Colonoscopy - are you required to bring someone with you in the UK?

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elrafantas

elrafantas

Joined
Jan 14, 2012
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Colonoscopy - bringing someone with you?

It's been a couple of years since my last colonoscopy. Last time I didn't take anyone - I lived about 5 minutes away from the hospital and just walked home, no problemo. I've got one on the 4th March and someone from the hospital phoned me up the other day to make sure I was bringing someone with me to take me home afterwards. I'm now living 300 miles from the hospital - I moved from London to Newcastle and I'm waiting to get transferred once I've spoken to my doctor at the end of March. I told the woman that this wasn't possible (it's bloody expensive) and she said I absolutely had to bring someone. Last time I just signed a form after the procedure saying I had nobody with me and went on my merry way! Have the rules changed so I can no longer do this?! I'm obviously not driving after, will just get a cab back to the station and then a train home....

Cheers :)
 
It may be different there, but in the US you have to have someone with you. If I remember correctly (which I may very well not, thanks to the meds) they have to sign a paper, taking you into their custody. You're not technically supposed to be on your own for 24 hours, as the medications can still affect you.

Is there anyone you could ask to go with you?
 
OK, cheers.

There's a few people who can come, it's just going to be expensive because I didn't book for them in advance, doh! I'd rather save the money if I can, but not if I'm going to be imprisoned in a waiting area for 24 hours!
 
Do you really need the colonoscopy? I thought it would be best to wait until you have transferred doctors so it doesnt cost you as much in travel.

When I had mine done a couple of years ago I had to have someone pick me up from the ward, they wouldnt even let me walk to the front entrance on my own
 
I know over here where I live in Chicago IL, you HAVE to have someone with you. you CANNOT even take a cab! They wont do the procedure unless they meet the person taking you home! They are real sticklers about it at the hospital I go to. I think it is all to cover their ass. I mean god forbid something should happen to you on your way home, well you could turn around and sue the hospital since they gave you a med that altered your perception. But yeah, over here is has been that way for a long time when having these procedures.








elrafantas said:
It's been a couple of years since my last colonoscopy. Last time I didn't take anyone - I lived about 5 minutes away from the hospital and just walked home, no problemo. I've got one on the 4th March and someone from the hospital phoned me up the other day to make sure I was bringing someone with me to take me home afterwards. I'm now living 300 miles from the hospital - I moved from London to Newcastle and I'm waiting to get transferred once I've spoken to my doctor at the end of March. I told the woman that this wasn't possible (it's bloody expensive) and she said I absolutely had to bring someone. Last time I just signed a form after the procedure saying I had nobody with me and went on my merry way! Have the rules changed so I can no longer do this?! I'm obviously not driving after, will just get a cab back to the station and then a train home....

Cheers :)
Click to expand...
 
Thanks so much, everyone. Have asked a mate in London to ditch work for the afternoon, so all is sorted. Weird though how they were fine with me leaving by myself last time. In fact, I remember how after I'd had my tea and biscuits they couldn't wait to get rid of me - I would have liked a longer nap afterwards!
 
elrafantas said:
Thanks so much, everyone. Have asked a mate in London to ditch work for the afternoon, so all is sorted. Weird though how they were fine with me leaving by myself last time. In fact, I remember how after I'd had my tea and biscuits they couldn't wait to get rid of me - I would have liked a longer nap afterwards!
Click to expand...

I think this depends on the type or level of sedation they use. About a decade a go my mum went for a colonoscopy and had planned to take the bus home by herself (you're never allowed to drive after), but she had to call my dad to come and get her, so the rule has been around quite a while, though it might depend which hospital you go to.

It's not just about keeping you safe either. I remember being told that if I signed any formal document within 24 hours of the sedative it woudn't be valid because I couldn't guarantee I was thinking clearly.

Plus you tend to make a complete fool of yourself and say embarrassing things after coming round, so you need someone who's understanding there to stop you making an idiot of yourself! :p

Glad you got things sorted.
 
I'm in the UK and I usually get a cab to the hospital and get a friend or work colleague to give me a lift home. They usually ask for a number to ring for the person who is collecting you and ask if they are staying overnight too, but to be honest I get them to lie and say yes. :p

It's not a very good idea to travel all that way after. Apart from the sedation if anything went wrong like a perforation you could end up very ill and a long way from home!
 
But I won't be a long way from home if I travel back that night...I'll be home! How soon do you know if there's been a perforation? Does it take a few hours to reveal itself (if they don't realise...or do they always realise at the time?) Hmmm I honestly thought that last time I felt absolutely fine afterwards but maybe I've just forgotten what it was like after the sedation!
 

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