Shitting myself...

[Jupitus]

.... at least that is what it is supposed to feel like, when they shove a probe up your artery then squirt dye at your heart.

Well, at the ripe old age of 41 I've been called in for an angiogram, and it's tomorrow. I'm pretty cool about most things medical, don't get worried etc, but right now I am starting to falter on this one. Mrs J sees it, although I haven't really let on, and is being very supportive bless her. It's not the results I'm worried about, it's the procedure itself. Apparently it carries about a 1/1000 risk of tissue being dislodged by the probe, being drawn into the heart and causing a heart attack or stroke. I don't know if the fact that I am younger than most having this doen lessens the risk, but I'm still letting it worry me. I'll be laid up for a few days aftwerwards but I'll try to pop on and say hi when I'm up to it.

Wish me luck!

 

[rynnor]

Good luck but you wont need it - its pretty routine - my Mums had a few over the years

 

[Thugz]

Do you mind me asking why you are having this done?

 

[ford prefect]

Although I haven't had an angiogram done personally, I have been in attendance during a few. As Rynnor says, they are very routine. Although you will be awake, you will be given a sedative (usually Midazolam - which is very safe), and a few hour after the proceedure you will hardly remember it.

The whole proceedure takes about 30 minutes, but take a book with you (I assume you are having it done as an outpatient), as they won't want you leaving for an hour or so after the sedative. They won't want you driving for the rest of the day either.

You will be quite sore for a few days too, but it is a very low risk proceedure. I have never heard of one going badly.

 

[Jupitus]

Do you mind me asking why you are having this done?

I have very high cholestorol (hereditary, they think) and 'something' showed up on an exercise ECG. As I am deemed 'high risk' they want it checked out.

Although I haven't had an angiogram done personally, I have been in attendance during a few. As Rynnor says, they are very routine. Although you will be awake, you will be given a sedative (usually Midazolam - which is very safe), and a few hour after the proceedure you will hardly remember it.

The whole proceedure takes about 30 minutes, but take a book with you (I assume you are having it done as an outpatient), as they won't want you leaving for an hour or so after the sedative. They won't want you driving for the rest of the day either.

They explained most of that, but did say the sedative was optional on the day. I'll probably be taking my copy of Alan Carr's 'Easyway to stop Smoking' to read

 

[Trem]

Well I would be the same as you chum, I would shit myself, routine or not. I think as we get older we get more scared of things and the reality of our age.

Chin up mucker you will be fine and if you aren't can I have your stuff

Are you still not smoking?

 

[Jupitus]

Well I would be the same as you chum, I would shit myself, routine or not. I think as we get older we get more scared of things and the reality of our age.

Chin up mucker you will be fine and if you aren't can I have your stuff

Are you still not smoking?

Cheers Trem, and no, sadly I caved after about 3 weeks so this might be a springboard back off them...

 

[ford prefect]

They explained most of that, but did say the sedative was optional on the day.

Yeah, they will often try to talk you out of the sedative, trust me when I say don't let them. Sure it carries a small risk, but it is worth it

 

[Trem]

Cheers Trem, and no, sadly I caved after about 3 weeks so this might be a springboard back off them...

I dunno mate, I am having mixed feelings about smoking. Yes its shit and expensive and its uber bad for you but......you know.

 

[Cadelin]

A small bit of information to re-assure you. When they say 1/1000 chance what they mean is that it has happened but its extremely rare. You will find that for just about every procedure even really simple ones they list some horrible side effects that they say happen about 1/1000. Try not to worry about these possibilities they are just a form of legal protection.

 

[Thugz]

I have very high cholestorol (hereditary, they think) and 'something' showed up on an exercise ECG. As I am deemed 'high risk' they want it checked out.

What is your diet like? Do you exercise? You smoke? How heavy are you? Booze - how much?

There is a book out called 'You Are What You Eat' by Gillian McKeith (website). You can join her website and chat to her about your problem. Maybe worth considering if you are having problems at such a young age.

Lots of people have followed her advice and found that their collesterol has dropped remarkably. I have her book myself.

By the way there is a free video on the front of Gillian's website that is worth watching.

 

[Jupitus]

I dunno mate, I am having mixed feelings about smoking. Yes its shit and expensive and its uber bad for you but......you know.

Yeah... I definitely know that feeling myself....

Try not to worry about these possibilities they are just a form of legal protection.

Thanks Cadelin - I did sense an air of arse covering when they went through that before I signed my consent form.

