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Propofol for Colonoscopy - anybody had this?

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Posted 7/6/2011 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Has anybody ever been given Propofol for their colonoscopy, rather than the usual sedative/painkiller combo?

I've had about 10 colonoscopies over the past 15 years (I have UC) and during the past 3 tests the sedatives no longer seemed to work. 

The first time they didn't work was horrific - I was awake most of the time and in horrible pain.  The past 2 times I was with a different doctor and he gave me 8 doses of sedative and apparently I was still in alot of pain during the test (luckily I don't remember!).

This time I've been told I need to have Propofol (light anesthesia) which should work and apparently has barely no side effects afterwards. I'm actually still a little worried it won't put me out!  Has anybody ever had issues with the sedatives working and has anybody ever had anesthesia instead for their scope?

Thanks!

Nikki

Posted 7/6/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nikki -

I've had propofol for the last.......6 or 8 colonoscopies, maybe? It's worked fine for me; I've felt the cold-feeling medication going in through the IV, and the next thing I know is that I'm waking up in the recovery area!

Afterwards I'm less foggy than I used to be with the various relaxant/sedative mixes.
Posted 7/6/2011 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
I've had that too in my past scopes. I have the same experience as Songlady. I find that it knocks me out sufficiently and I am alert when I am in recovery. I have a fast absorption rate so normally I need twice the amount of many things (novacaine, anesthesia etc). But the Propofol...I never had an issue with.
Posted 7/6/2011 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I had this a few weeks ago and mine was basically a general anaesthetic. You don't know anything about it.
Mine was done in theatre and I was properly knocked out. Propofol is a General Anaesthetic that puts you to sleep and an infusion of it will keep you asleep or they will use anaesthetic gases to keep you asleep.
I was put to sleep with propofol in the anaesthetic room and woke up in recovery 45 minutes later. I was much better than having the midazolam sedation.
Posted 7/6/2011 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies, its making me feel alot less worried about the procedure! Now I just have to get through the prep again - I begged for Miralax even though they constantly warned me that 'it better work or no test for you'. 2 days and it will all be over, again!
Posted 7/7/2011 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
I was given Propofol (aka milk of amnesia) for my colonoscopy. You go under and come out really fast. If you start to wake up during the procedure they give you a little more. A colonoscopy goes pretty quick so it's a good drug for it. And when you come out there's virtually no hangover from it.
Posted 7/7/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
They used this my last colonoscopy. I remember them saying they were going to sedate me. Then I remember waking up in recovery. Then I remember nothing until after a long nap at home! Really knocks me out!
Posted 7/7/2011 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Let me ask you guys this: Did the GI doc just oblige your request for Propofol or did s/he prefer it? Doesn't it require an anesthesia RN or doc to part of the procedure, Propofol being an anesthesia medication?

Versed does not work for me anymore. Last week I was fully awake, but not hurting, and had a long talk with my GI doc while he was scoping my colon. I recall just about every word of it.

I'm pretty sure next time I request better sedation / anesthesia.
Posted 7/7/2011 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
I choose to be awake during the scope and request it, although the meds the doc gives me apparently are the same he gives his other patients and they're out cold.

I don't like the versed, however, and next time will request to NOT have it at all (even though the last time was just a teeny bit. The Fentanyl is great!

I did ask my GI whether they use propofol here and he kind of looked surprised and said never. But again...it's subjective probably.

I'd get really ticked if I was purposefully knocked out for the scope when I requested to not be. It does hurt, however, going around the splenic flexure into the transverse. He did comment he'll try to use less air to lessen the pain if it's possible. So...it seems the pain is mostly from the air in the colon.

q
Posted 7/7/2011 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
The GI told me I needed to have the next scope with propofol. I guess I have a very tight corner at the edge of my left side and I have some scarring so am in alot of pain when he goes around the corner. He said it can actually be hard for the doc to do the scope if you are moving around too much.
Posted 7/7/2011 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
I had the propophol, administered by an anesthesiologist while the GI did the colonoscopy and it was wonderful. Don't think I'd like to be awake for it. I welcome the break from all pain, discomfort, worry, etc. (starting to sound a little Michael Jackson, sorry)
Posted 7/8/2011 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Very interesting... I didn't realize it wasn't all that common to get general anesthesia!

I'm kinda a newcomer to this disease still but I've had propofol with my one colonoscopy and even for my last flex sig! I've had absolutely no problems with it!

