NHS Endoscopy

[Pinch]

I had to go for an endoscopy yesterday morning and my experience with the NHS staff was superb!

After seeing the consultant a couple of weeks ago with my ongoing stuff, he made an 'urgent referral' for an endoscopy procedure. The appointment arrived through the post a week after the meeting and was scheduled for yesterday morning - impressive!

I've been on steroids for a year now and although they've done an excellent job, I've experienced a horrible side effect for the last six months or so and I'm now in the closing stages of the 'weening-off' process. It's these new symptoms which the consultant has acted upon, although I think the symptoms are just side effects of the steroids.

Yesterday soon came round (time is the greatest hunter) and I wasn't looking forward to this routine procedure at all. I should have had an endoscopy a few months ago but on the day, my blood pressure was far too high for the procedure. Anyway, yesterday, my blood pressure was pretty high again (178/104) which was probably the result of feeling apprehensive about a tube down my throat and as I feel nauseous all the time due to the long term treatment of steroids, I was worried about vomiting/chocking during the procedure - a bit like putting your fingers down your throat to vomit syndrome.

I was already down for sedation, but I really wanted to be knocked out and not just sedated. I shared my feelings with the nurses and they were superb. The doctor then came in for a chat and he was also superb. After our chat, the doc said, "Don't worry, I'll find something extra for you."

Moments later, the doc came back in... "We're now ready for you and your champagne awaits Sir!"

I thought... :text-bravo:

One of the nurses was now wheeling me into the procedure room which looked more like a theatre with all the equipment everywhere and people dashing around... "Hi Paul, I'm ....." "Hello Paul, I'm ..... and we're...." All these people introducing themselves to me and telling me their role. Another person was inserting an oxygen tube up my nose and the catheter was already in place. Next thing, I'm laying on my left side and someone was installing the mouth piece, when I suddenly spoke out, "I feel sick!" That was it............... silence.

What felt like a few seconds, I briefly came round, still in the room, people dashing around and I heard someone say "All done!" "What, you've done it?" I said. "Yep!" Someone said. I then ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz...... off again.

About an hour later, I woke up on the ward hearing myself snoring like a trooper. :lol:

Brilliant. The whole team was absolutely fantastic! I wasn't aware of anything, no discomfort, vomiting or anything.

Results are due in 10 days.

 

[Tusses]

well done Paul
Hope all will be well with you.

I found the Endo team great when I was in 6 months ago.
Although it was my ward consultant that did the endo and looked after me on the ward.

I had 4 "procedures" in a week . some with and some without sedative. One proc was over 30 mins .. that was tough going ! .. although I think I took it out on the nurses hand, as she held mind, I must have crushed hers !

wishing you all the best .. bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Mike G]

Best of luck Paul. Hope the results are OK when you get them. Yep, the NHS is great, and the staff are usually brilliant, once you get into the system. It's getting into the system in the first place which is generally the issue, in my experience.

 

[Doug]

I seem to remember the worst bit being the banana flavoured spray they squirted down my throat before they stuffed the plastic donut in my mouth, that tasted horrible for ages, luckily the sharp pain of having the biopsies removed was over in an instant so not bad at all.

What made me smile was they kept talking to me which seemed pretty pointless it wasn’t like I could answer :lol:


Hope your results are good ones Paul, best of luck.

 

[9fingers]

Yes 10/10 for NHS staff. I've had both-end oscopies in the last year or so.
I'm assured they use different kit lol.
The top end identified a problem for which I now have one pill per day which has been complete magic, and fixed about three different niggly problems.

Well worth the discomfort/indignity.

Good luck with the results Paul.

Bob

 

[Malc2098]

Well done, Paul.

We wind ourselves up based on historical experiences, but they are so much better these days, the NHS.

I've been sedated a couple of time for route canal and can't remember the rest of the day!

I've been sedated for the prostate TURP and when I came to, was offered a sandwich. Brilliant. It was cheese and onion.

But I wouldn't fancy what you've just had done, so well done!

 

[Rod]

I hope it’s good news Paul

I haven’t had an endoscopy via the mouth but have had a gastro tube passed down my nostril into my stomach a few times.
Most of my procedures have been through the lower orifices, the worst bit being the laxatives/enemas taken beforehand.
I cannot praise the NHS enough, my last operation cost over £100k!

Rod

 

[TrimTheKing]

All the best matey. Luckily thus far in life all my medical related issues have been musculoskeletal and comparatively minor compared to many people on here. Fingers crossed it stays that way for me, and I hope you get some positive diagnosis to start working on resolving.

