What they said

[wellinghall]

I hope the cuts below work - if not, feel free to stop reading now.

I went to the doctor this morning because I've been, well, bleeding. He examined me and said that although he couldn't see or feel anything, I might have a polyp. So he is referring me for a colonoscopy. He then wasted time by giving me a choice of hospitals, and more time by getting me to sign a form saying I had been given a choice of hospitals - I wouldn't mind so much, but the hospital I want to go to (St Mark's in London, where they specialise in this sort of thing) wasn't even on the list. And the colonoscopy means (a) the horrible prep of clearing me out, and (b) the even worse IV. I hate needles!!! Not to mention no solid food for two days! I also went to see him because St Mark's say they want a blood sample, to check for anaemia and liver function. This is being done after we get back from holiday, which means I've got a week and a half of nervous anticipation. I hate blood tests so much that I have to have a sedative beforehand, and even that doesn't do enough to quell the terror.

And then this evening, I went to see the physiotherapist. Under her tender (!) ministrations, I am getting better slowly, but only slowly. She thinks I need to undertake a much more rigorous and varied exercise program - things like walking (a lot), as well as special twisting-and-bending (also a lot). It's also increasingly clear that I need to cut down on my computer use.

Hugs would be good at this juncture ...

Comments

[emperor]

Ow, sounds ungood. *hug*. I know a few people who hate needles; thankfully I can just about cope with them (which is funny given how many times I've injected animals...)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks, emperor. I'm so very squeamish that I don't even like having my blood pressure taken!; although I can now manage to have it done while sitting down, whereas at one point I had to lie down for it.

I'm just weird.

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

The N thing is not a problem for me but I know several people beset by it. Have a hug or a manly shoulder pat whichever you feel would do more good.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The manly shoulder pat sounds good.

[sally_maria]

I'm sorry to hear you're suffering again - it sounds distinctly unpleasant.

Have a hug and a friendly dragon, all the best with the tests.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *Nice* dragon.

[pellegrina.livejournal.com]

Oh, *hugs* and all the best.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks, pellegrina.

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

Hugs from me. I will be thinking of you...

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much.

Watched bits of "Flash Gordon" today, and I'm afraid the rocket scenes made me think of you and your interest in manned spaceflight!

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

*huge huge hugs*

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *hugs* back.

(I'm sad, aren't I, spending a sunny bank holiday afternoon on LJ).

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Good luck and supportiveness from this quarter.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thankyouverymuch, parrot_knight. It is both welcome and appreciated.

[wryelle.livejournal.com]

Oh dear *hugs* that sounds most unpleasant.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[metal-rabbit.livejournal.com]

ok, i was in the same situation some 10 years ago (i'm 54 now) with some rectal bleeding. and i really can't stand needles, but the fear that it might be cancer was stronger for me. i even declined the injection that i wish now that i had had to relax my muscles. then the colonoscopy. erm, the nurses were fantastic and so gentle and tender, and it was far more uncomfortable than painful. the wind afterwards was embarassing, but the relief when they said that they had found a couple of hemorrhoids (or however it is spelled!) and tied them up (erm ouch) and that there was no cancer more than overcame the fears.

please, be brave. it is not as bad as your fears of it, trust me. if you don't want the relaxing injection, then don't, but it will make the procedure more comfortable.

peter

[metal-rabbit.livejournal.com]

if you want to talk more on this, e-mail me (addy on my lj page) and i'll e-mail you more thoughts.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks for these comments. It is (curiously?) helpful to hear from someone who has been there before.

I might email you sometime, and we can leave these other good people here in relative peace, and freedom from worry of being exposed to gory comments.

[chainmailmaiden]

My Dad's had to have a colonoscopy & other similar investigations several times over the years, so have a hug from me too - I know they're not nice. Good luck with the needles too, hope the sedatives work this time.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this, Delia. I hope your Dad is now recovered, and doesn't have to have things stuck in him any more (is this some sort of revenge for all the times he has stuck things in other people? ;-))

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* from me also.

**Try** to put it to the back of your mind and enjoy your holiday [yes I know it isn't that easy...but still try!]

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you, didiusjulianus. The hugs and the advice are both most welcome.

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

I've had a few sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies over the years- and although the needle thing may be truly horrible for you, don't dismiss the idea. I would far rather have a colonoscopy under sedation/relaxant than without. It's a personal preference thing.

I'm really glad you're getting this checked out properly.

No part of the procedure is nice but you will feel a lot better for knowing what is really wrong instead of worrying. Also, you will be able to get the appropriate treatment.

Big Hugs. Let us know how you get on.

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

One thing should have said about the above, is that the reason I prefer to be sedated is because when I had it done the last time I didn't remember a thing about it. I remember being rolled onto my side and then waking up in the ward afterwards. I would reccomend it to anyone. Having said that I am a big fan of relaxants/pain relief wherever possible.

I'm sure that it's not too bad if you don't have the IV but personally, if given the option, I would take it.

If you want to talk about it please contact me anytime. I've had ulcerative colitis for 15 years now- unpleasant but something I can live with.

All the best and more hugs,
Helflaed

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all this, helflaed. I hadn't even considered not having a sedative! - a manual examination is uncomfortable enough.

I might contact you sometime - thanks for the offer.

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, sounds rotten, much sympathy and hugs from me. Hope it all goes well. Re: IV needles - you could get them to apply a local anaesthetic cream/spray so that you can't feel it?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this. I certainly plan to have Emla cream for the IV (The problem with having it for the blood test is that I have to guess where to put it, and the nurse will then want to stick the needle somewhere different!)

