For Those of You Who Live Alone, How Do You Handle Medical Procedures?

I told a nurse that I would just call a cab before a colonoscopy and she wouldn't let me undergo the procedure unless I called someone I knew while sotting in front of her to pick me ip afterward. I wanted to punch her in the face. Next time I'll just have one of my "friends" or "family" just pretend to be my ride just in case. Complete bullshit and the hospitals need to understand that some of us don't want anything to do with anyone else and deserve the same treatment as people who have an army show up in a minutes notice when they need to have their ass wiped for them.

This happened to me a year ago too and I really need to get one still. I still don't know what to do. They need to be sued for this.

What “very very sad spending Christmas alone” thread? Most were people who planned some very nice activities for themselves.

I don't now how to be brief - but I've thought about this, and dealt with this for distant family members, for a long time.

So I'll just talk about the colonoscopy first. I've had two myself and was lucky enough to accompany my husband for one -- and a doctor came in, had the procedure, and went back to work. He refused the sedation.

I decided I wanted to do that because I have a blood-test/i.v. phobia. So I set up an appointment and told them I wanted to do as the doctor had done - NO sedation and no i.v. I had to be quite assertive, but using the physician example and a journal article I found documenting about 30 cases of death by shock that occurred when someone was having a blood-test of i.v. insertion.

After a lot of eyes rolling up in their heads - they finally agreed to my terms. The only reason to have someone with me was because of the sedation, at least where I went, so I was able to drive myself there, have it done, and drive home. It's not painful (maybe a bit uncomfortable) and some European countries only offer sedation if you request it.

This may not work for you - but I kept pointing out that I wouldn't have it done otherwise, and were they really being reasonable to deny me that screening when what I was asking was a small thing. (part 2 to come)

There will be more serious and important procedures you may need than a colonoscopy screening. A hospital may be the best choice - or a large medical facility of some kind, whether cancer center or conglomerate of doctors' offices.

Just call them and ask to speak to a social worker, customer service rep, or if there aren't any, just a nurse. And tell the truth! You know no one who can help you. If they continue to be argumentative, ask them if they want you to do without needed medical care because of this situation? Hopefully, you'll reach a reasonable person who will have some ideas. (and you can seek these out on your own, as well)

If you have insurance, and especially Medicaid or Medicare, call your local office and tell them the truth, and ask if there are any services available. If you can afford it, ask them who would provide a Licensed Practical Nurse or other bonded professional who can accompany you, and provide any assistance you might need, for whatever the hourly wage is. If you can't afford it, and don't qualify for gov't or insurance assistance -- there are public "social workers". I've never had to go this far - but I'm linking a list of resources for Minnesota. But look up your state and google "How to find a social workers in (name of state)"

Also, you can contact Social Work Departments at any university in your region or state - call them, explain you don't know how to find assistance but need help with transportation for medical procedures (and perhaps home healthcare as well).

Maybe someone else here will have more information. My relative is elderly and has both Medicare and Medicaid, so people in those offices have always been able to figure out how to arrange help for someone who has no one else to call.

Oh and if it's really serious - chest pain, sudden numbness, shortness of breath - call 911. Once there, ask for a social worker and tell them you don't have anyone to help you with getting home and taking care of yourself afterwards. They deal with this sort of thing all the time, and will even help you apply and get public insurance if you don't have any.

The End (but good luck!) and please share any other ideas! A lot of us will age out of having family or friends.

OP - link to the 'Spending Christmas Alone' thread please?

My Medicare Advantage plan has up to 24 round trips to medical appointments a year.

[quote] I told a nurse that I would just call a cab before a colonoscopy and she wouldn't let me undergo the procedure unless I called someone I knew while sotting in front of her to pick me ip afterward. I wanted to punch her in the face

So what did you do?

[quote] My Medicare Advantage plan has up to 24 round trips to medical appointments a year.

Isn’t that just for routine appointments? What about anesthesia? Usually they want someone with you for 24 hours afterwards.

Here’s the thread.

Thank you very much r5!

I've set up a surgical center near the underground mall at my house...so convenient!

I had the same conversation: they insisted someone had to pick me up, I said I'd get a cab, they insisted, I said everyone I knew was at work (this was before Covid). The conversation was happening some weeks before the test, so I said in view of this problem could they keep me in overnight? I said I had private hospital insurance. They said no they couldn't. So, knowing that they couldn't stop me because they weren't prepared to admit me, I caught a cab.

In any case, if the person driving you home is just going to drop you at the door and leave, how is it better to have a friend than a cab or an Uber? The hospital shouldn't be letting you go until you're thoroughly out of the sedation, so it's not like putting a drunk in a cab. Surely the principle of having a friend drive you is that they're also going to stay with you overnight, or at least for a few hours to check you're OK.

In other words, it's mostly bureaucracy.

R10, nope. Third colonoscopy and anesthesia was never an issue. The issue is third party liability. A cab driver does not have it. A medicoach does. A friend or relative assumed it.

This is a great question, OP. I've wondered about this myself off and on.

I have friends. We watch out for each other on things like this.

If this thread isn’t a profound demonstration of the many OLD DL antisocial shut in loons that post here, I don’t know what is.

What would they do if your "driver" never showed up? Hold you hostage? I bet after an hour of you sitting there afterward they'd let you get into an Uber. What else would they do with you?

Just walk out the door and get a cab or an Uber from down the block. What are they going to do about it? I’m sorry for you guys who deal with this. As r18 demonstrates people are cruel, and it’s hard for some of us to connect.

A friend had some significant injuries a while ago and I looked up private duty nurses for him. As I recall, there was a minimum number of hours, but the rate was surprisingly affordable.

I would probably do that, although this is definitely something that insurance/Medicare/social services should address for people who can’t afford it. With a colonoscopy, it’s not just the sedation, it’s that you haven’t eaten and you are dehydrated.

Are there liability reasons that a volunteer organization can’t do this? It really is an awful situation to put someone it.

Someone has to drive you there and check.in. They have to wait while you're there and then wheel you out. That's what I was told. I heard elsewhere of someone being turned away after going through all the prep, because they showed up alone.

My retired dad took me to my first one but I'm not going to have him sit around in a covid-era waiting room for an hour or so when my next one comes up. Yet I can't see asking a friend to take time off from work to take me to a colonoscopy.

I got around it. (My partner was out of town and I didn’t want to bother anyone else.) I put my partner down as my pickup. After the procedure as they were escorting me back to the waiting area, I asked if they minded if I stepped out to make a quick call so as not to bother folks waiting. As soon as they left me alone, I was out the door.

And I walked the 1.5 miles back to my place (this was in NYC). Done!

I’d also say this: many people are in this situation so people empathize and want to help. If you have a community Facebook page or town message board, don’t hesitate to ask if anyone is available to pick you up from a medical test. In the small town I live in now, people volunteer to pick up strangers from distant airports. It’s worth a shot. Because a fear that many people have is no one will be there for them, so they empathize.

I recently brought a friend for a procedure, and they had to see me and have me sign paperwork that I'd stay on site the entire time before they would begin.

I wish there was a way to organize volunteers for this sort of thing. I would happily chaperone someone in need and get them settled at home.

[quote] If you have a community Facebook page or town message board, don’t hesitate to ask if anyone is available to pick you up from a medical test. In the small town I live in now, people volunteer to pick up strangers from distant airports. It’s worth a shot. Because a fear that many people have is no one will be there for them, so they empathize.

What a great way to get murdered. Where on Earth do you live? lol

It’s absurd to just assume that everybody has a friend or family member available on demand to take them in for procedures. I tried hiring a local medical transportation company to take me in for a routine colonoscopy and they never showed up. Who knows why. So I called my internist’s office and asked if I could get an at-home kit, because otherwise I wouldn’t be getting tested at all. They ordered one for me, I did it and tested negative. Fortunately I am an old with no personal or family history of colon cancer so maybe I’ll be able to skip the ritual colonoscopy from now on.

R27 What was involved with the home kit, stool sample?

[quote] It’s absurd to just assume that everybody has a friend or family member available on demand to take them in for procedures

Sorry, but do these doctor's visits come out of the blue? Because mine are always scheduled weeks if not months in advance, plenty of time to connect with a friend of family member. It's not absurd at all.

It’s a fact of life that not everyone has a family member or friend available. Spouses, friends and family die, or they move away. Some people may have many acquaintances or co-workers, but not any they’re close enough to to ask them to take the time to do this for them. Some people are very private, and they don’t want other people to know about their personal health issues. Having plenty of time before hand doesn’t matter.

If you’ve got this covered, good for you. There’s a lot of shame around being a loner, and not having anyone can feel humiliating. You can feel like the doctor’s office will think you’re a loser. People can defer a lot of medical tests or procedures because they don’t want the embarrassment of admitting this to judgmental medical practice staff.

I would also like to know more about the in home kit.

I have zero desire to go through the prep and the invasive traditional colonoscopy. On top of that, I am in the same boat with zero family and no friends who are local. Also, no medical coaches allowed where I live. It has to be someone you truly know.

I use the sedan service that we use at work (which is small and with which we have a close relationship) and I give the facility the driver's mobile number and say it's a friend.

