Re: complications from adhesions?-Tina

From: Christine M. Smith (smithy@maine.rr.com)
Wed Jun 16 12:25:42 1999


At Wed, 16 Jun 1999, Tina Shelby wrote: >
>Chris,
>
>I have worked with a GI doc here in Tennessee - I was shocked but there are
>some GI docs here in TN that do colonoscopy's on patients without sedation.
>Many of Dr. S. patients would tell him about their "horror stories" of being
>awake during the procedure and how they swore they would never have it done
>ever again. We had to spend alot of time trying to convince them they
>wouldn't be awake and they wouldn't remember anything about the test. They
>were always very anxious the day of the procedure but when they awakened
>from sedation they were so relieved and thankful. Again I say that it is
>cruel and inhumane to do this. The GI doc I worked with used sedation on all
>gi procedures including flex sigmoids - because of this - his patients
>didn't mind having the test repeated yearly if he reccommended so - because
>they knew they wouldn't remember anything. He uses Demerol and Valium for
>sedation. He has used versed in the past but because of the expense he
>switched back to valium. He uses Stadol if the patient has an allergy or
>intolerance to Demerol. He is in a practice with 4 other GI specialists and
>they all use the same sedation policy for the colon/sigmoid tests. However
>as you pointed out - these guys do not do many flex sigmoids because disease
>processes of the colon are not limited to just the sigmoid area.
>
>Tina
>
>Hi Tina:

Wow-a colonoscopy without medication. I don't even know how its possible. I would think they'd have to tie the patient to the table. I don't mind being awake, just as long as it isn't terribly painful. I really don't like not remembering what happened. Can they use just pain killer and not the versed or valium? Would that work? I would prefer to have complete recollection of the procedure. I hate the thought of surgery with everyone in there and I am clueless as to what is happening. My husband was fully awake for his colonoscopy but he felt nothing and had a strange detached feeling as he watched the monitor and listened to the doc explaining everything as he went along. I guess this is the way the meds are supposed to work? He had a sigmoidoscopy once and had a vagal reaction. They told him never to have another one (sigmoidoscopy) and next time he had a colonoscopy. I understand these vagal reactions are quite alarming and sometimes it seems like the patient is "coding".

Chris S.


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