Bronchoscopy

[gutless]

I'm scheduled for a lung biospy next Tuesday and I'm terrified to have it done. Can someone let me know what to expect? Many thanks.

[Jack]

This one has come up before and there were some very mixed experiences. My own was good with no memory at all of the procedure and no pain other than a slightly sore throat.

[andrew]

I had a bronchoscopy about 5 years ago. No issues, discomfort or pain. Was quite interesting actually watching the progress on the video. The doc showed me how my vocal chords worked on the way down :)

[gutless]

So no discomfort? How do you breathe with that scope stuck down your trachea? I'm not even sure what they are hoping to find when they do the biopsy. Just can't wait for Tuesday to be over with.

On another note, went to my rheumy today and my latest bloodwork and 'pee in the bottle' have come back better. My pred has been reduced and my visits to the blood lab are now monthly instead of every 2 weeks. Now that's progress!

[elephant]

That is progress, h:hug2::hug3:ope all goes well and I am sure it will. I will be thinking about you on tuesday.

[Sangye]

Gutless, you should ask your doc all of your questions. I had a pulmonologist who explained the procedure and risks so well I couldn't think of any questions.

[drz]

I had a bronchoscopy about 5 years ago. No issues, discomfort or pain. Was quite interesting actually watching the progress on the video. The doc showed me how my vocal chords worked on the way down :)
I was amazed at how they navigated thru the lungs with out my feeling any sensation. It was sort of like watching a video game, and very much like viewing the camera during other scopes.

[Sangye]

I didn't know they did them without you being sedated.... I guess they didn't do the lavage (saline rinsing)? You couldn't be awake for that. I was, and it wasn't supposed to happen.

[drz]

I didn't know they did them without you being sedated.... I guess they didn't do the lavage (saline rinsing)? You couldn't be awake for that. I was, and it wasn't supposed to happen.

I had a lavage to get some samples they tested for infection and found out I had a virus infection. I don't remember that part of procedure specifically so it must not have been significant event, or it was done at a different time.

[andrew]

When I had mine done the doc squirted some saline (not much) into my lung which made me cough a little and just once but nothing that you would call unpleasant. Probably not the same thing as you're talking about. I'd still look forward to the next one. Was very interesting! :biggrin1:

[Sangye]

LOL-- You'd remember a lavage. They put a lot of saline in your lungs to pick up anything that's sitting around in there. They do it several times to get different samples. It feels like you're being drowned....

[gutless]

In 48 hrs it will be all over with. The countdown is on ......

[Jack]

Remember that they won't be doing anything to you that hundreds have not gone through before. If it was THAT bad they would have found a different way. (At least, that is what I tell myself when faced with these situations :) )

[gutless]

My issue is that it's just 'another thing'. Another doctor's appointment, another procedure, another drug, another this, another that. I've already been thru hell and back with ulcerative colitis - spent 2 years in the hospital with that, lost my large colon, most of my small intestine, ovaries, kidney function for a while. Had my last rites read twice, 'saw the light', had a nephrostomy (brutal - the worst thing I've been thru yet). I use the bathroom about 20 times per day because my UC surgery wasn't a great success (I'm still alive, so it did work ... have to think that the glass is half full on this one.) And after all the fighting to stay alive, and it has been a fight, I now have Wegener's, complete with all it's blood work, CT scans, xrays, injections, pills. I'm just so sick of it all. Sorry everyone, it's been a bad past few weeks. I'm sure things will look up. Right now it's just one more thing I have to go thru. Thanks for all of your support - it's really appreciated.

[elephant]

!:hug3::hug2:You are a very strong person, you go ahead and vent. Big hugs to you

[Sangye]

Gutless, I understand. It's exhausting and it seems like there's no end in sight. I can't imagine what it must be like to have another major disease on top of Wegs. Hugs to you. :hug1:

[jola57]

Gutless, just think we will all be there with you LOL :hug3:

[Jack]

Gutless, just think we will all be there with you LOL :hug3:
Can I wait outside in the corridor please? :unsure:

[gutless]

Thanks, everyone! Great to know that you'll all be there with me ... with Jack in the corridor. 24 hours to go until it's done!

[Brooke]

Hi Gutless,
Sounds like you have been through a lot! Don't worry about a bronchoscopy, I am sure you will do just fine!
I have had 4, the last one not so pleasant because they gave me steroid iv and other meds during the procedure because they were trying to open up some scarring that they saw.