[quote]I ask this due to our recent, and very, very sad, ‘spending Christmas alone’ thread.

Why don't you just cram your accusatory faux concern up your rotting cunt flap OP. Plenty of people prefer to spend Christmas alone.

I’m dreading this with the colonoscopy thing. If you aren’t allowed to be admitted to the hospital and you don’t have a pickup - what is their suggestion? To the poster up thread who said we are a bunch of antisocial shut ins for asking about this - lovely response. I have friends but my close friends and family all live out of state. I can’t imagine asking my current friends to accompany me to a colonoscopy?

Is it best just to call their bluff and say okay cool then just keep me at the hospital?

I just googled this and it’s asked on Reddit regularly by a bunch of seemingly straight single younger people - it’s not just us old DL shut-ins. The most common answer seems to be what the poster above suggested - start by calling your medical provider and ask what to do. People have also used medical transport companies, task rabbits, etc. On the AskNYC thread, some fraus who worked from home offered to meet people and walk them home as a good deed.

But we shouldn’t feel weird about this. Seems like it happens all the time. Unless you’re married or live near your family or are lucky enough to have very close friends in your city - this shit comes up. And people often get weirded out asking friends to take off work for their colonoscopies.

Just because I live alone does not mean that I don’t have friends and family.

About 15 years or so ago, I had to have an outpatient procedure under sedation and got the same song and dance from the doctor's office about having to have someone wait for me there and drive me home, etc. I hired a home health aide from an agency who drove me there in her own car, waited as a "friend," and drove me home. Downside is you have to pay a 4-hour minimum and I don't think I even used half that., but I get that the aides should be able to count on getting X amount of hours per job.

I'm single and I just don't want to bother anyone else or want anyone else involved in my personal business, especially when it comes to medical stuff. When I had my colonoscopy, I did it without sedation. When you talk to these people, they can't seem to understand that not everyone wants to bring a friend or family member. You should be able to sign yourself out and sign something that doesn't hold the hospital responsible if something happens to you.

I'm coming up on a colonoscopy and I don't know how I'll arrange things. If someone could chime in about the home test, that would be great. I'm not sure I could handle a no-anaesthesia situation. I have low pain tolerance.

R38, how was it without sedation?

In many cities you can hire a medical escort. The whole purpose o have companies is to fill this need.

Of course, DLers should not confuse these with regular escorts or rentboys.

There are churches and service clubs that will have a member volunteer to drive.

Years back. there was this exchange professor from Africa who had a bad accident driving himself home after a colonoscopy. He broke his shoulder and arm after veering off the road.

R39 talk to your doctor to see if you might be a candidate for the home test. If you have had any GI issues or there's any family history of colon cancer they'll probably insist on a full colonoscopy.

One word of warning to anyone who has insurance considering something like Cologuard or the like: you may want to consider paying for that test out of pocket, and/or checking with your insurance company. There are some insurance companies that, if you do Cologuard, will consider that the cancer screening they've paid for, leaving you to pay for the actual colonoscopy (significantly more expensive) out of pocket. I believe Cologuard would be somewhere in the $800-1200 range. Just something to be aware of, people often are not aware of that.

I had a friend pick me up one day and drive me to his house and then I just got in my car and drove myself home.

R39, I had no problems. You feel some pressure, but it's neat being able to see your insides on the screen and talk to the doctor. I didn't even feel anything when they snipped a polyp. I was amazed at how how short to procedure is.

For the record, my PCP recommended the Cologuard Test, but I felt that since I'm Black I needed the actual probe.

R43, it's all about post procedure LIABILITY. Once you leave the premises with a legally liable adult, they are done with you.

OLD DL antisocial shut in loon

How much do colonoscopies make you fart? I would prefer not to do that in front of anyone I know. A friend of mine who is not at all shy was fucking MORTIFIED at how much he kept farting. His best friend who you would think would just laugh or be cool about it was grossed out too. Every step was a tribute to Ina Garten and he said it went on for hours. I would die.

R47, I am surprised that you have not died of stupidity sooner than colorectal cancer testing.

Part of the colonoscopy is that they INFLATE you innards for viewing. Think about your doctor inflating your innards like a clown balloon. It is not a fart, it is releasing the exam gas. EVERYONE IN THE BUILD IS EXPECTING THIS AFTERWARDS.

Placenta? Nobody told me about a placenta.

R44, thanks!

The prep is the worst thing about it.

R50, IMO, the prep really wasn't that bad. I realize people's mileage may vary, but I want to offer a counter-point. I was cleaned out before I finished that jug of laxative.

One thing helpful that I did: instead of drinking "chicken broth," I bought Campbell's chicken noodle soup and strained it. Supposedly, it just tastes better. I think it did taste pretty good, considering the restrictions on what you can eat / drink pre-colonoscopy.

I had a wisdom tooth cut out, they knocked me out. I lied and told them a friens was going to drive me home. Afterward i sat in my car for abour ten minutes and drove my own ass home. No big deal .

When I had my advance visit with the doctor who was going to perform my colonoscopy, and I said it might be difficult to find someone who could drive me home afterwards, he rolled his eyes and said "Come on! You don't have ANY friends who could pick you up?" I wanted to punch him. (He also absolutely refused to do it without sedation.)

Some of you talk about sneaking out or whatever afterward, but plenty of places will demand to see the person who will be accompanying you home when you check in and again when you leave. It's really important to get a colonoscopy, but you definitely do need to figure out in advance how you're going to arrange it.

I am 62 and have never had a colonoscopy -- every two years I do the home test from Colofit and my doctor is totally okay with it -- of course, there's no history of colon cancer in my family, and I eat a whole food, plant-based diet, both of which help.

Now that I am divorced, I no longer have a husband for these duties, and vice versa.

Since then I have had two procedures that "require" somebody else to drive you home – a colonoscopy and a heart catheterization. Neither, at least here, is done under full anesthesia. Rather, they are "twilight" procedures. Having had two previous colonoscopies, I knew I would be able to drive myself home. I simply asked for the lightest anesthesia possible and told them why. There were slight protests, but eventually, the nurse agreed.

For the catheterization, I asked for only topical anesthesia at the entry site (in the groin) and no IV anesthesia because, as I told them, I was taking the subway home. They insisted that I had to have a caregiver stay with me overnight, so I asked the nurse if she was willing. I signed some sort of waiver and then after the whole thing, drove home without issue.

I started long-term, locked-rate in home insurance about 28 years ago and never canceled it. After a 21 year marriage during that time, I am relieved to have it still in effect. If I ever need it, I am covered for 24/7 for ten years. I started the insurance when AIDS was still a real concern and this type of insurance was nascent in the industry. Were I to start a policy with the same benefits today, it would be about $400 a month.

Landmark study suggests the benefits of colonoscopies for cancer screening may be overestimated.

Also, when things go sideways, they can really go sideways. As in congratulations, you won't need any more colonoscopies pal because we fucked up and you now have a colostomy.

I will do the mailing in of my doo

Both grandfathers died of colorectal cancer and my dad’s colon cancer was discovered early and successfully treated. That’s why I started having colonoscopies at age 40. The effectiveness of colonoscopies on people with no familial history are indeed overstated, but for those of us with genetic predispositions benefit from them.

When I had my colonoscopy in San Francisco Kaiser Permanente recommended SilverRide service. I arranged it in advance for the ride home, then the Kaiser nurse called them to come pick me up after the procedure. Worked fine.

You can hire a medical escort from this company if you're in NYC.

There are many shuttle services that are available that can help you with these very outings, OP, in case it's helpful to know. E.g., many hospitals regularly run such shuttles from and to their main urban campuses and their satellite locations -- so that if it's a one-day procedure, for instance, you can possibly even park at your hospital's satellite location and let the shuttle drive you back and forth without your car. Plus you can Google lots of such private services that can arrange with you for such transportation. Many of them often work with the hospitals themselves, and your procedural doctors' offices may have lists of them to provide you along with your pre-procedures prep. Yes, some of the private ones can seem a bit expensive, but especially if you're talking about procedures or tests that might occur just once every several years, it's definitely worth it health-wise to take advantage of them and not to miss the tests. Also some phone services, such as JitterBug cellphone's, offer special Senior Uber transportation arrangements for their customers. Good luck with everything and don't ever give up!

[quote] There are many shuttle services that are available that can help you with these very outings, OP

To get to a doctor’s appointment, not for a medical procedure.

[quote] Landmark study suggests the benefits of colonoscopies for cancer screening may be overestimated.

That’s not what the actual study states. That’s a clickbait headline.

[quote] I had a wisdom tooth cut out, they knocked me out. I lied and told them a friens was going to drive me home. Afterward i sat in my car for abour ten minutes and drove my own ass home. No big deal .

You told them that your friend was waiting outside?

Call us.

Wow that's great info R64. I live in a small southern town of 100k and they have multiple entries even down here! I had seen a documentary about a 'rent a family' service in Japan that's similar to this. I hope it becomes a 'thing' (and that they vet and bond the employees). I assume it's like Uber employees who do both rides and shopping. Why not add on multiple purposes? A great gig job for students or just people who like people and want to freelance.