Cheers
Mark

 

[AndyP]

All the best Paul. It seems a shame that you have to sweat for 10 days before you get the results. Do you get to talk to the consultant before you leave the hospital?

 

[Pinch]

well done Paul
Hope all will be well with you.

I found the Endo team great when I was in 6 months ago.
Although it was my ward consultant that did the endo and looked after me on the ward.

I had 4 "procedures" in a week . some with and some without sedative. One proc was over 30 mins .. that was tough going ! .. although I think I took it out on the nurses hand, as she held mind, I must have crushed hers !

wishing you all the best .. bscene-drinkingcheers:

Thanks Rich.

My word, 4 in a week! :shock:

I learnt only yesterday at work, my neighbour had an endo about a year ago and she wasn't sedated. She said it was her worst experience ever and she fought throughout the procedure. Her hair down her left side was apparently soaked through vomiting up fluids. I'm so glad I kept my appointment under wraps. If I knew her experience beforehand, I might have cancelled the appointment.

Hope your stuff is behaving itself and giving you decent days.

 

[Pinch]

Best of luck Paul. Hope the results are OK when you get them. Yep, the NHS is great, and the staff are usually brilliant, once you get into the system. It's getting into the system in the first place which is generally the issue, in my experience.

Thanks Mike.

Yep, I've generally always heard good stuff about the staff. These guys were so good, friendly, polite, caring - just brilliant and so reassuring.

 

[Pinch]

I seem to remember the worst bit being the banana flavoured spray they squirted down my throat before they stuffed the plastic donut in my mouth, that tasted horrible for ages, luckily the sharp pain of having the biopsies removed was over in an instant so not bad at all.

What made me smile was they kept talking to me which seemed pretty pointless it wasn’t like I could answer :lol:


Hope your results are good ones Paul, best of luck.

Thanks Doug.

Yep, I had the throat spray too. I can't remember what it tasted of, it all seemed so quickly done and dusted. They've taken two biopsies (might be 3) and although I was out of it, I remember when I had the colonoscopy a few years back and I didn't feel the biopsies being removed.

Reminds me of the dentist... they don't say much until they're working on the teeth and they then start asking the questions. :lol:

 

[Pinch]

Yes 10/10 for NHS staff. I've had both-end oscopies in the last year or so.
I'm assured they use different kit lol.
The top end identified a problem for which I now have one pill per day which has been complete magic, and fixed about three different niggly problems.

Well worth the discomfort/indignity.

Good luck with the results Paul.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

I had the colonoscopy about 5 years ago which is how they diagnosed my condition, but I didn't feel a thing. I can't remember if I was sedated for that - don't think I was. It's the endo which I feared and I'm so glad I was knocked out.

Glad your stuff is sorted.

 

[Pinch]

Well done, Paul.

We wind ourselves up based on historical experiences, but they are so much better these days, the NHS.

I've been sedated a couple of time for route canal and can't remember the rest of the day!

I've been sedated for the prostate TURP and when I came to, was offered a sandwich. Brilliant. It was cheese and onion.

But I wouldn't fancy what you've just had done, so well done!

Thanks Malc.

Yep, the remainder of Sunday after the procedure was very strange. I don't remember much of the journey home (Mrs P drove) but I do remember having a cup of tea with some chips in the hospital restaurant before leaving. Mrs P said it was like I was drunk. She said I kept whispering things in her ear on the way home. :lol:

 

[Pinch]

I hope it’s good news Paul

I haven’t had an endoscopy via the mouth but have had a gastro tube passed down my nostril into my stomach a few times.
Most of my procedures have been through the lower orifices, the worst bit being the laxatives/enemas taken beforehand.
I cannot praise the NHS enough, my last operation cost over £100k!

Rod

Thanks Rod.

I remember your huge opp not that long ago - £100k, wow! I hope things are good for you matey!

I know they tested for cancerous cells during my colonoscopy 5 years ago and all was clear. They're testing for cancerous cells this time round as well which is probably routine anyway. I have collagenous colitis in the lower colon and with me, there are no flare ups - it's constant. They say it's rare to have it constantly. The consultant did mention celiac, but I'm pretty sure it's not that. As the steroids are leaving my system, the old symptoms are coming back with vengeance. :|

 

[Pinch]

All the best matey. Luckily thus far in life all my medical related issues have been musculoskeletal and comparatively minor compared to many people on here. Fingers crossed it stays that way for me, and I hope you get some positive diagnosis to start working on resolving.

Cheers
Mark

Thanks Markus.

