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Original poster

How strict are hospitals after sedation

159 replies

AutumnDance · 31/12/2021 23:51

I was given a date for a hospital procedure. It's a day procedure. I will need sedation for the procedure.

It's said that I need to have someone come to collect me.
How strict are the hospitals on this measure?

You see my partner will be working or at the rate that covid is flying about he will probably have covid and will need to isolate. I don't have anyone else to help me to meet me after my procedure and take me home.

With covid, I doubt they will request to see your lift stand that on the ward to pick you up. I reckon they will have to remain outside.

Would I be able to get the procedure done without a lift home? How strict are hospitals on this?

OP posts:
liltreasuretree · 01/01/2022 16:16

@AutumnDance I wasn't referring to you in particular, I meant in general.

You certainly could try without sedation but as you probably remember, the prep drinks you have to clear your bowel prior to the procedure aren't nice so if you weren't able to tolerate the procedure then it would be awful for you to go through that for nothing. You could always request the nurses pop in a cannula so you could try without sedation and if it's too painful then they'd have the option to give you sedation whilst you are still there but obviously you'd need someone on standby to collect you incase you need the sedation.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Stomacharmeleon · 01/01/2022 16:47

Lovey.... in the Nicest way you need a shoulder after.
Speaking as a crohns patient with a hefty arse tumour in my bowel they aren't fun and prep doesn't just miraculously stop working after you have had the procedure. You feel drained and it takes time.
I have been couriered a pcr test for next week as I am due to have surgery and been told any sniff of covid and everything will be cancelled. Be careful and don't take risks. If he is a dick let him being a dick from Afar...
Similarly to a previous poster there is no where I haven't been poked or prodded and I have a barbie bottom (it's only for show) and you have to ask for sedation where I am.... locally that is not bowel hospital.
The other point you have made that I need to make a point on is that imo nothing runs on time.... it can go hours over. Any emergencies and you will be bumped. So Don't plan anything. Your partner if you can undick him would be your best bet to pick up....

viques · 01/01/2022 16:59

@AutumnDance

I'm just after googling the side effects of sedation and it says - headache, nausea and drowsiness.

I get easily nauseated and I don't want to aggreviate that.

I want to brave this without sedation.
Pain relief and oxygen will do me. I will lie back, breath and snooze while they get to work on me.

Actually you will lie on your side. Don’t snooze, make sure they let you see the screen, it’s fascinating.
Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 17:00

@Stomacharmeleon

Lovey.... in the Nicest way you need a shoulder after. Speaking as a crohns patient with a hefty arse tumour in my bowel they aren't fun and prep doesn't just miraculously stop working after you have had the procedure. You feel drained and it takes time. I have been couriered a pcr test for next week as I am due to have surgery and been told any sniff of covid and everything will be cancelled. Be careful and don't take risks. If he is a dick let him being a dick from Afar... Similarly to a previous poster there is no where I haven't been poked or prodded and I have a barbie bottom (it's only for show) and you have to ask for sedation where I am.... locally that is not bowel hospital. The other point you have made that I need to make a point on is that imo nothing runs on time.... it can go hours over. Any emergencies and you will be bumped. So Don't plan anything. Your partner if you can undick him would be your best bet to pick up....
If the procedure and waiting goes on for hours it would be hard to book a lift from a neighbour. If it does go on for 5 or 6 or 7 hours my partner might be able to pick me up at about 9pm, maybe, if he's covid free.
OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 17:01

Hopefully something might fall into place.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 17:03

Hopefully something will fall into place for me.

Will I be required to go for a pcr test for the outpatients appointment?

OP posts:
123feraverto · 01/01/2022 17:10

I had my gallbladder out in October ,
They walked me out if the hospital to my partner who had to wait in the car with the kids

The GA made me feel like I was drunk - definitely couldn't have driven like it - and wouldn't fancy a taxi

Patient transport services might be able to help but you normally need an adult to be with you for the first 24 hours

123feraverto · 01/01/2022 17:13

Oh read more

Colonoscopy can be without sedation
Will be more uncomfortable but you'll be able to leave however you like

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 17:43

What's the sedation that the hospitals use? Is it diazipam?

If its diazipam I'm going to do my best to go without and just use gas and air.

OP posts:
liltreasuretree · 01/01/2022 17:53

We tend to use midazalam

RoseyOldCrow · 01/01/2022 18:07

Colonoscopy is perfectly fine without sedation (I've had a few)
Just put your mind elsewhere for a few minutes & "this too will pass".
Endoscopy of upper GI tract also quite possible without sedation, though a bit more uncomfortable.

PostMenPatWithACat · 01/01/2022 18:18

Have you thought about ringing them up, explaining your circumstances and asking for a list of options.

Not Isle why you can't say that x will collect you, get them lined up for a phone call and after the procedure note things have gone pear shaped and insist on going home in a cab.

Honestly NHS staff really don't care what people do as longnas their paperwork covers their arses.

