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Waking During Colonoscopy - Questions

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Posted 6/22/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
My 17 year old son has his second ever colonoscopy on Wed. His first was when he was 10 years old.

He woke up during his first scope and remembers that it hurt (we could hear him screaming from where we had to wait<shudder>). The Versed did not erase the memory either.

He is so afraid that that will happen again on Wednesday. Is it common? How can we prevent it?

Also, can they give him something so he doesn't throw up afterward?

He is so nervous!!!!!

Thanks
Posted 6/22/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
They can easily give you enough drugs so that even if you are awake, you don't really feel anything. That's inexcusible. I prefer to be awake but also doped up enough to not really feel anything much. Occasionally as they round a tricky bend and pump in some more air it might feel uncomfy but I will let it be known and they can then even pump a bit more painkiller in to help.
Posted 6/22/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
LOL...I WANT to be awake during the process and was ticked that I fell asleep during my last one. There were other circumstances as well...but really I love watching the monitor.

Rather than more versed, I'd suggest you ask the doc for more pain med. I had a touch more versed during the last c-scope and didn't like the "after" experience. I'm actually going to ask the doc to not use it since I don't care if I remember it or not...I want to remember the monitor..etc.

What was the clean-out that your son had the last time? Which one does he have this time?

I don't know which med would have caused his nausea......you should call the doc's office today and enquire what the options can be...or for sure talk with the doc on Wednesday before the scope.

quincy
Posted 6/22/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
He definitely does not want to be awake!!

Last time he had GoLytly this time he has the dulcolux/Miralax/gatorade prep. I think he got sick last time because the scope was in another city over an hour away, this time it will just be about 3 miles from the house!

I do have a call into the doctor to let him know our concerns.

Thanks for the feedback!
Posted 6/22/2009 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have only had 2 colonoscopies, but I was awake for both.  I take a long time to metabolize medications, and even though I told them that, they didn't listen and went ahead with the procedures.  Both times, I fell asleep after the fact and ended up having to sleep for hours at home. 

I am not sure how common it is, but I am praying your son's scope goes smoothly on Wednesday.  It stunk as an adult, but had to have been so traumatic for a child. (((HUG)))

Posted 6/22/2009 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
That is strange. I was giving a sedative. I fell asleep early in the procedure both times--once for a sigmoidoscopy and once for a colonoscopy. My GI said that not everyone falls asleep. But it shouldn't hurt even if one doesn't.
Posted 6/22/2009 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
subdued...maybe your doc makes sure all fall asleep?

I enquired to my doc about the amount of med he gives and sedation and stated that I'm the only one who seems to stay awake...go figure. But I look forward (yes, weird) to watching the monitor...he started it, however, with the first scope 20 years ago and had me look through another scope. It was way too cool to pass up every 3 years..lol...the clean-out drink is the worst part).

The last c-scope, I did have a serious fall the week before and was truly exhausted from the pain. I was ticked I fell asleep (but it felt so good to drift off) and even more ticked he gave me more med than the time before. (note to self for next time)

I was awake for some of it and remember what I saw, but in general....patients don't have to be asleep...but maybe the docs find it easier to do the scope.

quincy
Posted 6/22/2009 11:12 PM (GMT 0)

I've had two colonoscopies done, and both times I fell asleep right away, but ended up waking up crying in pain somewhere during it. The two times I've had colonoscopies, I've also been in the middle of a flare, so I don't think that helps the situation either.

Obviously the first experience was traumatic for your son, so just make sure they are aware that he woke up last time. Unfortunately for me, they couldn't tell how much medication I was given the first time, b/c it was done at another hospital, so the second time they didn't have anything to base it on. Either way, I was not given enough medication to keep me sedated and it really hurt, and I would prefer they put me out for hours on end then have to feel or be aware of any part of the procedure. I assume they base the medication dosage on weight, and perhaps they look at me and think I weigh less than I really do....whatever the situation is, next time I am going to make a big stink about it. I don't want to be awake during it, I'm sure watching is interested, but I'd rather not be in that pain.