Yep, me too. It's a bugger how these ailments seem to creep up as we get older and then wham, we have to make changes in how we live our lives. My biggest gripe with my stuff is fatigue and abdominal discomfort most of the time - not that bothered about stuff and everything can be an effort. Some days better than others, but it can get hold and fight the mind somewhat. But, we'll fight them on the beaches...

 

[Pinch]

All the best Paul. It seems a shame that you have to sweat for 10 days before you get the results. Do you get to talk to the consultant before you leave the hospital?

Thanks Andy.

I was expecting a chat with someone, but the nurse said everything went okay, so I'm assuming all is good. I don't feel there's anything for me to worry about, just my usual stuff really. It's another good process of elimination.

 

[AndyP]

All the best Paul. It seems a shame that you have to sweat for 10 days before you get the results. Do you get to talk to the consultant before you leave the hospital?

Thanks Andy.

I was expecting a chat with someone, but the nurse said everything went okay, so I'm assuming all is good. I don't feel there's anything for me to worry about, just my usual stuff really. It's another good process of elimination.

that's good then Paul. On both colonoscopes that I have had the consultant came to see me after I woke up which is normal for X-rays and ultra sound scans that I had done as well. Often one can leave the clinic with a typed report and copies of all the pictures.

 

[wizer]

Yes all the best. I've had cameras in all 3 ends :shock: I'll let you guess which one was the least pleasant....

 

[9fingers]

All the best Paul. It seems a shame that you have to sweat for 10 days before you get the results. Do you get to talk to the consultant before you leave the hospital?

Thanks Andy.

I was expecting a chat with someone, but the nurse said everything went okay, so I'm assuming all is good. I don't feel there's anything for me to worry about, just my usual stuff really. It's another good process of elimination.

that's good then Paul. On both colonoscopes that I have had the consultant came to see me after I woke up which is normal for X-rays and ultra sound scans that I had done as well. Often one can leave the clinic with a typed report and copies of all the pictures.

I had similar immediate results from my "bottom up" investigation. Maybe because it was a NFF (no fault found) but the top down one was different. Whilst I got the basic report on the day, and leaflets describing Barratts Oesophagus, the biopsies they took had to go off to be analysed to see if they were cancerous and those results were sent to my GP.

Bob

 

[9fingers]

Yes all the best. I've had cameras in all 3 ends :shock: I'll let you guess which one was the least pleasant....

Someone always has to go one better :lol:

PS how do I clear images from my mental cache??

Bob

 

[wizer]

I was relatively young when I had that and had forgotten all about the sphincter muscle from my biology classes :shock: :lol:

 

[Rod]

The one I dreaded most was a Cystoscopy but turned out to be a very quick procedure and the simplest. The camera was into my bladder before you could blink [emoji50]
Made more interesting as the patient in front of me was a prisoner chained to a prison warder.

Worst was having a CT Scan guided biopsy under local anaesthetic, through the Gluteus Maximus into the pelvic cavity. The anaesthetic numbed the skin but not much else - boy was that painful!!
They said it wouldn’t hurt but they lied.
In between each scan the Consultant kept apologising and saying “nearly there” as he pushed and waggled it around. My teeth were so tightly clenched all I could do was grunt.
Thankfully they did manage to retrieve a sample, which confirmed the diagnosis, so it was not all in vain.

Rod

 

[Woodbloke]

Echoing what everyone else has said about the NHS; just fantastic!
I had a rear end endoscopy some years ago when my 'bro had a bowel polyp scare and I was advised to get checked out...all good.

SWIMBO had a top end endoscopy earlier this year which turned out to confirm a hiatus hernia which can be controlled through diet and exercise.

I also can't complain in any way shape or form with the treatment I received last year over my Prostate cancer episode...absolutely stunning. From diagnosis to removal of same and sorting out my umbilical hernia at the same time in six weeks. BOGOF on the NHS

Hope all is good with with you Paul - Rob

 

[Tusses]

well done Paul
Hope all will be well with you.

I found the Endo team great when I was in 6 months ago.
Although it was my ward consultant that did the endo and looked after me on the ward.

I had 4 "procedures" in a week . some with and some without sedative. One proc was over 30 mins .. that was tough going ! .. although I think I took it out on the nurses hand, as she held mind, I must have crushed hers !

wishing you all the best .. bscene-drinkingcheers:

Thanks Rich.

My word, 4 in a week! :shock:

I learnt only yesterday at work, my neighbour had an endo about a year ago and she wasn't sedated. She said it was her worst experience ever and she fought throughout the procedure. Her hair down her left side was apparently soaked through vomiting up fluids. I'm so glad I kept my appointment under wraps. If I knew her experience beforehand, I might have cancelled the appointment.

