General anesthesia -v- conscious sedation

[Guest guest]

General anesthesia can not be used during any scoping of the throat.

With general anesthesia one is sedated to the point they can not

breathe for themselves and would have to be intubated. In other words,

a breathing tube would have to be placed down the throat, there for, a

scope tube would not have room.

Conscious sedation can be done with as little meds as just versed and

demerol or fentanyl. As what most of us would get if we were having a

colonoscopy. Or conscious sedation can be done with an

anesthesiologist directing an anestetist to give enough meds to bring

the patient to th level of sedation just shy of requireing intubation.

Registered Nurses can provide the conscious sedation using versed and

demerol or fentanyl. However, when bringing the pt to the point just

shy of intubation an anesthesiolgist and/or anestetist must be present

in the event that breathing or cardiac function are impaired. This

point of being sedated to the brink of intubation is the

anesthesia 'good' pancreatologist doing an ERCP would use.

Unfortunetly most times we as pats must request it. The patient would

still be able to follow simple commands but would not remember.

I hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

,

In my case I beg to differ. I was put under general anesthesia for

all of my ERCPs - no doubt. I was intubated while they did the

procedure. That was one of the reasons why the GI

endoscopists elected to not go on with my therapy....he didn't liek

the hassles of having a GA team in the endoscopy room.

They never explained why I HAD to be GA'd (as opposed to

conscious sedation) but all I know is that I was and it made for a

more pleasant experience on the table if not in the PACU.

No doubt, they used GA for me at two different institutions. They

said it was because I was an unique case but didn't explain why

that was so.

So there are exceptions and I will make sure that I am always

under GA if I ever have to do one again.

laurie

[Guest guest]

Chrissy,

I'm another one like Laurie who was given general sedation for a scope

several years ago. I told the GI that's the only way I'd consent to the

procedure, since I've had a couple times on conscious sedation where I've

woken mid-way through and totally freaked out. My GI was really ticked about

having to do it that way, because it meant scheduling a special day at the

hospital when he was normally at his alternate clinic, but I stood firm because

of my own fears. So when they did my upper endoscopy a few years back,

with a colonoscopy immediately following, they gave me general anesthesia

which put me out entirely.

It turned out to be that that's how I met my current Pain Management doctor,

as he was the Anestheologist who sedated me before those procedures a few

years ago. When I found out that my old PM doctor was moving out of state, I

was delighted to find a new one who I'd met before and liked, even if it was

only for the brief time it took to set me up, do those procedures and bring me

back in the recovery room.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC Rep

SE Regional Rep

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion

only, and should not be substituted for consultation with your medical

professional.

[Guest guest]

I have endoscopy & colonoscopy procedures twice a year and I have

general anaesthesia without incubation..well it is classed as general

under all the forms I sign and the anaesthetist tells me it is..

They use Diprovan, which doesn't require intubation apparently, and

one wakes up more alert and less drowsy and nauseous than using Versed

& Fentanyl or Demerol..

[Guest guest]

I am fairly certain that when I had my ERCP's done at University of

Colorado that I had general anethesia. In fact, I always got to meet

the Anestesialogist and they explained why they put me out and that

they do indeed tube me. I have signed forms stating that I have been

told of the risks involved with general anesthesia. Dr. Shah (my

gastro) is the one who says he wants me completely out for the

procedure. Of course, I have had these ERCP in outpatient surgery at

the hospital...and I end up admitted to the hospital. But maybe

because it is done at the hospital this is why I get general

anesthesia? I have had endoscope ultrasound and a couple of celiac

blocks done under conscious sediation...and I have woke up before while

they are doing the procedure....NOT PLEASANT, to say the least! I

would rather do general just because the potential of waking up during

another one of those things is more than I want to think about!!

Hugs,

Suzi B.

Colorado