Hospital Tests and OSA

[puffin]

Well I had a couple of major tests yesterday, Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy. Layman's terms, cameras up and down! I was asked if I had any breathing problems, "Yes" I said "OSA". To cut a long story short the specialist said "sorry, we would normally knock you out for these tests, but because of the OSA, we will have to just give you a very mild sedative and keep you awake."

It was as bad as I thought it would be, painful or what, as they had to go in a very long way. The plus side was I had a "Ring" side seat for the Colonoscopy. Its not everyday you see the inside of you large intestines live on T.V. Down side, they pump large amounts of air into your guts. Gold medallist Farting for Britain winner.

If I did not have OSA I would have not have had as painful experience as I did. The plus side was I left the hospital much quicker as I did not have to recover from the stronger sedative.

[gvader]

Did they make you a DVD of the movie?

[SteveP]

Best wishes for recovery Puffin!

My brother has a colonoscopy a year, and I have an idea of the pain and discomfort you went through yesterday. Will you be posting your DVD on the forum? You are already famous for the CPAP demo... The other end of the stick might make you an Oscar contender...

All the best,

SteveP

[retsyo]

Hi Puffin

I had a gastroscopy the morning after the sleep study but presumably had the normal sedative although they did tell me I could watch if I wanted to. I saw very little and remember nothing till they produced a cup of tea after it was all over.

Did you get your results?

I had a colonoscopy a week before Christmas a one hospital then the gastroscopy at another department of the sleep clinic the second week of January in Auckland. All problems not helped by OSA. I must say NZ is looking after me well although I do not have the benefits of the NHS. Not sure what will happen when I get back home to my UK GP.

Did you read my thread about using honey to help the reflux?

[puffin]

Thanks everyone, I will not get the results of the biopsy for 8 weeks. They found only one polip which they removed, watched um doing it. When they showed me the thing afterwards, it was the size of a pin head. It did look a lot bigger on screen! They did say that every thing looked normal. The Worst part was the Picolax the day before, if you can not get to the toilet fast, then its a change of under ware.

Now its a diet of nothing else but 4 litres of milk and two yogurts a day for two weeks, in readiness for my operation.

[puffin]

Yet more problems because I'm on CPAP!

Swinging my metal detector in the middle of a field today, when my mobile went. It was the Surgeon who was going to do my operation on the 1st of March. "Mr Puffin, are you the chap who said he used CPAP?" "Yes" I said. "Well we may have a problem! I need to talk the the anaesthetist as there may be a short delay for the operation, can I get back to you."

Well, three hours later, I'm still in the field when he rings back. "Sorry to say Mr Puffin, but the anaesthetist wishes to see you before we can go ahead. The earliest he can do this is the 22nd April! If everything is O.K. we will fit you in up to 12 weeks after that."

Bear in mind that I've already waited 2 years already, I was more then a little mad to say the least. Especially as stomach bypass surgery with the resulting wait loss as been shown to improve OSA. Also I had my gall badder removed in the same hospital 12 months ago with no problems at all.

So CPAP Strikes again! Beginning to hate having it.

[chelseauk]

I've had a tube down the throat without being knocked out years back - not nice - i still shudder thinking about it

One grain of comfort for you a couple of years back i had some tests down pre-SA diagnosis - and when i come round i couldn't breath at all. Thats really not a nice feeling - coming round from being under - unable to move, talk - yell for help or breath.

Lucky the nurse noticed and strapped an oxygen mask on me.

Really not nice.

[Andysee]

Yet more problems because I'm on CPAP!

Swinging my metal detector in the middle of a field today, when my mobile went. It was the Surgeon who was going to do my operation on the 1st of March. "Mr Puffin, are you the chap who said he used CPAP?" "Yes" I said. "Well we may have a problem! I need to talk the the anaesthetist as there may be a short delay for the operation, can I get back to you."

Well, three hours later, I'm still in the field when he rings back. "Sorry to say Mr Puffin, but the anaesthetist wishes to see you before we can go ahead. The earliest he can do this is the 22nd April! If everything is O.K. we will fit you in up to 12 weeks after that."

Bear in mind that I've already waited 2 years already, I was more then a little mad to say the least. Especially as stomach bypass surgery with the resulting wait loss as been shown to improve OSA. Also I had my gall badder removed in the same hospital 12 months ago with no problems at all.

So CPAP Strikes again! Beginning to hate having it.

Puffin

Thats a bit of a bugger to say the least. That anaesthesist must be a very busy person not to be able to fit you in for a quick appointment. I bet he would if you were going private. Come to think of it, the fact he is probably seeing private patients is the reason you have to wait.

Hope things are sorted quickly for you.
Best regards
Andy

[puffin]

Cheers Chaps, had 24 hours to stew and have my first solid food in a week.

When the appointment letter arrives we are going to contact his secretary to see if we can get an earlier appointment via someone Else's cancellation.

You have to play them at their own game.