Colonoscopy/Endoscopy double whammy!

[Rogue Uvula]

Hi everyone. I just went to a new GI doc, really nice guy, to see why I'm having so much upper abdominal problems since my gallbladder surgery in 2007. Looks like he wants to do an "end-to-end-oscopy" as my boss calls it. Both ends at once.

Any words of wisdom will be appreciated

If they do the colonoscopy first, make sure you check the scope for butterbean skins before they do the endoscopy.

[Slinky]

The colonoscopy prep is the worst part of the two procedures. The cleaner the colon the better the visuals so follow the prep directions as faithfully as you can.

Be sure to advise the doctor doing the scopes AND the departmental staff, that you have OSA, use a CPAP and what your pressure setting(s) is. Ask if you should bring your CPAP w/you (probably not). You are at little to no risk from your apnea during the procedures. You may be at a slightly higher risk during recovery from the conscious sedation or anesthesia so be sure that you have a family member or close friend present to sit w/you in recovery where you are not as closely monitored by staff during your recovery.

Once you've finished the prep - relax and enjoy your trip to la-la land during the procedures.

[tattooyu]

I'm back!

Prep was a killer. I only needed to drink 2.5 liters to run clear, so that was good. However, the prep did something to me that caused my AHI to be 16! My AI was 2.5. Crazy! I felt like I couldn't breathe well. Barely slept. Could have been a combo of things including anxiety.

The procedure was CAKE! I was out then I was back! Didn't feel a thing. Propofol is great. Felt awake within minutes. Anesthesiologist had to perform a couple of jaw thrusts to open my airway but my oxygen was always 98-99%. Totally monitored in recovery.

Preliminary results:
2 benign-looking polyps
No signs of Crohn's or UC
No diverticulitis
Esophagus is normal
Mild gastritis
Duodenum is normal

Biospy results will be in on Monday. So why do I feel so bad if everything is normal?!

[Hawthorne]

So glad to hear that it is over! The results sound good. Hope you feel better soon. I guess you will still be investigating why you feel bad but at least this is done!

[tattooyu]

So glad to hear that it is over! The results sound good. Hope you feel better soon. I guess you will still be investigating why you feel bad but at least this is done!

Yes ma'am! Good news overall. I guess the gastritis could be causing the pain, but it's very mild. I'm betting on Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

[PST]

Preliminary results:
2 benign-looking polyps
No signs of Crohn's or UC
No diverticulitis
Esophagus is normal
Mild gastritis
Duodenum is normal

That's great. Getting the polyps means two chances for trouble down the road averted. If you get nothing else out of the tests just getting rid of those means an evening and a day well spent.

[tattooyu]

That's great. Getting the polyps means two chances for trouble down the road averted. If you get nothing else out of the tests just getting rid of those means an evening and a day well spent.

Absolutely, 100%, for sure. I don't want those to grow into anything.

[tattooyu]

The strangest thing has been happening since my prep. Apneas. The kind that wake me up breathing heavy and heart pounding. I don't get it. My numbers are pretty darn good. This morning I had 2.1 AHI, 0.2 AI, 1.9 HI with zero (or near-zero leaks). Today I have that slightly hypoxic feeling. I'm wondering if there's anything about the prep or the endoscopy might be causing this?

The only thing I can think of is that there is swelling in my throat or airway as a results of irritation from the procedure that is taking a while to subside. Also, I caught some type of cold virus right after the procedure. I had been sick 3-4 weeks prior with a URI, and the cough had been lingering. Don't know. It's just weird.

[Hawthorne]

It may well be a little sensitive from the endoscopy in your airway and having a cold will not help much.

It could also be something in the prep "stuff".

What I do when things are not "normal" and last more than a day or so, is start keeping a journal or log about how I feel (symptoms) each day. I can then see whether things are improving and I just need to wait it out. If things are not improving, after a few days or are getting worse, then off to the doctor!

[tattooyu]

It may well be a little sensitive from the endoscopy in your airway and having a cold will not help much.

It could also be something in the prep "stuff".

What I do when things are not "normal" and last more than a day or so, is start keeping a journal or log about how I feel (symptoms) each day. I can then see whether things are improving and I just need to wait it out. If things are not improving, after a few days or are getting worse, then off to the doctor!

I'll do some watchful waiting for now. I think it's getting better, but this lingering cough won't go away. It's fairly non-productive, and what does come up is clear. Regardless, I think I have another double whammy on my hands: inflammation from the procedure and the lingering URI. If it doesn't resolve by the end of this week it'll be off to the doctor with me!

EDIT: My anesthesiologist jokingly said, after I was woken up, "You know you have substantial apnea." He new I was worried about going under, and his humor made me feel at ease. He had to perform some jaw thrusts to open my airway a few times. Man, do my jaws feel bruised!

[Slinky]

It could well be due to the sedative NOT clearing your body as efficiently as most.

[tattooyu]

It could well be due to the sedative NOT clearing your body as efficiently as most.

Good possibility. That thought had crossed my mind, but I had forgotten about that until you mentioned it. Do meds get retained by those with higher body fat percentage?

[Slinky]

I can't answer your question about sedatives/anesthesia and body fat. I know in my case I have no extra body fat to speak of (5'4" and 115 lbs) BUT I'm always slow clearing all the sedatives and anesthetics after surgery. My BP for instance can take up to 3 months to get back into my normal range. My last surgery was 1978, long before I developed COPD. Some of the newer anesthetics and sedatives since then might not have this side effect. I don't know.

[tattooyu]

I can't answer your question about sedatives/anesthesia and body fat. I know in my case I have no extra body fat to speak of (5'4" and 115 lbs) BUT I'm always slow clearing all the sedatives and anesthetics after surgery. My BP for instance can take up to 3 months to get back into my normal range. My last surgery was 1978, long before I developed COPD. Some of the newer anesthetics and sedatives since then might not have this side effect. I don't know.

Thanks Slinky. I've always been very sensitive to medications in general. For instance, my psychiatrist wanted to give have me take 0.5 mg Klonopin TWICE daily. What I really take, and what works for me, is 0.125 mg AS NEEDED. Haven't taken one in a while... I guess I'm improving!

[Slinky]

I recognize that sensitive response to many meds. I run into the same thing. Many, many times 1/2 the lowest recommended dosage works just right for me whereas the lowest recommended dosage will often bowl me over w/an undesirable side effect.