After An Endoscopy

[crisper]

Hi all... mother in law is having an Endoscopy tomorrow, and she's determined to drive herself home afterwards.. we would rather she got a taxi ..or a lift... can anyone tell me if she'll be up to driving straight after... she hasn't had any info from the hospital.. the appointment was made over the phone on friday, and obviously.. there's no post today! ta everso Mrs C xx

[LazyGun]

Driving yourself shortly after an endoscopy is not to be recommended, IMO, especially if your MiL has a sedative injection, where it could be considered downright dangerous :)

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Endoscopy/Pages/How-is-it-perfomed.aspx

[Sqad]

I agree with Lazygun......however if she has the endoscopy first thing in the morning, then she would be fit enough to drive at the end of the afternoon, otherwise, get a taxi or a lift.

P.S Pretty poor that the hospital didn't give you better and more explicit instructions.

[Sqad]

Just had a thought....if it is a gastroscopy(stomach examination), you might just have local anaesthesia without sedation.....so no problem about driving home.

[andres]

My daughter has had a couple of endoscopies with sedation and wasn't allowed to drive herself home afterwards. In fact she was advised to have someone stay with her for a few hours at home until she fully recovered.

[crisper]

Thanks to all of you for your replies.. did post one reply... dunno where that went!! lol... I think she should get a lift too... Sqad.. I'm sure the hossie did give proper instructions... she just probably didn't take it all in.. thanks again! xx

[LazyGun]

@Sqad - Aye, its the sedation element that makes it inadivisable - And I am coward enough that just a local anaesthetic spray would not be enough :)

Crispers MiL might be made of sterner stuff, i guess...

[Sqad]

LazyGun...ahhh! you are "playing yourself down"....they don't come much sterner than you....;-)

[Bbbananas]

I had an endoscopy (gastroscopy) last summer with just the throat spray. After a short recovery period, I felt absolutely fine - within 1.5 hours I was devouring a Frankie & Bennies breakfast, in the afternoon we were quaffing a rather divine Sauvignon blanc in The George in Stamford. :-)

I was glad of being driven, or else I wouldn't have been able to have the wine.....

Seriously, I didn't drive myself, but have to say I did feel more than capable of doing so.

[alex1706]

Don't do it. First off she would have been fasting for 24 hours, and that can impair judgement. O.K. Not too invasive and if she doesn't have the sedative won't feel particularly groggy, but to be honest far better to go with a loved one, and can share the results at the same time as will no doubt forget half of what she has been told.

[Eve]

I didn't feel too good after mine (though had cameras up and down in the same session) albeit the procedure was fine and staff were lovely - was gutted they removed my glasses as I wanted to watch the screen.

Not sure if the prep is the same but after fasting then scary strength laxatives (if needed for endoscopy?) and a sedative I threw up a number of times after I came out so was glad to have someone with me. Wouldn't have been allowed to drive after the sedative in any event.

[SMP]

I had an endoscopy, gastroscopy. Had throat spray, no sedation. Had cup of tea after and then drove home. Hospital said it was absolutely fine if no sedation.