Prilosec, or if I just suddenly have severe acid reflux no matter what I eat, and this is life now.

I'm seeing a gastroenterologist next week, but I'm afraid she's just going to up my dose and send me off. I want to get off all medication, and deal with this by diet change. I guess I'm asking if anyone has gone through something similar. In retrospect, I wonder if all the bad foods I was eating over the holidays set things off. In retrospect I was having a lot of "solid burps" through december, but no irritation till January.

View 5 Replies

Ulcerative Colitis :: Salofalk Enemas Seem To Make Symptoms Worse

My son had a colonoscopy and told may have Colitis..he was prescribed a month's supply of Salofalk enemas and took first one last night...but today he has had to poop about 7 times with some blood ...the frequency of the pooping is now more than it was before using the Salofalk and I'm wondering has anyone else experienced this...he is only 18 and afraid to leave the house..It is not diarrhea but it's just he needs to go so often...I am afraid he will loose a lot of weight...If this is normal using this product I can relax...can someone please reassure me

View 9 Replies

Fibromyalgia Syndrome :: Stress Levels Make Things Worse?

I have been diagnosed for about 3 years now , but in truth i think iv had this for much much longer , i have had every arthritis test done about 3 times and been in hospital for a long period , which come up with fibromyalgia , i have 5 girls , my youngest are twins of 11, i lost my lovely dad 18 months ago through cancer , he was a hard working lovely man who everyone loved and he was only with us 6 week after being diagnosed with stomach cancer , i felt like my whole world was going to crumble , i was left looking after my mum who is disabled, my husband and 3 of my dependant girls , things have gotten really bad since dad died , it just seems to have divided the whole family , i have been trying my best to keep thing afloat and now my 2 eldest daughters have fell out with me (over care of my mother) (they are down as her carer and driver of her car) yet they were not doing the jobs was left on her own by them  and my mother fell badly and i found her on the floor of her sheltered flat and she had been there from day before she is now in hospital (6 week)i am left to all the visits cleaning her clothes and she is very demanding gets quite aggressive at times , but i just don't think i can do much anymore ,my pain is excruciating,and i just want to stay in bed all the time , thing is , is she is about to get out of hospital soon , and i find myself worrying more and more about having to try and look after her when she's home , i just know i can't do it no more , i don't think i have ever felt pain like this in my life it is all over my leg muscles like cow bites ,my neck has got so painful and stiff , now my arms and elbows are starting to go the same , i just want to block the whole world out and stay in bed , my husband and children are understanding and do what they can ,but i know i cannot continue with looking after my mother  the 2 eldest daughters have just stopped going in to see her or doing anything for her , i am at my wits end don't want it to come across like i don't care for my mum , but i just can't do it no more , it seems to bring out the worse in my condition, i dont cook much no more i have to try and run my own home my mother's and  my business has nearly come to its end because i have nothing left in me , any advice would be grately appreciated thank you for listening x

View 17 Replies

Polymyalgia Rheumatica :: First Flare This Morning, Can Cold Make It Worse?

I'm now one week into my first taper from 15 down to 14 preds, for the last 3 days I felt really well, in fact began to think my diagnosis was wrong.

Silly me, woke up a 3 am feeling sore, by 6 am I was at 7 out of 10 on my own pain scale, so depressed but now certain I do have a problem.

Just wondering if cold could spark a flare? before the diagnosis I suffered aches and pains when the weather changed, this week I've enjoyed pottering in the greenhouse with the lovely sunny weather making it a joy to be outside, yesterday back to really cold weather and I got very chilled. Is there a relationship with temperature and PMR?

View 16 Replies

Legg Calve Perthes' Disease :: Running Hurt Me Or Make My Condition Worse?

I was diagnosed at age 9 and had surgeries at ages 9,11, and 15. I quit running because i would get to about a mile and it would catch with pain. I love running though and am trying to lose weight so i am curious if running would worsen my condition?

View 2 Replies

HIV Prevention :: Information Regarding Symptoms

I and other volunteers see a lot of posts regarding symptoms after an exposure. Some are minor such as a rash or a swollen node to "HIV like" such as a cluster of fever, sore throat, sores and body aches.  Keep this in mind that as humans we are covered or exposed to germs, common viruses, and fungus which we all carry. This is called the "the biome" which is the invisible part of our environment.  When we have sexual contact with somebody or their body fluids we expose each other to these organisms and our body reacts accordingly to fend off these invaders sometimes making us feel ill or display manifestations of symptoms.  Stress and anxiety post exposure contribute to this since chronic stress decreases the immune system and makes us more susceptible to common infections.  But what about the rashes? One may ask. Stress and anxiety causes the "fight or flight" response in our bodies causing release of cortisol which causes itchy rashes  on the skin. Cortisol rashes are also called "hives" can be be similar to rashes found in STDs and can be frightening when they occur, (Ive been there). Allergic reactions also play a part.  Also, sometimes the timing of exposure and illness is purely coincedental. Finally, if you have had a high risk exposure- when in doubt, test out.

View 2 Replies

Gastroscopy And Sedation

I had a gastroscopy within the last few days. I was “sedated” with 2mg of Midazolam but this did not seem to work very well. I did not feel drowsy at any time and had considerable problems of retching and discomfort throughout the procedure. I was very much aware of the tube, and being spoken to by the nurse during the procedure.

The nurse insisted on inserting the cannula on the inside of my elbow (which has dodgy veins and was clearly very badly bruised by previous week’s blood test), and not in the back of my hand as I had expected (and had experienced on all previous cases of anaesthesia). I did query this at the time. Is it possible that the drug was not in fact administered correctly? Or are some people just not very much affected by this drug?

The hospital also discharged me nearly an hour earlier than they had led me to expect – so presumably they too thought that I did not need the usual length of recovery time from the so-called sedation!

It would be very helpful to know what might have caused the sedation to work much less adequately than expected – in case there is another time. I realise that I may have had unreasonable expectations – but other patients I have spoken to seem to have had very different experiences and several hours of drowsiness (but all these cases were private and not NHS so it is possible that they may have been sedated differently or with bigger doses).

View 1 Replies

Sigmoidoscopy With Sedation?

Had an examination a few months ago but he couldn't go far because I was in so much discomfort. They found piles which they are going to band but haven't properly looked into the bowel because of the discomfort. I'm hoping the blood on toilet tissue is due to the piles

This time in having sedation. Will this knock me out completely or will I be awake during the procedure ??

View 3 Replies

Endoscopy Without Sedation

I had an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy this morning. I didn't know whether I wanted to do with or without sedation until the last minute. I had read this forum and asked about every single person I know, and everyone said I was crazy to consider doing it without sedation. In the end, talking to the nurse, I decided to try without it. And I am so glad I did! I would be surprised if the endoscopy itself lasted longer than 5 minutes. It is very unpleasant, don't get me wrong, I did not gag or vomit, but there were a couple of moments where I thought I was going to have a panic attack, so I just concentrated on breathing deeply and keeping calm. When it was over I was up and out of the hospital in 10 minutes, which is great!

View 1 Replies