Hospital Tests

I was wondering if anyone could help - what is your experience of hospitals? How do you deal with them? 

I haven't been feeling well lately, my GP collected a poo sample, she said it came back positive with a high blood marker. Now they want to do more invasive tests at the hospital and I can't cope with the hospital environment. I can't cope with the lights and the noise, and the humming of the machines. And when it comes to tests I don't know how to cope with scans and colonoscopy, and how to work with a medical team who won't listen to me when I tell them I am not coping with the situation.

I don't contact with my biological family and so I don't have anyone to help me. Plus we're in the middle of a Pandemic and therefore can't take anyone with me.

What do you do in these situations?

Have any of you been able to access a Disability Nurse?

Wondering how that works as well?

And I'm also not coping with all the change that's happening so fast - I feel like I have lost control, and they've taken my routine away.

What does anyone do in this situation?

Parents
  • Hi - I have ulcerative colitis (over 20 years) so I have lots of these horrible tests done in hospital.       I REALLY recommend that you talk to the endoscopy department and explain your problems - they are normally completely separate department to the consultants so they won't know you or what to expect from you - they only have instructions to get data - and they want the easiest for everyone.

    I find that I get tongue-tied and almost mute when I'm having colonoscopies - so I have someone with me to interpret for me and look after me.    The sedation means I HAVE to have someone with me - I'm surprised they say you can't?

    I am able to book my tests for early Saturday mornings - and they do me first to minimise my stress levels - get me in, get me out - they don't want someone flipping out on their shift!  Smiley.

    I choose early Saturdays because the preparation for these tests is unpleasant and I can have it all under control if I spend the day before following the instructions - an afternoon appointment would mean half prep the day before, half prep in the morning and that puts me in a time crunch to be ready and then get to the hospital - too risky.   Also, there's no traffic on a Saturday morning to get stuck in.

    Scans are easier - it's just a case of closing your eyes and listening to the rubbish music and the noise of the scanners - more boring than anything else.

    Feel free to ask me anything - but I can only tell you about my experiences.  Smiley

Reply
  • Hi - I have ulcerative colitis (over 20 years) so I have lots of these horrible tests done in hospital.       I REALLY recommend that you talk to the endoscopy department and explain your problems - they are normally completely separate department to the consultants so they won't know you or what to expect from you - they only have instructions to get data - and they want the easiest for everyone.

    I find that I get tongue-tied and almost mute when I'm having colonoscopies - so I have someone with me to interpret for me and look after me.    The sedation means I HAVE to have someone with me - I'm surprised they say you can't?

    I am able to book my tests for early Saturday mornings - and they do me first to minimise my stress levels - get me in, get me out - they don't want someone flipping out on their shift!  Smiley.

    I choose early Saturdays because the preparation for these tests is unpleasant and I can have it all under control if I spend the day before following the instructions - an afternoon appointment would mean half prep the day before, half prep in the morning and that puts me in a time crunch to be ready and then get to the hospital - too risky.   Also, there's no traffic on a Saturday morning to get stuck in.

    Scans are easier - it's just a case of closing your eyes and listening to the rubbish music and the noise of the scanners - more boring than anything else.

    Feel free to ask me anything - but I can only tell you about my experiences.  Smiley

Children
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