recent colonoscopy experience

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2003

I had a sigmoidoscopy, very uncomfortable. I went to the bathroom afterwards and nearly passed out.

A year or so later, I had a colonoscopy, morphine and versed for sedation. It worked really well, I don't remember anything. My problem started when I got home-not only do I throw up with demerol....morphine, too. I didn't quit until 5am.

renerian, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2003

Could have been the versed. Makes me vomit like all get out. So much they told me to write it down as an allergy.

renerian

Rapheal · Aug 21, 2003

Originally posted by LibraSun
Will tell you why later, but I want to ask you :

Are you a redhead?

(NO, I wasn't there at the procedure!)

Is this because of research that has shown that redheaded people may be more resistant to anesthesia? I'm intrigued.

Anyways.....

Thanks for sharing your experience. I usually tell my patients that they may experience mild discomfort with this procedure and that most people tolerate it very well. I will now keep in mind that this procedure can be painful. I am glad you will follow up with your next colonoscopy but am sorry it was such a bad experience. I too would have had nightmares. I had a c-section years ago that was painful and the recoverery full of complications. It was so traumatic and most people report that they were up on their feet with good results shortly after the operation. It stinks to be in the percentage of people in which things do not go well.

RN-PA, RN · Aug 21, 2003

The topic of redheads and anesthsia has come up before on these boards. (See:[url https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35113&highlight=redheads[/url] )

I did a quick Google search by typing: "Redheads and pain tolerance" and found a number of references and articles about them and anesthesia resistance. Here's one that starts out:

"If you're a natural redhead facing surgery, you may want to have a chat with your anesthesiologist before heading for the operating room.

A new study finds you're likely to need more anesthesia when you go under the knife than do people with other hair colors. Researchers at the University of Louisville discovered that, on average, people born with red hair require about 20 percent more anesthesia to obtain satisfactory sedation."

http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/509658.html

And here's another article from "Health and Age" website, but the link doesn't work:

Red Hair and Anesthesia?

July 15, 2003

Question

I read your news item on anesthetics with red haired people. I have red hair myself, and eight years ago I had an unpleasant experience: I was having a C-Section and was advised to opt for an epidural, but it wouldn't work properly. I was a full hour with the anesthetist and he could not get me completely numb; the operation went ahead, but they had to put me fully asleep. Can you let me know more on this topic?

Answer

If you have red hair, you might want to talk to your anesthesiologist before having surgery - and request more anesthesia! A study has shown that women with naturally red hair require up to 20% more anesthesia than dark-haired women. Researchers administered a commonly used inhalation anesthetic, desflurane, to 20 women (10 redheads and 10 non-redhead controls) between the ages of 19 and 40 years. The researchers then gave small electric shocks to the anesthetized women to measure their pain response. Compared to the non-redheads, the redheads required more anesthesia to reach what the experts judged an "optimum" dose. The optimum dose was determined by the amount of anesthesia needed to suppress movement in response to the small electrical shocks. Because this is a small study and only women were tested, more research needs to be done before generalizations can be made. Everyone has a unique response to pain. Something that is unbearably painful to one person might be only mildly painful to another.

Attention to pain may also influence the perception of that pain. Redheads, however, apparently feel pain more than most other people because of a quirk of genetics that is linked to having red hair. Anesthesiologists had anecdotally noticed for decades that redheads seem to require more anesthesia during surgery, but this is the first study to show it actually is true. The study was done by Daniel Sessler, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Louisville, USA.

LibraSun · Aug 23, 2003

That is the answer.....

endomarge · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by mat/childnurse
I had my first colonoscopy last Friday. I am 46 and my mother has had two surgeries for colon CA, so I felt pretty good about being so responsible. I went to every website I could find and researched all aspects of the procedure (patient teaching, videos of colonoscopies, personal experiences, etc.) I also spoke to several people who had gone through the procedure recently including my husband and my OB/GYN. I felt very well informed and more than educated about what would happen, what I would see on the screen, and how it would feel.
I was given Versed 2 mg and Demerol 50 mg IVP and the doctor waited until I assured him that I was groggy. Everythiing went just as I expected until just after insertion when air was instilled into my colon. I experienced some of the worst pain I have ever felt. The doctor immediately instructed the nurse to give me "25 more" which I assumed meant more Demerol. He continued the exam with me moaning in pain. I felt every mm. of my colon being blown up and navigated. I tried to watch the screen because I was really interested to see my own colon after viewing so many others in my preparation for the procedure. The pain was practically unbearable. Since then, I have had trouble concentrating and sleeping because I keep reliving this scene. I feel so duped and betrayed. All of the instructions and testimonials I read stated that there is little dicomfort and the Versed gives the patient amnesia to any discomfort that may occur. I have lamazed three children and had I known ahead of time, I would have gotten into a breathing pattern and anticipated the pain. I will know better next time. And as a nurse, I will return in 5 years because of my FH.
I guess what I want from you guys is some validation that indeed this does occur occasionally and that I'm not alone in this experience.
Thanks for your input. Sorry about the length of this, but I needed to vent!