Hope your stuff is behaving itself and giving you decent days.

I wasn't knocked out for any of them .. the 1st two I had just the throat spray. The second was the long one , about 40 clips and adrenaline injections and finaly that stuff they use on the battlefeild to stop bleeding , on the way out ! .. so for the next one I asked for sedation , lol .. but it was more like some kind of anesthetic. The last one was just to check the bleeding had stopped.

For years I had been feeling worse and worse. I came to the conclusion it was gluten, as it was better when I abstained. Good news, after the "op" I've been able to eat anything , and drink REAL beer ! bscene-drinkingcheers: ... and my general health and strength is returning ...

NHS in the hospital was great ... really great !!!

NHS with the GP , not so. I was fobbed off/ignored until it was that critical emergency one night

Hope you mend well , and don't have to go back too often

 

[Pinch]

All the best Paul. It seems a shame that you have to sweat for 10 days before you get the results. Do you get to talk to the consultant before you leave the hospital?

Thanks Andy.

I was expecting a chat with someone, but the nurse said everything went okay, so I'm assuming all is good. I don't feel there's anything for me to worry about, just my usual stuff really. It's another good process of elimination.

that's good then Paul. On both colonoscopes that I have had the consultant came to see me after I woke up which is normal for X-rays and ultra sound scans that I had done as well. Often one can leave the clinic with a typed report and copies of all the pictures.

Yes hope so. I've received a report today through the post - listed below.

 

[Pinch]

Yes all the best. I've had cameras in all 3 ends :shock: I'll let you guess which one was the least pleasant....

Thanks Tom.

If it's the one I'm thinking, my father had this recently and he said it was very unpleasant. :|

 

[Pinch]

Echoing what everyone else has said about the NHS; just fantastic!
I had a rear end endoscopy some years ago when my 'bro had a bowel polyp scare and I was advised to get checked out...all good.

SWIMBO had a top end endoscopy earlier this year which turned out to confirm a hiatus hernia which can be controlled through diet and exercise.

I also can't complain in any way shape or form with the treatment I received last year over my Prostate cancer episode...absolutely stunning. From diagnosis to removal of same and sorting out my umbilical hernia at the same time in six weeks. BOGOF on the NHS

Hope all is good with with you Paul - Rob

Thanks Rob and glad is is good with you now.

 

[Pinch]

well done Paul
Hope all will be well with you.

I found the Endo team great when I was in 6 months ago.
Although it was my ward consultant that did the endo and looked after me on the ward.

I had 4 "procedures" in a week . some with and some without sedative. One proc was over 30 mins .. that was tough going ! .. although I think I took it out on the nurses hand, as she held mind, I must have crushed hers !

wishing you all the best .. bscene-drinkingcheers:

Thanks Rich.

My word, 4 in a week! :shock:

I learnt only yesterday at work, my neighbour had an endo about a year ago and she wasn't sedated. She said it was her worst experience ever and she fought throughout the procedure. Her hair down her left side was apparently soaked through vomiting up fluids. I'm so glad I kept my appointment under wraps. If I knew her experience beforehand, I might have cancelled the appointment.

Hope your stuff is behaving itself and giving you decent days.

I wasn't knocked out for any of them .. the 1st two I had just the throat spray. The second was the long one , about 40 clips and adrenaline injections and finaly that stuff they use on the battlefeild to stop bleeding , on the way out ! .. so for the next one I asked for sedation , lol .. but it was more like some kind of anesthetic. The last one was just to check the bleeding had stopped.

For years I had been feeling worse and worse. I came to the conclusion it was gluten, as it was better when I abstained. Good news, after the "op" I've been able to eat anything , and drink REAL beer ! bscene-drinkingcheers: ... and my general health and strength is returning ...

NHS in the hospital was great ... really great !!!

NHS with the GP , not so. I was fobbed off/ignored until it was that critical emergency one night

Hope you mend well , and don't have to go back too often

That's brilliant Rich - well done matey! Very pleased for you! bscene-drinkingcheers:

Your experience with those endos must have been completely horrid.

My GP and consultant have been pretty good with me, but I'm aware how busy they are and how many patients they must be dealing with. Hats off to them. In fact, the consultant's nurse is excellent too. I've spoken to him over the phone several times with my meds and the side effects. It seems I'm one of these chaps who reacts to anything - I'm getting the very rare side effects.

 

[Tusses]

Your experience with those endos must have been completely horrid.

I tend to be filly soffiicle .. in the grand scheme of things , it was nothing , as they said I might be dead any moment !
if it burst , they couldn't stop it. .. no time to contact family or anything!

