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LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
Tue May 13, 2025, 11:46 AM May 13

Story time. Update on Endoscopy and Colonoscopy.

Prep was a fucking nightmare as I predicted. Couldn't keep my blood glucose up.

One hour of sleep Sunday night.

Low glucose Dexcom alarm woke me up about 200AM. Unable to eat anything due to Propofol anesthesia upcoming in about 6 hours. I figured my best course of action would be to go to the ER in the hospital in which I would be having the procedure done in order to get hooked up with a Dextrose IV in the ER, and I assumed they would then just wheel me to the GI lab when the 730AM procedure time rolled around.

The hospital in which it was performed is fantastic, but the ER at this hospital is notorious for violence, gunfights, and as a nurse put it to me..."crazy and violent people".

Jumped in the shower. Glucose dropping further about 3 points every 5 minutes. Getting nauseous.

Raced to the car and headed to the ER. Jumped a curb on the way there. I won't go into the details of this accident, but it wasn't my fault and had nothing to do with my driving capabilities. This accident happened a few hundred yards from the ER entrance.

Left the car on the curb, because it was a curbed island in a pitch dark parking lot and the front wheels were lifted off the ground, rendering the car unable to drive. Fast walked to the ER.

Verbally backed down some asshole in the ER who was about to get violent with some poor guy on crutches.

Spouse went back to see about the car. I asked a security guard to go with her considering the neighborhood and the time of night. Security guard escorted her.

Spouse called AAA THREE TIMES to get a tow. They gave her the run around and said no trucks were available until 800AM.

They took me back into a room in the ER and gave me a huge syringe of IV Dextrose via IV.

I asked them to leave the IV in so I could walk through the hospital to the GI lab at procedure time. They said absolutely not. I had to be discharged from the ER first, then walk through the hospital to the GI lab, and then get ANOTHER IV inserted.

Got to the GI lab. Spouse tried to call AAA again. She got the run around. I called them and used verbal persuasion to get "a motherfucking tow truck there right now because this is the 4th fucking time they have been called".

Tow truck tows car to my mechanic. Brake lines snapped and some other damage. $1,300 bill, Hopefully, the car will be fixed today.

Hooked up with another IV in the GI lab. Nurse tells me that next time, I need to be admitted the might before to do the prep as this is sometimes necessary for Type 1 diabetics. She said that the prep is a shock to the diabetic's system, and it also inhibits carb absorption, rendering it next to impossible to raise glucose levels if they take a nosedive.

Propofol for anesthesia. It's a good drug, but it burns like hell going in through the IV. Slept like a baby during both the colonoscopy and the endoscopy.

7 polyps removed and they are being biopsied. This is concerning to me, because I grew 7 polyps in just 2 years since my last colonoscopy.

Areas were also biopsied in the upper GI area.

Still feeling drained. Awaiting biopsy results. Hope to pick up repaired vehicle later today.

The End.

31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Story time. Update on Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. (Original Post) LuckyCharms May 13 OP
Hoping for good biopsy results. The doc who ordered endoscopies should have anticipated that too. Silent Type May 13 #1
You really have been to the wars. Thanks for sharing though. Walleye May 13 #2
That's quite a story, LuckyCharms. Such difficult challenges. I'm so sorry you are going through this. wordstroken May 13 #3
What? You aren't qualified to make judgements or decisions about your own health! Kali May 13 #4
Oh shit I'm reading my chart now...they drug tested me in the ER without my permission! LuckyCharms May 13 #18
Fingers crossed for benign polyps. pandr32 May 13 #5
Jeez, what a night. Glad you survived! 58Sunliner May 13 #6
What a night! MIButterfly May 13 #7
Whew. What an experience. I don't understand why the ER couldn't leave in the IV. I hope LoisB May 13 #8
Unbelievable DownriverDem May 13 #9
This is a brand new GI doc. LuckyCharms May 13 #13
Wow! I'm glad you're getting things done, LC. I admire your fortitude. .... littlemissmartypants May 13 #10
LMSP LuckyCharms May 13 #11
I know. I may be in deep trouble, though. Something is really wrong inside. littlemissmartypants May 13 #14
LMSP... LuckyCharms May 13 #17
I wouldn't worry about the polyps too much. Littlered May 13 #12
Best of luck to you... LuckyCharms May 13 #15
Thank you. Littlered May 13 #16
I prefer to call them endoscopy and other-endoscopy. eggplant May 13 #19
Us Italians call colonoscopies "innuendoes." LuckyCharms May 13 #20
I had both of those done two weeks ago. ECL213 May 13 #21
Good lord! Hopefully, next time couldnt possibly be as bad or worse !!! Karadeniz May 13 #22
Better days are coming, Lucky True Dough May 13 #23
Be easy with yourself. You have run a track race and a half. Hope22 May 13 #24
I hope that you're getting much needed rest after that ordeal! Niagara May 13 #25
Niagara, it was pitch black in that lot! LuckyCharms May 13 #29
I am glad that you are okay LetMyPeopleVote May 13 #26
Damn, you do everything the hard way 🙂. MLAA May 13 #27
Cool Story Bro unweird May 13 #28
What an experience. Diamond_Dog May 13 #30
After pain the first time I had propofol, I complained. summer_in_TX May 14 #31

