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General => General => Topic started by: VNA - BMW Wank on 24 March 2019, 06:34:37 pm

Title: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 24 March 2019, 06:34:37 pm
 Never mind BREXIT, something else much more important has cropped up :eek


I suspect I’m not the only grumpy old man in here.  And foc-u, as we all know, is full of knowledge.  Would appreciate any thoughts on this from those who have had an endoscopy procedure.


I’m booked in for endoscopy to check my stomach and small bowel.  It’s doon the throat.


Now in the past I’ve twice had a camera up ma wee winkie.  I’ve got kidney stone issues, so once in a blue moon they like to have a peek inside ma bladder to make sure all is OK in there.  First time I opted for the local anaesthetic.  To cut a long story short, the second time I had a full general anaesthetic.  No way will I ever be conscious again when they do that to me.


However, this is down my throat.  I have two options.  Local anaesthetic and fully conscious.  Or local anaesthetic and sedated but still conscious.



I have no great fear of general anaesthetics, though I hate the cannula thing.  As soon as I am conscious again, I start asking if they can take it out.  I can be a bit of a pest, but once that thing is out I'm fine.


So the thought of having that cannula stuck in my hand or arm whilst still being conscious to some degree is making me think I should man up and just take the local.  Plus I can just drive up and back myself so I don’t need to inconvenience others.  How hard can this be? 



So anybody had this examination?  What’s it like?  Pain is my big fear.  I hate pain and further not having any control whatsoever over it.
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 24 March 2019, 06:44:33 pm
Cannot help mate im afraid. but ive had the arse one...jeeesus kerrist! I had kidney ops (right and left pyloplasties) in my twenties, which left them both at less than fity percent. so I quite literally feel your pain dude... :o
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 24 March 2019, 06:57:29 pm
pyloplasties :eek :eek     eeek.
Hope they are doing the job desipte the reduced capacity bud.  Gosh.

I'm being booked in for a lithotripsy session in the near future.  Had that before, I think some 15 plus years ago.  I'm kinda Ok with the idea of more.

But I probably need to man up again and let the consultant in, up ma wee winkie, with his laser camera.  They can do a lot more that way.  Good thing is my number of stones has reduced slightly over the years without treatment.  But my left kidney every couple of months tries to throw another out.

Anyway I know where I am with all that.
But this endoscopy thing.  I dunno much about it. 


Depending on the results, of course, they may well shove it up ma arse too. :eek
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 24 March 2019, 07:05:18 pm

hope they get it sorted feller, kidney problems suck and then some. its been almost forty years since my ops, which were befiore keyhole surgery was an option. got a 14 inch scar on one side, and an 8 inch one on the other, but they work ok. ops nearly killed me mind lol. after each op they leave a stent in from your kidney to your bowel, then go in through your knob six weeks later to pull it out.
I remember going in for the stent removal, having me shower, going back to the hospital bed and waiting for them to take me to theatre. I was cold and afraid, looked at me knob and thought " they'll be lucky if they can find the fucker, let alone pull anything out of it...." :lol :lol
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 24 March 2019, 07:23:10 pm
 
Quote
hope they get it sorted feller, kidney problems suck and then some. its been almost forty years since my ops, which were befiore keyhole surgery was an option. got a 14 inch scar on one side, and an 8 inch one on the other, but they work ok. ops nearly killed me mind lol. after each op they leave a stent in from your kidney to your bowel, then go in through your knob six weeks later to pull it out.

Foc  I was thinking it would be before keyhole. :eek :eek :eek   Jesus.   :eek :eek :eek



The only problem with kidney keyhole surgery is the entry point is yer knob.  As you will well know.  The consultant did say that the laser camera is much smaller than the bladder inspection camera – which I’m guessing is just older technology.  That thing is like a bic pen wrapped in a thick layer of heat shrink.  The first time with the local I squealed like a stuffed foccin pig.  The pain was just off the scale.   The doctor carrying out the procedure told me to man up.  At that point I sat up – I wanted to get hold of him but I couldn’t move for the camera up ma knob – I called him a foccing cunt – which honestly is not like me at all.   It was mentul.  I then collapsed back and almost passed out.  They just shoved a bit of local up ma knob, and seconds later shoved the camera in – I don’t think it had any time to take.  Never, ever again.  No way.


