The right to pain relief in the UK

I went to the ENT today for a laryngoscope. Last time I had one was November 07, where I was given a nasal spray to ease any discomfort. This time I wasn't. I asked for it, but they insisted "we don't do that here". I said I had already had the procedure and was given a spray, and the nurse was adamant that I was mistaken.

Now, I know some people don't feel this is a very painful procedure, and that it doesn't need pain relief, but everyone has different pain thresholds, and I found this agonizing. I was very upset, when the scope hit the back of my nose it felt like a dentist's drill going into my upper molars, the pain spread all along the upper jaw area.

I have a manometry coming up, and they will also be doing the PH monitor at the same appointment, and I am terrified. The leaflet says that there will be no pain relief offered. But I know I have heard of people having this done with the aid of a nasal/throat spray. Why will they not offer this? I wonder if the NHS is cutting costs so heavily that now minor procedures are being done without pain relief. The hospital walls are peppered with posters bleating, "you have the right not to be in pain" and yet it seems we don't.

Can anyone shed any light on this? I understand why sedation isn't an option for manometry, since swallow function must be perfect (mine isn't any good at best!) but I can't understand why a local nasal aneasthetic can't be used.

I am scared. I felt like I couldn't hold it together for this short test, so how on earth can I manage for an hour, which is how long they said it will take?

I am considering taking some chloraseptic with me, and spraying my nose before i go in.

It didn't take an hour for my test.
You probably have a deviated septum. Mine hurt even with the numbing gel.
Pitch a fit for the gel! I would.

I had a manometry...it wasn't a picnic, but it was very manageable. It doesn't take anywhere near an hour, so don't worry about that. I also had a nasal spray or gel that numbed my nose, and really it wasn't all that bad getting down. The hardest part was not swallowing until commanded to do so. The urge is strong, and it takes concentration.
You will be fine with the test. Try not to worry.
Denise

Sorry to hear they don't offer that - I was in Germany some years ago and noticed the health care is not quite the same as here and had a similar experience which was hard being so far from home - I'm in the US but was studying there abroad. The manometry is really not that bad but like the other people on here mentioned you have to really concentrate and swallow only when told. I honestly thought the Bravo test was more challenging with swallowing w/o pain but I just had my fundoplication 2 days ago and so far am pleased that even though I'm on a soft food diet, juices and salsa that I put on my scrambled eggs don't even phase me which before I would never eat because would be in misery for hours. Good luck with your tests!