What is your diet like? Do you exercise? You smoke? How heavy are you? Booze - how much?

There is a book out called 'You Are What You Eat' by Gillian McKeith (website). You can join her website and chat to her about your problem. Maybe worth considering if you are having problems at such a young age.

Lots of people have followed her advice and found that their collesterol has dropped remarkably. I have her book myself.

By the way there is a free video on the front of Gillian's website that is worth watching.

My diet is not bad, although I do drink a fair amount, but diet has pretty much been ruled out at this stage and meds do have an effect. Weight wise I am fine, thankfully. I've seen the book and she might work marvels, but it's not for me, regardless. I make some compromises but I'm not about to change my whole lifestyle in one fell swoop - I'd rather die happy a couple of years earlier than eeek out a couple more years in misery

 

[Thugz]

I'd rather die happy a couple of years earlier than eeek out a couple more years in misery

Well I hope they get a grip on your problem. Some people need a kick up the bum before they are prepared to change. I had a few myself before I took stock of the situation. Best of luck to you and I hope things work out well.

Me I am off now for a 10mile hard run - including hard reps. Cereal with nuts for breakie. The joys of life!

 

[old.Tohtori]

Nothing to worry about. Generally; if you've had blood taken, this is even less then that.

Had a few dye jobs myself and while i am used to all the medical needle sticking etc, i can safely say that you'll feel less here.

 

[russell]

Good Luck sweetheart, you WILL be fine. I know these things
Let us know how it goes, and well done Mrs J for getting you through it.

Mr R had to have a colonoscopy with a sedative and he was so brave that I gave him a sticker

 

[yaruar]

Good Luck sweetheart, you WILL be fine. I know these things
Let us know how it goes, and well done Mrs J for getting you through it.

Mr R had to have a colonoscopy with a sedative and he was so brave that I gave him a sticker

That reminds me i have to book myself one of those for this month

 

[TdC]

have no fear, I'm sure you'll be fine Jup. just remember to have that all-over body wax before you go in. that's all.

 

[mycenae]

Take the sedative...trust me on this. I have also been in attendance at a fair few angiograms, and while its not painful it does feel incredibly wierd, and the sedative will really help you to relax, chill out and not worry so much.
I'm sure you'll be fine Jup...all best wishes and luck to you, big hugs.
Let us know how it goes X X

 

[Embattle]

It is nothing to worry about, whenever I've got to have an colonoscopy there is also 1/1000 chance they might cause a perforation.

 

[rynnor]

What is your diet like? Do you exercise? You smoke? How heavy are you? Booze - how much?

There is a book out called 'You Are What You Eat' by Gillian McKeith (website). You can join her website and chat to her about your problem. Maybe worth considering if you are having problems at such a young age.

Lol - surely you jest - thats the woman who was ordered to stop calling herself 'the food doctor' because she had A. no doctorate and B no medical qualifications - shes pure bunkum!

How high is very high? Over 10 I take it? If so it wont be anything to do with your diet - your body actually manufactures cholesterol in the liver rather than absorbing it from what you eat.

Theres a hereditary condition where kids as young as 8 have a cholesterol level over 10 - benecol/flora pro-active are pretty good and dont impact your lifestyle

Presumably they have mentioned putting you on Statins? There can be some side effects but they are pretty much claimed to be a wonder drug

My cholesterol is high but I have great blood pressure so they dont treat it - I inherited it from my Dad who's as skinny as a rake and very active but still has high cholesterol and doesnt drink/smoke - cholesterol is fairly meaningless unless you have other symptoms.

 

[Lazarus]

if you are having problems at such a young age.
.

Juip??? Young ???


ROFL

 

[Overdriven]

GL juppie!

 

[Thugz]

if you are having problems at such a young age.

Seems young to me (52).

As for Gillian her diet is more or less just common sense foods. Natural foods and lots of them. More or less what lots of others have been saying for years. She combines this with exercise. No rocket science and very much the accepted method of losing weight and staying in shape.

 

[rynnor]

Seems young to me (52).

As for Gillian her diet is more or less just common sense foods. Natural foods and lots of them. More or less what lots of others have been saying for years. She combines this with exercise. No rocket science and very much the accepted method of losing weight and staying in shape.

