On 3 Sep, I met an anaesthetist. I had to give the whole story - I always had low blood pressure but somehow it wasn't on record even though they took my blood pressure at least twice at each visit due to it being low, and so they couldn't knock me out at the first gastroscopy as the med reduced my pressure to 70+.
But on 3 Sep, my blood pressure was ok, with systolic at 90+ which was a rare occurrence! The doc thought I was nervous at the gastroscope and so had to be knocked out but no, I damn chill before, during and after. It was only the colon one that was uncomfortable.
I even showed the doc a copy of my blood pressure from the hospital self-check machine - in his words, not compatible with human life hoho! But the self-check machine always gave the lowest readings.
Anyway, the conclusion was there would be no GA but an anaesthetic would be there to monitor my vitals. He painted the worst case scenario - scary so I don't want to remember but ok, unlikely :p
I also did an ECG and blood test to rule out other possible causes for low blood pressure. But everything seemed fine as I didn't get a call-back. The doc was nice to rush things for me as I mentioned lunch for the kids so I didn't have to wait too long, phew! Went home with Ikea lunch for the boys and hub - just nice :)
Fast forward to 17 Sep, I found myself in an unfamiliar part of the hospital. Turned out there was a renovation since June so the scope had moved to this new part.
The nurses wondered if I should change. Thank goodness they let me change coz later just before the scope, a nurse stuck things on my torso to monitor heart. Later at home, I found a sticker on my left side *.*
Met the anaesthesiologist on duty that day and he asked if I was nervous coz people don't usually need an anaesthesiologist for a scope. Eh, these doctors don't read patient notes?!
I signed some consent form again - forgot what though I read it :p - and was led to the op room. Was surprised to see some nine or 10 people in the room! I think it was due to the anaesthesia requirements... The anaesthesiologist put the needle in me this time.
Anyway, it was over in a jiffy. I don't know if I was totally out - I remember gagging a bit somehow... Then the staff were just doing their stuff and chatting while I was lying there... I was sent out to rest and finish off the drip before I could finally have milo! Oh ya, my scope was 2 pm and I quickly finished my breakfast before 8 am and suffered hunger from 11 am :(
It was when I boarded the bus home when I realised that I had forgotten to collect my medicine! Later, I googled that it was to reduce acidity. Um, no need la. And I really don't wish to take that for eight weeks!!
The follow-up with the gastro specialist was via phone. Everything was fine, never mind the medicine since I didn't feel unwell after the scope (yay!), no need to repeat gastro scope unless new issues come up, can do colonoscopy in 10 years - coz of my age?!
But! My original issue still happens on and off... Doc said based on all that was done, no issues. But she gave me an open dated appointment so that I could return if my issue is accompanied by significant weight loss and LS.
It's been almost a year now. I guess I can finally close this chapter off? Taking a leaf from Yang's poop tracking, I've started tracking my diet and poop on an excel sheet - I suspect the oil is due to my nightly peanuts but it's hard to link coz I don't go every day... I shall see...
Btw, I wrote "scope" happily but I just realised there isn't such a thing?? More like xx-scopy, oops :p
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