Propofol for Colonoscopy - anybody had this?

That stuff rocked. I never fell so hard and fast into a dream. I can see why Michael Jackson lost control with unlimited amounts.

Yes, it is an old post, but it relates to me today because of my dr appt I just had. I would post a new topic, but the last time I did that, someone referred me to an old post.

Notsosickly - You didn't go to sleep while on the propofol, meaning it didn't work for you?

I guess it scares me because of what happened to MJ. I realize he was left unattended, but still... Using general anesthesia for a colonoscopy seems odd. My dr seems to think I'll be happy with it, and especially since I tend to wake up in the middle of them with the usual sedation.

They give me propofol too. Puts me out right away. Never had any problem. I rather be sleeping than sedated and "not remembering". That's horrifying to me.

Propofol is an incredibly common drug- and it is infact a sedative. The reason most providers like it so much as it has a very short half-life. You stop administering it and within just about 5-10minutes you wake up. This is a great thing for a few reasons-
People can go home quicker after procedures, if your airway ends up compromised they can wake you up quickly, much less risk of serious complications, it has very few side effects, etc...
Most ICUs use it as sedation for their patients on ventilators, and it is titrated by an RN.
When being pushed (as in a colonoscopy), it has to be administered by an anesthesiologist or CRNA. Some states have conscious sedation certified nurses that can also do it.

I loved it for my patients- much better than the versed/ketamine combo (a horse tranquilizer, if your not familiar) many people had horrible hallucinations, uncontrollable high blood pressures, etc...
I also loved it when I had it- the first time I said, "could you put me back to sleep? That was the best I've slept in a long time!"

I love the big P! It's the only part of the scope I can't wait for... knocks you out literally in about 5 seconds, & you wake up feeling great!

Thanks, everyone! I'm feeling somewhat better now after reading all the replies.

standing flex sig? that's very odd. I've had a few flex sigs without sedation and I didn't enjoy it at all. Very uncomfortable. I was laying down though, can't imagine being standing. I was awake even with the anesthetic and I remember bits and pieces. It was vivid while it was happening and I was aware I was awake. I remembered a lot right after but as time has passed, I don't remember much.

I just had this yesterday for a hysteroscopy and D and C. I love it as you can go home quicker and there is no hangover effect. I felt nothing. I also have had this for two colonoscopies and felt nothing during the procedure.
For the last colonoscopy, a month ago, I went home 15 minutes after I came out of the procedure. It is the best. Hope this relieves your worries.

The ambulatory endoscopy center where my gastro does c-scopes started requiring Propofol a while back & I had it for the 1st time last yr. I did wake up more lucid after P. than previously when the "twilight" sedation (Versed + Demerol) was used during my earlier c-scopes. However, I was angry over not being able to watch the scope monitor; the P. put me out totally! I didn't even have any awareness of being transported to the recovery room at the conclusion of the procedure so I couldn't talk to gastro at all once the anesthesia nurse knocked me out. That's kind of like a factory assembly-line type of handling: minimal interaction of patient with doctor/medical staff & I don't enjoy being turned into an inert object on a gurney. Try not to worry, though, because you're unlikely to feel any part of the scoping with Propofol, and you'll be back on your feet pretty quickly after the procedure is done. / Old Hat (33 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)