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issues w/anesthesia
Yesterday I had a colonoscopy and EGD. When the doctor came to talk to me in recovery, he advised that "normally" his patients require 1/2 to one full bottle of propofol for these proceedures. He advised that I was highly resistant and they had to give me EIGHT bottles. (?!?!?) After going home, my mother couldn't believe that I was up and about and feeling pretty good considering. When she had her colonoscopy, apparently she came home and went straight to bed. (Not sure what they used on her) I had an excess of energy and could not sit still. She kept yelling at me to go sit down and take it easy. Today I have a horrible headache and am still feeling a bit "speedy". Wondering if this is from the propofol...
The only other time I had anesthesia was the end of January when I had surgery to remove fibroids from my uterus. (One was the size of a golf ball) I'm not sure what kind of medicine they used then, but it was supposed to be an out-patient surgery and they ended up keeping me overnight for observation. Apparently I had a horrible nosebleed that they could not stop. (Possibly from the tubing in my nose) They had to "put me back under" so they could cauterize my nose. I have very brief flashes of memories of: people screaming in the operating room, recovery nurse telling me I couldn't have more pain meds due to respiratory issues, being placed on oxygen and being told they were keeping me.
I'm a bit confused by these 2 experiences, and am apprehensive about having anesthesia in the future. (May need to have my gallbladder removed) Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated! Especially as to why they had to use EIGHT bottles of propofol during my proceedure yesterday. (I don't even like taking most prescription pain meds because they make me so sleepy I cannot function)
The only other time I had anesthesia was the end of January when I had surgery to remove fibroids from my uterus. (One was the size of a golf ball) I'm not sure what kind of medicine they used then, but it was supposed to be an out-patient surgery and they ended up keeping me overnight for observation. Apparently I had a horrible nosebleed that they could not stop. (Possibly from the tubing in my nose) They had to "put me back under" so they could cauterize my nose. I have very brief flashes of memories of: people screaming in the operating room, recovery nurse telling me I couldn't have more pain meds due to respiratory issues, being placed on oxygen and being told they were keeping me.
I'm a bit confused by these 2 experiences, and am apprehensive about having anesthesia in the future. (May need to have my gallbladder removed) Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated! Especially as to why they had to use EIGHT bottles of propofol during my proceedure yesterday. (I don't even like taking most prescription pain meds because they make me so sleepy I cannot function)
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Thank you for responding! I will keep that in mind and be sure to discuss my issues with the doctors before any future surgeries.
I'm new to this site, so perhaps there is posting ettiquette I'm not aware of? No one has responded because: no one knows, or because you think I'm off-topic? I assure you, this is GI related!
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You do not react the usual way to certain drugs. That is clear. That does not mean that all drugs will give you odd reactions, but it is something you will want to make anesthesiologists aware of. I remember after my gallbladder surgery the nurse kept having to tell me to breathe because my sats would get too low. That's a common reaction to narcotics. I don't think I had to have oxygen, but I was quite aware of things and concentrated on breathing for my nurse.
Propofol is used more for colonoscopy than anything else at most hospitals. They have other meds. If they can't find good oral or IV drugs they can try inhalants or they may opt to use a spinal on you at times, although they would still give something to make you unaware of what was going on during surgery. You need to remember that Propofol is probably not a good drug for you. They will try something different. For my colonoscopy I had Valium and Demerol, if I'm not mistaken. The doc said he gave me triple the usual dose. I'm not surprised about the Valium because I noticed it had no effect when I had my LASIK surgery, but I have never had Demerol and if they tripled that I am surprised. I didn't ask for too much information. What I was bummed about was that they couldn't get the scope through for me even though he upped the medications as much as he dared.
I remember my ex got panicky from Reglan, and I found out it makes most people sleepy but some people hyper. He has the same problem with at least one narcotic pain medication he took at home. And my sister talks a mile a minute and can't sleep on that same drug. The same drug just handles the pain for me and the only issue is constipation. Everybody is different. Hopefully they will figure out what is best for you.