Afraid to Get a Colonoscopy because of Serious After-Effects for Week? It’s the Anesthesia
re: ethics in medicine
re: colonoscopy
About 12 years ago, I had a colonoscopy. To this day I am afraid to get another one, putting it off longer than is wise, because I had horrible nightmares and bad sleep for weeks afterwards.
In retrospect, I think the anesthesia damaged me.
When I raised this issue with my internist MD very recently, he not only affirmed my observation, but said that he too had suffered for a MONTH with brain fog after a colonoscopy—with the same kind of anesthesia (Propofol, if I have it right).
Don’t let the bastards give you propofanol which a lot of hospitals will—insist on Fentanyl. I did have that 5 years ago with no issues and felt normal within hours and with no other side effects. I guess I should get one again... but it still makes me uneasy.
IMO, Propofol is medical malpractice unless somehow indicated as very important for some specific reasons.
Anesthesia: The Lesser-Known Side Effect That Could Be Mind-Altering
2023-11-01
Surgery is linked to cognitive decline and changes in personality and behavior among a significant number of older Americans.
If you’re over 65, there’s a significant risk you will wake up from surgery as a slightly different person. Studies indicate at least a quarter and possibly up to half of this population suffer from postoperative delirium—a serious medical condition that causes sudden changes in thinking and behavior.
...
WIND: “delirium” mainly means: “made up term to hide our ignorance”.
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Surgery and more of a 7 part series... essential reading. You cannot trust the bastards in most cases.
Anon writes:
The last two I had I did w/o anesthesia and without the drug that makes you forget the procedure.
For my second cataract operation about 25 years ago I also ditched the forget drug (cataract are always done with local)
There was no great pain in the colonoscopy, just a few cramps going around corners. I watched it on the monitor. Anesthesia is risky, esp for old people.
My mom went loony tunes for a week after having it.
I've had two ops with anesthesia in the last 20 years because it was unavoidable. Fortunately there were no bad effects that I noticed.
WIND: hmmm...