General Anesthesia for Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy?

[stewartavenue]

Hi - I’ve been referred for drug-induced sleep endoscopy and was very surprised that the doctor uses general anesthesia. That seems like way too much sedation to replicate what happens when one sleeps (or don’t, as the case is with me.) I thought twilight drugs like propofol were used.

Given that I’ve already damaged my brain by having sleep apnea for nearly 60 years, I try to limit my exposure to general anesthesia. I watched my father, who had the beginnings of dementia, decline precipitously after an operation with GA. He was never the same. 

But after failing CPAP and BiPAP, I really want to know what’s going on. If you’ve had this procedure, what was used to put you to sleep?

[super7pilot]

Just ask the Dr. why they use General over a twilight drug.  

When I had a prostate operation (TURP) in September. They were going to use GA. I just pipped up and said. Can't you just do an epidural? He said he actually prefers it. So that's what happened.

After posting my reply. I looked up DISE and found this paper. Look at section 2.2  Also Propofol IS a GA drug. So your understanding like mine was of GA might be a bit off.

I sure hope it all works out well for you and gets you on the road to feeling better.

Pub med on DISE

list of GA drugs

[Crimson Nape]

Hi stewartavenue!  -  
They use a very light dose of propofol that only puts you in a twilight sleep.  It is nothing like the dosage used for surgery.  If you never had an endoscopy before, it is no biggie.
- Red

[Big Guy]

I've had mahy Endoscopies. I had some Esophagus issues in the past (think 30 yrs.) and had to get "scoped" every now & then. 

From what I know Propofol was used. Each and every time, I came to w/o any side effects.  

I recently underwent a Hernia Surgery. A General Anesthetic was used. It knocked me out good. I don't recall anything. One side affect was constipation. The surgery was on March 10 and I'm still dealing with it to some degree. 

I had a total right knee replacement done back in Nov. of 2016. I had a Catheter Ablation done last September. Both times, a GA was used. I didn't have an after affects at all. 

Not sure what all the hassle with the Hernia GA, but I have a follow-up exam the 27th of this month with my surgeon. I will ask him about it, and exactly what kind of GA was used on me.  

[super7pilot]

Big Guy, Maybe they used a hammer! :-)

[stewartavenue]

I asked his staff and they said it’s much stronger than propofol. I am required to have someone stay with me that night to make sure I’m ok.

---

I’ve had two regular endoscopies under propofol to look for an ulcer. As you say, no biggie. This is not that. This is under regular general anesthesia. I am required to have someone stay with me that night in case I have a reaction, and if I can’t find someone to do that, then it has to be done in a hospital. That’s why I posed the question, because it seems like overkill. Plus, I don’t sleep like that normally.

[stewartavenue]

Hi stewartavenue!  -  
They use a very light dose of propofol that only puts you in a twilight sleep.  It is nothing like the dosage used for surgery.  If you never had an endoscopy before, it is no biggie.
- Red

I’ve had two regular endoscopies under propofol to look for an ulcer. As you say, no biggie. This is not that. This is under regular general anesthesia. I am required to have someone stay with me that night in case I have a reaction, and if I can’t find someone to do that, then it has to be done in a hospital. That’s why I posed the question, because it seems like overkill. Plus, I don’t sleep like that normally.

[Rickyricardo]

I have had several endoscopy procedures and each time they used a bolus of propofol and Versed and you start on the table and end up sitting in a chair. And between the two locations you remember nothing, and it is all done in 10 minutes.

The hospital wants you to leave with someone because there is a bit of lag but both drugs have very short half lives (propofol around 40 minutes and Versed 3 hours), so I say yes there is someone waiting for me and it's true, that someone is a taxi driver.

[greatunclebill]

if it's down the throat you have to be able to swallow, so the probe can get in your stomach. you will be in twilite sleep and swallow, but because of the amnesiac you will not remember. if he really does use general anesthesia, run away fast to another doc.