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Propofol sedation for Colonoscopy

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Posted 5/25/2013 6:30 AM (GMT 0)
So my colonoscopy is Tuesday. I had a bad experience back in 2006, I woke up during the scope and remember being in quite a bit of pain and thrashing around a bit. This upset me so much that I've been pretty much avoiding getting a scope ever since.

So I asked this new GI about better sedation options. He's going to give me propofol this time. Sounds good from what I've read in maybe keeping me out better. Just curious if anyone else gets this for sedation for their scopes, and if it was like taking a good nap or not! Hoping it is, since I'm starting to feel my nerves come up!
Posted 5/25/2013 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
I had it last time, and I loved it. I had no dim awareness during the procedure, and the line between out and awake was very clear when I came out. I didn't fog through the recovery room asking the same question every 30 seconds :)
Posted 5/25/2013 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've had trouble with either waking up or just getting "knocked out". Last time the used propofol and it worked great. I was out for the whole procedure and wasn't groggy afterwards.

Good luck!!
Posted 5/25/2013 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Propofol (Diprivan) is NOT a sedative nor analgesic. It is a short-acting anesthetic. As such many states require that it be administered only by an anesthesiologist and not by a CRNA thus increasing the cost of its use for colonoscopies, etc. There is a big push on to allow CRNAs to administer propofol in all states.

There is no "antidote" or "reversal agent" for propofol.

The usual "sedation" for a colonoscopy in the USA is a "cocktail" of a "sedative" (actually as much amnesiac as sedative), fentanyl (an analgesiac that also contributes to making you "loopy" and sleepy) and for some phenergan or similar to prevent or reduce nausea. There are "reversal agents" for these drugs.
Posted 5/25/2013 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Propofol is GOOD STUFF ! You'll be surprised how well it works.
Posted 5/25/2013 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear! That eases my mind a lot. I was ready to pay for all of the extra costs of it out of pocket if I had to. Pretty much was the only way I was going to agree to a scope again without completely freaking out. lol
Posted 5/25/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I've had it the last two colonoscopies. Works great. Like a deep, restful sleep.

Interesting side note: Propofol is what Michael Jackson was using when he died.
Posted 5/25/2013 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Ive had this for 9 scopes and i love it! My last colonoscopy was terrible because they gave me a drug cocktail of three things. I threw up daily for 4 weeks after what they used.Im never getting that again and prefer straight up propofol.
Posted 5/25/2013 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
my wife and i have had propofol without problems. i had it for colonoscopy and a scope of the esophagus. the hospital we go to used to use the conscious sedation with amnesiac but switched to full sedation with propofol. it's just too easy. you lay there, they inject you, you drop off to sleep and wake up in what seems like a second later all finished in recovery. i'll never have conscious sedation again.
Posted 5/26/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I just had a colonscopy and they used propofol, I agree when I woke up I felt great! No side effects either.
Posted 5/26/2013 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Propofol is fantastic! I wouldn't agree to a scope again any other way. It does make me a little loopy for an hour or so after I wake up, and I usually feel like going straight home to nap afterwards as it leaves me drowsy. However, the drowsy side effects are totally worth it. Just don't make any big plans for the rest of the day just in case.
Posted 5/26/2013 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
It is unusual that you would feel drowsy after propofol. Most likely they also gave you phenergan or equivalent and/or fentanyl as well and either of which would be the expected culprit. Phenergan is for nausea and fentanyl for pain.

Just plain propofol works great for me w/o any side effects, I wake up clear-eyed and bushy-tailed. One time they gave me the propofol w/alfentanyl and I woke up slowly and was NAUSEATED and have to be given some zofran for the nausea in recovery plus the alfentanyl left me groggy and confused and ..... I raised a bit of a stink about it since I had had a scope w/JUST propofol once before and LOVED it and how I felt afterwards.
Posted 5/26/2013 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
I'm the same as you but with the endoscopy, there is no way I could go through that again, I've even developed a phobia of choking. The trouble is I really need to have one, the sedative doesn't really work for me and they won't consider putting me out so I don't know what to do.
Posted 5/26/2013 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
Find another doctor. Good luck and God bless.
Posted 5/26/2013 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, Kel get a new doctor! My last GI, the one I woke up with also, didn't give a rats butt that I had that bad experience. He kind of rolled his eyes and went about scheduling another one. Of which I did not go to, and refused any kind of scope over the past 6 years. I was just so upset and scared.

So finally gave in and saw this new GI, and it was just the polar opposite. He was so understanding and compassionate. I couldn't even get the word propofol out and he was suggesting it and said he wants me to be comfortable with doing these. It was so awesome to have a doctor care! So please get a new doctor. They aren't complete jerks like the ones we've had!
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