Hospital Procedure.

[mickd1961]

As some of you know I’ve had health concerns since the turn of the year.

Today I went into the wonderful little cottage hospital in Evesham for an endoscopy ( camera down the throat into the stomach )
a procedure I’d been dreading.

My wife had the same thing a month ago but she’s braver than me, she gave me the confidence to go for mine and not wimp out.

I was shocked as to how quick and simple the procedure is, I had the sedation but in reality it doesn’t knock you out, or at least you don’t think you’ve been knocked out.

The whole thing took two minutes and was completely pain free and stress free so if ever you’re asked to take one please do so, if someone as hospital phobic as me can come out saying it’s easier than having a filling at the dentist done then anyone can do this.

I wouldn’t blink if I got called for another.

On inspection I’d got a hiatus hernia which is the reason I get so much acid reflux even though I medicate and I have a couple of stomach polyps that are apparently benign and if no concern.

The wave of relief is palpable, I don’t believe in God but I’m thankful to whatever it is that brings me continued good luck......so far.

If you ever need an endoscopy please do snatch their hand off, you won’t feel a thing.

The staff at Evesham were wonderful as well, such nice people, my thanks to them all.

[DaveP67 is back!]

That’s great news Mick, I have to go for one soon and was really dreading it, would you recommend having sedation the?

[mickd1961]

That’s great news Mick, I have to go for one soon and was really dreading it, would you recommend having sedation the?

Hi Dave,

Absolutely mate.

They ask you your stress factor based on 1-10 and I told them I was an 11 minimum as I’m a terrible patient.

They gave me 3mg of sedative a minute before the procedure and a freezing throat spray that tasted like banana.

They them ask you to bite on a plastic mouthpiece that keeps your mouth open, they close the curtains to make the room dark and ask you to lie on your side in the recovery position.

I was told it would then be 3-4 minutes for the procedure and the next thing I remember was being told it was all over!

It’s only afterwards that I realised I was either pretty much asleep or so spaced out for 4 minutes that I didn’t feel or remember anything, not a single jot!

My wife’s experience was the same Dave so if you ask for 10 on the sedation scale I can honestly tell you you have nothing to worry about.

Don’t stress in the days leading up to it or on the day, it was literally 5 minutes of nothing, not a memory or any pain or discomfort.

I’d have it done every day of the week now without a second thought mate.

You’ll know nothing.

[SCOOP115]

Same thing goes for a colonoscopuy (camera from the other end) Did the home test and it threw up something, so had an appointment for the test given quite quickly. Main downside is the concotion you have to have the night before to clear/clean the colon which makes it seem the whole world is dropping out of your backside
Had the sedation but the proceure itself was so easy on me. (it did throw up another issue though) Had a call only a couple of days later to say that all was clear - Result !

[baggieal]

Pleased for you Mick and bet that’s a relief.

I have my annual MRI a week Saturday and combining it with another MRI so will be in that tunnel twice as long! It’s like being in a rattling truck over bumps.

Then the dreaded wait of the results which I am not looking forward too as seem to be going down hill.

[Joy_Division]

I had an endoscopy a few years back also to find I had a small hiatus hernia and was prescribed Omeprazole for acid reflux but I did not have sedation I had the spray at the back of the throat. I gagged as the camera was inserted but once it went passed the back of the throat I stopped gagging and it was fine. They went down into my stomach to nip a little sample for check for any infection etc and that felt weird as you could feel it moving around inside. The whole procedure took a few minutes and because I was not sedated I could leave almost straight away and drive the car. You were not allowed to drive if sedated. I don't know if that still applies today. But either way it is nothing to worry about. I have also had the camera up the back passage and for me that is worse because I found it degrading especially when the guy doing the procedure said that he was just going to clean me up and promptly began wiping my ass. Then when I stood up and turned around there were about 10 men and women in suits looking at me from a viewing window. I said to the nurse Bloody hell love, I had been to football matches with smaller attendances than this, but it just went over her head and she led my out of the theatre and said that if I needed to go to the toilet would I please clean any mess off the walls with the brush that is in the corner of the cubicle.