[quote]It’s absurd to just assume that everybody has a friend or family member available on demand to take them in for procedures.

Not only that, it has to be someone who can drive. I am single and needed a surgery a couple of years ago, and they wouldn't let my brother be my plus one - because he's legally blind and can't drive. (He can see a little, just not well enough to drive.) It wasn't enough for him to be there and help me into an Uber post-op. He had to be the one driving. I ended up asking on Facebook if anyone could take me and had lots of volunteers, but you could tell people felt sorry for me about it and it was embarrassing.

I'm hearing that this is beginning to change here and there and that they're allowing people to use Ubers sometimes now.

One time I had to undergo anesthesia for a procedure where someone was supposed to pick me up and and I ended up lying about it. I'd driven myself there and parked my car at the far end of the parking lot.

After the procedure was done, they sat me out in the waiting room and after awhile I pretended that I got a phone call and told them that my ride just called and said he was running late due to freeway traffic. So I told them I'd be there awhile longer. No problem, of course. I then waited for them to get busy with something, and when no one was looking, I slipped out the door and walked very quickly to my car. I sat there with my head down and waited about 10 minutes .. lol. I knew I was okay to drive and went home.

Another time, I did have a friend available, however, he'd lost his drivers license, so he came to get me by bus. Again, I'd left my car out in the parking lot. This was at the hospital, so a little trickier. An orderly wheels you out in a wheelchair. He's supposed to make sure the designated driver is on hand. Anyway, we got outside and friend says, "Do you want me to bring the car around to get you?" And I say, "No I"m okay to walk there." So we took off. The orderly says "Goodbye". I drove my friend home, then went grocery shopping.

[quote] Is it best just to call their bluff and say okay cool then just keep me at the hospital?

Maybe. If you have excellent and very generous health insurance.

R64 - Do you get to choose the person? I don't want anyone with less than 8 inches or over 25.

At colonoscopies, give name and number of a friend who will arrive to pick me up. When procedure is over, wait 15 minutes and just walk out the door.

R56 Did you even read the article you referenced? " When the study authors restricted the results to the people who actually received colonoscopies – about 12,000 out of the more than 28,000 who were invited to do so – the procedure was found to be more effective. It reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 31% and cut the risk of dying of that cancer by 50%. "

I hired a medical ambulett for $50 bucks. I’m not having a colonoscopy without Profofal.

This is a definite quandary. I believe Lyft or Uber may have “medical transportation” in some states. I recently had a procedure and a medically-approved Lyft drove me home.

If you have a good insurance plan (but I realize there are not many of those) they will pay for a nurse to visit you in your home after, say, back surgery or joint replacement.

[quote]At colonoscopies, give name and number of a friend who will arrive to pick me up. When procedure is over, wait 15 minutes and just walk out the door.

When I had my colonoscopy, the office required my driver (my dad) to be on premises and in fact ushered him back to my bedside as I waited to be wheeled into the exam room. He was required to sit with me after the procedure until they let me put my clothes back on and allowed us to leave.

I want to know where are the hospitals that everyone is sneaking out of.? I need to find one..

I had a friendly neighbor take me for my cataract surgery. Same with my colonoscopy. I know two or three people who were willing and I try not to overburden one person with it. Spread it around. As for being unwell and at home, luckily I live in a building with onsite manager, security people and good neighbors. But I also live in a small apartment. 800 SF. So it's not like I have a long walk to the bathroom or kitchen. I try to always have prepared food in the freezer. And honestly things are a lot easier today than when I took care of my mother. We have Instacart and Uber Eats, we have Door Dash. We have Uber and Lyft.

When Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville was just Lawrence Hospital, you could walk out the door after having Propofol or Demerol and get on the train or drive home. They didn't notice or care. NOW that it's New York Presbyterian - Lawrence, they won't let you out until you can prove someone's taking you home. Same with White Plains Hospital which is now Montefiore - White Plains.

I wish those of us who live in NY could just agree to do this bullshit for each other.

If they get stroppy about no sedation, show them this.

R69 yes...

I'm Gwen an I'm here to warsh yer vagina

My doctor didn't care about the benefits of sedation-free colonoscopy. He had an assembly line process - he spent one day every week in the hospital doing colonoscopies for the entire day, one after the other, and he did not want to deal with anybody who was even slightly conscious. It was purely for his convenience that he insisted on sedation and I'm sure a lot of his colleagues are the same way. (But if you're free to shop around for a doctor, you can ask.)

(I should have added, I'm R53 - this is the same doctor who scoffed when I said it would be hard to find someone to pick me up afterwards.)

By the way, the sedation as usually administered doesn't work for everyone. At my colonoscopy, they "sedated" me, and in due course the doctor strolled in and said, "Good morning!" to the nurse . . . and, apparently expecting me to be dead to the world, nearly jumped out of his socks when I responded with a cheery, "Good morning, doctor!" The sedation never did kick in for me, and I remember the whole experience. ("No I [italic] don't [/italic] want to watch your little journey through my gut, thank you very much.") I mention this not to scare anyone out of having a colonoscopy but rather to reinforce to such medical people as read this that it's not "one size fits all" as far as sedation and painkillers go. Yes, I know you know that in theory, but you also need to attend to it in practice.

I had propofol for my colonoscopy. It knocked me out immediately and I understood why Michael Jackson used it for sleep. No, you shouldn't use it to fall asleep, but I can understand how a rich, famous person w/a personal doctor would want propofol.

R85 I LOVED propofol for my colonoscopy! IT was WONDERFUL! No hang over either. I woke up a felt good.

Yeah R86. When I had propofol the thing I remember about it most was that, once I woke up, there was absolutely no disorientation or grogginess. I was good to go.

Novocaine or lidocaine actually has an effect on me. Due to having had gums surgery, I need to be numbed-up for teeth cleanings. Usually, I do errands afterwards, like food shopping. When I come back to my car, I notice how crooked I'm parked. (I usually park straight in a stall, somewhat equidistant from each stripe on the side.)

I understand why hospitals won't let colonoscopy patients call a taxi or Uber or any pay-to-ride. The patient is still groggy and an easy target. The hospital would be liable for any harm done to the patient. It makes perfect sense to me. Usually, they want to meet the driver before releasing the patient.

Medical providers are more concerned that you get into a vehicle and run down a pedestrian. Shared liability.

I really had to fight my corner to get a sedation-free colonoscopy but I went in determined, and with an article like the one linked at R79, and they rolled their eyes but finally agreed (argued with both a nurse and the doctor).

The procedure was a breeze - I was practically giddy from winning my argument. The first one was a bit painful at the highest point that they went in - the second one I had no pain and hardly any discomfort. And I jauntily walked to my car, alone, and drove home.

But I was ready to cancel the thing, despite the prep and being there on time - that was an added incentive for them to give and get it over with with me. I'm starting to hate most doctors that don't respect your autonomy.

Hire a rentman for an outcall appointment - someone who's into role playing - and tell him you want a "boyfriend experience" at the doctor's office or hospital.

When he shows up, you can then make use of the physician's office restroom or find an unoccupied linen closet at the hospital.

And before leaving the place, make sure the two of you engage in some heavy tongue and hip action in the reception area, so that everyone sees you swapping spit and grinding crotches. That will give the fraus in the office something to talk about.

This would be the 'kill two birds with one stone' option.

It is just weird to me that anyone could have no friends, coworkers, or neighbors to ask.

I have picked up a coworker from a series of procedures and a neighbor to a minor surgery. You do not have to be bosom buddies to do this.

R93, it's a matter of not wanting to bother others with your stuff. I don't ask others to take me to the airport. I never asked anyone to help me move. In my mind, it's the same thing. You shouldn't have to bother other people with your stuff, there has to be another way.

[quote] ... there has to be another way.

How 'bout Mobile Colonoscopy? .. The doctor arrives in a medical trailer and does it outside your home or does it nearby for the neighborhood at large.

Come on everyone! Let's get our colons checked!

Would it be any more complicated than a mobile mammography trailer?

A mobile trailer would be fine, but I think something as simple as signing a paper releasing the hospital from any liability if you leave on your own, would be easier.

If they want someone to drive you home, what happens if you tell them you're homeless, and just need to be wheeled to the sidewalk outside the clinic?

R94 exactly.

[quote] I don't ask others to take me to the airport. I never asked anyone to help me move.

I've only ever asked immediate family members to help me move. Yet, I've helped friends & more distant relatives with quite a few moves. I've decided to say NO, for now on, if someone asks for help with moving. I really hate helping people to move, now.

At a certain age you need to hire movers. Helping people over the age of 25 move is ridiculous.

(But that’s very kind of you r99)

THe problem I have with asking someone for help with medical tests is that you never know how long it will take, and it just feels like a real imposition.

I'm not comfortable asking people to do this. I've been pretty isolated for several years now after a lifetime of trauma and abuse so really don't talk to anyone. I avoid people in general.

R94, why? Why does this matter?

We are not talking about asking someone to donate a kidney.

Giving someone a car ride is really not that big a deal.

[quote]why? Why does this matter?

