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Posted 12/3/2021 2:33 PM (GMT -5)
Can you please share info RE c-scope sedation? (I ask because you posted in an earlier thread here that other anesthesias can be used instead of Propofol.) I'm aware that seniors should not get the so-called "twilight" sedatives (e.g., Demerol/Valium combo). My gastro ordered Propofol for 2 most recent c-scopes; the last time it made me feel very fatigued for a week afterward, though I was in UC remission. When I mentioned that later on at gyn appointment, my gyn commented: "No wonder, after Propofol!" (But did not suggest alternative sedation.) / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 12/3/2021 3:39 PM (GMT -5)
I'm not Susie but just wanted to chip in, last time I had a sigmoidoscopy (without sedation) they gave me fentanyl. It was awesome because I was conscious for the whole thing so could watch the screen and discuss with my doctor without pain. Also I was a bit high afterwards.
Posted 12/3/2021 6:04 PM (GMT -5)
I just had colonoscopy oct 1. They gave me a combo of: versed, fentanyl, and propofol

I have had severe problems with nausea and vomiting after sedation, but I recover really well with no issues from this combo.
Posted 12/3/2021 10:14 PM (GMT -5)
Hmmm. Versed = Valium. We seniors are not supposed to get that as "twilight" sedation in combo with Demerol. So I'm curious to find out what Straydog's experience has been. But glad to hear that you did ok, FlowersGal. In my younger yrs I never had a problem tolerating Versed/Demerol combo, just got a slight bit forgetful the 24 hrs following scope. (But many docs now think that effect can linger in senior patients-- so the combo is no longer considered a good option.) More recently my gastro's med center wants all patients totally sedated for c-scopes-- the last several yrs. They claim that many patients would suddenly yell out in pain if lightly sedated, and thus disrupt the procedure. That never happened to me, and like Poopydoop, I enjoyed watching the scope monitor as available. It was fascinating to get a look inside the curving tunnel. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 12/3/2021 11:44 PM (GMT -5)
Nitpicking, but versed isn't valium. They're both benzodiazepines, yes, but they're not the same drug. Versed is midazolam, while valium is diazepam. Versed is more potent, quicker acting, and has a much shorter half life.

I used to get sedation with fentanyl and versed, but for the last few years I've gotten propofol.

I'm one of the people who yelled out during a colonoscopy with fentanyl and versed. Apparently I threatened to beat up the doctor if he didn't stop the procedure immediately. I have no recollection of any of it, but the nurses thought it was hilarious.
Posted 12/4/2021 8:34 AM (GMT -5)
The cocktail of Midazolam and Fentanyl left me feeling like I had underwent a brain surgery - for almost two straight months. Found it very difficult to remember anything even later. Like I would put something in a cupboard and forget the next minute all about it. I was very sharp until the procedure so I know it was triggered by the procedure. It was this strange mind fog kind of feeling. Also had violent nightmares after the c-scope which lasted week and felt super spent in terms of energy for 2-3 weeks afterwards. Felt my heart skipping beats in the first week. Not sure why it felt so traumatic because the scope several years ago used the same combo and was very uneventful in its consequences. Don’t know what to make of the last experience. Didn’t think of reporting it because I was in a daze for two months. My memory came back very vividly after that and I felt back to myself again. I think the next time I will opt for no anaesthesia if my GI consents because these drugs messed up my head and energy levels for a long time. I think it may have something to do with the way the drugs are administered and the amount or is possibly a very individual experience. I was back to my normal self after that time though so it is a temporary state if that helps.

Cannot believe your GI would let you watch the screen. Mine was annoyed about it when I asked.
Posted 12/4/2021 9:18 AM (GMT -5)
I never asked what drugs were used for sedation before, but yesterday I had a scope and asked. They used propofol. I had no problems at all. Last thing I heard was the anesthetist saying "good night" and then I was in recovery and woke up fairly quickly. By the time the doc came to see me I was fully awake and really appreciated his fist pump (no signs of active disease, fingers crossed the biopsies will confirm full remission)

I suspect that like everything else about what we go through with UC -- the drugs for scopes are tolerated differently for each of us. Talk to the doc and the anesthetist before your next scope. They asked me if I ever had any problems with sedation before so I guess they can change the protocol if the need to.
Posted 12/4/2021 11:40 AM (GMT -5)
The nurse anesthetist gives me Versed & Fentanyl, this is what I've had since 2004. I have had no problems with it & very little side effects, nothing like what some have reported here. Typically I get released about an hour once back in the room & dressed. I am always starving & we eat at a place that has great food.

I have a 78 year old friend that has had the worst luck the past 18 months. She has had two hip surgeries, two shoulder replacements & a back surgery in 18 months. That is a lot of surgery for anyone, even more so considering her age. She has done fantastic in spite of everything. I've got another friend that just had another back surgery, he is 81 & doing great. Neither one has had problems from anesthesia. Not everyone reacts to medications the same & of course the knowledge of the person giving the anesthesia.

How are you doing now & have you seen the surgeon for any follow up visits yet?
Posted 12/4/2021 5:12 PM (GMT -5)

Seeker275 said...

Cannot believe your GI would let you watch the screen. Mine was annoyed about it when I asked.


In my case it was a choice of that or not being scoped because the nurse had given me the wrong instructions about how many hours to fast before the sigmoidoscopy. So my dr said "we can give you pain relief (fentanyl) but not a sedation" He then joked about it being in the news for illegal use so and i asked if it was the one Michael Jackson used, he said no that was propofol.
They always write what drugs they use on the scope report so you ought to be able to check back.
That all being said, maybe it's a cultural thing because I have a couple of friends in germany/Netherlands who had scopes because of their age (i.e. a general health check and no ibd) and they opted not to be sedated.
Posted 12/4/2021 11:41 PM (GMT -5)
Probably my gastro prefers general anesthesia for c-scopes now in case anything really major turns up unexpectedly. That happened with a young male UC patient around age 30, who had been consulting with this doctor since elementary school age DX. He was in remission, but during his routine c-scope the doctor suddenly saw a section of flat-lesion malignancy in his colon and nearly freaked out!!!! At the time, about 20 yrs ago, that situation was cause for immediate colectomy, yech!!!! So my gastro mentioned it to me a while afterward as a very trying c-scope experience, and said that the only consolation for it was this patient's good outcome from the ensuing surgery that kept him alive for his wife and young child. Some gastroenterologists have strong feelings, too, but don't want them to interfere with a patient's needed observation and treatment. That's the impression I got from my gastro's story about what can happen to temporarily shock even an experienced MD. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
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