AHI after colonoscopy with Propofol

[HairyReasoner]

Well, after finally getting my nerve up (and a lot of nagging from my wife), I finally had a colonoscopy done last Wednesday. Despite my nervousness about having apnea issues while under the Propofol ansesthetic everything went fine (despite having several polyps removed). The first night afterwards, my Bi-Pap machine recorded an AHI about 5 - 6 times normal, the second night was about 3 times normal, and last night was 2 times normal. I'm presuming the high AHI must be a lingering effect of the Propofol, and fortunately the AHI is heading in the right direction. Is this a common experience for those who've had a colonoscopy or propofol anesthesia?

[Wulfman...]

Well, after finally getting my nerve up (and a lot of nagging from my wife), I finally had a colonoscopy done last Wednesday. Despite my nervousness about having apnea issues while under the Propofol ansesthetic everything went fine (despite having several polyps removed). The first night afterwards, my Bi-Pap machine recorded an AHI about 5 - 6 times normal, the second night was about 3 times normal, and last night was 2 times normal. I'm presuming the high AHI must be a lingering effect of the Propofol, and fortunately the AHI is heading in the right direction. Is this a common experience for those who've had a colonoscopy or propofol anesthesia?

Actually, my AHI was higher in the couple of nights prior to "the procedure". It was during the "cleanout" when I had to take magnesium citrate.

No problems after that and AHIs went back to "low" again.


Den

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[HairyReasoner]

Well, after finally getting my nerve up (and a lot of nagging from my wife), I finally had a colonoscopy done last Wednesday. Despite my nervousness about having apnea issues while under the Propofol ansesthetic everything went fine (despite having several polyps removed). The first night afterwards, my Bi-Pap machine recorded an AHI about 5 - 6 times normal, the second night was about 3 times normal, and last night was 2 times normal. I'm presuming the high AHI must be a lingering effect of the Propofol, and fortunately the AHI is heading in the right direction. Is this a common experience for those who've had a colonoscopy or propofol anesthesia?

Actually, my AHI was higher in the couple of nights prior to "the procedure". It was during the "cleanout" when I had to take magnesium citrate.

No problems after that and AHIs went back to "low" again.


Den

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Come to think of it, my AHI did rise a bit a couple of nights before as well--it may have even been before I started my prep (I had the Miralax/Gatorade prep). I attributed it to being kind of nervous anticipating the procedure. My AHI before the event, though, was no where near what it was afterward.

[Wulfman...]

I don't know specifically what they used to put me out during "the procedure", but it was something they could turn on and off to wake me up if need be......which actually happened as my CPAP was beeping with a card error a few minutes into it.
I fixed it and then they put me back out again.

Den

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[HairyReasoner]

I don't know specifically what they used to put me out during "the procedure", but it was something they could turn on and off to wake me up if need be......which actually happened as my CPAP was beeping with a card error a few minutes into it.
I fixed it and then they put me back out again.

Den

.

You used your CPAP during the procedure? I brought my Bi-Pap along, but they told me they didn't need it. They said my safety was ensured because they had a nurse anesthetist working under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, so they were equipped to handle any apnea incidents while I was out. I do remember waking up and watching the procedure a bit on the screen before they put me back under.

[Wulfman...]

I don't know specifically what they used to put me out during "the procedure", but it was something they could turn on and off to wake me up if need be......which actually happened as my CPAP was beeping with a card error a few minutes into it.
I fixed it and then they put me back out again.

Den

.

You used your CPAP during the procedure? I brought my Bi-Pap along, but they told me they didn't need it. They said my safety was ensured because they had a nurse anesthetist working under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, so they were equipped to handle any apnea incidents while I was out. I do remember waking up and watching the procedure a bit on the screen before they put me back under.

Sure did. They actually told me to bring it (after they knew I used CPAP therapy) and the nurse set it up (which may have accounted for the card error). Initially she hooked it up to use the heated humidifier until I told her to bypass the HH and just plug it directly into the machine because I didn't use heated humidity.

There was NOTHING I wanted to watch on any screen!!!

Den

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[Sir NoddinOff]

I had a colonoscopy two weeks ago (taking Moviprep the previous day and the next morning)... it cleans out EVERYTHING, as the butt cam certainly verified. The night after my procedure I had double my normal AHI, however I just put it down to my bowels rumbling and so forth, I suspect all this was due to my system trying to rebuild and colon-ize (!) the helpful little beasties in my intestines. I didn't check my AHI after that, but everything went back to normal in a few days. BTW, I like the Moviprep since it doesn't appear to cause cramping or bloating (don't know why). Of course it's the latest and greatest, therefore more expensive but ask for a free coupon that is worth about a hundred dollars... it worked for me. Naturally it doesn't do anything about hunger pangs from fasting but you can eat all the Jello you want. Whoopy.

