Colonoscopy/Endoscopy Coming Up

[Maryland_Mike]

When I get the "twilight sleep" anesthesia for a medical procedure do I need to be on CPAP or a respirator of some sort?

[Gerryk]

That all depends on your doctor and how you have responded in the past with this type of sedation. Some docs will say and some will say no. Again, the best bet is to ask the doc doing the procedure.
Just make sure that if you do use the cpap the doc puts it back on the correct end after the procedure.

Gerry

[tattooyu]

Nice one, Gerry!

From what I've read on other posts here (re: colonoscopy/endoscopy), most people do not need the CPAP. Personally, I would have it handy at the very least, only because I know I don't handle anesthesia well.

[LSAT]

I had the dual proceedure done about 6 weeks ago. I informed my GI that I used a CPAP. I was told not to bring it. When I got to the proceedure the nurse was aware of my situation and said they would give me a slow dose of oxygen, and monitor me. I was administered Versed and demerol for the proceedure. With these drugs you are in twilight sleep...partially awake but you cannot remember anything. Be sure to check with your doctor before the proceedure. Have fun with the prep...

[LinkC]

Ahhhh! Versed and Demerol.... That combo will kick your...um...well, it will get the job done!

[harry33]

many colon problems are caused by lack of fiber in diet

[karessamom]

I just had a colonoscopy done last month and it was a piece of cake! I brought my cpap but didn't need it at all. although my 02 was down when they brought me into the recovery area. I had to use the restroom almost right away so they disconnected me and never hooked me back up again. the prep is the worst part but even so it wasn't that bad. just make sure you have the machine when you get home and nap. that's what's important. they monitor you during the proceedure and they gave me extra oxygen beforehand. do tell them that you do have cpap and bring it but you probably won't need it. They actually used propophol on me instead of the "versaid and dem" cocktail" I woke up as they were finishing the proceedure and would have liked to have seen the screen they had 2 persons positioned there so you couldn't see anything lol

[dsm]

I recently had an endoscopy procedure & didn't bother with taking the cpap along.
Unless you have really severe OSA, I'd not worry as it is such a short time that you are 'out to it'.

Good luck

DSM

[Slinky]

You are at no more risk DURING the scope(s) than you are awake simply because you are constantly monitored. It is when you are wheeled back to recovery that you are at the greatest risk. Usually you are "out of it" no more than a half hour in recovery. So as dsm said, unless you have severe OSA you most likely don't need your CPAP at the facility. BUT - MOST DEFINITELY use it at home to nap!!!!

And, yeah, if you get Propofol (diprivan) for your procedure you are awake and alert and aware w/in 5 minutes after they stop the drip! Sure beats the Versed/Demerol or Versed/Alfentynal cocktail! Except there is no reversal agent for it therefore in almost all states it may be administered ONLY by an anesthesiologist which increases the cost considerably over the Versed/Demerol or Versed/Alfentynal cocktail.

[plr66]

Just another experience to relate, having had a colonoscopy the day before Thanksgiving (is this the season?? ). I told them I used cpap. They said absolutely not necessary to bring it. They were right about that. For whatever difference it made (I doubt it) I told them ahead of time that I am incredibly sensitive to sedation. I was given Versed & Fentanyl--awake and remember the entire procedure. Never dozing off in recovery, so cpap was not necessary, just like they said. However, the sedation meds kicked my a**. I was seriously nauseated, and puking from the time they let me get dressed, wheeled me out to the car until I got home......slept a total of 16 hours (on my cpap every minute!) through that evening and Thanksgiving day. Bad experience! Probably unique to me. My first procedure in 2001 at the same place was a piece of cake. No nausea, no massive sleeping. Haven't figured out yet why the huge difference, and the gastro nurse told me they only use this same med cocktail for everyone...But the point really is that the cpap is probably not necessary for many of us during this procedure.

[Slinky]

I woke up from my first colonoscopy sicker than a dog and dry heaving. I INSISTED that I be given phenergan or SOMETHING for the nausea - or else! Since I reacted to the Versed by getting agitated and hostile (the freaking nurse hit me w/a full bolus instead of slowly titrating the dose properly) they ALL knew I meant it and was in NO MOOD to be refused! My gastro now routinely orders a small amount of phenergan or equivalent w/every colonoscopy as we seem to do well until we hit the proximal transverse colon/hepatic flexure when my vagus nerve always decides to take offense and cause severe gagging.

[cotech50]

Have had 2 sedated surgeries and a colonoscopy this year all b4 I was diagnosed with my OSA other than being told to breath due to o2 level falling below preset they take care of you and you are monitored closely. I never had a problem with any of those great drugs they give you. Never had Demerol in my life but 50 mg of that IV and you cannot even hold your head up. you can not care less what they are doing. Its all good but I had to drink 8oz every 15 min a gallon of that stuff keep it cold with a water chaser and keep the path clear to the toilet about the time you get done time for another 8oz that all went on for 3 hrs of fun. BUT THE DRUGS ARE GOOD ONE SECOND YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NURSE SHOOTING IT IN YOUR IV THE NEXT YOU HEAR ARE THEM TELLING YOU TO WAKE UP.

GOOD LUCK

[plr66]

BUT THE DRUGS ARE GOOD ONE SECOND YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NURSE SHOOTING IT IN YOUR IV THE NEXT YOU HEAR ARE THEM TELLING YOU TO WAKE UP.

Well, as noted by everyone here, YMMV. We all have different experiences with the same procedure. I stayed awake, and that part was fine. It was the aftermath of nausea and sedation which was problematic for me.

[Slinky]

Tell your doctor that, plr, and ask for phenergan or equivalent med for nausea. They can either add it to your IV or they can give it by injection afterward.

[plr66]

Tell your doctor that, plr, and ask for phenergan or equivalent med for nausea. They can either add it to your IV or they can give it by injection afterward.

Wow, Slinky. What amazes me is that I was offered none of that, despite my being clearly in acute discomfort. I begged for a cracker, hoping for a saltine to settle my stomach--and the nurse told my companion "no--it'll probably just add to the nausea." Begged some more, and they brought me Nab cheese & peanut butter crackers!!! Good grief! Made me sick to smell them, but ate one anyway to try to relieve the problem. This is the primo gastro clinic in my area, by the way. Unreal, eh? Thanks for your suggestion for next time, Slinky! I'm writin' it down!