Recovery Room Anesthesia

[Jason S.]

I'm having a colonoscopy in a few weeks. Its my 3rd, but 1st since I've been on CPAP. Told my GI about it and he said he would have an anesthesiologist present (normally he does it himself). He did not say anything about me bringing my CPAP. I am concerned mostly about recovery, the 30-60 minutes after the procedure where I am laying on a table. Should I be concerned?

[SleepyInIndy]

The hospital told me to bring mine with me when I went in for the procedure. It promply went into the locked locker with my other stuff. Never used it. There also was an anesthesiologist present (I informed him about my SA). He monitored me and no issues, no problem.

When it was time to leave, got all my stuff from the locker and hauled it home.

[JeffH]

I'm having a colonoscopy in a few weeks. Its my 3rd, but 1st since I've been on CPAP. Told my GI about it and he said he would have an anesthesiologist present (normally he does it himself). He did not say anything about me bringing my CPAP. I am concerned mostly about recovery, the 30-60 minutes after the procedure where I am laying on a table. Should I be concerned?

I've had several procedures since being on cpap. Told all of them I was on the hose and none ever either asked me to bring it with me or hooked me up in recovery and I don't seem to be the worse for wear because of it. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. That's a really short procedure too.


JeffH

[torontoCPAPguy]

I'm having a colonoscopy in a few weeks. Its my 3rd, but 1st since I've been on CPAP. Told my GI about it and he said he would have an anesthesiologist present (normally he does it himself). He did not say anything about me bringing my CPAP. I am concerned mostly about recovery, the 30-60 minutes after the procedure where I am laying on a table. Should I be concerned?

I would be most concerned about having that garden hose put where I don't really want it and about ensuring that the butt doctors hands are in view at all times.

THREE (?) colonoscopies. You must really like them.

I told them next time I was going to be wearing my Nikes and they were going to have to work for their money as I am in rehab and getting a little better and a little faster each day.

When I went in for my colonoscopy (biggest damn garden hose I have EVER seen with a camera and lights on the end of it) it was just pre-diagnosis of OSA and I told them I wanted to be in lala land during their sojourns into my rectum (RECTUM? Just about killed him!)... but the anasth..... sleep guy.... he just took me up to 60,000 feet and I had the greatest time watching them and the screen as the wiggled the garden hose through me, all the time waiting for intermission and the cartoons.

Had no issues in recdovery whatsoever. They (at least in my case) had a roomfull of garden hose veterans all being monitored and then sent us home without so much as a handshake (although I really was wondering what I would do if they wanted to shake hands or something).

All's well that END's well.

[torontoCPAPguy]

Oh, one other thing. If you really want to mess with their minds, bring your own garden hose and a small camera and ask them to take extra pictures. The life of a butt doctor can get really monotonous.

[dave21]

Although (thankfully) I haven't had an operation being on CPAP, I've heard from others that they're usually asked to take it into the hospital. For the recovery room (and the operation) you're given oxygen anyway so providing they know what pressure levels you require that should be fine, and you're usually monitored throughout the process anyway.

I think the machine is usually required if you have a long recovery (more than a day) in the bed afterwards, that way you can use your machine and feel more at ease rather than just receiving a constant pressure of oxygen from their machines.

[Jason S.]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, it is my third. The first one, at age 48, probably saved my life as he discovered and removed a large pre-cancerous polyp. Then following year I was clean, given a 3 year pass and if clean this time, should get a 5 year pass. I encourage everyone to get this procedure done at age 50 and earlier if you have a family history. It is just foolhardy and reckless not to. Its no big deal, the prep the night before is the only bad part. Stake your claim to the toilet and get a book to read.

[ozij]

Good luck, Jason.
I did take my machine along, and had a friend put it on me for the recovery time.

O.

[allen476]

I was hospitalized in early January with Atrial Fib. At 2 AM, we didn't even think about taking my APAP. The hospital provided me one until mine could be brought from home. At 7pm that day I was on my way to have an emergency cardiac cathertization. Two different nurses asked if they needed to send my machine, and both times were told that I didn't need it since I wouldn't be completely out.

Honestly I doubt you will need it since you really won't be completely out.

Allen

[BlackSpinner]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, it is my third. The first one, at age 48, probably saved my life as he discovered and removed a large pre-cancerous polyp. Then following year I was clean, given a 3 year pass and if clean this time, should get a 5 year pass. I encourage everyone to get this procedure done at age 50 and earlier if you have a family history. It is just foolhardy and reckless not to. Its no big deal, the prep the night before is the only bad part. Stake your claim to the toilet and get a book to read.

They are having a big add campaign here for them. Last week on my way to work I was behind a buss With a giant poster of a huge naked butt on it with a web site address called the french version of "check out your butt". They are now all over the metro. Just shows you Quebec is different. Can you imagine that poster in the US?

[ozij]

Whether or not you're completely out depends on the drug they give you.
I was given Versed, and I was completely out.

[PST]

Whether or not you're completely out depends on the drug they give you.
I was given Versed, and I was completely out.

Versed has several effects, but one of the most important is amnesia. Often patients aren't nearly as "out" as they think afterwards. They have just forgotten what they experienced.

[JennyE]

I woke up during mine and remember saying, I wish I could see the screen (no glasses); I also remember being woken by my own snore and gasp for air after several minor procedures involving sedation. Not a good feeling. Where are those people I told about my apnea, and the ones giving me more drugs than I need? And I take my cpap to the hospital whenever it will be overnight or longer.

[DreamDiver]

I was entirely awake during the procedure - I don't do too well with stuff that puts me out. I think most docs prefer patients to be out because it's odd for them to deal with an awake patient when you have an eight foot probe in the other end. Too many questions. Plus, some patients probably freak out and want to make the doc take it out immediately - which can't be done. Things go faster if you don't have to talk to someone while you're working. Watching the monitor is pretty fascinating, though.

[LSAT]

Jason....4 months ago I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy together. I told them about using a CPAP and was told not to bring it. They put an oxygen clip on my finger and watched my 02 level during the proceedure. They had oxygen available in case I needed it....I didn't.