Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this

[Guest guest]

Hi again ,

I'm really glad (o:

Although many of us 'forum dwellers' may be some distance away from you and your

mum, you have a lot of support on this forum from afar (I happen to live in

Australia). Everyone is supported on here. That is why it is so nice to be a

part of this particular forum.

Thinking of you and your Mum.

P xo

>

> Thanks so much for your post, this is hard going but the replies I have had

here have been so supportive, they have really helped me cope.

>

> x

[Guest guest]

Hi, well my mum has been given appointments for a barium bowel xray and an

endoscopy.She haven't been contacted by the consultant just by the relevant

hospital departments, but I'm assumming this means her test results have shown

her to be anaemic ,as he said that if they came back showing this she would need

these tests doing, presumably to rule out growths etc. Has anybody here who is

hypo had these procedures?

They've given her an appointment for the barium one and then given her an

appointment for the endoscopy the next day where she will be sedated.Given that

she can't eat for a day before the barium one and then could have stomach ache

afterwards I think that having these procedures on two consecutive days could be

too much her.If she is stil hypo as I suspect I know that this can affect

recovery rate from anything like this and I'm worried for her.

I have suggested to my parents that we delay the endoscopy so it's not the day

after, as I think it might be too much, particularly if she is sedated, but we

are still coming at the situation from different angles.They are worried that

there is a risk of cancer and therefore think it is better to have these things

done as soon as possible, which I understand, and therefore don't want to change

the second appointment, although my mum intially did seem to think it might be

too much but then changed her mind.

On the otherhand I'm worried about my mum's body having too much to handle at

once, particularly if she is still hypo as I suspect,and she may not handle the

procedures well.

In the end I have ended up saying to her that if she doesn't feel well after the

first one she can always change the second one and I've tried to emphasize that

she doesn't have to have it that quickly and all I can think to do is emphasize

this again on the day of the first one too.It's a fine line because I don't want

to worry her with all my concerns and scare her too much, but I do feel worried

about how much she will have to go through with her current health,

x

[Guest guest]

H , I think it is a bit much to expect your Mum to attend

for a Barium Meal one day and then an endoscopy the next. Your Mum would surely

be much happier by having a break between the two and I would ask for her

doctor to intervene to see if this is possible. Here is a link that will give

you details of the endoscopy procedure, and as you say, she should not have anything

to eat for at least 6 hours before the test, which is going to place an awful

burden on your Mum having had nothing to eat the day before for her Barium

Meal, and the Barium meal still taking 6 hours to completely leave her system.

I had a Barium Meal years ago which was followed by Endoscopy, but I had a week

between the two. Let us know what happens - this procedure should be done when

convenient for your Mum, not when it's convenient for the staff. Do discuss

this with a professional before making up your minds.

Luv - Sheila

Hi, well my mum has been given appointments for

a barium bowel xray and an endoscopy.She haven't been contacted by the

consultant just by the relevant hospital departments, but I'm assumming this

means her test results have shown her to be anaemic ,as he said that if they

came back showing this she would need these tests doing, presumably to rule out

growths etc. Has anybody here who is hypo had these procedures?

They've given her an appointment for the barium one and then given her an

appointment for the endoscopy the next day where she will be sedated.Given that

she can't eat for a day before the barium one and then could have stomach ache

afterwards I think that having these procedures on two consecutive days could

be too much her.If she is stil hypo as I suspect I know that this can affect

recovery rate from anything like this and I'm worried for her.

[Guest guest]

Apologies , I forgot to give the link http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/pip_admin/docs/gi_endo_176.pdf

Luv - Sheila

H , I think it is a bit much to expect your Mum to attend

for a Barium Meal one day and then an endoscopy the next. Your Mum would surely

be much happier by having a break between the two and I would ask for her

doctor to intervene to see if this is possible. Here is a link that will give

you details of the endoscopy procedure, and as you say, she should not have

anything to eat for at least 6 hours before the test, which is going to place

an awful burden on your Mum having had nothing to eat the day before for her

Barium Meal, and the Barium meal still taking 6 hours to completely leave her

system. I had a Barium Meal years ago which was followed by Endoscopy, but I

had a week between the two. Let us know what happens - this procedure should be

done when convenient for your Mum, not when it's convenient for the staff. Do

discuss this with a professional before making up your minds.