[mickd1961]

Pleased for you Mick and bet that’s a relief.

I have my annual MRI a week Saturday and combining it with another MRI so will be in that tunnel twice as long! It’s like being in a rattling truck over bumps.

Then the dreaded wait of the results which I am not looking forward too as seem to be going down hill.

Thanks mate.

As we’ve discussed privately I’ve got over MRI anxiety now.

I still think the using off the silicon earplugs and the 100% closing of the eyes are what made this okay for me.

The reduction in sound and also going into a trancelike state of relaxation is the key.

I also count as well so that I know where I’m at time wise.......600 is ten minutes and 1800 is 30 minutes, if you just shut your eyes and do the count you’ll be fine.

The worst thing you can do is look at the tunnel above you in my opinion.

With your eyes shut it dilutes that claustrophobic feeling.......trust me.

[DaveP67 is back!]

Hi Dave,

Absolutely mate.

They ask you your stress factor based on 1-10 and I told them I was an 11 minimum as I’m a terrible patient.

They gave me 3mg of sedative a minute before the procedure and a freezing throat spray that tasted like banana.

They them ask you to bite on a plastic mouthpiece that keeps your mouth open, they close the curtains to make the room dark and ask you to lie on your side in the recovery position.

I was told it would then be 3-4 minutes for the procedure and the next thing I remember was being told it was all over!

It’s only afterwards that I realised I was either pretty much asleep or so spaced out for 4 minutes that I didn’t feel or remember anything, not a single jot!

My wife’s experience was the same Dave so if you ask for 10 on the sedation scale I can honestly tell you you have nothing to worry about.

Don’t stress in the days leading up to it or on the day, it was literally 5 minutes of nothing, not a memory or any pain or discomfort.

I’d have it done every day of the week now without a second thought mate.

You’ll know nothing.

Thanks for the advice this is brilliant, never worried about medical procedures but the thought of having a pipe down my throat while awake was terrifying, I have quite a bad hiatus hernia that is getting worse and needs some investigation, I will now push the doc to get me booked in.

[WBA1955]

As some of you know I’ve had health concerns since the turn of the year.

Today I went into the wonderful little cottage hospital in Evesham for an endoscopy ( camera down the throat into the stomach )
a procedure I’d been dreading.

My wife had the same thing a month ago but she’s braver than me, she gave me the confidence to go for mine and not wimp out.

I was shocked as to how quick and simple the procedure is, I had the sedation but in reality it doesn’t knock you out, or at least you don’t think you’ve been knocked out.

The whole thing took two minutes and was completely pain free and stress free so if ever you’re asked to take one please do so, if someone as hospital phobic as me can come out saying it’s easier than having a filling at the dentist done then anyone can do this.

I wouldn’t blink if I got called for another.

On inspection I’d got a hiatus hernia which is the reason I get so much acid reflux even though I medicate and I have a couple of stomach polyps that are apparently benign and if no concern.

The wave of relief is palpable, I don’t believe in God but I’m thankful to whatever it is that brings me continued good luck......so far.

If you ever need an endoscopy please do snatch their hand off, you won’t feel a thing.

The staff at Evesham were wonderful as well, such nice people, my thanks to them all.

Very happy that everything's ok for you Mick.
You never said what your symptoms were, if you had I could maybe have put your mind at ease.
I used to get food lodged in my esophagus, I went to the GP, he said would you mind having the camera down, you might have cancer.
Bloody hell i said.
Well it's better to catch these things early said he.
But I have had it years say's me.
Do you get anything coming up when you lay down say's he.
Aye, a burning in my throat says I.
Aaaaaahhh, you have acid reflux he ejaculated, I'll give you some tablet's for it.

[kettering_baggie]

Mick, I am very pleased to hear that your worst fears did not come to pass, may you be restored to full health as soon as possible. I look forward to meeting you at another match sometime, I suppose it would like be a non-league match again. You’re welcome in Kettering anytime.