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"Asthma attack in endoscopy."

About: Glenfield Hospital

(as the patient),

I arrived at the Leic Glenfield to have an endoscopic examination. I had trouble swallowing and lots of chest pain. The person doing the examination, explained to me that it might be best if I had the throat spray to numb the throat, rather than the sedation, which initially I thought about. I had the spray, mouth guard, and lay in position on the couch. The tube was inserted I swallowed, when the gagging stopped. And was breathing through my mouth only as instructed.

I heard the person say that they were in my stomach and needed to take a biopsy. All of a sudden I felt I was unable to breathe. I am asthmatic. I tried to get up and get my inhaler. I think staff thought I was just fighting the camera, but I could not get enough air to breathe. The camera was removed and the rest is a blur really. My bag was given to me to get my  inhaler, I dropped it and then must have passed out. I was very poorly. I had a severe asthma attack and was in peri arrest. I was later told I had been given adrenaline and steroids and I pulled through. I went to CDU and they looked after me very well. I had a phonecall from the team recently, asking how I was, and they said they had given me a prescription via my doctor for something to help my inflamed oesophagus, I assume. They also said that I did not have a biopsy taken as I removed my consent. They actually repeated this three times. I did not remove my consent. I had an asthma attack and could not breathe or talk. Why did they say this? I have had no medication prescribed from the unit to my doctor's surgery. They said that they will not be doing the procedure again, and that I am being referred to a consultant in this field. I am so scared. I am to have allergy tests done to see if the throat spray caused an asthma attack. The young nurse who was assisting during the endoscope came to see me on the ward, CDU after their shift finished. They were quite shaken and it meant a lot that they cared about me.

I need to have the biopsy done, will I be able to have a general anaesthetic? Also I was initially referred on the two week plan to go to are a hospital appointment. Can I please see someone soon. My GP says wait. But I have such pains in my chest and stomach area.  

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Responses

Response from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 6 years ago
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Submitted on 23/11/2017 at 15:29
Published on Care Opinion at 15:40


Dear Kaii,

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback.

We're really sorry to hear about your experience at Glenfield Hospital and to hear you were so poorly. This must have been a very traumatic time for you. In order for us to answer your questions and assist further, please would you be able to email your name, address, date of birth and hospital number to our General Manager in Gastroenterology, Hazel Pilon on: hazel.pilon@uhl-tr.nhs.uk, and she'll be able to answer any questions you may have and look into your next appointment.

Kind regards

Communications Team

Leicester's Hospitals

Update posted by Kaii (the patient)

I would like to add, that after allergy testing for sensitivity to drugs or chemicals used during my endoscopy examination. I proved positive for Lidocaine and Chlorhexidine sensitivity. So the anaphylactic reaction I suffered halfway through the examination, was due to an allergic reaction to either the anaesthesia (lidocaine spray) or a reaction to Chlorhexidine which may have been a disinfectant used to clean equipment used during the endoscopy. Thank you again for quick action calling the crash team, which saved my life.

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