Changes in health.

Saw the GP today. He is concerned that the lack of food, especially protein and vitamins can only lead to further ill health. He will contact the Gastro unit, explain the situation and ask for advice/options. He will also request that the pharmacy converts to liquid medication where possible.
Thanks to all of your input, I was able to express myself clearly, and state that I believe I should have been given options. Thanks again😀

FranP

Shelflife

Of course you are not being unreasonable! When you see your GP on Tuesday explain exactly how you are feeling . If you feel you have an obstruction in your gullet - a nurse telling you not to eat sandwiches is not helpful! Don't feel this is something you have to put up with , you deserve better than that. Speak go your GP and don't pull any punches! Good luck and let us know how you get on - don't be fobbed off!

Exactly!

Ladies of a "certain age" are known for "not being a bother".

Persists, but you may find that you do the rounds of a number of specialists before it gets solved. But do keep going - you are worth it

Wishing now I'd kept a link to an article I recently read. It was about peoples experiences of illness - from the point of view of those treating them and making notes about them.

It was very clear that very much the same illness pattern and disruption of lives was being phrased in noticeably stronger (ie "must give them help") terms for men than it was for women in very similar circumstances. A woman would be said to be not that ill and to be managing and a man with similar would be described as noticeably ill and in need of help!!!!!!

Thank you. It is tomorrow, not today. I will let you know what is said. I think ladies of a certain age, nailed it. It's the way we were brought up.... don't disagree with the doctor,he is like god.

Shelflife

Of course you are not being unreasonable! When you see your GP on Tuesday explain exactly how you are feeling . If you feel you have an obstruction in your gullet - a nurse telling you not to eat sandwiches is not helpful! Don't feel this is something you have to put up with , you deserve better than that. Speak go your GP and don't pull any punches! Good luck and let us know how you get on - don't be fobbed off!

Exactly!

Ladies of a "certain age" are known for "not being a bother".

Persists, but you may find that you do the rounds of a number of specialists before it gets solved. But do keep going - you are worth it

Sounds similar to my Godmother. Hope NHS can get to the bottom of the issues.

I have a thickening in my gullet too and I find that eating dry foods sets off painful spasms. I don't think there is an awful lot they can do and it seems that the best way is to find out what foods cause that feeling. However, if you ask the medics and they give you an answer, I'd love to hear it because it might work for me too.

Thank you for all of your comments. They have helped to clarify my mind. I will make a list of questions to ask the GP.
All they said on discharge was that they wanted me to be comfortable and to get back to them if there was any blood, or if I lost weight.

olderme you are not unreasonable to expect good healthcare and drs that will listen to and help.

Saying that took me a move of over 100 miles to finally get the healthcare I needed and get help. I was born disabled but didn't get my diagnosis until I was 63 with my rare hereditary neurological condition. My old neurologist couldn't give a dam. But my new one even though he didn't know what was wrong has helped me so much . I had 32 years of limbs jerks and 4 seizures before I saw him. He put me on a tablet and within 2 weeks my limbs where still and no seizures. This was 2020 he sent my blood to have the whole genome genetically tested. But because of covid they forgot to send the results and he forgot to ask . But I didn't mind the delay as it was 2022 when I finally know what I was born with and my wonderful neurologist admitted he would have to research it as he had never had a patient with it nor his colleagues. Being on the tablets completely changed my life for the better.

Because I had a name I found a Facebook group of others with is condition it's worldwide and 1,122 of us there. Started by a Brit. I have learnt such a lot from asking endless questions but my life makes sense .
My health isn't to good at the moment but that's not due to my HPX.

Plus I found out in 2020 and confirmed in 2021 I was also born with a hole in the side of my heart and on medication for it as I have PAF. I am on the BHF forum and it's helped me understand about my heart.

Is there a support forum you could join with people who have your conditions as they will help you and give you advice with your diet. But I have found it's so freeing knowing I am not alone .

My post always ends up in rambles but it's how my mind works. Sorry I can't help you . But fight to get referrals to consultants and probably a dietitian who can help you .

