Balloon dilation for Achalasia Cardia
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Five weeks ago I had a gastroscopy with botox injection which didn't work. Yesterday, I went for a balloon dilation, after telling both the consultant and doctor who was to carry out this procedure that their conscious sedation did not work on me, as throughout the four gastroscopies endured I had suffered flash backs of what I consider a most invasive procedure. I asked once again for a general anaesthic because of the time balloon dilation would take. When I arrived in the treatment room I found just sedation was to be used. I had a job to even swallow the tube initially. Then I heard something about the wire being incorrect (all this time I was fully conscious of the tube being twisted and turned inside me) and the squirting of liquid at both sides of my mouth. Then I heard the doctor say the balloon won't dilate. There was then such a severe pain in my chest I thought I was having a heart attack. I was dragging at the mouthpiece whilst the nurse was pushing it home all the time. I was trying to turn to get away from this tube in my oesophagus causing me such terror and the relief when he finally started pulling both tubes out and utter dismay when I heard him say, we'll try again. When told this next attempt would take another 30 minutes I withdrew my consent in abject terror and broke down and sobbed like I haven't sobbed since I was a child.
I will never willingly consent to this procedure again without anaesthetic. I would rather die slowly of starvation, as I am doing. I wouldn't put an animal through this barbaric procedure unless it was fully asleep and yet NHS staff were willing to put a 72 year old lady through it and then wanted to continue on for another 30 minutes when it must have been quite obvious to everyone in that room I was completely distressed.
Has anyone else experienced this treatment?
0 likes, 17 replies
amy14209 northeast96
Posted
emusedone northeast96
Posted
This is an older post but I just found it. I, too have Achalasia and have had terrible procedures where I've woke up because I was put under twilight sleep and not totally out. Having this condition is bad enough, but all the endoscopies and testing just made it worse. I understand I had to have them, but they were repeat endoscopies and the balloon dilation did not help. I was told by the GI Specialists I'd have the surgery but instead the surgeon ordered another EGD and more tests. He didn't do the surgery, he did balloon dilation instead. It didn't help and I have been worse. His plan was to do Botox next. I don't want anymore temporary procedures. I've suffered so long from this, I want the surgery I was originally told I'd have. But he won't do it until he tries these other procedures. I've had four endoscopies since January. If I allow the Botox treatment it will be five endoscopies and now they say I have Barrettes esophagus (pre cancerous cells). So I've been trying to get in to see the original Specialists who diagnosed me but they're all in the same clinic and I'm told I have to see the surgeon.
I don't HAVE to do anything actually. I've done everything they've asked and I'm worse. Trying to get help has been such a nightmare. I just want to give up fighting for my rights not to keep having these tests. I've had them all. They all show Achalasia. But it takes just one surgeon to bring my treatment to a halt. I just don't know what to do.