[quote]Giving someone a car ride is really not that big a deal.

To you it isn't. Some of us do not want to impose on others.

I once picked up a guy in SF at the Lonestar who said he'd had a colonoscopy earlier that day. Good times.

[quote]Giving someone a car ride is really not that big a deal.

Everyone who was an option for me is at work during the day, and asking them to take time off work to drive to the hospital, then to my house, then back to their office or home - all fairly lengthy trips - was simply out of the question for some of them and a real imposition for the others.

There are people that specialize in getting others to and from medical appointments on Care.Com.

You know, Senior Citizen centers and Churches, etc. have volunteers sometimes who are willing to do that. The time thing can be a problem. If a hospital or imaging center is backed up you may end up waiting three or four hours. When I went for my colonoscopy, my neighbor dropped me off and signed in as required. Then he left, and came back three hours later to get me. Luckily he works remotely and so he was at Starbucks working on his laptop.

R107, Are they vetted/bonded?

Trusting a stranger with my wallet, phone and keys while I’m anesthetized gives me pause.

Many years ago, when I lived in Manhattan, I had no one to go home with me afterwards. They grudgingly allowed me to leave on my own. However, the nurse who accompanied me out the door stood there and waited as the taxi took off so that she would see if I stopped the meter and jumped into the nearby subway station instead.

R85, I was told to count backwards from 10. I only got as far as 7.

DIY video on youtube, bottle of vodka, and prayer.

My friend's nephew who is 16 took me and I paid him. He can pass for 18. Very tall. He got 40 bucks for three hours work.

You can have a colonoscopy without any drugs. I have done it. It is not that bad. You just walk right out.

And no I am not a whore. I am a virgin.

When I had cataract surgery, the surgery center provided complementary round trip transportation. I did tip the driver, though. I lied about having someone at home to take care of me, but I didn’t need anybody.

Once I left my car in the hospital parking lot. When I was discharged, I pretended to call a cab. After waiting a bit, I told the receptionist my cab had arrived and I went outside, got in my car, and drove home.

[quote] By the way, the sedation as usually administered doesn't work for everyone. At my colonoscopy, they "sedated" me, and in due course the doctor strolled in and said, "Good morning!" to the nurse . . . and, apparently expecting me to be dead to the world, nearly jumped out of his socks when I responded with a cheery, "Good morning, doctor!"

That’s because you lied about your weight, fat cow.

[quote] My friend's nephew who is 16 took me and I paid him. He can pass for 18. Very tall. He got 40 bucks for three hours work.

How much does he charge for a blowjob, Uncle EST?

At my hospital the person who accompanies you has to go to the desk produce their license, and give a phone number and sign a form asking what their relationship is. Now if you say you're a care worker who is escorting the patient that's fine, but you can't go in an lie that you have someone waiting if you don't.

R116, I was surprised when my mom told me that her friend, who is single and lives alone, had cataract surgery. I thought you needed somebody else to deal with the drops, but my mother who has had the surgery told me that would be nice but not necessary.

[quote] In many cities you can hire a medical escort. The whole purpose o have companies is to fill this need. Of course, DLers should not confuse these with regular escorts or rentboys.

Is there some reason they can't provide both services?

Contact a local nursing school, and hire a student for a half-day. They can be in the waiting room, drive you home (or accompany you in the cab), and stay with you for an hour or two to help you get into bed, to the bathroom, prepare a sandwich, etc.

They get experience with dealing with real, not-very-ill people. They also have some skills if something goes wrong. They can study, listen to music, play on their phone while waiting for you. Just say they are a niece/nephew/neighbor.

R123, And while you’re having your procedure done, they can do some online shopping with your credit card.

I have to wonder, if you don't have someone pick you up, will they just cancel the procedure?

R125, Yes.

[quote] Trusting a stranger with my wallet, phone and keys while I’m anesthetized gives me pause.

You keep your wallet, phone, and keys with you while you get your colonoscopy. They don't strip you of your belongings.

[quote]They don't strip you of your belongings.

Just your dignity.

OK. I have other health issues so when I get my colonoscopy I get it in a hospital. I and my companion go in to the registration desk. The companikon fills out a brief form name address phone number DL number. Indicate their relationship to me and attest they will be responsible for my transportation. We're told approximately how long it will take. For example, I am told there are 4 people ahead of me.So my wait may be as long as two hours. At this point my companion steps out to "use their phone" and disappears for the next 90 minutes. Whatever. They escort me to a waiting a rea, then to a dressing room with a locker. I place my valuables in the locker with my clothes. (Don't bring a lot of valuables. Your ID and a credit card should suffice.) you go into an examining room, and your vitals are taken. then you wait in another special outpatient area. I was there for 20 minutes playing with my phone. I called my companion and gave a progress report. I called them one more time as I was going into the room for the procedure but before they anesthetized me. After the procedure they kept me for 30 minutes to make sure I was OK. Checked my vitals and released me to my companion who was in the outer waiting room.

Was diagnosed with stage 2b colorectal cancer at age 50 (it eventually became stage 3 when it metastasized to a kidney) - before I would have had a scheduled colonoscopy. I think that age 45 is now recommended. Went through years of treatments, including multiple colonoscopies, four surgeries, and then multiple follow-up colonoscopies. I used to give the nurse a friend's phone number and they pretended to be double parked outside but at some point, they absolutely required someone to show up in person to collect my sorry ass. They (a hospital in SF) do not require anyone to wait for you but your ride must show up to the recovery area to pick you up. Thankfully I have been cancer free for about 5 years. Used to have a ritual with a retired friend who would pick me up. They tell you to "drink plenty of clear liquids" after the procedure, so I would take him out to the same Japanese restaurant for lunch and we'd drink clear (filtered) Sake. Have a colonoscopy schedule next March. Fingers crossed. That friend can no longer drive. He's willing to take an Uber/Lyft to meet me in the hospital but this time I don't want to hassle anyone after learning that there are medical transport services available. Need to call my insurer to see what my cost is.

I do not recommend doing a colonoscopy without sedation (it was horrific, and then aborted, and had to be repeated) and most certainly do not recommend putting it off.

R104, this is very sad. How do you get the to the point where you are so alienated from others that there is no one who can do this for you?

R130 glad you’re okay ❤️

r131, by being as cunty and dismissive of other people's lives.

Most hospitals have an office that will provide referrals for patients with transportation needs. Ask the hospital’s volunteer services office, nearby church(es), senior centers, someone in a local service club, etc. it need not be difficult.

Tip the driver and/or offer to pay for the gas. If it is an organization, make a contribution.

I have a large "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" envelope on the inside of my apartment door with who to contact and my medical history. My Super has seen it. Also have an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact number in my cell, should I pass out on the street.

R135, Can we have your stuff now?

R135, Provided some low life doesn’t steal your phone before the first responders arrive.

Kidnapping is a felony. No one has the right to hold you hostage and against your will. Sign a waiver disavowing the practice of responsibility, and take yourself home.

r138, you are out of your mind. Medical professionals do not hold their patients "hostage". You go to a hospital seeking treatment for a medical need. You are not a victim of kidnapping. The reason for keeping a patient onsite who has undergone anesthesia is science-based, in addition to the issue of liability - not to mention the potential for someone released to cause an auto accident and harm others. This is an ethical issue. You are arrogant and ignorant. If you can't abide by accepted medical practices, then you do not deserve medical care.

Many places won't do the procedure at all if you don't sign in with someone r138.

R140: Refusal of treatment and possibly malpractice. "First, do no harm."

I'm ignoring Dr. Seuss (R139), a Russian resident, apparently.

It goes without saying that the patient should not drive under any circumstance, but use a taxi or other car service to get home.

Google “medical escort near me.” If you are too poor to pay for someone to bring you in and take you home after the procedure, ask the hospital social worker. I think Medicare/Medicaid will cover it for you.

My mother had a colonoscopy at New York Hospital 20 years ago...was picked up by a friend without car. Friend had a conniption fit in the lobby of the hospital and was admitted. Mother walked home six blocks.

You might also want to do a search on "non-emergency medical transportation" for your area. Where I am, that's the term they use. The county runs a service individuals who are on Medi-Cal, but there's also private companies that do it for a fee, or bill to Medi-Cal.

This thread really helped me out! I didn't know that a colonoscopy involved sedation or required someone to donate their time to my life. My doctor hit me up about getting one when she was doing a pap and shingles shot and I told her 'no sedation, period' and she said, how about a home test? I really appreciated the knowledge from the thread.

Also, if you know any women who are morbidly terrified of mammograms, if you really push you can get an mri and/or ultrasound instead. I didn't know that until I flat out refused a mammogram. Insurance sometimes doesn't like to pay for them but I just said they could pay for a double mastectomy instead - no sedation btw

What's so bad about a mammogram? I've never heard of women being morbidly terrified of mammograms.

so, picture your balls r147. now imagine they're several sizes bigger than they are. now, get two mechanicalized steel plates. Now, stick your balls between the plates and let the plates smoosh your balls to a thickness of half an inch or less and it starts being painful at 1 inch of thickness. that's the equivalent of boob mammograms.