Unfortunately it really is a postcode lottery getting the healthcare you need.

olderme

I already had the camera down. That's when they removed the stuck food, and discovered the HH and narrowing.

Crikey! Did they explain your options to you and give you your choice as to which to take? - ie old-fashioned method or swallowing that Contac shape thing?

I have the feeling I already know the answer to that - ie they made your decision?

I already had the camera down. That's when they removed the stuck food, and discovered the HH and narrowing.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I think discussing all this with your GP on Tuesday is best. They may suggest a ‘camera down’ for a look-see. Hopefully set your mind at rest and proceed from there. Wishing you all the best going forward and huge reassurance. 🤞

If they do suggest "a camera down" - remind them there is a more modern and acceptable method these days. So you won't accept that method - but would accept that tiny gadget that it's possible to swallow without any discomfort or anything else unacceptable (I understand it's the size and shape of one of those little health capsule things we can buy ourselves - think the name is Contac and it's similar in appearance to a cold remedy people freely take of themselves??).

I think discussing all this with your GP on Tuesday is best. They may suggest a ‘camera down’ for a look-see. Hopefully set your mind at rest and proceed from there. Wishing you all the best going forward and huge reassurance. 🤞

Anxiety will exacerbate swallowing difficulties I'm afraid. Have you tried listening to relaxation tapes? [I know I'm always going on about them but I'm a worrier and they really help me....]

Thank you. It isn't specific food. It is anything. I can feel fluids going down, my medication is difficult. I have been taking Omniprazole for a long time for Reflux. When I waken in the morning, I feel the pressure, it usually lunchtime before I can eat. Soggy tea biscuits and milky coffee regurgitates. A scan showed 'nodes' in my lung and I am wondering if that is the reason they let me go home like this.
Obviously, anxiety is now beginning to rear it's head, although I am trying not to catastrophize.

Bread is notorious for sticking, though & there are lots of people out there who can't eat a range of foods because of Coeliac, allergies, liver problems etc.

If it's making you feel really ill & you get that horrible sensation every time you eat anything, then I would persist for a better outcome. But I would heed advice to avoid sandwiches, there are lots of other things you can eat.

You are not being unreasonable to explain to your GP and ask for the best outcome possible.
My late husband had similar eating difficulties. His food got stuck in “ pouches” in his throat, to put it simply. He was too old, with other health complications, to consider surgery, if there was even any available which I don’t know, so just had to learn to adjust. Most foods were tricky, latterly. Taking tablets was difficult, and eventually they had to be crushed into custard or yogurt, if not available in liquid form.
I hope you can get some improvement.

Of course you are not being unreasonable! When you see your GP on Tuesday explain exactly how you are feeling . If you feel you have an obstruction in your gullet - a nurse telling you not to eat sandwiches is not helpful! Don't feel this is something you have to put up with , you deserve better than that. Speak go your GP and don't pull any punches! Good luck and let us know how you get on - don't be fobbed off!

I have a hiatus hernia and 2 endoscopies showed inflammation in the oesophagus. I kept a food diary to see which foods were triggers. I was very surprised by some, cucumber, for example. I now give the foods that don't agree with me a wide berth and together with a daily Omeprazole, I am much better.
Be honest with your GP and tell him everything you want an answer for. Write a list, so you don't forget any. I wouldn't worry about the money, I daresay you have paid your whack into it over they ears and not everyone can say that. Persist for the answers and I wish you well.

...and I'd be willing to bet that people after "luxury personal" treatment (eg sex change operations or dealing with failed cosmetic surgery operations) don't stop and ask themselves whether that's reasonable to ask for from our NHS. Yours are quite clearly genuine health problems that you are in no way "responsible" for having iyswim....so ask away....

You're hardly unreasonable to be going after the best outcome you can get. Health problems do interfere with one's life - even if they're relatively minor ones. You are fully entitled to "keep at it" on working to find a solution until such time as you do.

Good luck!