Colonoscopy anesthesia issue

I don't think I've ever had propofol; usually it's versed. But I've heard some scary stuff about propofol - though I imagine there are scary stories for any anesthesia.

In general, what is the point of discussing the risks of anesthesia with the doc if a person NEEDS to have a surgery anyways.

The only option one individual would have is to get the surgery WITHOUT the anesthesia, but that's not possible.

So discussing the risks would be useless if you're forced to have anesthesia.

I get the propofol. Never had a problem. Usually I kid with the anestheslogist to give me some extra. LaLa land!!!!!
I have no problem waking up and no hangover side effect. Had the other one too! Maybe I'm not sensitive to anesthesia.
Was never given a choice. Not with that procedure.

I think Propofol is a white milky substance. I am pretty sure that's what I saw in the syringe that my anesthetist used for my c-scopy.

Cannot remember a thing, other than getting on and off the table.

I don't remember any euphoria happening.

re: Michael Jackson.
Keep in mind that MJ had a myriad of problems and was also taking serious narcotics and OTHER sedatives, with his nightly Propofol. I believe the autopsy tests also showed Ativan, which should not be combined with other sedatives (except perhaps in an OR).

MJ likely had sleep issues due to his severe PTSD (the guy even had Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which shows JUST how sick he really was; it is a serious condition, and can border on the person being psychotic in their beliefs that they are deformed and ugly). PTSD usually has an insomnia component. (Battered women's shelters are familiar with the women who cannot sleep.)

MJ's case is entirely different from the average person getting a C-scopy, and not similar for comparison to a one time C-scopy procedure.

Don't worry, you won't get 'addicted'. It doesn't even make people get a 'rush' of any kind.

Post Edited (emmaleechase) : 12/6/2012 6:57:46 AM (GMT-7)

Meeting with the anesthesiologist: my "meeting" consists of him coming to my gurney before I get the drug and asking if I've ever had a problem with any drug. I say no. I looked up what I was given 5 years ago and it was propofol. No issues at all, no wake-up during the scope, no problems afterwards. Don't know what I got recently.

My DH is scheduled next week for a routine 10 year c-scope and talked to his doctor (not anesthesiologist) about waking up in his last scope. Based on my good experience DH asked about propofol and was told there is currently a shortage so not available for his scope. We're on FL southwest coast for what it's worth. He'll be getting "twilight" drug which is the one he woke up on in the middle of the scope last time.

Post Edited (imagardener2) : 12/6/2012 12:07:06 PM (GMT-7)

"Somedude, it's not pointless to discuss it when there's an option of using a different anesthesia"

Ofcourse, where there is options of different types of anesthesia sure.

But I bet doctors were discussing the risks when there was only 1 type. In that case, it's really pointless. If a person needs surgery asap, the risks of anesthesia is meaningless, you can't have surgery without anesthesia so it's a moot point.

I was given propofol last time. The nurse even commented that it's what MJ took. lol She told me it's newly being used for c-scopes. Before that one, I had never been told what I was given and have never had a problem with any of them. I hate signing the consent beforehand about the risk of death from the procedure. It really freaked me out the first time but now I don't let it bother me. I anxiously await whatever anesthesia they give me because I know as soon as I get it, I'll be calm for a few seconds and then I'll wake up and it will all be over. I wish they'd administer it as soon as I walk in. lol

I just got back from having a colonoscopy and they used propofol. My last one used it too. I really prefer it to demerol. I'm much less groggy afterwards.

I had propofol at my last colonoscopy and will continue to have it for all future ones.  The sedatives no longer work on me unfortunately, they don't put me out at all or even make me drowsy.  The propofol was a lifesaver, I don't remember a thing about the test!  I get quite a bit of pain during the test when they turn the first corner as that is where I have some scaring so I'm more than happy to be out during the test.  Plus I had absolutely NO hangover from the propofol.  It was like a miracle drug. I didn't even feel drowsy after, like I never had it at all. 

"so michael jackson died while having a colonoscopy ?
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He did, he complained about something stuck in his behind, so they went and checked.

i've had 8 colonoscopies, and 7 of them used just propofol. it always wiped me out for hours and i never remembered anything, but my recovery was always ok. at my last one, they did the cocktail of different pain meds and sleeping crap and i woke up quicker but sicker than i ever have been in my life. i will never do the combo again. i mustve been allergic to something in there.

My GI switched to propofol last year. I get knocked our for flex sigs too so I think I've had this anesthesia 4 times in the last year. I like it sooo much better than the old stuff. I wake up completely alert. The old one they used made me throw up and feel terrible for 2-3 days afterwards.