Nurse performed gastroscopy...badly

Hi there, I had yet another gastroscopy yesterday, and it was done by a nurse. I haven't had this by a nurse before, and wondered if this is common procedure. She was very rough, and now I have a pain in my chest when I swallow or belch, which started when I got home and is putting me off eating. I'm going to ring them soon to check if that has happened before, but it's made me feel uneasy, and I feel like crying. I am so fed up of being badly treated by people at my local hospital. It has a bad name, and I can see why. They told me not to get the sedative, but this time I insisted. They didn't tell me any side effects from the sedative, and I got very nauseas later and had to look it up on Google. Because I was having sedative they didn't give me throat spray, which I feel would have helped since I wasn't fully out and felt a lot of pain.

What can I do to be treated with honesty and respect?

The worst of it is, the results were normal, as usual, so I am no closer to an answer. 5 years and still nothing. In fact, after all my tests and meds, the consultant casually said recently, "Well, it's not forced to be reflux causing your symptoms anyway!" Feel extremely low rigth now.

Edited to add: in addition, I wasn't advised as to whether I could have pain relief when I got home, something I only thought of later when I realised how sore I was. And when I was hooked up to the monitors after I came round, my heart thing was all over the place, and the yellow light on top kept flashing now and then with an alarm sound. The others around me were not doing that and their monitors were regular. No one came to check. I should have asked but I wasn't in a clear state of mind, I have only thought of this afterward but I remember being concerned at the time.

Post Edited (zeldagoblin) : 1/26/2012 3:22:24 AM (GMT-7)

Good Morning and I am sorry to hear of your bad experience. 

Thank you Kitt, I do wonder how possible it is to get the kind of service you talk about in the UK. (Requesting names, and such) I know we have more freedom if we pay private insurance, but no one will accept me as I have a pre-existing condition (this problem). Every time I try to be strong, they give me another evasive answer.

I know it seems like normal results are a good thing, but for me, it has made me even more upset, this will be something like my 6th or 7th investigation over 5 years and they are no closer to finding what is wrong. Something is definitely wrong, and until I get an abnormal result for something no one can help me treat it, or get me some relief. Normal results were my worst fear, because here I am still suffering, and yet they've gone in and found nothing. they have discharged me once already, I had to fight to get these repeat tests. I am literally crying my eyes out right now. I just don't know what is next for me to get some relief.

I have yet to hear a decent story of good health care in my area.

Hi Zeldagoblin - I had a bad experience for my first endoscopy as the sedation failed but I was unable to open my eyes or move properly. I couldn't understand why they'd started before I was "under" but they had just given me the minimum dose as they want everyone to be able to go home soon after if it's an out-patient facility. I managed to raise my arm and they upped the dose.

When I needed it repeating I insisted on not being conscious and it was done under GA by a gastroenterologist in a hospital setting. In terms of getting up and walking away it wasn't very different, but being in hospital they gave me dinner first

If I needed another I'm not sure what I'd opt for, as GA seemed a bit much for the procedure, but I would want the guarantee of being out cold. Just name your terms next time - that's what I did!!

MMM

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New stuff: GERD, Recurrent cystitis/Overactive bladder
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

ZeldaG,

I'm in the UK too. I know something of what you feel as my first scope was normal and I felt very upset and disappointed that I'd had a traumatic experience for no good reason. My second test was not normal, but not so exciting as far as they were concerned. And yet my symptoms each time were the same - my GP said maybe it was "functional" I.e. Something is going wrong but there is no pathology to pinpoint a cause.

One option you have is to request a second opinion - your GP can refer you to a different hospital, or you can get a second opinion by being referred for a private consultation. Like you say, it's very different to the USA but it's possible to bend the system a little. If you look on the websites for your nearest private hospital or consulting rooms you can find out which GI consultants have a thriving practice. Make some enquiries about costs and appointments and you'll soon get a feel for who is popular (appointment next week may be) and who is not (immediate availability may be a bad sign!). Second thing is to find out (google) where their NHS base is....

Hope you're following me......

