Upcoming medical procedure

[wlk]

After reviewing posts and info concerning anaesthesia and CPAP, I took proactive steps in advance of a...ugh colonoscopy scheduled for Feb. 3. I made sure that my level of Apnea and need for the machine was made clear to the surgical folks during the consultation. The procedure will be done in the hospital, and due to my needs, they will have a staff anesthesiologist to manage the general anaesthesia.
When the doctors office called me today to confirm the procedure date, they reminded me to make sure I brought my CPAP. They said the anesthesiologist would make sure the CPAP was used properly. He has been contacted and is aware of my condition and CPAP needs. My wife also knows how to put my mask on and make sure the machine is running.

I think i have it covered.....

[NeurosurgeryNP]

You should be all set. I have found that I have not needed my CPAP following a porcedure such as you are having. They tend to use very short acting sedation nowadays. It is a great idea to have it, but more frequently than not, it will not be used.

[Slinky]

Yup, sounds like the anesthesiologist will most likely use Diprivan (propofol) which is an extremely short acting anesthetic. Short-acting in that once they cease to administer it you come out of its effects very fast. You are just about guaranteed to be awake and alert by the time your scoping doctor stops in "recovery" to discuss your results. Great stuff if you don't want to be aware of what is going on during the scope itself. And you aren't left w/that groggy, sleepy feeling for hours after the usual sedation cocktail of Versed and Fentanyl, Alfentanyl or Demerol. Ahhhh, if only we didn't have to do the "prep". *sigh*

[Kiralynx]

Sounds like you have it covered. I had the colonoscopy on 2 January. (What a great way to welcome the new year -- with a clean-out!).

My husband had my Bipap and knew how to put it on me if needed. I had Fentanyl and Versed, and it wore off quickly enough that I did not need my machine.

Mine was perfectly normal, and they said, "Come back in ten years..."

I was able to get up and get dressed fairly quickly, and, contrary to common comments, I do remember what the gastro said afterwards.

I walked out, my husband drove me home, I got something to eat, and then crawled into bed with my Bipap and slept for about six hours because my cleanout was in two parts -- one from 7-10p, drinking a half gallon of TriLyte, and one from 3a-6a, drinking the other half gallon of Trilyte. Needless to say, I didn't get a lot of sleep before the procedure.

[nosbig17]

I went through the procedure last summer and was told that they would monitor me closely in the recovery room and that I shouldn't bring my blower. Had heard of people having a colonoscopy without being put out. Well, the big day came and they couldn't get a line for the anastasia , after two tries I asked if it was really necessary and was told not really. I experienced a little pressure a few times but no pain. I got to watch the monitor for a guided tour, and saved some money to boot.

[nobody]

I had surgery last year and although I made it abundantly clear to EVERYONE about the severe apnea and the CPAP machine they did not put it on me after surgery. The anesthesiologist assured me he would be using a very fast acting anesthetic and I refused versed. Still, I did not actually become conscious until I was out of the OR and in the recovery area. I remember waking up, looking at a large clock in front of me, then going out again and waking up in a panic and gasping two minutes later with tons of people standing around me. When I asked them where is my CPAP they were like oh do you think you need it

[Debjax]

I had my gall bladder out in October, after my sleep study but before my titration. When I woke up in recovery, the nurse beside my bed (we all had personal recovery nurses) was telling me to take deep breaths because the O2 alarm was going off. She asked me if I had apnea, I told her yes. She asked me then why didn't I bring my machine with me? I explained I had just been diagnosed and did not yet have one. We spent the next few hours that day between recovery and the day surgery ward with the alarm turned up VERY loud so I could hear it if I drifted off...and would then breath....They told me that if I ever had surgery again, especially at that hospital, to make sure I bring the machine with me, they all know how to use them with their patients.

[lktnky]

I had outpatient surgery last week under general anesthesia. They sent me home with a narcotic pain reliever and said to be sure to use my machine that night. I did, but was terrified I wouldn't wake up if I went to sleep. I knew my breathing reflex was low. Sure enough, my AHI score the next morning was outa sight.
I talked to the anesthesiologist yesterday b/c I'm having another outpatient surgery this coming Friday. He said the narcotic was the reason my reflex was so poor but there wasn't anything I could do about it - the choice was pain/no sleep or narcotic w/high AHI. I didn't take that much percocet - not even the allowable amount. Is there another option I should be exploring?

[5aces]

I went here:http://www.ruddclinic.com/index.html for colonoscopy.

Rudd Clinic is also known as the hemorrhoid treatment capital of North America.

NO general anaesthesia for my colonoscopy and in fact you are invited to watch the procedure on a monitor as the surgeon progresses.

Even took the subway home after it was completed.

Same for an inguinal hernia surgical repair,http://www.shouldice.com/,I was awake under local anaesthesia.

Never had much luck with general anaesthesia.

(P.S.-plenty of U.S.Citizens come up to these two renowned clinics for their procedures.)

Take Care,no worries,you'll be fine!