anaesthesia

[Guest [ch...]]

I had to have a minor procedure recently (colonoscopy) so the question of anaesthesia arose. For those of us in benzo withdrawal or recently in benzo withdrawal, we have to be careful. I did some research into options:

 

- Nothing: For colonoscopy this is possible but it is said to be quite uncomfortable, and the doctor was hesitant to do it this way. So I decided against this.

 

- "Conscious sedation": This was the term used by the doctor for the combo of Versed (a very potent benzo) and Fentanyl (an opioid). After reading up about Versed I decided against this. It's a very scary drug. Versed interferes with your ability to form memories. It causes amnesia of the event itself, and sometimes (scarily) of things before and after. The thought of being conscious but unable to remember is very disturbing. Also there are reports of paradoxical effects, i.e. people becoming agitated instead of sedated (but not remembering afterward). For these reasons I think "conscious sedation" is a mis-labelling of its effects. For those of us who have been through benzo withdrawal, I think it's a crap-shoot what effect Versed will have. It might not work at all due to tolerance, or it might provoke an adverse reaction due to being sensitized. And/or it might plunge one into a benzo-withdrawal wave after it wears off. I would have been comfortable with another choice of benzo - Valium - since that has a known effect on me. But they don't offer menu-like choices in hospitals. Versed is what they like to use and I wasn't comfortable with that.

 

- General anaesthesia (Propofol): Propofol is obviously a very powerful drug that makes you unconscious. It has a bad rap as the drug that killed Michael Jackson, but in a hospital setting with a trained anaesthesiologist it is safe. I went for this. It went well (and I am happy to report the results of the colonoscopy were good). I felt a bit sedated and cog-fogged for a couple days after the procedure, but it was not unpleasant and it wore off without any longer term after-effects. While this drug seems like overkill for a colonoscopy, it seemed the best choice among what was offered, and it worked out well for me.

 

Just relating my experience, in case it is of value to anyone.

 

Chessplayer

 

[[Ch...]]

Thank you for your post...I applaud you doing your due diligence and making a great choice...I don't think it was over kill at all.  I recently had a heart procedure where they ALWAYS use Versed and Fentanyl too but were very receptive to holding off on the Versed until it was demonstrated that I actually needed it...which I didn't!!!

PS, I am glad your scope was negative!!!

[Guest [ch...]]

Thanks Choco. I wish you continued healing and recovery in this new year!

[[Le...]]

Good for you! And I agree 100% with deciding against the Versed/Valium! I had the exact same decision a few weeks ago for oral surgery and I also chose Propofol/Ketamine mixture and am so glad I asked the surgeon to not use benzos. I hope you continue to do well! Best wishes!