R148, Testicles are far more sensitive than breasts.

[quote]Testicles are far more sensitive than breasts

No one said they aren't, R149.

I have seen people on Next Door ask for assistance with similar things. People are pretty good about volunteering to help strangers.

One physician that I was referred to does colonoscopies without general anesthesia. She gives Valium, I believe, to relax you before the procedure. She said that they don’t use general anesthesia for colonoscopies in Europe, because it’s unnecessary. Just think of how much money could be saved, if everyone did them that way.

Isn’t the at-home test less reliable than a colonoscopy?

I mentioned above that I had my colonoscopy without anesthesia. I guess everyone is different, but I didn't find it to be a problem at all and it made wonder if some doctors insisting on anesthesia is a money grab by the hospital.

Perhaps some gay guys are more accustomed to having things up their butt. But there are some men who can't even take a half-inch of a pinky finger without squealing.

R155, You mostly find them on eharmony.com.

R153-- the home test is just as good as going to the hospital except for one difference -- if the home test does find something wrong, then you have to go in for a procedure, so in effect you have to double your effort. But, if the home test reveals nothing of note, you're fine. Most people I know now do the home test. I've been doing it for the last few decades and it's been so much better than the stories I hear of the prep and all that crap.

[quote]the home test is just as good as going to the hospital

No.

"At-home tests can be an effective form of colorectal cancer screening, but these tests are not able to detect all polyps or cases of colorectal cancer. Stool tests cannot accurately detect polyps as well as a colonoscopy. This means that the test may be negative when a person actually has an abnormal polyp."

Any home test is "iffy".

I lied and told the nurse my brother will be coming to pick me up with a Uber after my colonoscopy. I lied. My home is a 15 minute walk away, and since I felt fine I walked home. If I hadn't felt fine, I would have called for an Uber and went home solo.

Get this taken care of in advance. They tell you before the procedures that you need someone to pick you up. MOST places will now allow you to uber or lyft home. They dont want you driving.

If your home, a friends home, or your social circle/family allows you the option, you really should try to have someone stay with you the first night after a procedure, or stay with them. If you can afford it, hire someone to crash with you. Or find the person you know that needs money and offer them $250 bucks to sleep on your couch that night and check in on you once or twice. Its good to have someone there in case there is an emergency and the night right after a procedure is the time where shit does go down.

I once took an edible after a colonoscopy. Definitely had shallow breathing that night. The general anesthesia and the depressant from the thc gummy don't just add to each other. Depressants MULTIPLY each other's effects and put your lungs to sleep. Which is why Heath Ledger is dead.

This thread does raise so many questions. Are there really people so isolated that they cannot even get a co-worker or neighbor to drive them home.

More than medical procedures, that kind of isolation is disturbing. How does anyone end up so alone?

And if they bust you for no transportation, don't be surprised when they tack on a $50 no show fee.

You forgot COLD, Rescue-chick. ICE. FUCKING. COLD metal plates.

r164, god willing, I will only need to ever take your word for it! I picture a mammogram as the linked (I actually have had nightmares)

[quote]I lied and told the nurse my brother will be coming to pick me up

Do you think that anyone in scrubs is a registered nurse?

A mammogram isn't bad r146. It really isn't. I'm not one for pain either.

I was just reading this article on CTV’s website. It’s well worth reading.

This topic is of great concern to me as I approach 60.

From the Cleveland Clinic:

Are at-home tests accurate? At-home tests are accurate as long as you use them consistently. “You have to be ready and committed to doing it regularly,” says Dr. Kanters. “If you don’t follow the current recommendations for testing, you’re putting yourself at risk of something being missed.”

You'd think by now in-home colonoscopies would be available.

I'm sure more people would have them at greater frequency.

How much more difficult could it be than calling the Orkin Man out?

[quote]Are at-home tests accurate? At-home tests are accurate as long as you use them consistently.

They may be accurate at detecting cancer. They do not detect polyps which may turn into cancer. That's the advantage of a colonoscopy.

Next door is a great app for connecting with neighbors.

Am so relieved. Just scheduled a ride home from the hospital with "Silver Rides" in San Francisco for after a colonoscopy and endoscopy for mandatory annual cancer screening, per someone's suggestion upthread. It's only $45, which is worth not bugging my staff, friends, or neighbors. I can get to the hospital on my own via public tranny or Lyft, but having to collect my sorry, sedated ass for this every year has been a major concern. Have also had multiple surgeries and dental procedures that required rides home. My favorite nephew/chauffeur got married and moved to Canada. Would rather die in a grease fire than ask an ex bf to pick me up. Been there, did that.

Used to give my carless dear retired neighbor and friend my car to pick me up, then I'd take him to our favorite Japanese restaurant to stuff our faces with sashimi and get drunk on Sake (a "clear liquid" that they tell you to take after the procedure, and you're starved after the prep work). It's been a ritual. But I had to get a new car recently. This new vehicle is huge and high-tech. I barely understand how to operate it myself, so didn't want to burden him with that. So, there are solutions for this predicament -- if you can afford it. Will be retiring next year and think that giving rides from procedures for people in this situation might be a great, impactful volunteering opportunity. There is clearly a need.

Will still be meeting my neighbor for sashimi , ramen, and sake after my next procedure, but this time we'll meet at a Japanese restaurant in our neighborhood after the driver dumps me off, and then stumble the three blocks home. You can't go through the trauma of starvation, dehydration, and anesthesia without recovering with Jim. He and/or his wife have stents or other things coming up this year, so looking forward to that! Being old sucks, but you make do.

In my current situation, it's a relief to know that there are alternative ways to get home from the hospital. Thanks, DL.

Universally for any sort of surgery or invasive procedure done under anesthesia as an out patient person is required to have someone arrive to escort them home and perhaps remain for several hours. Some physicians, clinics or whatever may require someone wait on premises during procedure as well.

All sorts of things can happen, Joan Rivers, her doctors and family weren't planning on that outpatient procedure turning out so badly, but look what happened.

Effects of sedation or anesthetic mean one cannot drive, work, or operate machinery for 12 hours at least afterwards. So how someone is supposed to simply walk out and get themselves home safely is debatable.

I'd be rather leery of trusting Abdul or some random taxi or Uber driver to the task of getting anyone home safely after medical procedure. It's all you can to to get a trust worthy one to get you home after major dental procedure.

I prefer not to do home surgery, I go to the hospital.

R176

Considering rising number of nasty hospital acquired infections you are usually far better off as an outpatient.

Also things may depend upon who is paying for this cancer screening. Outpatient is going to be far cheaper than going to hospital on average.

Even when done in hospital days of arriving one or two days before colonoscopy to be prepped, having procedure, going back to room and "rest" then discharged next day or so are long gone under most circumstances.

Even when done as inpatient you may be asked to prep day before at home, arrive at hospital to have procedure, then maybe discharged later that same day.

Long story short there is a strong effort for all but the most acutely ill to be in hospital.

I’m a nurse and I think this policy is ridiculous. People leave bars in worse shape than patients do after most outpatient procedures. It’s not like the bartender can refuse to let you leave until they have proof a friend or relative is coming to get you even though they are legally required to stop serving you if you’re obviously intoxicated, which is in itself a tacit acknowledgement you’re impaired.

Point is, you consent to the procedure after having the risks and benefits laid out to your sufficient understanding. And you can consent to the risks of using Uber instead of a trusted contact to take you home preprocedure. As long as you can prove you have some form of transport home that doesn’t involve you getting behind the wheel yourself, what further obligation does the institution have after they’ve witnessed you get into a friend’s vs. an Uber driver’s vehicle and leave the premises?

Suppose point is debatable R178, but you've forgotten how litigious Americans are as a society.

Physicians can obtain all advance releases they want, but one patient dies after an outpatient procedure is a malpractice suit waiting to happen. Given nature of American legal system regardless of said paperwork physician in question will be made to pay. Even if not costs of defending him or her self still must be paid.

The reason for this rule is that it takes 24 hours for the sedation to wear off to the point that your judgement returns to normal. Taxi drivers/other hired drivers have learned that financial exploitation is easy, and (at least in this city) and it’s a true risk. Thise hospitals want you to hold on to your money, so that you can pay your deductibles & co-pays in full!

I also have the same problem. I moved to where I live recently and don't know anyone. I will have to hire a medical escort the next time I have a procedure.

Never mind elective and scheduled surgery, those who live alone need to have certain things written down and easily found in case of medical emergency.

If you suffer a medical emergency and (hopefully) are found in time paramedics, LE, medical personnel need to know certain things such as allergies, current medications or health problems, etc... You should also have an advance medical directive written out and also easily laid hands upon.

I was told I needed someone to be there with me when I went for my colonoscopy. I went to an outpatient clinic, I was sedated, with propofol (great stuff!) The person who went with me was a friend's daughter. She is a student at the local college. 23 yrs old I gave her 20 bucks. Told the front desk she was my niece. But she had to show a valid license, and sign in name,address, and cell phone. She sat in the lobby for two hours, working at her computer. I am 68 and have health issues, so maybe that's why they were so insistent. Afterwards I took her out for breakfast.