:) :)

daniellern · Nov 2, 2003

I was reading your message and felt so bad for you. I am a Registered Nurse working in an Endoscopy Center. Our patients come in so nervous and leave with a big smile on their face and can not believe what a pleasurable experience they have had. We no longer use Demerol and Versed. We use an anesthetic agent called Propofol (Diprovan). We now have Anesthesiologists on board with us who administer the drug and within seconds, the patient takes a nap. The drug has such a short half life, so is administered prn throughout the procedure to keep the patient comfortable. So, on your next visit for your colonoscopy, ask about Propofol. It works so well for the patients, especially females who have had abdominal surgeries and have many adhesions. Good luck. Any questions, let me know.

menetopali · Nov 9, 2003

I work in a GI unit and we use versed and demerol for sedation. by far, most patients report two things: first, they don't recall any discomfort; and second, that the entire expierience was better than what they had expected.

That being said, I have seen patients who had a very uncomfortable expierience. Some were clearly in pain but did not recall it and others recall everything. Your expierience is not very uncommon, but it isn't everyday either. You need to discuss your expierience with your doctor before your next colonoscopy and with the nurse who will be administering the medication immediately before the procedure. Perhaps your doctor and you can opt for general instead of sedation. If sedation is the route that is decided on, letting the nurse know about your expierience will enable him (her) to advocate for increased medication at the begining of and during the procedure.

I hope this helps. You are certainly not alone in your expierience and hopefully you won't have another bad expierience.

renerian, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2003

My doc told me he wanted me to be awake to talk with him. Was awful and I do not plan on having another one.

Good information on the alternative meds/ways to do the test.

renerian

memorex · Dec 5, 2003

I have had 2 colonoscopies and both were extremely painful. I was in so much pain they were not able to complete either exam. I had them about 10 years ago when I was experiencing some intestinal problem that tentatively got called Crohn's.

The first time, I figured it was because my bowel was inflamed, but the second time I was a lot better. I don't know what they gave me, but it didn't work. I still have vivid memories of the pain. The second time I was in so much pain, I was screaming. That had to have been a comfort to the patients waiting their turn! I know they turned up whatever it was they were giving me, and the pain eased....but then the nurse started telling me to breathe, remember to breathe, and they turned it back down. The pain and screaming returned.

I know I should have another, due to my age and previous condition, but I fear it on 2 grounds. One I am afraid of going through the agony again, and more importantly, I don't want to die on the table with a glorified light cable up my rear.

I heard recently of the virtual colonoscopy and I may eat the cost if my insurance won't pick it up and my doctor tells me I need to have one.

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who has had such horrible experiences. Actually I'm sorry anyone else has had to go through it, but I'm glad I ain't crazy.

patsue53 · Dec 25, 2003

I'm an RN who has worked Endo for 8 years. The vast majority of our patients do very well with Versed and Demerol. I can't tell you how often the patients ask me "when are we going to start?" as I'm removing the blood pressure cuff and ekg patches.

Unfortunately, there are the few who don't respond as well to moderate sedation and experience extreme discomfort and remember the whole thing. I sure don't have any explanation for this. As a general rule, younger patients need more medication for sedation....but not always. I think 2 of Versed is a little on the light side....it's very common for me to get 5 or more of Versed.

For whatever reason, I think nurses are harder to sedate. I can't explain it, but I'm not the only one who has commented on it.

I've noticed that our physicians are using alot more MAC anesthesia in the last few months. Today I had a male patient who had been sexually molested as a child and was a nervous wreck about the procedure. We had an anesthesiologist administer sedation....versed, fentanyl, and diprivan and the guy did great. I don't think this patient would have been adequately sedated with Versed and Demerol.

Anyone who has had extreme pain during a colonoscopy should discuss alternatives with his doc. And if the doc doesn't take you seriously then find a new doc.

Sorry you had such a miserable experience. I hope it's better next time around.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2003

I will have to be in serious health trouble to have another procedure like that again LOL.

Very good thread and I am glad it is active again. A split mix of who had horrible pain vs no pain at all.

renerian