Luv - Sheila

Hi, well my mum has been given appointments for

a barium bowel xray and an endoscopy.She haven't been contacted by the

consultant just by the relevant hospital departments, but I'm assumming this

means her test results have shown her to be anaemic ,as he said that if they

came back showing this she would need these tests doing, presumably to rule out

growths etc. Has anybody here who is hypo had these procedures?

They've given her an appointment for the barium one and then given her an

appointment for the endoscopy the next day where she will be sedated.Given that

she can't eat for a day before the barium one and then could have stomach ache

afterwards I think that having these procedures on two consecutive days could

be too much her.If she is stil hypo as I suspect I know that this can affect

recovery rate from anything like this and I'm worried for her.

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi, well my mum has been given appointments for a barium bowel xray and an

endoscopy.

Hi

My partner had an endoscopy recently and while we were there we got talking to

couple in the waiting room. They were an elderly couple and the gentleman was

very frail. He had a barium xray the day before and he was absolutely shattered.

His wife was really worried about him and had thought about postponing the

endoscopy but he didn't want however he said he regretted it because he didn't

realise how tired he would be.

This must be something new they are doing ... I think its crazy.

Even big strapping blokes like my partner find these tests tiring.

See if you can persuade her. I understand that she is worried and wants it doing

quickly but a week or two really isn't going to make a difference.

Sam x

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila, yes I thought it was a bit much too , I've just rung my parents and

I've told them I'm not happy about it, and as a first point of call that I'm

going to ring the endoscopy unit first thing monday to see if they can change

the second appointment to give at least a few days inbetween.My health isn't

anywhere near as bad as my mums but I wouldn't like two procedures like that in

such quick succession! I feel like I bullied them a little but my parents seem

ok with it, my mum agreed it was too much, they are just worried that she might

have to wait too long for another endoscopy appointment but we'll see what they

say monday.

I understand they want it checking out quickly but it has to be balanced with my

mum's current health too.Looks like the tests are done by different departments

so they obviously aren't taking this into consideration at all, as you said

probably just convenient for them,

x

>

> H , I think it is a bit much to expect your Mum to attend for a Barium

> Meal one day and then an endoscopy the next. Your Mum would surely be much

> happier by having a break between the two and I would ask for her doctor to

> intervene to see if this is possible.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam,thanks for sharing that.I've got my parents to agree to me trying to

change the endoscopy appt, just a case of dealing with the hospital.It is crazy,

unless it's a case of one hand not knowing what the other is doing but you would

think they would have a central record of my mum's appointments and that surely

any health professional wouldn't think it was ok to put anyone through all that

that quickly, let alone an elderly person with heart issues like my mum.But from

what you've said with that gentleman sounds like they do think it's ok.

x

>

>

>> Hi

> My partner had an endoscopy recently and while we were there we got talking to

couple in the waiting room. They were an elderly couple and the gentleman was

very frail. He had a barium xray the day before and he was absolutely shattered.

His wife was really worried about him and had thought about postponing the

endoscopy but he didn't want however he said he regretted it because he didn't

realise how tired he would be.

>>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the link Sheila,

x

>

>

>

> Apologies , I forgot to give the link

> http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/pip_admin/docs/gi_endo_176.pdf

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,I think I may have to be upfront with them about my reasons for

wanting it changing, as I've found out this morning that my mum originally got

an endoscopy appointment for the same day as the other test (more evidence they

didn't liase) ,and that my dad rang up and changed it to the next day (he wasn't

thinking about the implications of them being close together) so might be best

to be honest,

x

>

> , all you need to do is to tell the endoscopy unit that your Mum will

> be away for the day they want her in and ask them to rearrange the date.

>

> Sheila

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Sam,thanks for sharing that.I've got my parents to agree to me trying to

change the endoscopy appt, just a case of dealing with the hospital.

Hi

I worked in the NHS for years and it didn't used to be like that.

There was a younger lady who said she had 3 tests in a week, Monday,Wednesday

and Thursday so it seems they are booking them on purpose in this way.

I don't think the hospital will mind, its not like its a last minute change.

They have to rearrange appointments for all sorts of reasons.

