Colonoscopy Help Needed.

[Help4MyWife]

My wife needs to go in for a colonoscopy, however she will not go unless I am permitted to be there during the procedure. The desk clerk at the doctors office (nasty) has informed me that it isn't allowed. (tried to tell me it was the "law" (it isn't a "law" -- trust me.)

Anyway... she won't do it unless I'm there...

Were you allowed to have a loved one there during it?

What can I do?

Thanks!
  

[Help4MyWife]

Looks like there may be interest in this:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-09-17-coloncancer-xray_N.htm

Interesting stuff...

[April2]

Yep, lol, I agree! But once she's cleaned out she'll feel great!

[Murk]

I've had the procedure a number of times and my spouse was with up until actually being taken in to the procedure room.  The procedure is nothing at all!  The real hassle, by a long ways, is taking the "human Draino!!"

[Help4MyWife]

No may mean no.  But scrubbing prior to entry deals with the "germs" excuse.

;)  Not so easy is it. ;)

[babygirl6152]

You very likely will not be allowed in- I am quite sure it has to do with germs, etc-- it could compromise her health....

Can't you just tell her no means "no"

[Help4MyWife]

A) I'll sign any waiver should I "faint" or the like.
B) I'll keep my mouth 100% closed and not ask a single questions, and I'll sign to the same.

Seems interesting that they put up such a fight -- I have to say. ;)

[April2]

Ps. She does realize that there will be several people in that room, right? It won't just be the doctor. There will be at least one nurse who will be sitting at her head, watching her vitals and giving more meds as needed. There will also be someone, usually a tech or another nurse who will help the doctor turn the patient or give instruments, etc. She won't be alone with the doctor, if that's what she's afraid of.
The more information she gets on the procedure, the less scary it will be for her. They loaned me a video that I could watch before I had mine, and my doctor was very nice and patient and answered lots of questions before hand. I do understand. My first procedure I nearly canceled several times before I went through with it. Once I had it I wondered why I was so nervous. It really wasn't that bad. They cover you all up in blankets and give you a pillow, etc. You're pretty comfortable. They are sensitive to modesty. They only uncover what's necessary. They don't leave you all exposed!
I hope any of that helps!

[April2]

I'm sure there are some doctors who just aren't comfortable with being watched. You may need to look around, then, for a different Gastroenterologist. I'm just not sure there would be that many who would be ok with that, to tell you the truth. They're all probably scared of possible lawsuits, I'm sure. And for the layperson who's unfamiliar with the procedure, I'm sure things would look weird or scary. I just don't know. I did watch a video of a colonoscopy before I had mine, so there's got to be some doctors ok with being watched.
Is this something that can wait while you check your options?
I wish I could help more. Hopefully somebody on here can give you more information. I wish you the best.
Take care,
April

[imgwtw]

What, exactly, does your wife think you're going to do in there? Or is she afraid the doctor is going to do something untoward that you'll be able to stop?

They may not want you in the actual procedure room for several reasons:

1. They will be performing a procedure that's normally very safe, but they need to concentrate to do it properly...and not be distracted by having to answer your questions, etc.

2. There may be an insurance issue. What if you faint while you're in there? Are they supposed to just let you lay there while they concentrate on your wife? Lawyers live for scenarios like this.

I've had several, and so has my husband (he had to have a foot of his colon removed several years ago). Your wife won't even know you're there in the room, so what's the point of you being there?

[Help4MyWife]

Thanks... however that really isn't going to do it for her.  I'm hopeful that somebody here might be able to home in on some of the buzzwords that I can use to make it happen.  I've already dealt with the "Patient Advocate" at the hospital and in the end the hospital was actually going to let me!  The doctor put the kill on it! :( :( :(  That doesn't say much, to me about the doctor's skill-set if they aren't comfortable doing something with an advocate (me) there.

What are my options? :(

[April2]

I'm not sure what the law is on that but my husband stayed with me until they put the sleepy medicine in my IV. After that I was in LaLa Land so I wouldn't have known if he was there at that point, anyway. Can you do that?
I think they probably don't want you in there because it could be upsetting or disturbing to watch for some people. Don't worry, though. She won't feel a thing. She'll be asleep and relaxed throughout the whole thing.
I can understand why she'd be nervous. I've had two done and I was nervous both times. It's a very common, safe procedure though, and she will be glad to see the results when it's done, I'm sure.
I don't know if this was much help or not. They should be able to let you in there, though, up until at least the time that they give her the meds to make her sleep. I'm not sure if you'd be able to stay the whole time, though or not. Maybe someone else on here might know more.
Best wishes.