One of the lads at work had a stent put in his kidney.  He said he couldn't get comfortable until they took it back out weeks later.


Anyway, I hope all is good with you now Ogri.  It’s piddling stuff in comparison that I’m getting worked up about.

 
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: cl1ve2004 on 24 March 2019, 08:52:10 pm
I've had 2 endoscopys over the years and they were both ok.. went for local anaesthetic both times no probs and drove home after the results a few hours


 iater..can't imagine trying to get a camera down


my little japeye tho', that sounds painful !!
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 24 March 2019, 10:10:53 pm
 That sounds positive cl1ve.  Cheers.
I don't much fancy being sedated, so maybe I'll try just the local.  Worst outcome I guess is a fail and I'll just have to go back for a second shot under sedation.

When I first got the camera doon ma wee winkie, well it was my fourth appointment as they kept cancelling due to technical issues.  When I turned up they told me there would be a bit of a wait due to one of the machines breaking down again.  So after a longish wait in a room full of nervous looking blokes I went for pre-prep.


The nurse kept going on about how folks find it embarrassing.  I told her I didn’t give a shit.  As far as I was concerned, they could do it in an auditorium with a 150 student nurses and doctors looking on.  They could walk me down the corridor naked – whatever.  Being embarrassed was not what was on my mind.  She assured me I would not feel a thing.

I figure with appointments having turned up for two machines, and a big backlog, they were just ramming folks through on one.  It was foccing agony.  I just figure the bleedin Doc didn’t wait long enough for the aesthetic to take.  He just wanted to hit his KPIs.  So from now on they can knock me out for that.
 
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: mtread on 24 March 2019, 10:22:45 pm
Quote
they were just ramming folks through on one.
:eek
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 25 March 2019, 08:06:50 am
Hi VNA, sorry to hear of your health issues. I had an upper GI endoscopy nine years ago. Local anaesthetic was sprayed on the back of my throat to prevent the gagging reflex and to allow me to swallow the camera. This was done without any problems, with the camera stopping at the esophogeal sphincter.  Just had an urgent referral from the GP for another , but continuing into the stomach. I shall be having the local anaesthetic again, given the choice.Hope that everything goes well for you.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: pete786.u on 25 March 2019, 01:35:41 pm
I`ve had a few endoscopys in the past 15 years or so, both sedated and under local anasthetic ( throat spray) Had numerous  biopsys taken as I was part of a study into Barretts Oesophugus. Cant say the throat spray is very comfortable but at least I could get myself to the Hospital and home again without having to get someone to take me home. If you don`t mind the discomfort of knowing whats going on all the time throat spray is probably the best option. Good luck whichever way you chose to go.   
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Kenbob on 25 March 2019, 04:01:37 pm
Now if you were talking about up the pisser then I’ve wrote the book on that, but down the throat, sorry can’t help, best of luck though.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 25 March 2019, 08:41:12 pm
 Cheers fellas.
Don’t mind a bit of discomfort, or bricking it a wee bit, as long as there is no real pain or nasty surprises.
I guess I’ll maybe try the local.  Worst that can happen is I bottle it, which means they’ll just have me back at a later for the sedation.
I might be overthinking it due to the bad experience with the knob cam.
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 26 March 2019, 10:35:44 am
its whatever it takes to get it sorted I guess. It'll be worth it in the end. Cant be putting off stuff like this feller. this getting old lark sucks and then some dunnit mate ;)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 27 March 2019, 05:48:39 pm
I'm booked in Ogri - so we'll see what happens.Can't say I'm looking forward to it, but yeah better get checked over.Cheers bud.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: BBROWN1664 on 27 March 2019, 06:39:04 pm
Hi VNA, hope it all goes well for you.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 27 March 2019, 07:44:03 pm
Thanks Bbrown.
How are you doing?  Back on the bike yet?
Hope the eyes are improving.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: BBROWN1664 on 28 March 2019, 08:37:06 am
Back on the bike yet?