Sam

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I've had both and yes its a bit much...for the bowel x-ray as well as

no solid food the day before she will also have to take a bowel prep

as mentioned....normally Picolax but it varies depending on

hospital.

Apologies in advance if this is too graphic....what they do

is basically put a tube up your back passage and push the Barium in

through that( just like enema) then you are put in different positions

so that the Barium gets to where it should be,they also pump air in to

expand the bowel so its easier to see, you can see it all on the screen as well.

One thing I will say is sometimes they don't offer a muscle relaxant

(injection of Buscopan)so I'd make sure she gets that as its uncomfortable. I'm

normally there for just over an hour so it doesn't

take long but it will tire her out and she might be constipated for a

few days after it....probably dehydrated as well from the bowel prep.

For the Endoscopy you get a mild sedative so you don't feel anything

and they normally let you go after you wake up and have something to

eat and drink. You would think there would be better communication

between dept's though nothing surprises me anymore.

Love Tess

>

>

> >>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess, muscle relaxant ,sedative- I wish! > thyroid treatment > From: tessfleming@...> Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 20:52:29 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Hi ,> > I've had both and yes its a bit much...for the bowel x-ray as well as> no solid food the day before she will also have to take a bowel prep> as mentioned....normally Picolax but it varies depending on> hospital.> Apologies in advance if this is too graphic....what they do> is basically put a tube up your back passage and push the Barium in> through that( just like enema) then you are put in different positions> so that the Barium gets to where it should be,they also pump air in to> expand the bowel so its easier to see, you can see it all on the screen as well.> One thing I will say is sometimes they don't offer a muscle relaxant> (injection of Buscopan)so I'd make sure she gets that as its uncomfortable. I'm normally there for just over an hour so it doesn't> take long but it will tire her out and she might be constipated for a> few days after it....probably dehydrated as well from the bowel prep.> > For the Endoscopy you get a mild sedative so you don't feel anything> and they normally let you go after you wake up and have something to> eat and drink. You would think there would be better communication> between dept's though nothing surprises me anymore.> > Love Tess> > > > > >> > > > >>> >> > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Lol I know thats why I mentioned it,I was never offered it

then I got one of those information about your procedure leaflets

with one of my appointments saying a muscle relaxant will be given.

It wasn't offered...surprise surprise, so I ask for it everytime now

:-).

First endoscopy I got all they gave was a throat spray and away they

went...horrible but now (up here anyway) you go to the Endoscopy unit,

given a bed and sedative, then when its done and tour awake...a cup

of tea and a sandwich :-)

Love Tess

>

>

> Hi Tess,

> muscle relaxant ,sedative- I wish!

>

>

> > >

> > >

> > > >>

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam, I managed to rearrange it so she has a week between the two now-phew!

Feel much better about it.

x

>

>

>

> I don't think the hospital will mind, its not like its a last minute change.

They have to rearrange appointments for all sorts of reasons.

>

> Sam

>

>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess, Thanks for the explanation and the tips (not too graphic but very

useful!) She has been taking picolax today in preparation.I struggle without

eating for two hours, let alone all day! I'm hoping that we get the chance to

talk to someone before the procedure and then I can ask about the muscle

relaxant,

x

>

> Hi ,

>

> I've had both and yes its a bit much...for the bowel x-ray as well as

> no solid food the day before she will also have to take a bowel prep

> as mentioned....normally Picolax but it varies depending on

> hospital.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , that sounds really painful, I'm sorry you went through that,the whole

thing to me seems so invasive (but then I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to

pain!).I hope it goes better for you next time,

x

>

>

> Hi,

> I haven't has the barium meal X-ray, but have had sygmoidoscopy- which was

uncomfortable, but bearable until a point was reached where I asked the nurse to

stop due to the pain- she said I probably had adhesions from prior abdominal

surgery- so this time it will be done under general anaesthetic. >

>

[Guest guest]

>

>

> Hi Sam, I managed to rearrange it so she has a week between the two now-phew!

Feel much better about it.

>

Hi karen

I'm pleased to hear it, you must be relieved and although these things are never

pleasant I'm sure it'll be much better for her.

Sam x

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thats great...well in the sense you won't feel it. I just get CT scans

now as bowel wall is too weak.

