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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WWYD. Dh has hospital appt on 23 April, cancel?

29 replies

Bornfreebutincovidchains · 05/04/2020 22:48

He has strange problem where food gets stuck in his throat but he's not chocking. He can't eat anything else until it dislodges. So he's going to have investigation because it's started to happen frequently but obviously we are terrified of going anywhere near hospitals at the moment.

Youngest dd 8 gets viral wheeze and has inhaler although never classified as asthmatic.

Wwyd.

Ianbu, cancel appt or iabu keep appt

OP posts:
Myneighboursnorlax · 05/04/2020 22:50

It’s still over 2 weeks away. I’d wait and see for now. No one knows what will be happening in two weeks time. The choice may even be taken out of your hands as a lot of people are having appointments cancelled.

Wheresmycider · 05/04/2020 22:53

I second waiting to see, chances are the appointment will be cancelled and they will book you in for a later date. Cancel yourself and you may have to go to the back of the line again and wait a bit longer still.
If it isnt cancelled I would still say go, take all possible precautions including a complete change of clothes and shower for your dh on getting home and before he goes near your daughter.

lalafafa · 05/04/2020 22:54

I have a similar problem, has just started to happen more frequently. Im very interested in his out come. FYI ds was due a dental op and it was cancelled 10 days before he was due to go in.

flouncymcflouncerson · 05/04/2020 22:56

I think it’s likely his appointment will be cancelled but you won’t know until nearer the time

glitterbiscuits · 05/04/2020 23:03

My DH has this occasionally. Never heard of anyone else having it.

Do you have a theory OP?
My DH chews his food thoroughly so it's not gulping.

Hope you get it sorted somehow!

bathorshower · 05/04/2020 23:08

If you decide to keep it, I strongly suggest you phone before you go to check it's actually happening - DH should have an appointment this week, and that's definitely been cancelled.

PleasantVille · 05/04/2020 23:12

Is there a reason you need to decide so long before the appointment? Won't the hospital like everyone one else be taking things day by day, no one knows what will happen in nearly 3 weeks time

MrFaceyRomford · 06/04/2020 00:08

DW has a hospital appointment booked for June. She's taking the view that if it's safe the appointment will be on. If it's not the hospital will cancel. The ball is in the hospital's court.

Ellmau · 06/04/2020 00:12

Is it a Schatzki ring OP?

Humphs27 · 06/04/2020 00:18

Many consultants are doing an over the phone consultation on the day your appointment is due, maybe phone the secretary and ask .

Jade1976 · 06/04/2020 00:20

Most consultants I know are having their secretary ring the day before, and turn it into a phone appointment in most cases.

EnglishRain · 06/04/2020 00:26

It will only go ahead if it's very urgent. Might be on the phone instead. They won't be able to sort slots out that far in advance yet though, they will be in touch nearer the time (I work in a hospital and this is how it's working for us at the moment).

Osirus · 06/04/2020 00:30

I would keep it because that symptom can (NOT saying it is!) can be a sign of cancer.

Again, I’m NOT saying I think it’s that, but I would keep it for peace of mind.

A friend had similar symptoms recently and they found no cause whatsoever. She was very relieved!

saraclara · 06/04/2020 00:36

Keep the appointment. I foresee a lot of verysick people when this is over, who have non-covid conditions, but who didn't go to the doctor when they should have done, either because they didn't want to trouble them, or they were scared to potentially come into contact with the virus.

Other conditions don't stop occurring because the virus is here, and many things need to be investigated promptly. If the hospital don't think it's important, they'll cancel. If you're still on the books, they want to see him. Don't take a risk with his health on this issue. Patients with the virus won't be anywhere near outpatients clinics.

GetyourFaLaLasRight · 06/04/2020 00:52

I suffered from something very similar OP. I have a narrowing gullet. Years ago I had to go in for a minor procedure, it was an endoscopy and they inflated a balloon in my gullet to stretch it open. I was told then that the problem may return and I would need to go back in to go through procedure again.

Lynda07 · 06/04/2020 01:01

Keep the appointment unless the hospital cancel it.

My cousin's partner had a hospital appointment a couple of weeks ago and on arrival, there was only one person before him in the waiting area so nobody was on top of each other. He went in, had consultation and tests and left, hardly saw anyone other than the medical staff and all observed regulations.

I'm sure it will the same for your husband. He needs to find out what is wrong and if he puts off the appointment, he may not get another one for months.

Good luck to you both.

Thymeout · 06/04/2020 01:01

Don't cancel now. Wait and see what happens. I know of one hospital where the endoscopy team is being kept 'clean' and not working on covid wards. But they, too, might be under-staffed through self-isolation because of their or a family illness. In some areas, private hospitals are being used for this purpose.

Hopefully, this is a minor issue. I have a friend who had a sort of pouch where food got trapped. Or the gullet might have been damaged by anti-inflammatory drugs. But, more serious issues still need to be eliminated asap.

Original poster
Bornfreebutincovidchains · 06/04/2020 07:29

Thanks for the replies, ironically he's chocking (able to breathe) right now.

Since yesterday, 7pm. Sausage.

Any ideas how to shift it @lalafala or anyone?

Would diaazopam help to relax the gullet?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bornfreebutincovidchains · 06/04/2020 07:30

Year ago he had endoscopy but nothing came up, I'm not sure actually they understand what was happening. Then a few months ago it started happening every week, so he called doc then it died down again and now yesterday...

OP posts:
Gatehouse77 · 06/04/2020 07:34

I wouldn’t cancel it.

And I wouldn’t be pissed off if they did but see it as their decision to make not mine.

VivaLeBeaver · 06/04/2020 07:43

Depends how bad its affecting him and whether he thinks it can wait.

My mum had these symptoms and it was Achalasia. She needed the stretching proceedure thing. Cured her for ten years and then needed repea.

VivaLeBeaver · 06/04/2020 07:43

Mum used to find drinking, especially hot drinks helped.

Inapickleortwo · 06/04/2020 07:54

I would leave it but call and ask them are they doing any telephone appointments. I'm presuming he hasn't seen a specialist yet so it will be a fact finding appointment.

I had an appointment the other Friday and I called to double check. I was told they have suspended all fact to fact except for those that MUST be seen and all consultant appointments were over phone/video. It worked for me as I didn't feel stressed about going in and also, got to run through what's been happening since my last appointment and make a plan re meds.

Theresnobslikeshowb · 06/04/2020 09:12

I had an appointment last week and it was cancelled 3 days before and they said they would send a new date. So I assume they will do the same unless they believe it’s more urgent. Sit on it for now. Hope you get an answer soon.

Exoffice · 06/04/2020 09:27

DH had similar investigations, so I get why you are worried. some of the conditions which can cause this are very serious (I guess you know this already) and they really need to rule out ASAP. I would not postpone or cancel. This is really nothing that should wait.

PS - DH was dx with helicobacter pylori which caused an inflammation of the oesophagus. Got better after antibiotic treatment and anti acid stuff.

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