Silent Type

(9,600 posts)
1. Hoping for good biopsy results. The doc who ordered endoscopies should have anticipated that too.
Tue May 13, 2025, 11:52 AM
May 13

Walleye

(40,673 posts)
2. You really have been to the wars. Thanks for sharing though.
Tue May 13, 2025, 11:53 AM
May 13

I’m glad you’re OK. I had four polyps last time and they told me to come back in three years. I only hope I’m still alive. Good luck on everything and feel better

wordstroken

(1,184 posts)
3. That's quite a story, LuckyCharms. Such difficult challenges. I'm so sorry you are going through this.
Tue May 13, 2025, 11:58 AM
May 13

Your courage and strength are amazing.
Hang in there, and please keep us updated.

Kali

(56,237 posts)
4. What? You aren't qualified to make judgements or decisions about your own health!
Tue May 13, 2025, 12:33 PM
May 13

Took me 2 weeks to convince THEM I have a good Dr-ordered solution that the chronic hives I get. Nobody LISTENS to what you say. They only select for answers that fit their boxes.

Good luck on biopsies and car. That must have made sucky night even better!

LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
18. Oh shit I'm reading my chart now...they drug tested me in the ER without my permission!
Tue May 13, 2025, 02:02 PM
May 13

I can imagine it being standard procedure in that ER, considering the reputation of the patients in that area.

I haven't been drug tested in a few decades since I worked for a government contractor.

I tested positive for cannabis and Xanax, both of which are listed in my med list. Negative for opiates, cocaine, etc.

Feels kind of weird though...I feel violated in some way.

You're right Kali...you know your own body, and you have to be forceful with them to get what you know you need.

Got a car about the car, it's finished and I'll pick it up tonight.

pandr32

(13,026 posts)
5. Fingers crossed for benign polyps.
Tue May 13, 2025, 12:51 PM
May 13

It sounds like you went through an ordeal the medical center should have prevented. I am so glad you didn't kill yourself driving to the er.

MIButterfly

(428 posts)
7. What a night!
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:08 PM
May 13

Such a harrowing ordeal all around. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I hope your tests come out normal and you can put all this behind you. Please keep us updated. I'm thinking of you and wishing you the best.

❤️ ☀️ 🦋 ⭐️

LoisB

(10,580 posts)
8. Whew. What an experience. I don't understand why the ER couldn't leave in the IV. I hope
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:39 PM
May 13

the biopsies are negative and you are on your way to wellness.

DownriverDem

(6,830 posts)
9. Unbelievable
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:43 PM
May 13

Why didn't the GI doc have you admitted like you were told for next time? That could have eliminated a lot of the problems you described.

LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
13. This is a brand new GI doc.
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:50 PM
May 13

I fired my previous GI doc.

I've only met with this new doc once before the procedures I got done yesterday.

I told this new doc about my previous problems with the prep, but I didn't push the issue at all, because I didn't realize you could be allowed to be admitted for the prep until a nurse told me yesterday (and another DUer told me the other day).

The nurse told me that this new doc would absolutely admit me next time if I requested it.

littlemissmartypants

(27,756 posts)
10. Wow! I'm glad you're getting things done, LC. I admire your fortitude. ....
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:45 PM
May 13

I need a colonoscopy. Way past due. I don't have a driver. Hard to find.