RedPandaWanda · 01/01/2022 18:36

Ive had two gastroscopes, a colonoscopy and 3 hysteroscopies without any sedation. I suffer awful anxiety but was able to have these procedures without anything. A colonoscopy is totally doable without a sedation. It was the prep which floored me. In fact the colonoscopy was actually really interesting. Because I was fully conscious they encouraged me to look at the screen and see the whole thing, it’s really weird but totally fascinating viewing your insides, from the outside! I always try to opt for no sedation as I have a huge fear of hospitals and prefer to get out, fully conscious ASAP and can and have driven myself home.

doadeer · 01/01/2022 18:45

I've been sedated 5x this year for procedures and took a taxi every time. They asked me how I was getting home but no issues with that method.

doadeer · 01/01/2022 18:47

Just read the replies, my procedures this year have been done in 4 hospitals and no-one has insisted I'm escorted just that I don't drive. 🤷‍♀️

It usually says in the pre -procedure documentation what they allow

Lellochip · 01/01/2022 20:34

I turned up for a bronchoscopy and was asked before the procedure who'd be staying with me for 24 hours. My answer was 'well no one, as this is the first time I've been told I need someone' Hmm I knew I couldn't drive obviously, had arranged a lift but I imagine most people would struggle to find themselves a babysitter with no notice

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 21:00

@RedPandaWanda

Ive had two gastroscopes, a colonoscopy and 3 hysteroscopies without any sedation. I suffer awful anxiety but was able to have these procedures without anything. A colonoscopy is totally doable without a sedation. It was the prep which floored me. In fact the colonoscopy was actually really interesting. Because I was fully conscious they encouraged me to look at the screen and see the whole thing, it’s really weird but totally fascinating viewing your insides, from the outside! I always try to opt for no sedation as I have a huge fear of hospitals and prefer to get out, fully conscious ASAP and can and have driven myself home.
I did a search on YouTube for colonoscopy without sedation. I'm not afraid of the procedure. I will ha e to see what the next week brings and take it from there.
OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 21:01

@doadeer

I've been sedated 5x this year for procedures and took a taxi every time. They asked me how I was getting home but no issues with that method.
I hope the hospital I am going to will be this relaxed.
OP posts:
doadeer · 01/01/2022 21:03

I was in the recovery bay after for about 30 mins, then wheeled to my room where I ate and drank. So it was a couple hours really after the sedation... I felt fine by that stage, they didn't push me out the door.

I would just check - it's not worth addition stress and I find being sedated lovely 🤣

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 22:14

I can count any sort of help from my partner out. He works in a bar and covid cases is very high now and he's going to get it. Thankfully we don't live together so hopefully I will be able to avoid an exposure for the next two weeks at least.

His colleague has a head cold. The current public health guidelines states if you are symptomatic to isolate and test. There's a lot of stress on the testing system. Antigen tests showed negative results but still the colleague is moving about with symptoms. I suspect its going to be the start of a dose and I suspect this is a potential exposure for my partner. I will need to stay away from him now more than ever.

I was hoping on a lift into the hospital from my partner but that's likely not going to happen now.

Hopefully I will be able to organise another way.

OP posts:
RoxyMoosic · 02/01/2022 11:52

I had a colonoscopy last month. It was a right faff, as the hospital was 30 minutes away, and no one who drives was available to pick me up. Had to get a friend to get a taxi there to pick me up, and then another taxi back.

I felt perfectly well, and in hindsight I should have just taken my car. In fact I drove about 8 hours later and was absolutely fine. But they won’t let you leave without someone ime.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 03/01/2022 17:32

@RoxyMoosic

I had a colonoscopy last month. It was a right faff, as the hospital was 30 minutes away, and no one who drives was available to pick me up. Had to get a friend to get a taxi there to pick me up, and then another taxi back.

I felt perfectly well, and in hindsight I should have just taken my car. In fact I drove about 8 hours later and was absolutely fine. But they won’t let you leave without someone ime.

Thank you for letting me know what your experience was.

I will get a letter in the mail this week. I am hoping more details will be in the mail. My family won't help me. I am on my own from them. I do t know how my partner will be. He's due to work.

I am hoping it will just be a case where they tell me I can't drive home and I am hoping they will let me home in a taxi.

When the mail comes I will contact them and see if they will allow me that.

If all else fails I will be relying on a neighbour or my brother in law. He's dues to finish work at about 6. I am hoping he will be able to pick me up at the hospital after work.

OP posts:
VerbenaGirl · 03/01/2022 17:39

Please don’t even think about driving yourself. My adult daughter had sedation recently and she couldn’t walk safely unassisted afterwards, let alone drive. Taxi from door to door would work. Probably not public transport though.

NC6789012 · 03/01/2022 17:54

Ive had one without sedation because I had no one to take me. It was fine! I had gas & air

Greybeardy · 03/01/2022 18:17

@RoxyMoosic

I had a colonoscopy last month. It was a right faff, as the hospital was 30 minutes away, and no one who drives was available to pick me up. Had to get a friend to get a taxi there to pick me up, and then another taxi back.

I felt perfectly well, and in hindsight I should have just taken my car. In fact I drove about 8 hours later and was absolutely fine. But they won’t let you leave without someone ime.

Out of interest were your insurance company happy to cover you driving 8 hours after sedation? Certainly historically most companies would not have supported this - it’d be interesting to know if that’s changing.