[rustica.livejournal.com]

*sends lots of sympathy*

Well done for being brave enough for getting it checked out this far. That's the bravest part over and done with. I've found this sort of thing isn't pleasant (obviously!) but isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. And the nurses and doctors expect you to be nervous and are really good at helping you cope. Do tell them about your fear of needles in advance!

How about planning something really nice for yourself for afterwards? It'll help you look past the examination.

Oh, and listen to Helflaed. She knows what she's talking about...

*hugs*

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the sympathy and hugs, rustica.

The blood test is on the Friday before the May Day bank holiday (which actually falls on May Day this year!) We probably won't be going up to my parents that weekend (despite Belvoir being beautiful in the spring time), as they are going to Crete on the Tuesday; but I'm sure we can find something to do.

And doing something just after my tests is also a good idea. Maybe Whipsnade, or Shuttleworth.

[dreiviertel.livejournal.com]

I hope the worst bit will be over soon!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dreiviertel.

For me, the worst bit is the needles, followed by the fasting and prep. Waiting for the results is unpleasant, but to me not nearly as bad as the aforementioned.

advice on bl**dy bl**d tests

[tovaglia.livejournal.com]

Sounds horrible. I can only offer you my unqualified sympathy and also some uncalled-for, non-evidence-based advice based purely on my personal experiences.

Feel free to ignore all of this as I'm sure you have heard all this before, but: Insist on having someone you trust taking the blood test. This is not an unreasonable request. (But if you don't trust anyone, I'm afraid you'll have to pick the least untrustworthy person in your view!). I think that the more experienced hospital phlebotomists are slightly better than most GPs or practice nurses - just because they do it all the time. Not sure how phlebotomists would feel about sedated people in their dept but maybe whisky might have an equivalent effect? Local anaesthetic cream is an excellent idea and much used for children and needle phobic people (Emla is popular), but make sure you apply it liberally, well in advance (an hour is good), covered by an occlusive dressing, over each of your 2 best veins. I haven't seen local anaesthetic sprays used - most of these work by cold, I think, which would make the veins constrict. Relaxation exercises/ breathing exercises / meditation techniques are very strongly recommended to help control the "terror" feelings. In fact most people having blood taken can be heard quietly whistling something complicated to distract themselves. Re: sedatives, your body may gradually build up a kind of "resistance" so you may need a higher dose to achieve the same effect (warn the colonoscopy people about this too). Lastly, make sure you are really well hydrated prior to any blood test and that you also wrap up warm.

But presumably you have to have a scope whatever the blood test results come back as - so why can't you get the bloods done at the same time as the colonoscopy, if it's not too long a wait until this gets done? They might be able to take the blood for tests through the same line (butterfly/venflon) as being used for the sedation which you will need. Or failing that, can't they take the blood while you're zonked out afterwards? (bit more risky though cos its a bit like being drunk and you might end up swearing at whoever is doing it, but you probably won't remember a thing afterwards). I should think a lot of endoscopy depts would be happy to take an extra blood test while they're at it, if you ask the right person nicely in advance.

Re: advice on bl**dy bl**d tests

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all this good advice, tovaglia.

The advice about being hydrated and warm is excellent, as is the bit about relaxation exercises etc (I find I'm not very good at that sort of thing, but I will try it).

Blood test at the same time the IV line goes in is interesting. I had that done at St Mark's last time, as I was voluntarily (!) giving blood for genetic testing and research - that shows how much I want them to find a cure for PJS!!! It was worse than just an IV, but better than separate blood test and IV. Can I steel myself to talk first to my GP and then the endoscopy dept about this? I mght do so. I hadn't thought about them taking it afterwards - I like this idea!

Sedatives. First time I was on Lorazepam. this helped a bit. St Mark's gave me two (!) Temazepam. I was quite happy beforehand, until they approached me with the needle, then I was still terrified.

Now, my GP has prescribed Lorazepam, and clearly thinks Temazepam is far too strong. He recommends one for each of the blood test and the IV, but has prescribed me five in total, to see me through future occasions as well. Hmmm, five tablets divided by two occasions sounds like about two and a half tablets each time. Sounds about right to me.

Many thanks for all the advice.

big big hugs from someone who also hates those

[duck-walks.livejournal.com]

pointed things. Metal Rabbit recently accompanied me to hospital and was pretty u.s. as I failed to tell that the reason for him being there was to listen to the consultant! who ever takes you please tell them to listen for you, cause you will miss half of the u.s. information they give you along with some of the useful stuff! ( OR at least that was what happened when he didn't listen for me!)

Wish you all the best and please let us know how this goes. BIG BIG cuddles, hugs and kisses >>>>XXXXXX<<<<<<<

Re: big big hugs from someone who also hates those

[metal-rabbit.livejournal.com]

humpf. next time tell *me* that i need to listen. but yes, my lady is right, do take a friend and lean on them.

Re: big big hugs from someone who also hates those

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this, duck_walks. I will make sure I keep Creatrix with me at all times ...

[jane-somebody.livejournal.com]

*Hugs galore* And very much sympathy. If you've been under St. Mark's previously, is there no way they can re-refer you for this as some kind of follow-up or something? I admit I don't understand about NHS distribution of resources stuff :-( *More hugs*

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Hello, and thanks for the hugs and sympathy.

The doctor said that he could refer me to St Mark's, but that it would take longer and be a more complicated process. He evidently didn't want to, and I didn't push it; partly because I lacked energy, partly because I do rely on the goodwill of my GPs, and partly because Luton is a lot easier to get to.

[sigisgrim.livejournal.com]

You need a big hug: HUUUUUG I know how much you hate n's.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Oh, 'ello. Didn't realise you were on LJ. Thanks for friending me; I've returned the compliment.

And thanks for the hug.