Realizing now how many people just go the sedation route I'm surprised my GI didn't start off that way and work up to the anesthesia if needed... especially since I'm a pretty small bodied person at just about 5 feet and 100lbs. I suppose its just another matter of personal preference on the part of the docs.
Posted 7/9/2011 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
The propofol has worked great for me the past 3 colonoscopies. Gone to sleep very quickly, you are having it dosed into your system the entire time the procedure is going on, when they stop, you wake up right after they are done, more alert and not sick to my stomach where I can go eat right afterwards. It's great.
Posted 7/10/2011 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Well, the propofol worked great! In fact, I don't even remember the anesthesiologist giving it to me :) He gave me some a painkiller, then some anti-nausea and lidocaine to prevent burning when the propofol went in. The anti-nausea must have been enough to make me drowsy as I don't even remember getting the propofol. Next thing I knew they were wheeling into my spot in the recovery area as I was waking up. Just the way I like it! :)
Posted 7/12/2011 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Good, I was asleep before much of anything was said to me by the anesthesiologist. It's quick. I'm more nervous over the prep.
Posted 7/12/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Just had my colonoscopy/endoscopy done this morning (5th time in 10 yrs).   They used Propofol the last 3 times.  Its a miracol drug!  (no wonder Michael Jackson liked it!)

Before they used that I had to have anti-anxiety meds before I went.   This morning I was hooked up to IV, wheeled into the procedure room and out like a light before I knew it!  Next thing I knew I was in recovery with everyone else passing gas!  Probably the only time you dont feel embarassed about it! LOL!!!   I wouldn't have this procedure done without this drug!  I can't even imagine ever being conscious during this type of procedure!

 

Posted 7/12/2011 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Ha! Isn't that a hoot though!? To be in the same room as other "scopers"...oy the noises we make! :)
Posted 7/12/2011 11:09 AM (GMT 0)

MNBeachgal said...
Well, the propofol worked great! In fact, I don't even remember the anesthesiologist giving it to me :) He gave me some a painkiller, then some anti-nausea and lidocaine to prevent burning when the propofol went in. The anti-nausea must have been enough to make me drowsy as I don't even remember getting the propofol. Next thing I knew they were wheeling into my spot in the recovery area as I was waking up. Just the way I like it! :)

Is that the anesthesia they prefer at the Mayo Clinic, or did you have to request for it? I'm just curios, because I'm heading that way and versed quit working for me.
Posted 7/12/2011 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kiwi, I think they do both sedatives and Propofol for colonoscopies. I had my first colonoscopy at Mayo over 15 years ago and they used a sedative back then. My local doctor had in my notes that I needed to have Propofol for my next scope, so that is why Mayo used it on me this time. So you'll need to request it and probably just let them know why you feel it would be better to have the scope with it.
Posted 7/13/2011 6:43 AM (GMT 0)
MNBeachgal,

Thank you very much for your response.

I've only been dealing with the Mayo people regarding with the paperwork, which, for some odd reason, have not been easy.

I'll make sure my doc will let them know - I sure will - that I require the Propofol.

I'll get the triage info tomorrow.

Thanks again and all the best to you.
Posted 7/13/2011 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Kiwi,

Once you get them your records, it should get much easier to schedule the appt. I know once they recieved my records they called me the next day and said they schedule an appt for me. They have been hard to work with regarding calling me back on test results or returning my calls if I have questions. Even though they were very good on Friday for my test, and the appt I had with the GI doc after the test was great, I still haven't heard from them regarding the biopsy results. They said they'd call Monday or Tuesday to discuss and to figure out medications but no word yet. So that can be frustrating.
Just hang in there, it will be worth dealing with some of the slowness for the end result.
Posted 7/14/2011 11:19 AM (GMT 0)

MNBeachgal said...
Kiwi,

Once you get them your records, it should get much easier to schedule the appt. I know once they recieved my records they called me the next day and said they schedule an appt for me. They have been hard to work with regarding calling me back on test results or returning my calls if I have questions. Even though they were very good on Friday for my test, and the appt I had with the GI doc after the test was great, I still haven't heard from them regarding the biopsy results. They said they'd call Monday or Tuesday to discuss and to figure out medications but no word yet. So that can be frustrating.
Just hang in there, it will be worth dealing with some of the slowness for the end result.

I got a call yesterday from the Mayo. They'd gone through my file and last biopsy reports and I received only good news.

They finally received all my paperwork and I've got an appointment with a UC specialist (as they call them) next month. They gave several phone numbers should I need to contact them about any issue. What I'd love to have is a triage RN I'd talk with and get answers immediately as is the case with my GI doc.

Thank you again for sharing your experience and information, MNBeachgal.

All the best.
Posted 7/14/2011 2:38 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Kiwi,

I work with Kelley in the GI area - she works with the UC speciality area too I think.  She seems to be my 'triage' nurse in a way, as I can call her and leave a message and she'll have the doctor call me back if needed.  Or she'll go find a nurse and get the answer for me. 

Posted 7/15/2011 10:33 AM (GMT 0)

MNBeachgal said...
Hi Kiwi,

I work with Kelley in the GI area - she works with the UC speciality area too I think. She seems to be my 'triage' nurse in a way, as I can call her and leave a message and she'll have the doctor call me back if needed. Or she'll go find a nurse and get the answer for me.

Thanks, maybe they'll arrange a 'triage' RN for me too.

I'll keep you updated, and I may have more questions later.

Have a wonderful day tongue
Posted 2/27/2014 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
My doc just told me they use propofol for sedation for most of their colonoscopies now. Why does the thought of this scare me??!!
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