Has Anyone Had Propofol For A Colonoscopy?

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Blessings2011
Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
edited July 2016 in Bonded by Breast Cancer

Well, I did it... I finally agreed to have my colonoscopy next month. (Last one was maybe 10 years ago; have been doing "FIT" - fecal occult blood - tests instead.) I know this will make my MO happy.

My PCP suggested I ask for an alternative prep instead of the 50 gallon GaviLyte they make you drink. Turns out you can take a boatload of other stuff, including a combination of Miralax, Gatorade, Magnesium Citrate, and Dulcolax.

When I asked what sedation I would have, the scheduler said I would have "complete anesthesia." I asked what that meant, and she said "Propofol." (The same drug Michael Jackson OD'd on.)

I thought that was interesting until I started researching some of the side effects: burning, stinging pain at injection site, slowed heart rate (already have, <55-60 bpm), severe nausea and vomiting, upper airway obstruction and hypoventilation (already have), rash and itching (cannot take Benadryl), increased eye pressure and inability to open eyes, coughing and sneezing, and myoclonia (muscle jerking - already have.)

I remember in my first colonoscopy, I think I had a combo of IV Valium and Versed, and had no problems.

Apparently Propofol has become the new norm for colonoscopies, even though "deep sedation" or "complete anesthesia" are NOT necessary for this procedure.

Anyone have personal experience?

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Comments

  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited June 2016
    I had a colonoscophy 4 years ago..preBC.. With propofol. It was great. Super easy and no side effects or feeling nausea later. I am having one in July for post BC and have no concerns at all.
  • Pessa
    Pessa Member Posts: 519
    edited June 2016

    Msy sister does not have them use any anesthesia

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited June 2016

    I had my highly intimate extreme close-up back in 2011. I had propofol for it (and while I was under they also did an upper endoscopy). Don’t recall anything from the time I was wheeled into the procedure room until waking up just in time to cough out the tube for the latter. No side effects whatsoever. A couple of years later, I needed another upper endoscopy for a suspected GI bleed at a different hospital. This time, they used just IV Versed, and I was awake for the whole thing. I remember discomfort but no pain.

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited June 2016

    I've had propofol several times for various procedures and had absolutely no issues. It was as though I closed my eyes one instant and woke up in the next, completely unchanged. I suspect the reason this drug is becoming so popular is that this is the norm.

    I have no idea what drug/s I've been given for my upper and lower scopes, but, again, no issues. At any rate, I always refuse the versed or whatever premedication they offer. I'm one of those control freak types and want to be fully awake and aware until the actual nighty-night time. As far as I can tell, versed's purpose is only to relax you and, for me, that is not a desirable tradeoff for alertness.

    After reading your post, Sandy, I wonder whether, should I OK the versed, perhaps I could skip the actual anesthesia next time? Not sure which drug is worse for the system, but I guess the versed hangs around longer, so that's probably not going to be my preference. I guess I'll be interrogating my next anesthesiologist.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited June 2016

    I've had Propofol for two colonoscopies. I LOVED it! No side effects and I felt absolutely refreshed when I woke up (so refreshed in fact, that after having it that once, 5 years later when due for another colonoscopy, I was looking forward to the getting knocked out part!). I can see how Micheal Jackson, a rich insomniac with an unscrupulous doctor, could get hooked on it.

  • downdog
    downdog Member Posts: 1,432
    edited June 2016

    I get zofran added to my IV for general anaesthesia to prevent PONV. I had propofol alone for my colonoscopy and had no issues, nor did I experience any SEs. Like ruthbru, I awoke feeling totally refreshed and like I had had the best sleep ever.

  • aunt_paula
    aunt_paula Member Posts: 271
    edited June 2016

    I have had several colonoscopies with propofol, and it is great. I had colon cancer 17 years ago, and when I started having colonoscopies the drugs of choice were Versed and Demerol. They worked well, but I was out of commission for at least a full day because of the Demerol. With propofol you're awake, then asleep, then awake, not the drawn-out sedation that comes with the Demerol. I definitely prefer it.

    I had one done by a doctor who didn't want to spend the time to do anesthesia (before propofol), and I can't speak for anyone else, but it was very painful. For me, there's no reason to deal with pain when there are so many options available to prevent it.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2016

    Just had one last week with Michael Jackson's cocktail and did great. Have had it before and as other's have said, there is no narcotic hangover or nausea when it's all over. Definitely the best way to go.

  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited June 2016

    They used propofol when I had cataract surgery. I wouldn't have even known except they sent me home with a paper that showed the anesthesia they used. My best experience with sedation.

  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited June 2016

    Had it for a colonoscopy a number of years ago and also for my lumpectomy. Fine both times.

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2016

    I wish!

    I had multiple "conscious sedation" procedures over a year using the Versed/Fentanyl cocktail, and apparently I am a "rapid metabolizer" of Versed. It does not give me amnesia like it does most people. I remember and can quote back the conversations in the procedure room for transjugular liver biopsy and insertion then removal of an inferior vena cava filter, which is mostly just creepy, not painful. I then had my colonoscopy (which hurt.) I watched my colonoscopy on the screen and was in pain and crying out while the nurse held my had saying "almost done, almost done." Almost everyone I know says they have no memory of their colonoscopies, so if it hurts they just don't remember it.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2016

    The one (and only) "good" thing about a colonoscopy is that when you wake up you have no idea anyone was even "down there". I thought I'd be sore, but I've had 3 of them and no problems. It's just the purge beforehand that is so uncomfortable.

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited June 2016

    See?

    This is why I come here and ask y'all! Totally different experiences (from a personal perspective) than what I had read.