Good Luck

Love Tess

>

>

> Hi Tess,

> This time I will be getting gereral anaesthetic, so will only have

to put up with the aftereffects!

>

>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess, solving one problem always brings up another! My BP is too high so I've been given horrible pills again that make my brain feel like porrige and so tired- just like whan Iwas hypo! told no anaesthetic until levels down- but I think that they make me so mad thet is a big part of why it is up!! > thyroid treatment > From: tessfleming@...> Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 17:28:32 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Hi ,> > Thats great...well in the sense you won't feel it. I just get CT scans> now as bowel wall is too weak.> Good Luck> > Love Tess> > > >> > > > Hi Tess,> > This time I will be getting gereral anaesthetic, so will only have to put up with the aftereffects!> > > > > > > > >> > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

, why not try Mukta Vati. Gill has high BP and finds

these work better than anything she has taken via prescription meds. to lower

it. I have now bought some for . He has just started taking them this

week so can't report any changes yet, but Gill says her BP is back to normal

and so is that of members of her family. I bought them from here http://www.premiumwellness.co.uk/mukta-vati/prod_17.html

Luv - Sheila

Hi Tess,

solving one

problem always brings up another! My BP is too high so I've been given horrible

pills again that make my brain feel like porrige and so tired- just like whan

Iwas hypo! told no anaesthetic until levels down- but I think that they make me

so mad thet is a big part of why it is up!!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You're so right.. on both counts hope you feel better soon.

BIG HUGS

Love Tess

>

>

> Hi Tess,

> solving one problem always brings up another! My BP is too high so

I've been given horrible pills again that make my brain feel like porrige and so

tired- just like whan Iwas hypo! told no anaesthetic until levels down- but I

think that they make me so mad thet is a big part of why it is up!!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess, As I sat with the cuff around my arm it suddenly dawned on me that I was still taking the increased T3 dose that I'd been prescribed over winter- I usually take 5mcg more from Nov to Apr, but I'd suffered badly this year so was prescribed 10mcg extra. which I hadn't reduced this spring as there were none of the usual warning signs of being very slightly hyper- so I just carried on. Now 2 days after going back to my usual summer dose BP is now133/79 which is perfectly respectable- the things we do to ourselves- but it does show how we need to keep our own eyes firmly on the ball. > thyroid treatment > From: tessfleming@...> Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 12:15:51 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Hi ,> > You're so right.. on both counts hope you feel better soon.> > BIG HUGS> > Love Tess> > > >> > > > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thats great its coming down :-), I didn't know about summer/winter

dose changes...Thanks for that, saying that I've had absolutely no

Hyper signs at all since starting T3 and up to 40mcg a day now with

Thyroxine upped to 150mcg now as well.

The things we do to ourselves indeed....as I was feeling so much better I

decided to experiment and stop my Movicol...in bloody agony

now, been up most of the night....I've had to go into my emergency

Picolax stash today. Waiting game now lol.

Have you any idea when you'll get done now that your BP's down a bit?

Hope it's not to long to wait :-)

Love Tess

>

>

> Hi Tess,

> As I sat with the cuff around my arm it suddenly dawned on me that

I was still taking the increased T3 dose that I'd been prescribed over winter- I

usually take 5mcg more from Nov to Apr, but

[Ed]

> TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner

before changing medication.

>

>

Links_______________________________________________________________

> http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/

> We want to hear all your funny, exciting and crazy Hotmail stories. Tell us

now

[Guest guest]

takes one tablet three times daily.

It tells you to take your BP as a starter and then to keep an

eye on it so you can check when it starts to lower.

Luv - Sheila

Hi Sheila,

What is the dose for these, just the amount recommended on the bottle?

Thanks Judy

>

> , why not try Mukta Vati. Gill has high BP and finds these work

better

> than anything she has taken via prescription meds. to lower it. I have now

> bought some for . He has just started taking them this week so can't

> report any changes yet, but Gill says her BP is back to normal and so is

> that of members of her family. I bought them from here

> http://www.premiumwellness.co.uk/mukta-vati/prod_17.html

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just a quick update to you all, my mum has now had both baruim enema and upper

endoscopy.Nothing major been notified to us as being picked up so far, she has

however been asked now to have a bowel endoscopy next week.We're not sure why

this is but in process of trying to find out,

x