This is the woman that diagnoses peoples health problems by looking at their shit and is bigtime into colonic irrigation - shes a fruitloop

Take a look here - http://www.badscience.net/2007/02/ms-gillian-mckeith-banned-from-calling-herself-a-doctor/

 

[Thugz]

This is the woman that diagnoses peoples health problems by looking at their shit and is bigtime into colonic irrigation - shes a fruitloop

Take a look here - Ms Gillian McKeith - Banned From Calling Herself A Doctor! - squabble update below - Bad Science

Well in answer to the above:

Gillian Mckeith, if nothing else, has encouraged people to realise that nutrition has a direct link to their quality of life and health.

That about sums up my involvement with Gillian McKeith. No sod takes her as speaking gospel about everything - or they shouldn't. Most of the book is about nutrition and good nutrition at that. As for that article I just read I have never come across these so called claims made by Gillian. Maybe I am a select reader or something? I tend to be when reading books on dieting. The overall and very impressive message that I got from her book and tv programmes was that the correct diet can alleviate or even get rid of many types of illnesses. I go along with that. I also go along with the diagnostic s*** stuff as any change in my diet is reflected in the quality of it. She shouldn't state she is a doc if she isn't mind. That is a bit unforgivable if it is true. Still I have taken plenty of good pointers from her book to use in my daily life. All good pointers too I think.

Her book isn't read by such people that posted that article mainly but just fat buggers who know sod all about nutrition in most cases. The outcome of which will be that they are far more knowledgeable about their body and what it needs to be healthy. Not much wrong with that in my opinion.

 

[Jupitus]

That reminds me i have to book myself one of those for this month

Eep - glad I reminded you - hope it goes ok!

have no fear, I'm sure you'll be fine Jup. just remember to have that all-over body wax before you go in. that's all.

I have shaved already, but as I have mentioned on here somewhere before, I do it when drunk and reckless, so I missed some patches. I can't eat after 6am so my plan is up early, bit of toast then into the shower whilst sober to tidy up (and have a wank, just in case the nursies are hot) and be prepared!

Take the sedative...trust me on this. I have also been in attendance at a fair few angiograms, and while its not painful it does feel incredibly wierd, and the sedative will really help you to relax, chill out and not worry so much.
I'm sure you'll be fine Jup...all best wishes and luck to you, big hugs.
Let us know how it goes X X

Thanks hun xxx

It is nothing to worry about, whenever I've got to have an colonoscopy there is also 1/1000 chance they might cause a perforation.

I think this is a little different as they say they might dislodge some stuff from the artery lining into the heart, but if the estimates are the same then I should be ok

How high is very high? Over 10 I take it? If so it wont be anything to do with your diet - your body actually manufactures cholesterol in the liver rather than absorbing it from what you eat.

Theres a hereditary condition where kids as young as 8 have a cholesterol level over 10 - benecol/flora pro-active are pretty good and dont impact your lifestyle

Presumably they have mentioned putting you on Statins? There can be some side effects but they are pretty much claimed to be a wonder drug

My cholesterol is high but I have great blood pressure so they dont treat it - I inherited it from my Dad who's as skinny as a rake and very active but still has high cholesterol and doesnt drink/smoke - cholesterol is fairly meaningless unless you have other symptoms.

It's not just the normal chol measures, which started around 11 then came down nicely with statins, but I also have a very high triglyceride count... about 18 versus < 2.0 which has also come down with fenofibrates. I did have high BP but that is well under control, again with drugs. I feel fine, the whole thing is precautionary, I think/hope!

Juip??? Young ???


ROFL

Git

GL juppie!

Thanks OD

... and stop hijacking my thread with Gilllian McKeith poo staring crap!

 

[mycenae]

May I suggest that you don't have the toast Jup? If you do, you're actually likely to feel hungrier than if you don't, as you'll kick start your metabolism for the day. Hold off until after the procedure. I've done lots of starving for anaesthetics personally, and its always a better idea not to eat once you've woken up in the morning.

 

[Thugz]

... and stop hijacking my thread with Gilllian McKeith poo staring crap!

Bah! What I would give to have my own fitness boot camp and whip all you Freddyhouse followers into shape - my way!

Take it easy m8 - breathe deeply and think of relaxing scenaries. Should be a breeze.

 

[nath]

Gillian McKeith is an evil bitch. Check out Ben Goldacre's great book "Bad Science" for some very interesting reading about her particular brand of bullshit.

edit: Just noticed Rynnor posted more or less the same. My bad .

 

[Jupitus]

Thanks to you all for your comments -see you on the other side