[drz]

LOL-- You'd remember a lavage. They put a lot of saline in your lungs to pick up anything that's sitting around in there. They do it several times to get different samples. It feels like you're being drowned....
At the time I was drowning in my own blood from bleeding in the lungs. Would you notice the extra water then?

[Sangye]

LOL-- well my lungs were bleeding last year when they did it, and I sure felt the water!

[gutless]

:ohmy: Oh, boo! I don't want to feel anything. :scared:

[pberggren1]

Just drink a few whiskeys before and you shouldn't feel much at all.:blink:

[Sangye]

Gutless, don't worry. You're not supposed to feel anything. Most people sail through it without a problem.

[gutless]

It's over and done with! Yahoo! Wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was imagining. The doctor and nurses were great and the best part ... I didn't feel a thing and I don't remember a thing! Woo Hoo!
Thanks for all of your kind words.

[Jack]

Glad it went so well, sounds more like the one I had rather than some of the horror stories. :)

[pberggren1]

What happened to Jack?

[Brooke]

Yay! Glad everything went smooth for you :)

[elephant]

Awesome, so glad it went so smooth! :hug3:

[Sangye]

That's great news, gutless. :thumbsup:

[DEE]

glad things went ok:thumbup:

[drz]

Just drink a few whiskeys before and you shouldn't feel much at all.:blink:

I heard it only works with Canadian Whiskey, is that true? (smile)

[pberggren1]

I heard it only works with Canadian Whiskey, is that true? (smile)

Ya, so you will have to come to Canada and visit me.

[drz]

Ya, so you will have to come to Canada and visit me.
's is
When I can travel more than a couple hours, I can consider it. I loved traveling and miss not being able to plan any long trips for a while. My lab results have been good recently suggesting the Wegener's is not active according to my rheumotologist and no new clinical symptoms yet from tapering prednisone so I am optimistic I might be able to do more in a few months. I am very pleased with progress since I left Nursing home four weeks ago.

[elephant]

Drz, so glad to hear that your WG is not active. Hope your walking and edea improve greatly!

[Sangye]

Wow, has it been 4 weeks already? I'm happy to know you're progressing well, drz. :smile1:

[drz]

Wow, has it been 4 weeks already? I'm happy to know you're progressing well, drz. :smile1:

I am happy about reports from lab work (low inflammatory markers and low ANCAs) which my rheumatologist said suggest the Wegener's disease is not active or under control at present since no new clinical symptoms have appeared during tapering of prednisone so far. Only big problem at present is no improvement in hearing which is slightly worse. Pocket talkers help a little when used with hearing aid.

[elephant]

drz, I had that trouble too and still do. Talk to your Wegs specialist and ENT. That is why I am having a hard time tapering because my ears and sinuses love prednisone...but Bactrim DS is helping me taper off the prednsione so far. It was either increase Bactrim or Cellcept....I chose Bactrim. This WG is tricky stuff.
Did you have a hearing test recently?

[pberggren1]

I am happy about reports from lab work (low inflammatory markers and low ANCAs) which my rheumatologist said suggest the Wegener's disease is not active or under control at present since no new clinical symptoms have appeared during tapering of prednisone so far. Only big problem at present is no improvement in hearing which is slightly worse. Pocket talkers help a little when used with hearing aid.

What are pocket talkers?

[jola57]

Glad all went ok

[drz]

What are pocket talkers?

A personal Sound Amplifier clarifies far away sounds, enabling you to hear from a distance. Perfect for hearing an approaching car or unexpected visitor. Often used in bird watching, security systems, and like a hearing aid for people who don't want or can't afford a regular hearing aid.

[pberggren1]

A personal Sound Amplifier clarifies far away sounds, enabling you to hear from a distance. Perfect for hearing an approaching car or unexpected visitor. Often used in bird watching, security systems, and like a hearing aid for people who don't want or can't afford a regular hearing aid.

Thank you. I have one of those. Bought it about a year ago for 30 dollars. Waste of money for me. Wont stay in ear and is not even close to the performance of my hearing aids. Just wanted to compare to see if it was a gimmick or not. I suppose one could tape it to their ear or use an elastic band around their head. I'm sure for some people with hearing loss and have never had a hearing that this device would seem like a huge improvement.

[drz]

Thank you. I have one of those. Bought it about a year ago for 30 dollars. Waste of money for me. Wont stay in ear and is not even close to the performance of my hearing aids. Just wanted to compare to see if it was a gimmick or not. I suppose one could tape it to their ear or use an elastic band around their head. I'm sure for some people with hearing loss and have never had a hearing that this device would seem like a huge improvement.

I find they work better with head phones. I use it along with my hearing aid and it some times helps a little.