Video Taping Colonoscopies ???

Specialties Gastroenterology

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Does your department have the equipment to provide video tapes of their colonoscopies and endoscopies to patients if the patient provides a blank tape?

Does your department allow video taping the monitor during a colonoscopy or endoscopy as some obstetrics units are now allowing video taping of birthings?

You will do well, Loz. After all an old saying here is "Inquiring minds want to know". No one can ever take your education away from you.

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Maybe one of you GI nurses can answer a question for me: how much does an "adquately" sedated patient (healthy, mid-50s) groan and moan during a colonoscopy? Does the drug (demerol, for example) really take care of the pain or does the versed just make you forget it? This is one of major the issues I have with colonoscopies and the use of agents like versed: I cannot come to grips with the possiblility that I am on the table begging for more drugs or the procedure to stop and just don't remember it. Then the doc lies to me and says all is OK so I blithely sign up for another one down the road. Does anyone ever video tape a colonoscopy from "the outside"? How confident can I be that the doc will be honest with me about how I "tolerated" the procedure? (I have big issues with the word "tolerate" too--one could tolerate torture but it sure doesn't sound like any fun.)

Also, is Propofol just another versed-like drug in that it doesn't address pain, it just makes you forget/not remember? How about Fentanyl--is it a pain killer or an amnesia drug?

Thanks.

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Maybe one of you GI nurses can answer a question for me: how much does an "adquately" sedated patient (healthy, mid-50s) groan and moan during a colonoscopy? Does the drug (demerol, for example) really take care of the pain or does the versed just make you forget it? This is one of major the issues I have with colonoscopies and the use of agents like versed: I cannot come to grips with the possiblility that I am on the table begging for more drugs or the procedure to stop and just don't remember it. Then the doc lies to me and says all is OK so I blithely sign up for another one down the road. Does anyone ever video tape a colonoscopy from "the outside"? How confident can I be that the doc will be honest with me about how I "tolerated" the procedure? (I have big issues with the word "tolerate" too--one could tolerate torture but it sure doesn't sound like any fun.)

Also, is Propofol just another versed-like drug in that it doesn't address pain, it just makes you forget/not remember? How about Fentanyl--is it a pain killer or an amnesia drug?

Thanks.

In recent articles, the local hospital has been describing colonoscopies as "uncomfortable". I realize this will not be reassuring.

If your concerns are influenced by having been the victim of abuse in the past, by all means let your doctor know about this.

Tell your doctor you want him to stop the procedure if he can not control the pain, or if you tell him to stop. Remind him of his promise in the presence of the assisting nurse. You could even have a friend present with temporary power of attorney (or hire a private duty nurse). If your doctor is not fully supportive of these ideas, find another doctor.

Demerol and Fentanyl are both narcotics used to control pain. Propofol is a general anesthetic. It has no analgesic properties. You feel no pain because you are unconscious. Propofol requires a CRNA. I would also want a CRNA for more than moderate (conscious) sedation.

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Propofol requires a CRNA.

That's going to vary widely based on the facility's policies.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I had both of mine done in my docs endoscopy suite. I have an appt in Aug. and I'll ask about this. My colonoscopy and EGD were almost normal except for an esophageal web that always returns.

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" If your concerns are influenced by having been the victim of abuse in the past, by all means let your doctor know about this."

So the only reason I would be worried about being in pain during a colonoscopy is because I was abused at some point in the past? Is that just a little stereotypical? Can't I worry about the pain and how I react to it because, say, I don't like pain, and I don't like callous, uncaring doctors and I'm unsure of what REALLY goes on in that room?

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" If your concerns are influenced by having been the victim of abuse in the past, by all means let your doctor know about this."

So the only reason I would be worried about being in pain during a colonoscopy is because I was abused at some point in the past? Is that just a little stereotypical? Can't I worry about the pain and how I react to it because, say, I don't like pain, and I don't like callous, uncaring doctors and I'm unsure of what REALLY goes on in that room?

I am not implying anything about your past history. I only mentioned the possibility of being a victim of abuse because healthcare workers are trained to deal with these issues in a sensitive manner. However, in order to arrive at a solution that best fits your needs as an individual, they need to know the underlying reasons (if any) for your concerns.

I wish well of you, and hope you find a solution for your concerns.

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