[Too tall]

It didn't change my AHI. I would think Propofol (the michael Jackson drug) would not have any lingering effects, which is why doctors like it. But everyone is different. It could be that you are having nightmares from having that thing shoved so far up your ass. Ha, ha.

[elixeus]

I too had a ESG/Colonoscopy done recently due to unexplained weight loss. I am grateful that: a) I don't remember anything from the procedure, b) the results came back negative and everything looks good.

As far as a differential in AHI before and after:

Before, I was sitting at 3.5-4.0 as far as AHI
The night after the procedure it effectively doubled to 6.32
The night (day after) the procedure my AHI shot up to 10.17
By the third day I was normal again.

Realize propofol has strong gabanergic activity, but the half-life is stupidly low... 5 minutes or less, I think? So my thoughts are unless they sent you home on pain medicine it isn't the propofol that caused this. It could be the Versed if that was given prior to them putting you out - half life is hours, sometimes as long as days. It could have been the Fentanyl for pain management during the procedure, but also has quite the low half-life, 40 minutes I believe for intravenous.

The lack of sleep and worrying, from before and after the procedure, and I got my pointer finger pointing to the gallon prep... it is the elephant in the room, so to speak. With out of whack electrolytes, it will take your body a few days to reestablish homeostasis as far as hydration and electrolytes are concerned. My gut is still not right from it :p If the AHI was just increased for a couple nights after, but not before, then I would guess it could be to the Fentanyl/Versed, instead.

I got my Bachelor's in pre-medicine, but I'm only speculating here.

[LSAT]

Why does it matter if you are back to normal?

[Janknitz]

I woke up during another type of procedure. I don't remember pain, but I do remember saying "ouch", despite versed. But I was very clear with them--I didn't want to be at all awake and I didn't want to remember anything of the colonoscopy. And I wasn't/didn't. Not my idea of a good show.

[HairyReasoner]

After doing a little additional research, I found out that some general anesthetics are thought to increase REM sleep for a little while after use. REM sleep is often the most troublesome time for apnea individuals. However, I thought I also read the Propofol is supposed to have less effect on REM sleep, and as I understand it that's all I had. Of course, less of an effect doesn't mean no effect at all.

[HairyReasoner]

It didn't change my AHI. I would think Propofol (the michael Jackson drug) would not have any lingering effects, which is why doctors like it. But everyone is different. It could be that you are having nightmares from having that thing shoved so far up your ass. Ha, ha.

LOL. That thought crossed my mind, too. I've always wondered if the anesthesia they give you really knocks you out, or if you're screaming in pain and just don't remember it (at least consciously remember it).

[LSAT]

It didn't change my AHI. I would think Propofol (the michael Jackson drug) would not have any lingering effects, which is why doctors like it. But everyone is different. It could be that you are having nightmares from having that thing shoved so far up your ass. Ha, ha.

LOL. That thought crossed my mind, too. I've always wondered if the anesthesia they give you really knocks you out, or if you're screaming in pain and just don't remember it (at least consciously remember it).

In many European countries they do it without anesthesia...you are awake. Many people here also elect to do it without. Search "colonoscopy without sedation"

[Too tall]

It didn't change my AHI. I would think Propofol (the michael Jackson drug) would not have any lingering effects, which is why doctors like it. But everyone is different. It could be that you are having nightmares from having that thing shoved so far up your ass. Ha, ha.

LOL. That thought crossed my mind, too. I've always wondered if the anesthesia they give you really knocks you out, or if you're screaming in pain and just don't remember it (at least consciously remember it).

In many European countries they do it without anesthesia...you are awake. Many people here also elect to do it without. Search "colonoscopy without sedation"

Good question, I suspect we're screaming like hell. I remember waking up on one and it was fairly painful. The doctor had the nurse pushing on your stomach in various directions to help snake that thing all the wall and it's very obvious you've got this 10' tube in your gut. I had neck surgery in 95 to fuse 2 disk and the neurosurgeon told me I laughed my way all the way thru the operation and had all the nurses and other help laughing along with us. The doctor said it was the first time he had seen that. The drug was, among others, sodium pentothal. Not sure if the truth serum was the culprit or not. I do remember waking during the operation which scared the sh_t out of me. I remember the doctor saying, that's the first time I've ever seen that happen. It was probably the 1st fusion he'd ever done and I was the guinea pig. I suspect I need to do a better job at picking surgeons prior to any of these future procedures, ha.