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[sweatybet]

Grumpy has had a pre op at which she may have signed a consent form. If you take sedation prior to signing it is not legal.

SB

[CLKD]

Why not?  I would never sign a Consent Form until the day of the operation.  A lot can happen in between! Also, how many patients actually read a Consent Form  ……… it is 1 thing to have an operation etc. explained but different to reading the Form itself!

It is more important to take each day as it arrives and if Valium is required, then taking it is important.  The procedure could be postponed for many reasons yet.  I would expect to speak with the Anaesthetis and Consultant prior to surgery too.

[grumpy2008]

Thanks everyone, for your support and concern 

Mrs January, I will check out the Glasgow Steps website. I have some meditation music on my iphone too, and will take my earphones tomorrow and will hopefully have chance to listen to it.

I haven't taken any valium. I came very close though (yesterday was awful). I think I'm having mood swings... feeling ok for a while, followed by crashing anxiety/depression, mostly brought on by the stress of this operation / Christmas / elderly parent etc. I've had mood swings before but nothing that has come close to this last few weeks.

If I were feeling bad enough, for long enough, then yes, I would take the valium regardless of the operation, as CLKD says. But I also understand the implications, as sweatybet points out. My pre-op nurse was completely happy for me to request the valium (she suggested it) but I noticed my GP (who is usually very sympathetic) was extremely reluctant to prescribe it, despite me being genuinely distraught and crying on the phone to her. I later realised it's because of the legality of signing the consent form. It upsets me to think we live in such a fear-based society that legal issues are thought to be more important than a patient's mental health  .

OH is cooking tea tonight, I have my 'jama's on already, and plan to (hopefully) put it all to the back of my mind for the evening. Take care everyone, and thanks again x

[CLKD]

NO, no, no - did your GP tell you that's why she was reluctant for you to have anxiety medication?  You need to take care of your health today, this procedure may be postponed - then what?  Your GP should have explained exactly why there was a reluctance, usually it is nothing to do with Consent Forms but due to the fact that some patients can become addicted to Valium etc..

Why don't you take what your GP prescribes  ……. otherwise you will be in a nervous state when you go in.  Also won't your OH feel relieved if he knows that you are taking care of your mental health?  Mine now hands me the medication if necessary  when I keep saying "I'll wait another 10 mins.".   

You should have the Anaesthetist and Consultant visit your bed before your surgery so any extras medication that you have required can be discussed so that the GA can be adjusted if necessary.  But taking essential medication is more important than a Consent Form which is for surgery and administration of anaesthetic ……… and quite honestly, doesn't hold water until the day of Surgery 

[CLKD]

Having read a copy of the Consent Form this afternoon no-where does it state that to take medication after singing - signing even  - is illegal.  [To be Illegal means that there is a Law on the UK Statute Books.] It does state that Consent should be obtained as early as possible to give the patient time to read and consider.  However - no-where does it state how 'early' early actually is!

As long as the GP - who is currently the patient's main practitioner until such time as he/she is in Hospital - considers it appropriate to prescribe necessary medication and as long as this addition is discussed with the Anaesthetist and Consultant prior to surgical intervention on the day of such surgery, then that is all that is required. 

If a patient is un-certain of what he/she has signed for, then they can withdraw that 'consent' until they are completely clear as to what they can expect, even to the point of the porter arriving to wheel them to Theatre.  Making a list of worries is useful to take, talk to the Ward Sister and ask for discussion with the Consultant/Registrar or SHO and the Anesthetist.  Don't be afraid to ask, ask, ask !

[sweatybet]

Once a consent form has been explained and signed then anti anxiety meds can be taken. There should be plenty of time for it to work.

I am sorry if my 30 years of knowledge and experience as a trained nurse differs from other views.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Will not post anything further on this forum for fear of upsetting someone else.
SB

[Hattie]

Once a consent form has been explained and signed then anti anxiety meds can be taken. There should be plenty of time for it to work.

I am sorry if my 30 years of knowledge and experience as a trained nurse differs from other views.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Will not post anything further on this forum for fear of upsetting someone else.
SB

Please reconsider - this forum needs trained nurses on it - realise that this has to be taken on trust on a forum but i quite like to know if someone is a nurse with experience or someone else with specific experience etc.

[CLKD]

Hopefully Grumpy you will be able to consider if Valium if necessary and explain when you reach the Hospital  ………

Are the mood swings due to worrying about this week?  Understandable.  It's been in front of you for a while, enough time to be calm/not ……… I'm similar when facing visiting Mum so know I would be a lot worse if I had to face more surgery  …. at least when going to GP or Hospital I can take a list to work my worries through with the Medics 

 

[honeybun]

Sweatybet

I do hope you will reconsider and return to the forum. Your knowledge is very welcome. It would be such a shame if you left.


Honeyb
x

[Limpy]

Once a consent form has been explained and signed then anti anxiety meds can be taken. There should be plenty of time for it to work.

I am sorry if my 30 years of knowledge and experience as a trained nurse differs from other views.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Will not post anything further on this forum for fear of upsetting someone else.
SB

Sweatybet - Please come back. You know what you are talking about and that is SO helpful.

[grumpy2008]

Many thanks to everyone for your help and support. We all have different experiences / knowledge which is all valuable and worth sharing. I hate to think that anyone would leave the forum because of this thread  .

My only reason for not coming back sooner was being busy over Christmas and New Year. But I do want to give a quick update... I didn't take any valium in the end, although I came close. My anxiety was due to a build up of everything that's been going on in my life and it was all getting too much.

The hysteroscopy went well - I was first on the list - and the surgeon saw nothing unusual . I had a small polyp removed as part of the procedure. Afterwards I had some light bleeding and cramps/aching for about a week, especially on Boxing Day, which I think was due to overdoing things on Christmas Day.

So it looks like my periods just returned without reason, and hopefully they'll go away again just as quickly! I really did feel a lot better when I wasn't having them! I'm sure the doctor will keep a close eye on me now, because of the tamoxifen I take, but I'm hoping it'll all settle down again .

[CLKD]

   take care of yourself now that the Festivities are over! 

[grumpy2008]

Thanks CLKD   

I forgot to mention, the consultant said the original procedure failed due to stenosis of the cervix

[CLKD]

So now you know [off to google stenosis] 

OK -  narrowing  ……...

[jules55]

Hi I also had 2 failed hysteroscopy,s, and ended up having one done under GA. The reason they gave me was apparently my Womb is tilted backwards, and the doc said he was suprised that I had three children born naturally! He tried to tilt it the right way, but couldn't, because it was getting uncomfortable. Anyway I had my op, and they removed a polyp at the same time, and did a biopsy, because of my age 55. And when I woke up ,I wasn't in any pain at all, and I suppose just felt abit weak for a couple of days. So try not to worry too much, hope all goes well for you x