[quote]Physicians can obtain all advance releases they want, but one patient dies after an outpatient procedure is a malpractice suit waiting to happen. Given nature of American legal system regardless of said paperwork physician in question will be made to pay. Even if not costs of defending him or her self still must be paid.

Add that to the list of 4,432 reasons why Americans end up paying so much more for healthcare.

[quote] I’m a nurse and I think this policy is ridiculous.

I agree. I think it discourages people from doing the procedures at all.

I am just shocked at how many people are so disconnected from other people that getting someone to take them home is such a burden.

But then again, they are on DL....

I was told I couldn't call an Uber or Lyft. I was told it wasn't only about the driving but that a responsible person had to be there. No I admit I have health issues and I'm on shakey ground with my health, but this seems extreme.

Thank god I'm on Medicare. My Advantage Plan has a ridiculous number of round trips covered by their transportation provider.

"I was sedated, with propofol (great stuff!)"

R-188, Are you sure you can use them for a colonoscopy? Some places asks that the driver waits.

Fewer people are marrying, fewer are having children, people are less dependent on society and more likely to pursue solitary entertainment, streaming and such and can even now play video games online on Switch or whatever. And more are working from home, homeschooling, doing remote learning from universities instead of attending class in person. I don't know the percentages, but many just aren't as close enough to anyone as to ask them to spend several hours/days attending to their needs as they were in the past.

Also, our society is rapidly aging, the average age rising every year. Eventually everyone who lives a long time (when they most need healthcare) loses family and friends, and if you think making new friends is hard after 30, try it after 70.

Things have to change - or people will forgo healthcare. Maybe the health industry will realize this and make some changes.

R190, they know that medic coaches will return.

My insurance company has them for times like these and whe people cannot drive.

I recently needed two out-patient procedures, both required a chaperone to take me home. The first time I hired a nurse referred to me by the hospital- huge waste of money. The second time I hired a guy from Task Rabbit. I’d used him before for a few small tasks so I knew that he was reliable. I told him to tell the hospital that he was my friend but they never asked- easy peasy.

Tl;dr— hire a Task Rabbit, preferably a person you’ve already worked with who you know is reliable

I'm avoiding any procedures because for one thing I don't have a family doctor and another thing, I have nobody to pick me up take me home etc. I split with my b/f a couple of years ago, he would pick me up and I would pick him up for anything like this. I have a friend who is not really available for such things and my family I would rather not ask. If I do find out that I need some medical procedure I will just have to tell them my predicament and if they don't have something in place for people like me or won't allow a taxi to fetch me I will just have to refuse it and let nature take its course.

My hospital arranges reservations for Uber service, using selected drivers to provide the transportation.

This is so depressing. No friends, no co-workers, no neighbors, no acquaintances willing to help out.

Everyone here is talking as if the requirement to have someone see the patient home is the problem. It is not the problem.

It is the fact that so many people are so isolated that they cannot ask for help that is the problem.

Yes, we heard you ... many times.

51% of New Yorkers live alone.

But I guess 99% of New Yorkers have friends or neighbors who they know.

Look. This is 2023. No 1955. I have friends and I have a sister. But my sister is an executive who works brutal hours in a high stress job. My friends all work, and a few of them have families with kids in school. I am very reluctant to impose. Of course I can ask them. But honestly it seems rather extreme to ask someone to sit in a lobby of an outpatient clinic for up to 2 hours while you get a routine medical test. I know if I was in real trouble I can ask them. But these annual routine medical tests are not that kind of situation. I try to use judgement when I ask for favors.

R200 exactly.

What R196 fails to understand is that many of us don’t feel it’s appropriate to ask a friend with a full-time job, let alone a “coworker” or “acquaintance” to sit and wait for us in the middle of a week day at a colonoscopy. That is not depressing or horrific evidence of being “so isolated.” It’s a judgment call. And it is something people can discuss and brainstorm around, without a self-righteous MARY showing up and attempting to shame everyone, yapping that WE are the problem.

There are countless threads on Reddit and nextdoor about this situation. It’s a common issue. And it’s not just single people. I have a married friend in her 40s, who had to wait over 2 hours after her colonoscopy for her husband to get out of work and come pick her up.

We’re colonoscopies always administered as an outpatient procedure or did hospitals ever make it an overnight procedure?

I took an eminent but socially awkward attorney to his colonoscopy. We were friends, but not beyond just casually talking at social evehts. He was very sheepish asking, but I was glad to do it. People love to help, but you have to ask them.

Someone I didn't know well asked me to take them for their colonoscopy. The only problem was he needed to be at the hospital at 6:30AM and I am a late sleeper. I told him no.

[quote] If this thread isn’t a profound demonstration of the many OLD DL antisocial shut in loons that post here, I don’t know what is.

You don't have to be an "OLD DL antisocial shut in loon" to have a hard time arranging trips to and fro from a doctor or hospital, you dumb twat. A lot of people have this issue. It's not uncommon. Not everyone has a chauffeur on hand all the time time to take them wherever they need to go.

"But I guess 99% of New Yorkers have friends or neighbors who they know"

Not really....

Know many people in my building or block, but there isn't one I'd trust to take on sort of thing being discussed in this thread.

Yes, neighbors will come together to help someone, but shouldn't make it something one hundred percent to be relied upon.

R204, they were stupid to ask you to take them there. They could have gotten a cab.

The point it to have someone with you when you are groggy or high afterward.

R206, so if a neighbor cannot do it than someone else can.

The point with having a network is that no part of it is relied upon 100%.

If you have to rely strictly on your neighbors, that is a problem.

Jesus, with people working remote these days this is easier than ever. My friend had to wait 45 minutes from me but was not put out because she could work on her computer as I came out of anesthesia.

Oh dear god, mammograms don't hurt. They are uncomfortable for sure, but they take about 2 seconds once they place you in position. So any woman who cannot endure that is ridiculous. My god, stop telling women they hurt. A mammogram saved my life last year when they found cancer. Better a few moments of being uncomfortable than dead from cancer. I've never had one hurt. The one I had after my cancer treatment was more sensitive but that's because I was still healing.

The efficacy of mammography is debatable. Switzerland no longer recommends them. "It appears that mammography may prevent only one death for every 1000 screened while causing harm to many more..."

Well, as someone who apparently was "the one preventable death" I'm certainly grateful for them, r210. I wouldn't be here if they didn't work.

R208

You're missing the point entirely.

It isn't always whether or not someone can do something, but more to point if they are willing. Answer to that bit is often varies by person.

We all know people that thought could be relied upon but when asked they have better things to do or otherwise cannot be bothered. You were lucky and that was good, but not everyone has someone willing to put themselves out in any way.

People moan all the time how most of their lives they've always been there for family, friends, acquittances, basically anyone who asked, but then they themselves need something people can't be bothered.

This is a huge issue with older people in general, especially over 80s.

They may have a spouse, but the spouse no longer drives. Kids/grandkids may live nearby but can't take a day off from work/school once a week to drive them back and forth.

We need to do better by our elders

If test in question must be done as matter of say life and death option still remains for all sorts from colonoscopy on down to be done on inpatient basis. Things will vary of course by insurance coverage in terms of how things are paid for, deductible, etc...

Again, it is a LIABILITY issue for the surgicenters.

The surgicenters have to release you to a LIABLE transportation so that if you simply drove away and into a tree, THEY would remain liable. Once you drive off down the block with a friend, and they drop you off at your car, and you drive into a tree, it is the friend who is liable.

No one is alone!

I'm having my first surgery in two weeks. I live alone. It's an outpatient surgery, somewhat invasive with a week's recovery. A coworker friend is going to pick me up and bring me home; I live a mile and a half from the office where I'm having the surgery done. Someone is supposed to stay with me for the first 24 hours but I'm not worried about that. The surgery is very early in the morning; I should be home by 9:30 a.m. I live in a condo building two miles from two different major hospitals. I don't know what difference it would make to have someone here with me for 24 hours other than to annoy me.

But this whole needing to have someone with me thing did kind of surprise me and makes me feel a little annoyed. I do have friends but I am not the type to ask a lot of people, and I am entirely, 100 percent content being single and living alone.

" I don't know what difference it would make to have someone here with me for 24 hours other than to annoy me."

Same reasons those who have surgery in hospital are sent to recovery instead of straight back to floor or ward where they came.

All sorts can happen after an operation especially after anesthesia or sedation. Having someone with you for at last 24 hours afterwards provide some assurance that if you go south they will be able to summon assistance.

In recovery they have nurses changing shifts every so many hours -- so your friend is supposed to give up sleep and watch over you for 24 hours? That's not practical.

It's all about law suits. Of course, it's ideal to have someone watch over you for 24 hours but I doubt it happens very often. There should be forms where you take full responsibility for yourself post-release -- most people don't have adequate help anyway but the doctor/facility gets to check off 'their' liability, even though they know that friends and relatives can't stay awake the whole time, aren't medically trained, and even if they did try to watch over you, are likely to miss something and fail to help you.

It's just ridiculous.