Next step: go for one private consultation and enjoy a one to one with someone who wants to listen (make sure your GP gives them all your past test results). Then if they want/need to see you again, ask if you can see them on the NHS - they will then refer you to themselves at their NHS place of work.

If you can't afford one private appointment, then insist your GP sends you for a second opinion, saying you are not happy with the lack of diagnosis. If you get referred to the same hospital, when you get the letter to phone up about the appointment tell them who you don't want to see. There should be 3 or 4 GI specialists to choose from - or your GP might be able to refer you to a different hospital, especially if there is a specialist centre somewhere within the region.

MMM

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New stuff: GERD, Recurrent cystitis/Overactive bladder
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

Were you in the UK MMM? I seem to be told no whenever I try to ask for something different, like, it's not even an option. I have had a scope with throat spray, GA, and now this. This wasn't as bad as the spray but the after effects are awful, I am in a lot of pain and no one at the hospital seems concerned. I hurt in my chest and when food reaches a certain point it really hurts. I rang and told em and they said, you've pulled a muscle from retching., talk to your G.P. G.P said over the phone, no need to come in, this is normal after gastroscopy...but this is my 3rd and the only time I have had this issue.

I was aware the whole time they were doing it, but felt a little floppy. I had midazolam. I just don't feel cared for or reassured in any way, just scared and alone.

Thank you for the advice, I will save this and definitely try these steps. It is scary, and more time passes all the time, its like my life is just passing me by.


I really appreciate this, thank you

Nurses are forbidded to these procedures here, only a GI specialist are allowed.

I was surprised that the nurses are allowed in your country.

However patients usually don't take or recommended sedation here, just some spray in the throat.

They are nurse practitioners who have had special training. My concern was of having a specialist look at my stomach - but I guess the pictures can be passed on to a consultant.

Yes ZeldaG, I'm Briish - not lived anywhere else!

Medazolam is what they usually use - some patients are conscious and uncomfortable but the drug is supposed to make you forget. Not in my case - I had flashbacks for days! It's termed "conscious sedation" and because I had that bad experience with it I'm afraid of the procedure now - it was very painful!

MMM

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New stuff: GERD, Recurrent cystitis/Overactive bladder
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies/intolerance, eczema, asthma

Thank you very much. I apologise if I seem so negative. It's just a horrible place I'm in right now. I really appreciate the support.

Hey all,

It's the same story here in Finland, LanaB. These Finns are so tough that when I went in for my EGD, the throat spray was optional! I couldn't say "YES!!!" fast enough!!

Zelda, please, feel free to come and vent. It is so hard to talk to people who don't have a chronic illness about it because we don't want to seem too "negative". I even try not to be too negative around my own husband because he married such a happy, upbeat girl and I hate to be so down all the time.

But... HealingWell is our place to come and be ourselves. If you need to vent, do it! We are here to support each other when we're feeling down.

Of course, try to look on the bright side when you can. But my favorite lesson that I've learned is that sometimes it does nothing for anyone to put on a happy face - sometimes you just have to let it out. I try to go about my life normally, but sometimes I like to curl up on the couch and wallow for a bit. I try to limit it, but I also listen to my body and my mind so that I can have proper "therapy" for both.

My EGD was normal also. I go back on Monday... let's see. I'm also experiencing a bit of apathy from my doctor, so I'm really hoping for a referral to a GI (finally!). Have you been seeing one, or just a general practitioner? Maybe it's time for you to get a referral too. Check the laws regarding the NHS on "referral" or "remiss" options. Maybe you could have a little ammunition next time you go in?

Gentle hugs,
Ashley

Post Edited (aeshleyrose) : 1/26/2012 12:42:01 PM (GMT-7)

Ashley you made me cry again! Lol but in a good way, thanks for that, bless you <3

Aw honey, lots of good thoughts to you. I know how hard this is, I'm going through the same thing but nowhere near as long. You're a very strong person!!

Lanab-

I have had well over 30 EGDs and all were done with sedation. These were done at 5 different locations in 2 different states. I myself would not let them do one without sedation. I have never been asked if I didn't want sedation either, thank goodness.

Take care,
Bill

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Moderator: GERD/Heartburn
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