Posted 6/23/2009 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
I was wide awake during my last scope.

I had asked if they gave me anesthesia and apparently they had but there I was watching the scope travel through my large intestine on the screen.

It didn't hurt and was quite interesting. I hope to be awake during the next one as it really gave me a feel for what the ulcers look like. During the procedure I was able to ask the Dr. questions although he told me a couple times to call asleep. I was even able to roll over for him. :)
Posted 6/23/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
subdued...maybe your doc makes sure all fall asleep?

I don't think so. My GI thought that I'd be able to stay awake if I had wanted to. And he could have been right. Once the scope showed the inflamed area the first time and where the inflammation had been the second time, I saw no more need to stay awake.
Posted 6/23/2009 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
subdued....D'oh...I read: "my doc says that everyone falls asleep"..missed the "not" part. Hence my statement of the doc making sure all fall asleep..lol!

Makes sense since some react differently to some meds, and it does feel good to just go along with the meds...mellow, yawn!

I don't think the versed was good for me in a larger dose...

What meds does your doc give for sedation?

q
Posted 6/23/2009 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
I always ask for anti nausea meds and they put in right in my drip . I never get sick anymore.

Ask, and they will be happy to oblige.
Posted 6/23/2009 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have also woke up during scope. It is very scarry and the pressure inside your body is overwhelming... I alway let the people in surgery no this. Tell your son to just let them know so he feels better about it.

Posted 6/24/2009 2:51 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
What meds does your doc give for sedation?

I don't remember. It was 3+ years ago.
Posted 6/24/2009 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Being in a bad flare definitely can make a difference. My first scope was horrible. I also woke up screaming in pain half way through. In recovery, they told me my colon was spasming so badly, they couldn't get all the way around and sent me for barium x-rays. After that, I started warning the nurse and anesthesiologist ahead of time. You can also request a pediatric scope, which is smaller and less invasive. Of course, they'll probably already be doing this for your son, but I ask for it, too, since I'm a petite female.

Every doc/facility does thing a little differently, I guess. My scope two years ago, they had me count backwards from 100 and I don't think I got beyond 98. I was totally out and remembered nothing. I just had a scope on Monday. This time, I must have been in and out. I don't remember the start of the procedure, but I did wake up during it and watched the progress on the monitor, although I must have been pretty hazy. I'm also a little fuzzy on the recovery period. Made sure my husband was there when the doc came in to talk about the results, because I was afraid I wouldn't remember everything. The lighter sedation was nice in that I only had to sleep it off for a couple of hours. On the heavier sedation, I'm pretty much snoozing the rest of the day. I've never had nausea afterwards.

Posted 6/24/2009 4:30 PM (GMT 0)

To his credit, my former GI was very much invested in explaining the procedure and explaining exactly what to expect.  I went without sedation (versed) and with lighter and lighter pain relief and ultimately, for the last couple of scopes, I haven't  used anything.  It's definitely uncomfortable, but it's do-able and I can go about my day afterward. 

Part of that is knowing what to expect and being able to react to it in a positive way.  Sitting among doped up patients in recovery, I really do feel that being snowed to oblivion, especially with versed, provokes more anxiety than than it alleviates.  When a person does not feel in control, that person will have a disproportionately negative reaction.  Just my two cents. 

Thorough explanation and understanding of the procedure is more effective than more drugs.

Posted 6/24/2009 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I think it depends on the person. I've always had Versed along with a pain controller of one sort or another, and never had any problems. Maybe it's because I have trouble sleeping normally, but I really enjoy the nap and the relaxation. My doc always gives me pictures of the colon, and that's enough for me.
Posted 6/25/2009 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
You can have a colonscopy done under GA I have to have mine done this way, because I am extremely combative when I wake up during it.
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