Three years ago I had triple bypass surgery. I had the surgery on a Monday morning and they sent me home Thursday afternoon. My brother came to take me home, we went with an Uber. The next day I was scheduled to go back to the same hospital for follow-up appointment with my surgeon. I went on my own with an Uber both ways. I guess they force you to be mobile instead of remaining sedentary in bed. I was back to work in the office three weeks after that.

"I guess they force you to be mobile instead of remaining sedentary in bed. "

True, true.

Any nurse will tell you soon as possible after surgery one should be up and out of bed.

For some of same reasons general sitting or laying in bed for long periods isn't great either.

"He also absolutely refused to do it without sedation."

Sedation is normal and trust me you'd want it. Besides no physician wants to start procedure with no sedation, then not even halfway through have to stop because some nervous nelly who thought he could tough it out now finds cannot.

OTOH being totally out (anesthesia) while usually offered with certain procedures such as colonoscopy really isn't necessary nor wise.

R218 Do you think (asking your serious opinion here, not arguing rhetorically) it's meaningfully different to have someone stationed here versus just texting and calling every couple of hours to check in?

I figure if I am home by 9:30, I'll probably sleep for a couple of hours if I am comfortable enough and then by the time nighttime comes, should be a lot less zonked out. I'll ask a friend and my dad to check in on me by phone every couple of hours. Or maybe I'll plan to call my father and sister every couple of hours to keep myself accountable, so they'll know I'm OK and thinking straight?

I live in a pretty small one-bedroom apartment with no second bed and nowhere for someone else to sleep other than on the floor. I can't ask anyone to spend the night here.

R208, of course I understand that some people cannot help out and some people do not want to.

But even if you go down to the 20th person on your list, they may not be your closest friend, but they do not have to be. They just have to be someone who is free that day or who works remote.

But if you do not know one person who is able and willing to sit in a waiting room then take you home, that is a sign of dangerous isolation. This is asking for an hour or at most two out of another person's life.

I live alone. I have for most of my life. I like it. But if I did not have a network to reach out to I would probably look for avenues to engage with people more, or go into therapy.

R223

Much would depend upon what sort of procedure you're having done.

For a colonoscopy following link pretty much lays things out.

Before procedure (hopefully not day of) physician's office will usually give some sort of brochure or pamphlet that spells out what will happen before, during and after. Also will be a list of things to watch out for in hours after procedure and what to do if they occur.

At least here in NYC most out patient places tell people if they have adverse reactions or any other of the outlined "emergencies" in hours after procedure while at home to call 911 or get themselves to nearest ER.

Checking in with people via telephone or text is all very well; but what happens if you are say having heavy bleeding, feeling dizzy, pass out, etc... Even if you reach these people all they can do in such an instance is call 911. That and or get themselves to your home and see what's going on (do you need to go to ER? Call physician's office (if after hours you're likely to get his/her service), and wait for them to return call.

It's really difficult to say with 100% certainty someone does not need to be minded those 24 hours after a procedure. Anything can happen.

I had an out patient surgical procedure and I assured them I had "someone" at home for the next 24 hours. I didn't. But since this was a scheduled procedure, not an emergency, I had a chance to prepare my tiny apartment. I had the food situation all set, so all I had to do was warm things in a microwave. I had my meds and a few bottles of water on a table next to the sofa, and I had my bedroom set up too. I was able to walk to the bathroom. I took no shower for a couple of days but so what. I bathed, sitting on a chair and soaping up and rinsing. It took me a good 72 hours to feel like myself, and I kept my phone handy in case I needed help, but I was fine. And friends called to check on me several times a day. Yes, I know there are risks when you live alone, but I also know that there are some common sense measures you can take to prepare your home for post surgical recovery.

R226, I had an identical experience a year ago, a complicated surgery for an incarcerated inguinal hernia, which took three hours to complete, rather than the 45 minutes my surgeon anticipated.

Lied about having someone at home to monitor me and toughed out the extreme pain and discomfort alone until it began to ease up after three days.

R227, I was really out of it for about 36 hours, and I had my bedroom set up to deal with it. Staying hydrated is important so bottled water, and tylenol and my prescription meds were handy. But here is something I have learned over the years. The less medication you take the faster you bounce back. They gave me heavy duty pain meds, but I didn't take them. I didn't want to be doped up and risk falling while groggy. Instead I took, two extra strength tylenol every 4 hours that first day., then took some in the morning, and again at bed time.

Many reasons. Many of them not the solo person’s fault.

I used to have to sneak around this wqith my mom. My mom couldn't really see well enough to drive. I would drive to the colonoscopy and she would wait there to drive me home. Then we would go out to the car and I would get in and drive home. I was always completely okay to drive. One time, I parked close to the office. My mom and I went out and got into the car. The nurse came rushing out and knocked on the window and told me I wasn't allowed to drive. So my mom, who couldn't see, had to pull out of the parking space and out of the lot, then stop, for me to take over.

I was completely still high from the anesthesia for hours after the procedure. I wanted to throw up in the car all the way home. I don’t know how so many of you snapped back so quick and could drive! Mary!

R231 For me it's always been, I just wake up in the gurney feeling like I've been asleep for hours, they give me some kind of snack, and within a few minutes I'm okay and they kick me out. I remember one time I forgot that I drove home, though. Had no recall of it.

I will call a cab or now, Uber or Lyft to get home, but I never drive after anesthetic.

Going to use this service in two weeks for a ride home after colonoscopy -- which was recommended here upthread, and also approved by my hospital. It's only $45. Will take public transit or probably Lyft there, then take this service home. No more worrying about having to burden friends. Not covered by insurance, but well worth it.

I want to know how many colonoscopies R230 had?

He talks like he has had quite a few.

I think some providers will arrange for post-surgery hotel stay with nurse although it’s not cheap and probably more common with cosmetic surgery where some patients want maximum privacy.

R234 please let us know how it goes.

Good luck with the colonoscopy.

Remember to drink a lot of fluids and eat something after your colonoscopy. I usually start with bottled water, hot water and lemon juice, and then herb tea. Not caffeine. Eat something soft, and easy to digest. So not a hamburger. Maybe some yogurt, oatmeal, or almost anything breakfast, like eggs, except no bacon or sausage. In fact avoid greasy foods. Which you ought to do anyway, but especially after that test.

The first coffee after the procedure was a godsend. I then ate a Think protein bar. I had to smoke some pot first to get past the nausea.

r237, thank you for asking.

The Silver Ride service home from the Ass Hospital was flawless. Had taken a Lyft ride to get there. Was done a bit ahead of schedule, and the anesthesiology nurse communicated that with the agency. After a short recovery (apple juice on the rocks tastes so good after "procedures"!) and getting dressed, she wheeled me out to the curb, where the driver was waiting and knew my name. The hospital works with this, (among other services) frequently. I think it's like a national franchise, but maybe only available in urban areas. $45 bucks + tip. The van was equipped for wheelchairs, which I did not need. Didn't have to burden friends/coworkers/neighbors for a ride home, and in no way do they require someone to bring you there and wait, as others have mentioned. This was for a colonoscopy and endoscopy, which I'm supposed to do every year as a follow-up for previous issues. A hassle, but keeps me alive.

Meanwhile, two polyps were removed, and a five biopsies were taken from the lower esophagus and from the colon. Have to wait a few days for the pathology report. Apparently have (suspected) Barrett's esophagus, which is treatable. If cancer has returned, this ain't my first time at that rodeo, and at least this time it will have been detected early if -- anything's there.

r239, sorry you had nausea; glad you have good weed. They recommend having "clear liquids" and "soft proteins" after the procedure I had, so I always go for sushi and a large hot sake (alcohol being contraindicated, but WTF) and green tea afterwards.

The hospital will give me a robo call tomorrow to see how I'm doing. My friends and my long-distance partner will be reaching out to me with jokes about what I'll be shoving up my ass or down my throat since everything has been purged. Am grateful to have them in my life.

Meanwhile, as I posted upthread, am hoping to retire in the next year or two, and thanks to this thread, am looking into volunteering to provide rides for those in need to occupate some of my time. . My medical transport today round-trip with good tips was about $100, which I can afford at the moment. Also, am a medical research scientist, so I mostly understand what's happening with these things. By no means am I a medical professional, but can still drive my SUV, help people up and down stairs, maybe make soup and carrot cake, listen to their life stories, and do check-up calls or even visits.

What concerns me is people like OP, who may be completely alone, and furthermore, might not understand what's happening to them, certainly causing fear and anxiety about the unknown. The older we get, the fewer people we have in our lives, and the more likely we are to undergo hospital "procedures" that require sedation and assisted transport. It sucks. Partner, who is a bit older and has medical issues which make him even more vulnerable to this medical transport situation than I am, is onboard with this. We'll get married and finally live together on the same coast soon after he retires. My biggest fear is that we'll end up hating golf, arthritic joints can't garden, and we'll just end up drinking ourselves to death while watching re-runs of bad 1970s TV shows all day, making Celebration Cak, Claire's Bread Pudding, and hoarding Red Dragon Cheese.

In my time here on DL since 1998, this has been the most useful thread. Thanks, Dolls.

The Senate Ethics Committee finds Lindsey in violation for her naughty behavior in behalf of Herschel.