I'm getting an ultrasound this week of my abdomen. I'm worried.

Wish me luck.

Stay encouraged.

❤️

LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
11. LMSP
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:47 PM
May 13

Worry just causes more worry! Try not to worry unless and until you you have to!

I wish you the best of luck and I'm sending you good wishes!

littlemissmartypants

(27,756 posts)
14. I know. I may be in deep trouble, though. Something is really wrong inside.
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:51 PM
May 13

Since the fall, things haven't been right.

I appreciate your good wishes and advice.

Thank you.

❤️

LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
17. LMSP...
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:56 PM
May 13

I'm paranoid about getting cancer. My doc gave me some wise words...

There are SO MANY things that can go wrong besides cancer, and most of them are curable.

I know what you are saying...I have had lingering symptoms for about a year, so I worry too. I'm still kicking, I plan on continuing to kick, and you will still be kicking too! No worries please!

Littlered

(280 posts)
12. I wouldn't worry about the polyps too much.
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:50 PM
May 13

With that being said. They should have told you on your report the type and size of the polyps removed. After every one I’ve had, they come back and give me that info. My old gp used to say. Don’t be too worried about what they find. Be worried if they find nothing. I’m up again, in about two weeks. Fun, fun, fun.

I’m glad to hear it wasn’t any worse than it already was though. That sounds absolutely horrible. Wishing you the best.

LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
15. Best of luck to you...
Tue May 13, 2025, 01:53 PM
May 13

The report pre-biopsy indicates the size of each polyp. Nurse told me that the doc said they did not look concerning, but he snipped and biopsied them anyway.

Good luck...you'll do great.

ECL213

(368 posts)
21. I had both of those done two weeks ago.
Tue May 13, 2025, 02:25 PM
May 13

I asked the doc if they would be doing both ends at the same time...which of course they wouldn't...and she said, "No, we'll do the colonoscopy first, and then finish with the endoscopy," which is what I was hoping she would say.

So, I said, "Oh, ok. Would you make sure they rinse the scope off really well before they stick it down my throat."

I really find myself amusing.

True Dough

(23,127 posts)
23. Better days are coming, Lucky
Tue May 13, 2025, 02:45 PM
May 13

At least we hope. It's been a rough ride for you lately. It's gotta turn around soon.

Best wishes!

Niagara

(10,667 posts)
25. I hope that you're getting much needed rest after that ordeal!
Tue May 13, 2025, 07:52 PM
May 13

Some of these parking lots are not lighted properly.


It's extremely poor designing to place curbed islands or huge boulders in parking lots!


My fingers are crossed for good news on the biopsy results.


LuckyCharms

(20,046 posts)
29. Niagara, it was pitch black in that lot!
Tue May 13, 2025, 08:17 PM
May 13

I missed the street for the ER and had to turn around in the parking lot and every single light in that lot was turned off.

The anesthesiologist told me that two doctors did the same thing in that lot...curbed their cars!

Thank you for the good wishes!



MLAA

(19,248 posts)
27. Damn, you do everything the hard way 🙂.
Tue May 13, 2025, 07:58 PM
May 13

So glad you got to the ER in time and slept through your procedures. Fingers crossed for all good results, LuckyCharms!

unweird

(3,159 posts)
28. Cool Story Bro
Tue May 13, 2025, 07:59 PM
May 13

I mean really, I appreciated the sharing. From start to end and end to end as it were I was pulling for the hero all the way.

Diamond_Dog

(37,112 posts)
30. What an experience.
Tue May 13, 2025, 09:34 PM
May 13

I hope everything will be OK now. Nobody deserves to endure all what you did.

summer_in_TX

(3,592 posts)
31. After pain the first time I had propofol, I complained.
Wed May 14, 2025, 12:35 AM
May 14

Now they give me novocaine first and then the propofol. I'm out quickly and it's also over quickly. No pain at all.

That should be standard when administering propofol, IMO. Otherwise they'll have people refusing to get colonoscopies any more.

Then there's the prep. After one kind I told the doctor I would never take that one again. Luckily my current gastroenterologist found other, better options.

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