    I will still ask to talk to the anesthesiologist beforehand about some of my pre-existing conditions, but otherwise, I think Propofol may be the way to go. I could use a good nap, and - with the alternative prep - maybe lose a pound or two without having to chug down gallons of the foul GaviLyte.

    Thank you, Ladies!!!

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited June 2016

    Let us know how it turns out in the end (pun intended ).

  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited June 2016

    I've also had it at least 4 times. I like waking up without asking over and over the same question I already asked...from the other sedation. I do want to warn you...it will burn for just 2 seconds before you fall asleep. So don't let that scare you if anesthesia doesn't warn you.

    Brenda E

  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited June 2016

    I have propofol for my colonoscopies. I have a genetic issue so I have to have one every two years. Last two Dr used PREPOKIT instead of the gallons of yuk. Really was much better
  • spendygirl
    spendygirl Member Posts: 231
    edited June 2016

    one more...I had propofol for a spinal injection. I do remember it stinging as it went in, felt a little tingly at the top of my head and that was it! Woke up in recovery with no side effects at all. It was great

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited June 2016

    As my endo doc said, "we're going to give you some really good drugs", and she was right. Absolutely no side effects or hangover.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2016

    I've had Propofol for colonoscopies. Hopefully I can have the same for my scheduled port removal next month. No nausea, vomiting, hangover, headache, etc. Great stuff.

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited June 2016

    For my colonoscopy, my prep was six 8-oz bottles of magnesium citrate. I chose cherry flavor. Still disgustingly sour, but infinitely better than that Movi-Prep stuff you have to swig by the gallon.

    When I had trigger-thumb surgery a few years ago, I had I.V. Versed and then a regional nerve block to the thumb, index finger and wrist. I was fully conscious and didn’t feel any pain, just a sensation of being worked on--but the snipping noises sounded like chicken bones being cut with poultry shears.

  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,942
    edited June 2016

    Oh My Sandy that doesn't sound so delightful. 39 years ago I had ganglion cyst surgery on one hand. I had local via a Bier block and some kind of happy IV drug. I distinctly remember yelling out "I want a cheeseburger" I guess in response to how was I doing.

    My GI doc uses SuPrep though it is not gallons of stuff it is just nasty. I had an exam last year for my hemorrhoids diff. doc and had to self admin. Fleets' enemas x 2 along with some kind of colon prep.

    Blessings you will know the Propofol if you see the syringe - milky looking.

    ICU ventilator patients are freq. given brief propofol vacations but have to be watched closely for subtle signs of awakening d/t such a short half life.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited June 2016
    Blessings, you might want to give your GI's office a heads up that you will need a bit more time than usual with the anesthesiologist before your procedure.

    Other than your own medical issues, don't worry about propofol. It's like most drugs - they list every possible SE but few people experience any of them. Good for you for biting the bullet and scheduling your scope!
  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited June 2016

    Like everyone else here, I had Propofol. No problems. Went right to sleep, I had wanted to watch on the screen. Woke up with no hangover. DH & I went out for lunch afterwards.

    My surgeon uses Pico Salex as a prep & has his own set of instructions which is completely different than the box directions. I'm not going to say it was easy but it was much better than the previous time for abdominal surgery having to drink a gallon of some foul thing.

  • dragonsnake
    dragonsnake Member Posts: 159
    edited June 2016

    I had a colonoscopy + endoscopy done in 2013. I used Prepopik for  prep.  It  went down OK, did not cause much cramping, but aggravated hemorrhoids. I could not get them under control for 3 years. Requested propofol without a sedative because I was already a heavy user, and was in the process of weaning myself off of klonepin. Fell asleep under propofol, had dreams (it's considered to be conscious sedation). Woke up when GI doc was taking  a tube out of my  throat and had a gag reflex. They added more propofol, I fell asleep , dreamed again, woke up without any recollection of colonoscopy. The sleep was quite refreshing. No constipation the next day.

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited June 2016

    There’s a reason why they’ve nicknamed it “milk of amnesia.”

    And as gruesome as the tendon-release surgery may have sounded in my description, it wasn’t bad at all. I wasn’t even on an operating table--more like a chemo recliner with my arm elevated on a platform. I could even hear the nurses discussing their weekend plans (this was late on a Fri. afternoon).

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited June 2016

    Sandy, that was on propofol? My experience has always been lights out/lights on, with no sense at all of time having passed.

  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2016

    yep.. worked like a charm and you wake up not even realizing the test was done... lovely stuff!

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited June 2016

    hi Blessings! I had colonoscopy 6 yrs ago and had the 'milk of amnesia' propofol. No problems whatsoever.

    A tip I got on BCO is to start your liquid diet a day or two ahead of schedule to make the prep cleanse easier.

    Scheduled for a follow-up in 4 yrs. Glad to know there's something better than that nasty drink-a-gallon blech.

  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited June 2016

    So far, I've had multiple D&Cs and multiple colonoscopies and had propofol every.single. time. with no reaction at all. Propofol is my drug of choice.


    Also want to add that preceding my colonoscopies, I do a week long prep. My GI claims my little body frame is a hindrance to doing a one day prep. Seems people with petite frames usually accumulate stool higher up in the colon. That said, if you follow this simple protocol several days before the final day's prep, the final prep should be a little easier. For a week, leading to the final prep, I do a "White diet." A white diet consists of eating mostly white food. In another words, find as much high glycemic food to eat as possible. White bread, Twinkies, white rice...as much junk food as you can find! The rest of the prep is a piece of cake 👩❤️👩!

  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited June 2016

    kayb!!! Yay for you!!!! But your nurse friend was observing! That sounds like a really, really good friend!!

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