Was out in France last week and took the Tiger out for a couple of hours so, yes, the eyes are getting better. Been back at work a month now with a graduated return and full time now on that too.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 28 March 2019, 06:58:04 pm
2hrs on the bike sounds good.Hope those eyes get back to 100%.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: DILLIGAFF on 01 April 2019, 10:50:34 am
Few years back I had a camera endoscopy but it was a small unit about the size of a jelly bean which I just swallowed and then wore a camera for 24 hours. Maybe you could ask them if this is an option?Had one up the nose, cough, retch.Then again I had a colonoscopy which was a pain in the arse.
Good luck. ;)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 01 April 2019, 07:16:53 pm
What?  Was the colonoscopy tae get the camera back :eek
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 12 April 2019, 12:04:18 pm
Hi VNA. Thinking of you this morning as I was undergoing an endoscopy. I had the Xylocaine spray in throat and the camera was inserted. A little bit of retching as the throat was sprayed but apart from that everything was fine. Scope into stomach and duodenum and I watched the images on screen. Biopsies taken from stomach, didn't feel anything. Don't be fearful, you will be fine. All the best to you. When are you booked in for ?
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: midden on 12 April 2019, 04:35:59 pm
I'm Looking forward to having one on Sunday.  Perhaps they'll find the crown I swallowed years ago ;)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 12 April 2019, 05:16:10 pm
We'll have to form an endoscopy club. Seems to be a few of us having them. Hope everything is good on Sunday, midden.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: midden on 12 April 2019, 05:36:10 pm
Cheers it should be...…. more doing it for the craic  ;)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: midden on 14 April 2019, 12:20:35 pm

Well that was no fun at all...….the waiting was, I meant a real character who made me grin even more :)


the throat spray wasn't bad it tasted similar to my banana wine  and then the experience went down from then on.


Worse part I was facing away from the monitor so never got watch it between wretching  :'(
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 14 April 2019, 03:02:20 pm
Sorry to hear this, midden. At least you had a laugh before the wretching ! I was ' lucky ' in that I was able to see in Technicolor the gory details as the camera descended into the stomach. Made me think of the film ' Fantastic Voyage ' from 1966. What were the findings ? Biopsies taken ?
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: midden on 14 April 2019, 03:13:01 pm
They just found a small hiatus hernia and mild antral gastritis  other than that all is good :)  thanks 

As you said before it isn't painful just a bit uncomfortable on the retching side of things, but then I can't wear a gumshield without retching.


VNA any news on yours?
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 14 April 2019, 03:23:08 pm
Good to hear that nothing sinister was found. In my case a hiatus hernia was found too, plus an infection in the oesophagus and pharynx, which partly explains the problem swallowing food and keeping it down. In the stomach multiple polyps were found, caused by years of taking Proton Pump Inhibitors. Awaiting biopsy results for these. Onwards and upwards now, hopefully !
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: midden on 14 April 2019, 11:30:45 pm
Fingers crossed for the biopsy  ;)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 15 April 2019, 06:42:09 am
Cheers midden. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 15 April 2019, 08:43:11 am
jesue guys. glad your ok. Got a small hernia myself, hence the godawful reflux thing (especially at night when laying down) and need to find a loo superquick sometimes. theres like a nanosecond between "ooh I might need to poo perhaps" and"oh my god...." :'( :lol you had it done yet VNA? youve gone unusually quiet mate lol hope it went ok if you have
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 15 April 2019, 01:31:32 pm
Thanks ogri. I'm getting concerned about VNA too.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: mtread on 15 April 2019, 03:05:03 pm
Quote
Got a small hernia myself, hence the godawful reflux thing
I've been on omeprazole for several years now, and it solves the reflux problem well. I suspect also I've got a hiatus hernia, but never had the camera inspection. From what I've been told it's (another) 'age thing' where the valve doesn't close fully and the acid creeps up. Anybody had the hernia repaired, or any other solution?
I'm worried about VNA too! Lost without him!
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 15 April 2019, 04:01:43 pm
Where the oesophagus goes down it passes the diaphragm through a gap called the hiatus. Below this it goes into the stomach. The hiatus causes a narrowing of the opening into the stomach and helps prevent stomach contents from going upwards, which is called reflux. If the hiatus is weak reflux of acidic digestive juices into the oesophagus occurs. Depending on individual circumstances there is an operation to tighten the hiatus area, but controlling reflux with medication and lifestyle modifications is usually the route taken by GP's.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 15 April 2019, 04:20:33 pm
yup im on omneprazole. where is the bugger?
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: midden on 15 April 2019, 05:59:23 pm
I've been woken in the past with acid relux so bad I thought I was going to die.  my nose and obviously throat was effected at same time   :'(
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 15 April 2019, 07:15:18 pm
 
Quote
Hi VNA. Thinking of you this morning as I was undergoing an endoscopy.

What!  You were thinking of me whilst undergoing endoscopy? :eek   You’ve got serious problems dude! :lol
Good to hear it all went fine for you Anquetil.
Quote
We'll have to form an endoscopy club.
This place is becoming the old foccers club.   :\



Anyway all done.  Was a bit nervous as like I say I had a very bad experience with the wee winkie cam.


Very professional set up.  Got pre-prep interview, told them I was a bit nervous and why.  Blood pressure was up – surprise surprise.  The pre-prep nurse told me it was two nurses doing it.  Claire and her trainee Lynn.  Was asked if it was OK for the trainee to do it.  I said yes as long as she didn’t mind a nervous patient – I mean folks have gotta learn how to do things.  Was told she needs to do 200 before she is signed off.  Anyway, Claire decided she was doing the first 3 of the afternoon, and I was first in.


To my surprise you don’t get changed or anything.  Two nurses and an assistant.  They gave me plenty of spray.  Got me on the table, gave me the gum shield thing and away we went.  It’s not pleasant.  I wretched a bit when it first went in, and getting down into the stomach was OK where she had a brief look around.  Couldn’t feel anything.  Then she went for the upper bowel.  I can see her feeding it in, and you can sort of feel something which made me wretch again.  I got a bit excited when she came out of there as I thought that was it.  But she wanted a good look round my stomach after the upper bowel.  So just as thought she was coming out, she stopped and fed it back in.  By this time I’m getting keen for it to be over, and retching more and more.  But eventually she pulled the thing out.  I’d say it was 4 or 5 minutes start to finish, no more.  It’s OK but I don’t think I could handle say ten minutes or more of it.


Anyway, I don’t have the hiatus hernia that I had previously been told I have.  I have a slightly relaxed hiatus and some mild gastritis.  Nothing too serious.  So back to the GP.


Back to work tomorrow.  Then Wednesday I’m off to another hospital for lipotripsy to hopefully smash a kidney stone or two.  Happy days.
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 15 April 2019, 07:35:04 pm
 Yeah I’m fine folks.
 
Quote
I've been on omeprazole for several years now, and it solves the reflux problem well.

About ten years ago I was having a hell of a time with heartburn.  So, got sent to see the consultant.  He told me that I almost certainly had a hiatus hernia.  He said if I really wanted, they could stick the camera in, have a look, and operate on it.  He said if he operated, I’d then need the operation about every ten years.  So he recommended omeprazole.  So I’ve been on 20mg omeprazole daily for about ten years.  I forget to take it and I knew about it.
Ten years later I’m back at square one, constant heartburn and acid coming up now and again.  So see the GP.  I mention the hiatus hernia and the GP asks if they stuck a camera down for a look.  He checks my records as well.  He tells me the only way to know if you have a hiatus hernia is to have a look.  He says – I bet you don’t have one.  I’m like – what?!   So he books me in for the gastroscopy.  Then he recommends dropping me to 10mg omeprazole.
So I try 10mg and the heartburn stops.  Then I try not taking it, and apart from the odd day, is fine. 
My other reason for seeing the GP is I seem to have an irritable bowel.  As some of you know, it’s really annoying.  So, need to see the GP, and discuss the way forward.  Might yet make this a camera hat trick.
But yeah, I feel the consultant ten years back should have stuck the camera in.
Oh yeah I asked Claire how many she does a day.  Average about 40 a day!
Also asked how many get sedated, she said about 50%
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 15 April 2019, 08:38:19 pm
really glad your ok and good to see you back feller. despite your best attempts otherwise (and they really are sterling at times  ;) ) you got solid mates here. foccer... ;) :lol
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 15 April 2019, 09:15:44 pm
Thanks for the update VNA.  That's really good news that everything is ok following your endoscopy. Ogri is dead right. People on this forum do care about the well-being of their fellow foccers, even though most won't ever meet. Long may it continue !
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 15 April 2019, 10:00:10 pm
Quote
really glad your ok and good to see you back feller. despite your best attempts otherwise (and they really are sterling at times  ([url]http://foc-u.co.uk/Smileys/efocicon/wink.gif[/url]) ) you got solid mates here. foccer... ([url]http://foc-u.co.uk/Smileys/efocicon/wink.gif[/url]) ([url]http://foc-u.co.uk/Smileys/efocicon/lol.gif[/url])

Ta Ogri ya big saft fud ;)

 Hey, I’ve only once ever started a political thread.  But if others do, and particularly if I don’t like what’s being said, I’ll pipe up.  But it don’t mean I have to fall oot wi anybody.  There are some pretty bonkers views expressed here at times.


Some times I think I'm the only sane dude on this darn forum :D


 
But yeah it’s weird, worried aboot getting an endoscopy?  Ask the foccers!


Did ask at work, but only one of my lot have had it.  They sedated him but he still freaked out.  He had it under a GA.  But then he’s super squeamish about stuff.


Oh ah wis gonna watch the screen Anquetil.  I figured I could turn my eyes away from it if I wanted.  But they bunged the gum guard thing in, she picked up the scope, turned the screen away and stuck the scope in ma gob.  To be honest it would have probably just made me wretch even more. 




 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: mtread on 15 April 2019, 11:32:00 pm
Good to see you back VNA. Let's just do medical comparisons so we can REMAIN healthy  :)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: ogri48 on 16 April 2019, 11:29:48 am
lol a lot of us are definitely in a certain club for blokes of a certain age. getting old sucks dunnit fellers...
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 17 April 2019, 06:49:25 pm
Quote
lol a lot of us are definitely in a certain club for blokes of a certain age. getting old sucks dunnit fellers...
The geriatric adventures continue bud,

 So, up at 05.30 today and off on the first train to Glasgow.  Walked across the city centre to the old Royal Infirmary, and after what seemed like another mile of walking though the hospital found the Urology department with plenty of time to spare.  Weirdly my appointment time was 08.30 but the notice on the door stated they didn’t open till 08.45  Eh?


So just after 08.30 I chapped the locked door, and yeah, somebody came and let me in.


Booked in, manage to produce a pee sample and saw the consultant for a chat.


Got changed and went for pre-prep.  I tried my best to avoid the anti-inflammatory suppository, I reminded them that I’m mildly asthmatic, but nope I was told one way or another it’s going in.  So, I bent over the table, lifted my gown and before I could say – right I’m ready – the nice female nurse had popped it in.  A quick x-ray, two tramadol and an anti-biotic and I was good to go.


So, into theatre and up onto the lipotripsy machine.  And basically, a nice young motorcyclist called Gary kicked me in my left kidney 3000 times in order to shatter one of my kidney stones.


Annoyingly Gary explained that the current generation of lipotripsy machine with it’s built in x-ray head can see pretty much most of what the big rig next door can.  My stones are mostly really small and they have refused me lipotripsy for a number of years now.  They have refused me because they told me the machine will not be able to see my stones.  There’s also been a long term funding issue in Scotland for lipotripsy.  God knows why, when it’s relatively low risk and effective.  Kidney stones can cause a great deal of distress, cost the NHS a small fortune in emergency admissions to administer morphine  and/or to clear blood clots.  I had asked my consultant several times to refer me even just to let the machine operator to stick me on and have a look – it would take about 2 or 3 minutes to determine if they could be seen.  And not only could Gary’s machine see my small stones but he was able to show me three tiny bits of the shattered stone on the screen which he said should now be small enough to slip out naturally into my bladder with the rest of the stone having been pulverised into grit.


Anyway 40 minutes and 3000 pings and I was done.  Did have to stop for a minute’s rest now and again.  Quite painful, and I even left a nice wee smear of blood on lipotripsy ping head.  Drank a pint of water, did a very bloody pee and I was good to go.  A good friend picked me up and got me back down the road.


Gary and the staff were excellent, first class, had a few good laughs with the staff as well as the next victim for treatment.


So gotta take it easy tomorrow, drink loads of water and take my tablets for a week.  They told me one days rest and I can then do as I please.


So if I’m lucky we’ve just blasted the stone that my kidney keeps trying to reject.  If not, there are two remaining stones in my left kidney, so theoretically another two sessions and I should be pain free for a good while.


There’s five stones in my right kidney but other than the odd twinge, or some dull pain for a few hours once in a blue moon, well so far (fingers crossed) my right kidney hasn’t had a proper go at rejecting them.


So here’s hoping.
 
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: Anquetil on 18 April 2019, 07:11:08 am
Well, VNA, you are really having a rough time, healthwise, and you have my sincere sympathies. I had a kidney stone many years ago and the sudden pain dropped me to the floor. Fortunately for me it passed through after a period of time. To have multiple stones does not bear thinking about ! I must admit that I had never heard of a lithotripsy machine. Hope that your health improves and that you can enjoy getting out on the bike now that the good weather has arrived.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 18 April 2019, 01:57:17 pm
 Cheers Anquetil,
 
Ach, just some long term digestive and kidney stone issues.  Hopefully neither will become too serious – touch wood.  Oh yeah and a bad start to the year with shingles and ma bleedin knee playing up.  Ah the joys of getting old.  Sounds terrible but really health wise I’m OK.


I remember well the first time I became aware of kidney stone issues.  Probably coming on 20 years ago. I had a bit of what I thought was mild back pain for a few days.  The pain got worse, then on one visit to the toilet I passed dark red urine and I then threw up.  A few hours later I was calling the NHS line – they told me to take a couple of paracetamols and lie down!  I couldn’t sit still never mind lie down.  In fact, I had to phone for me mammy and get her to call the NHS line again as I could not sit still enough to use the phone.  They dispatched the local GP who gave me a shot of morphine and told me to go to the hospital.  My mammy then drove me to A&E where I was given more morphine and I spent the night there and most of the following day.  And oh, I love morphine. The old kidney x-rays were fun.  They put a bar across to block your ureters, then they produced a half pint sized syringe full of iodine and pumped it into you.  X-ray technology has improve a shit load in the last couple of decades. 



I think lots of people live their whole life with multiple small stones without ever realising they have them.  I’ve just got one right now that wants out.


Lithotripsy machine just fires targeted sound pulses to smash the stone.  The remains of the stone will hopefully now just pass out in my pee. 



The machine I was on yesterday was clearly a lot more sophisticated than the one I was on about 15 years ago.  The big difference seems to be the new one uses some new-fangled live x-ray head to target the stone.  The old machine used ultrasound to find the stone.  I’m wondering if my consultant (not the consultant that I saw yesterday) doesn’t quite fully appreciate what the latest machines can see.  He was keen to put me under and go in with the laser camera, which though a routine procedure, is clearly higher risk and surely much much more expensive. 



A quick search for videos and photos of Lithotripsy and I note some health services sedate people for lithotripsy.  It is quite painful.


Gary told me some folks take 100 shocks, get up and walk out the door.  Some can’t take full power shocks.  I took 300 or 400 at full power and Gary decided to back off 10% as I was struggling a bit.  And he gets little old ladies who lie down, hardly say a word and take the whole 3000 shocks in one run with the vast majority of them at full power.
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 18 April 2019, 02:01:22 pm
This looks very similar to the machine I was on yesterday.
(https://www.mashruba.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/urolith.jpg)
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: unfazed on 18 April 2019, 02:42:06 pm
Glad to hear you are ok (ish)  Are you sure you weren't beamed up to an alien ship that looks like one of the alien beds you see in the movies. :D As long as anything that's wrong does not prevent you riding the bike it can' be too bad. :thumbup
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 18 April 2019, 03:08:57 pm
Cheers unfazed.
You rest your kidney against the orange thing, which fires the sound energy pulses in.The stuff on the C arm is the x-ray imaging stuff, which continually updates as the proceedure progresses.
Taking it easy today, drinking loads of water, but yeah I'll be fine for the bike from tomorrow onwards.
Ta.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 05 November 2019, 12:10:06 pm
Quote
hope they get it sorted feller, kidney problems suck and then some. its been almost forty years since my ops, which were befiore keyhole surgery was an option. got a 14 inch scar on one side, and an 8 inch one on the other, but they work ok. ops nearly killed me mind lol. after each op they leave a stent in from your kidney to your bowel, then go in through your knob six weeks later to pull it out.
 
I remember going in for the stent removal, having me shower, going back to the hospital bed and waiting for them to take me to theatre. I was cold and afraid, looked at me knob and thought " they'll be lucky if they can find the fucker, let alone pull anything out of it...." :lol

Which is why I’ve been quiet for the last week.  The lipotripsy turned out to be a bit of a waste of time.  Two full sessions which went well, but on review they decided that my little stones must be made of reinforced concrete.  The little stone they attacked was still showing on the x-ray weeks after the second session.


Fortunately, keyhole is available today Ogri.  I say fortunately, well keyhole sounds great, until you figure out that your wee winkie is the keyhole.  So last Monday I had an airline (to inflate my kidney), a camera, laser and a grab stuffed up ma wee winkie.


Consultant told me he expected it to be a straight in and back out job, no stent, no catheter, no problems.  Well afterwards he described my kidney as unfriendly, so he had to stick a stent in to gain access, which got left there for all the shit to drop back out.


The 12-24 hrs after the op were fun filled.  Drank loads of water and couldn’t piss.  I knew what might come next, but I tell you my knob was absolutely red raw.   God only knows what would have happened if they tried to stick a catheter in me - I hate o think.   So, I pleaded for morphine as I figured I was in too much pain to pee.  So they gave me a couple of shots of liquid oral morphine and some other stuff.  20 minutes or so later I managed a piss.  Despite the pain killers I was holding onto the wall in the toilet with both hands, knees wobbling and tears of pain running down my cheeks trying not to scream and wake everybody up in what was now the small hours.


Just gotta wait now till I get the stent back out.  Really looking forward to it – not.


How are you lot? 



I take you are back at work full time BBROWN?
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: unfazed on 05 November 2019, 07:28:20 pm
Way to much information there VNA, even reading was making me cringe. :\
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 05 November 2019, 09:25:38 pm
Sorry Unfazed, that's me leaving quite a bit o the detail out. :eek
Anyway hopefully heading in the right direction now.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: unfazed on 05 November 2019, 09:33:58 pm
 Went through enough of hospitals in 2002 after being hit by a truck in Cork City, 3 months in hospital 4 skin grafts and 9 visits to the operating theatre was taken in my stride and I cringed at the thought of what you went through.
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 05 November 2019, 09:49:02 pm
 
Quote
Went through enough of hospitals in 2002 after being hit by a truck in Cork City, 3 months in hospital 4 skin grafts and 9 visits to the operating theatre was taken in my stride and I cringed at the thought of what you went through.
It’s wasn’t pleasant.  I am a big wane when it comes to these things though.   :o



I’ve always wondered if I ever had a nasty off, if I’d get back on again, and I’m always impressed by those that do.  I cannot imagine being stuck in hospital for 3 months.  Anyway, will try and stay on it – don’t really wanna know the answer. :eek


Apparently, my tubes are narrow, hence the stent, and I wonder if that’s also why ma wee winkie was well sare afterwards. :'(   
 
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: unfazed on 05 November 2019, 10:23:51 pm
Quote
I’ve always wondered if I ever had a nasty off, if I’d get back on again, and I’m always impressed by those that do.  I cannot imagine being stuck in hospital for 3 months.  Anyway, will try and stay on it – don’t really wanna know the answer. :eek
The Biking bug usually wins unless it is physically impossible  :woot
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: agricola on 06 November 2019, 09:51:01 pm
Glad youre on the mend. Youve got to watch out for some of these pain killers though. When I fractured my spine, I was on morphine and codine, and boy did it make shitting fun. Two weeks without a crap, despite straining for hours a day to pass it. When the first batch came out, it was like passing a tree stump. I swear Id rather have the pain than go through that again
Title: Re: Old man stuff – endoscopy
Post by: VNA - BMW Wank on 06 November 2019, 10:12:37 pm
 Cheers Agricola.


Fractured your spine! :eek   FFS.  Hope it’s all good now.


Yup been there before with the pain killers.  It’s as foccing painful as anything when it gets out of hand.



I left hospital with a box of Laxido and I knew I still had some microlax at home from a pervious blockage.  The next day I manged a very quick trip to the supermarket, bought what I needed for a big pot of soup and grabbed loads of fruit.  I just ate fruit and soup for 4 days washed down with laxido – problem solved.

 
Like you say, when I got home for the first three days I was desperate to take some painkillers, took about three tramadol the first day, but that was it.  They just block you especially after all the good stuff in hospital.