I want to tell you a little about my test Friday and I hope
some of you who have medical training might be able to answer some questions
for me. First the results were exactly what I’d hoped for – everything’s fine,
no problems at all, not even a tiny polyp to remove. I appreciate all your
thoughts and prayers.
All was the same as I remembered from last time except I
woke with a horrible sore throat and I could barely speak. I knew that they
hadn’t planned to put in a trach tube, but I wondered if they had. The nurse explained
that I’d thrown up a little and that they had needed to use suction.
I know the dangers of aspiration, but I’m wondering just how
close I was to real danger. I couldn’t leave until the anesthesiologist checked
me out. She explained what had happened a little and that pushing on my stomach
during the procedure had caused the problem – but it had seemed like only
saliva and she didn’t expect I’d have any problem. She listened to my lungs and
pronounced them perfectly clear. She warned me to call if there was any
shortness of breath or fever. I haven’t had any of those problems.
My throat is still a little sore, I have a cough, nasal congestion and strangely enough under my jaw on both sides are extremely sore. I worked in surgery and with anesthesia when I was
working for a vet and I am picturing a scary scenario of someone grabbing my
face/jaw firmly while someone suctioned my throat. Has anyone ever worked in
this field? Is this a fairly common occurrence or abnormal?
I suppose it doesn’t really matter, all’s well that ends
well, but I am curious.
Have no answers, but it does seem possible.
ReplyDeleteI just wish it would stop.
DeleteSorry no idea but when I had a general anaethetic recently I had a really bad sore throat for days even though the procedure was quick. Vomiting gives me a sore throat because of the acidity. Glad the news is positive.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that's what made my throat hurt, I just wish the cough would stop!
DeleteHi PK, so glad to hear the results of the test were positive. Sorry I have no answers. Hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Best thing is good test results! Can't beat that.
DeleteSuction is always there as precaution, despite not eating and drinking for hours before, our bodies produce a certain amount of fluid each hour so what you are describing is possible but I doubt you were in any more risk than anyone undergoing a invasive procedure. What you were told to look for would also be routine just to cover in case u needed to have antibiotics which are not given or should not be given if not needed. Don't let this put u off from having further tests if they r needed.
ReplyDeleteNo one likes tests, but I'll have the ones I'm supposed to. I would like to stay around as healthy as possible for a good while longer.
DeleteWhat I am mystified about is why you should need a general anaesthetic for a colonoscopy? I had one eighteen months ago, and was conscious right through it. Apart form one bit when I was encouraged to take a few deep breaths as a part of my colon is apparently a severe right angle due to a previous operation when I was younger, it was uncomfortable, but certainly not unbearable or horrid. I had two lovely nurses who chatted to me throughout to take my mind off it, made rude comments to the doctors carrying out the procedure, and told me jokes to make me smile, if not laugh out loud. As the tube was removed when they had finished scrutinising my gut, the nurses encouraged me to look at the large monitor and watch the journey through my innards. To be honest, although I didn't want to do it to start with, I couldn't resist, and it was utterly fascinating. When you think about it, how many people get to see their insides and yet neither feel ill or feel any pain? Yes, I was sedated, but not particularly sleepy. After a cup of coffee and a couple of malted milk biscuits, I was ready to go home, and felt right as rain. And no sore throat either!
ReplyDeleteMy experiences with having things thrust down my throat (medically) are that it definitely makes your throat very sore. It also tends to make the glands swell under your chin. I suppose it is natural. Try not to get worried. Hot milk with honey in it is good to sooth a sore throat and if not milk, you could always put the honey in either hot water, or whisky. Or even just spoon it in - suck it off a spoon. It has a natural antiseptic effect.
The main thing is that there is nothing awry. That must make up for all the discomfort. I am very pleased you are sparkling both inside and out!
Many hugs
Ami
This is my second one and I've been put out for both - who am I to argue. I'll try the honey, there could be some swelling. I just haven't experienced it before.
DeleteBut yes I'm in good shape and grateful for it!
HI PK, no idea on the medical stuff but I am glad that things are okay with the test. I suppose that is what matters the most anyway so I hope the sore throat goes soon
ReplyDeletelove Jan,xx
I'm sure it will - but I'll take the sore throat back if I could trade this cough for it.
DeleteSo medical expertise here...but I am so glad the results were good. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful relief.
DeleteI ended up with something called "aspiration pneumonia" after I had a colonoscopy. When I was recovering from the procedure, I felt as though I couldn't take a deep breath. They listened with a stethoscope and said one lung didn't sound right. They asked my husband if I drool in my sleep! (Luckily, he said if I did, he had never noticed). i was sent for a chest x-ray right away and my family dr. called the next day and made me come in. Antibiotics took care of it, but I was annoyed to be tired and feverish almost two weeks. I felt as though the anesthesiologist who was in the room should have noticed if i was swallowing saliva. Do let them know if anything keeps bothering you.
ReplyDeleteThat's what they were concerned about and evidently I'm very luck that my anesthesiologist did pick up on it right away and was able to suction it right out. I don't think I need antibiotics, I'm going to try that honey.
DeleteHi PK,
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear results were positive.
I'm surprised you had a general. I've had two colonoscopy and same as Ami, awake all through with nurses holding my hand and taking to me. I did have a slight sore throat but only lasted an hour or so. Sorry can't help.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
I guess we just do things differently here. As long as they said I was healthy I'm happy.
DeleteI have had a couple colonoscopies, but I had twilight drugs. You are actually awake but not...if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteGlad all is well!
I know I wasn't out long - but I was completely out. My grandmother was given twilight drugs to change the batteries in her pace maker - she called it the 'I don't care' drug.
DeleteI think mine must have been semi twilight drugs! LOL! I still can't understand why they would put you right out. I can absolutely say that it isn't even a bit necessary. You can hardly feel a thing.
DeleteI had those twilight drugs, don't remember a thing. Come over here next time PK and we will sort you out a better place to go!!
DeleteI am glad that you are well other than the cough. When an anaesthetic is administered the result is muscle relaxation as well as unconsciousness. ALL muscles relax to a certain extent. As a result the anaesthetised person does not swallow any saliva and this pools in the mouth. The ring of muscle, cardiac sphincter, at the top of the stomach that holds the stomach contents in the stomach, also relaxes. Therefore you are in danger of aspirating, or breathing in, both stomach contents and saliva. The anaesthetist suctioned the secretions and would also have opened your airway by performing a jaw thrust. She/he would have stood at your head and lifted your jaw forward by placing his fingers under your lower jaw and lifting it up or forward. The fingers lift at the hinge of the jaw where the back teeth are. Hence, your sore jaw. Your cough is worrisome. Perhaps irritation caused by the suction, which is not exactly gentle, or perhaps a respiratory infection. A visit to your GP is required. Aspiration pneumonia is not to be taken lightly. As for the question of were you at risk...absolutely. All medical procedures carry a level of risk and even more so if an anaesthetic is involved. We also use twilight sedation for colonoscopies in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI hope that all settles down soon.
Anon, Thanks for the information. Certainly explains the under jaw pain. That's about gone now and I can tell the cough is improving. The cough is definitely in my throat, there isn't any congestion in my lungs at all. I'm starting to wonder why we don't use twilight here!
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