Oops, wrong rhread^

R235

Can't be too careful....

I had a fissure (!) in my early 30s. My doctor asked if I had any history of colorectal cancers, and I confirmed I did not.

Then I called my mom who confirmed "oh, we don't have anyone die of that on my side". That sounded less than satisfactory. It turns out, all kinds of family members had stomach cancer and colon cancer and intestinal cancer, but they all died of smoking-related causes. "Also, my second cousin Jackie has stage 3 colon cancer". Jackie was in her 40s.

So now I'm on the regular colonoscopy loop with my 3 siblings (all under 50). And we all have had polyps - nothing serious yet. But you've gotta get that stuff checked out.

Also, be careful with the at-home colonoscopy tests. For many people, insurance will only cover 1 procedure annually. If you take the at-home colonoscopy test and it comes back positive, then they give you a regular colonoscopy. And then insurance won't cover it, because they covered the cheaper, at-home test.

Fuck insurance.

[quote] Also, be careful with the at-home colonoscopy tests. For many people, insurance will only cover 1 procedure annually. If you take the at-home colonoscopy test and it comes back positive, then they give you a regular colonoscopy. And then insurance won't cover it, because they covered the cheaper, at-home test.

This makes no sense. It comes back positive and then what? No follow up? No treatment? Why take any test?

You can still get the second test, but insurance (at least my insurance) will only pay for the first one.

So if you're going to get a colonoscopy, get one in-person from your doctor. Or check that your insurance will pay for the second one.

Thanks for the update R240/R234.

Glad to hear you’re okay and the transport went smoothly ❤️

R233 At least where I go, they don't allow you to take lyft or uber, you can't be on your own and must be accompanied.

Recent NYT article on subject at hand.

So the NYT is reading DL. Great because this is a serious issue. Not sure why the guy in the NYT couldn’t get a medical escort or find someone for $20/hr on Care or another hourly/daily care website.

As the population ages, people are living longer and many of them live alone, hospitals need to ease up on their assistance requirements, which are often not essential.

OP is now showing up as a red letter troll.

What have I missed?

Not a damn thing really.

R94 - Maybe it's subjective, but to me there's a huge difference between asking for a ride to/from a medical procedure and asking someone to drive you to the airport or help you move. That, of course, presupposes that the airport is in a large city and the move is for more than a box or two.

R255, thank you.

People here act like giving someone a ride is such a big imposition. If taking a break from work to give someone a ride home is so disruptive, how do you handle a dental appointment or a doctor's appointment---which really ARE time consuming.

Last Friday I had to cancel my appointment for endoscopy and colonoscopy (for today @noon) because my sister didn't feel comfortable taking off (she'd just taken off 4 days to help my brother in FL), and I didn't want my sister in TX to have to come in a week early (she's planned to come this way for Easter).

This, despite my 25+ years of documented serious GI issues.

I have no spouse, children, or nieces/nephews. And they wouldn't let me do an Uber/Lyft. Plus all my old friends lost touch since I've been caring for elderly parents the last 6/7 years.

This country really needs to do better by its single citizens.

r257, How old are you?

If you are on Medicare Advantage, most plans (all?) provide medical transport. I am scheduled for a trip for the same procedures on the 11th. I have a scheduled pickup and an on call for the return trip home. 8am!

Just made 59, R258.

It's all so frustrating. And then they want to say Deep South red states are non-compliant when it comes to their health.

R259, I pray that you live to 65. They should drop the Medicare age to 60.

I took a copy of the journal article linked - and also argued my corner quite vociferously when my doctor tried to insist I have sedation when I did not want it for my colonoscopy - which does not hurt any more than the i.v., imo. An excerpt:

"Although sedation and analgesia for patients undergoing colonoscopy is the standard practice in Western countries, unsedated colonoscopy is still routinely provided in Europe and the Far East. This variation in sedation practice relies on the different cultural attitudes of both patients and endoscopists across these countries. Data from the literature consistently report that, in unsedated patients, the use of alternative techniques, such as warm water irrigation or carbon dioxide insufflation, can allow a high quality and well tolerated examination."

Oh and my doctor didn't do anything differently, as the above seems to apply (warm water irrigation or whatever). I've had two which did not involve sedation - no problems. I got the idea when I went with my husband and watched a doctor come in to get his colonoscopy and he simply said he didn't want sedation because he had to go right back to work - so they complied, no questions asked, of course.

I've had a number of GI and cardiac issues over the years and have to be scoped annually and have my pacemaker/defibrillator checked occasionally. When I was younger, I'd have my husband pick me up at the desk and then drive the car home. I wouldn't risk it now. The traffic's worse and so are my reflexes, even when I'm not coming out from under the ether.

I had an outpatient cardiac procedure last week done under Propofol and the discharge instructions included one I liked: "Don't do anything today that requires you to think."

I went there on the subway. My husband picked me up when I was ready to leave and we took the subway home.

I was recently recommended for some gum surgery (local anesthesia only) and the periodontist said, “Oh, and you’ll need to have someone to bring you home.” For gum surgery? I think at least half of these regulations are coming from a clinic’s liability insurance and bear no resemblance to a real risk. Instead of putting the burden on the patient, how about setting aside a recovery room and letting patients chill for a few hours on the premises?

Thanks, R259. Really, thank you.

Posters like you are why I will go down with the Datalounge ship.

I recently had the endoscopy and colonoscopy exams and was told to be at the hospital at 7:O5 am. My partner didn’t like driving me that early. He came into the hospital, provided his name and cell number, then went back to the car and napped, and waited till he was texted to drive around to the exit to pick me up. It all went OK.

I have a partner, but he couldn't get a day off when I had colonoscopy, so I just called a cab after I rested for few hours after it. Had no problem with it, but then I live on Balkans, health workers are more laid back here.

Someone could make a bundle creating something to take care of this nationwide. They could even have an assigned nurse check in on you at home for the day.

I do this for a woman I work for, she's 65, divorced, estranged from her kids and has no friends. I am her paid "assistant" for the day. She only calls me when she has scheduled surgeries, or hair appointments. Great little side hustle. Take her from point A to point B. Have time to kill in-between while still being paid. She knows she can trust me and there's no family BS she has to deal with or obligation to return the favor. Plus she knows she can trust me to take care of her pets like they are my own.

R257 no friends at all? Not even coworkers?

Whole rush to move towards more outpatient care versus in hospital has created this issue.

It's all very well for persons to have procedures done on an outpatient basis, but issues regarding preparatory and recovery time need to be addressed.

Depending upon procedure performed many if not all physician offices or other outpatient places do have some sort of recovery room monitored by nurses. This however normally applies to various surgeries (such as plastic) and so forth especially where general anesthetic was administered. Diagnostic tests OTOH are another matter.

Even when post-op recovery areas are available they aren't staffed 24/7. Usually within few hours of coming out of anesthetic and things look normal/stable patients are sent home.

For those suggesting co-workers, who the hell wants to ask a co-worker to pick them up after a colonoscopy! Or any outpatient procedure really. I am fond of many of my co-workers, but I like to have some privacy with medical issues.

Just pay for it, higher a poor starving twink for a day. As long as they dont have to touch your ugly old bag of bones, they will be more than happy to get you from point A to point B.

If you are alone and have no relatives, friends, or cordial neighbors available/willing to drive you, call the hospital or clinic and ask if they can refer you to someone or an agency. Call senior centers, local social services, volunteer organizations, or even nearby churches, to find a driver. Offer to pay them for their gas and time, or make a donation to the organization that provided the contact and service. The need is not uncommon.

I’ve driven several people, including a couple I did not know, back and forth to medical appointments when time was available to do so. People in need have to speak-up. Unless one is asked, it doesn’t make a connection.

R269 if I could drive legally I'd do this, sounds like a good money-spinner and an untapped market, plus a nice way to help in the community. Alas I have ASD and can't seem to pass my test!

r264 we're not a homeless shelter

get a job r264

I can’t imagine asking coworkers to pick me up at a colonoscopy. Maybe that is a sad commentary on the modern workplace or maybe it’s just living in NYC, but I feel like it would could be completely inappropriate.

I have 2 single frau friends and asked them if we can make a pact to pick each other up from medical procedures. They agreed and felt it was a good idea but let’s see what happens.

R257 hugs to you - that’s extremely frustrating.

I had my "Duo" yesterday and the Medical transport was an Uber. Two Ubers.

So dissapointed.

[quote] For those suggesting co-workers, who the hell wants to ask a co-worker to pick them up after a colonoscopy! Or any outpatient procedure really. I am fond of many of my co-workers, but I like to have some privacy with medical issues.

I drove my friend to the hospital at 6am on a workday for hernia surgery. I don't know, it's not like we don't understand how our bodies work. Maybe we're just not prudes.

R279 here. To clarify, he's a co-worker with whom I am also friendly. Not flat-out friends because our connection is mainly work-related, but we help each other out. We're both mid-50s, single guys (I'm gay, he's straight).

R279/R280 you’re very kind

R269, how much do you charge your boss?

LOL this troll tag. MurieI’s mods have lost their minds.