TBH , I' ve been "lost" since .. what to do with life ? ... prob not the best thing for a forum though ..
so .. I'll leave it at that

 

[Pinch]

Thanks for the comments chaps and sharing your experiences - the human body eh. :|

I've received a 'Gastroscopy Report' through the post today.

Medication used: Midazolam: 2.5mg, Throat spray. Other: Fentanyl 75 mcg. (must have been the champers!)
Main findings:
Oesophagus: Normal.
Stomach: Normal.
Duodenum: Extent examined: First and Second Parts Normal.
Procedures: Biopsy - CLO test - negative after 10 minutes.
Biopsy results to follow.....

So far so good.

There is another sheet of paper referring to after the gastroscopy... and I now vaguely remember the nurse saying these things to me after I came round, but I wasn't really that compos mentis at the time. I wasn't sure if he said "you will experience abdominal pain afterwards" or if he said "if you experience abdominal pain, contact your doctor." This sheet now confirms if you experience 'severe pain in your neck, chest or abdomen' after the procedure, contact your doctor immediately.

Well, I had an awful night sleep last night - couldn't sleep on either side as I had discomfort and bad nausea (much worse than normal), so I had to sleep on my back. Problem was, as I nodded off, I would then turn over onto one side and the discomfort would wake me up, and so this continued through the night - bad night. I've also had a worse than normal discomfort all day. This evening, I've had to put on my braces so I can undo my trousers and lower the fly. :shock: :lol:

I've got so used to feeling discomfort in the abdominal area, so I'm unsure whether this is pain or just discomfort at a slightly higher level than I'm used to. I'm not curling over in agony which would be severe pain I guess, but it is forcing me to walk a bit odd and sit strangely, but then, I do anyway. I'll see how I go through the night.

Did any of you chaps experience similar after your examinations?

 

[Tusses]

Good results so far Paul

I think the after discomfort I felt was due to the bit they don't tell you about .. they pump you full of air , like a balloon ! lol .. so they can see better with the camera.
Lasts about a day .. so I was just hoping it went away before they did the next one ! :lol:

 

[Pinch]

Your experience with those endos must have been completely horrid.

I tend to be filly soffiicle .. in the grand scheme of things , it was nothing , as they said I might be dead any moment !
if it burst , they couldn't stop it. .. no time to contact family or anything!

TBH , I' ve been "lost" since .. what to do with life ? ... prob not the best thing for a forum though ..
so .. I'll leave it at that

Yep, I can understand that one. I remember your thread a short while back - close shave mate!

I can empathise with you Rich - I know that feeling only too well. Rich, If you ever want a chat during the day (I'm hopeless at night), you're very welcome to phone me at the workshop - number on the website.

I've been "what's it all about" only today. We must not let the buggers get to us matey! Stiff upper lip... fight 'em on the beaches....

 

[Tusses]

bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Malc2098]

Go, Guys!

We're behind you rootin' in the background!

 

[Mike G]

......... I now vaguely remember the nurse saying these things to me after I came round, but I wasn't really that compos mentis at the time. I wasn't sure if he said "you will experience abdominal pain afterwards" or if he said "if you experience abdominal pain, contact your doctor." This sheet now confirms if you experience 'severe pain in your neck, chest or abdomen' after the procedure, contact your doctor immediately.

Well, I had an awful night sleep last night - couldn't sleep on either side as I had discomfort and bad nausea (much worse than normal), so I had to sleep on my back. Problem was, as I nodded off, I would then turn over onto one side and the discomfort would wake me up, and so this continued through the night - bad night. I've also had a worse than normal discomfort all day. This evening, I've had to put on my braces so I can undo my trousers and lower the fly. :shock: :lol:

I've got so used to feeling discomfort in the abdominal area, so I'm unsure whether this is pain or just discomfort at a slightly higher level than I'm used to. I'm not curling over in agony which would be severe pain I guess, but it is forcing me to walk a bit odd and sit strangely, but then, I do anyway. I'll see how I go through the night.

Did any of you chaps experience similar after your examinations?

With the normal proviso (I am not a doctor), that doesn't sound right to me. At the very least I would ring the number on the discharge paperwork you'll have been given, and check with them whether this abdominal pain should be followed up.

 

[fiveeyes]

I do hope that you will be ok. :eusa-pray:

 

[AndyP]

Well, how was last night Paul? Hopefully a lot better.

 

[Pinch]

bscene-drinkingcheers:

No probs, anytime matey...

 

[Pinch]

Go, Guys!

We're behind you rootin' in the background!

Thanks Malc... cor, I wish I was 30 something again. :lol: