A very good friend of mine who was head of a big hospital once told me "If you go to a surgeon, you're gonna have surgery" and I believe that's true. Not to minimize that if you truly need a procedure, you need it, but too often doctors are quick to jump right in and cut, scope, rout around, you name it, when perhaps it is not really necessary, either at all, or at that time.

I know that my husband's PD will make many procedures that would otherwise be more or less "routine" for non-PWP such as myself much more stressful, fatiguing, damaging, and downright hard to recover from. I think we need to remember the less-than-optimal recovery issues we face when we are deciding whether or not to proceed with something recommended by a person who will either benefit financially from the procedure or is primarily recommending the procedure to cover his/her behind (somewhat understandable in our overly-litigious society, but that's another issue...).

just watched the shuttle landing live on NASA TV after stepping outside to hear the sonic booms. It's nighttime and fairly cloudy. It looked perfect on TV. Always a thrill.

I've got to add that my sister works at one of those scopic centers - i can't remember what they are called - [butts and guts]

She assures me that unnecesary surgery is not the case, and you would expect her to say that but she has also had one before the age of 50, as did my other siblings because there could be a colon cancer gene in the family.

If you were to be told all clear, and innocent "appearing" polyps were spotted and not removed.....what would make a person feel compelled enough to get back there in a few years and do it again, let alone know to warn the siblings?

paula

i see what you mean..but it's not safe, especially after age 50 .
Russian Roulette - you can be better safe than sorry here.

paula

I had a friend who died as a result of colon cancer, and he was only 43 at dx..I remember how much he suffered, and I will never forget the description he gave of the surgery to take the cancerous colon out..Ive been getting a colonoscopy every three years since, only this time my pd made the preparation a bit difficult..Still better than the alternative though..Like Paula said..its Russian Roullette to ignore it

my son has crohn's disease and his prep time for the colonoscopy in 2006 is on his "most loathed list" It's gonna be hard to get him to have another when the time comes.

Very interesting that the anaesthesia helped your PD, Steve.
My son's Tourette tics were waaaay up after his colonoscopy, which we just attributed to the stress/anxiety he was in before the procedure, but I am wondering if maybe the anaesthetic boosts dopamine? as for people with TS that is a tic trigger


also
here is a new study FYI for seniors having colonoscopies

The Effect of Oral Sodium Phosphate Drug Products on Renal Function in Adults Undergoing Bowel Endoscopy
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/168/6/593

To those who had the procedure, did the anesthetic put you out (to sleep) or were you in a super relaxed state?

My mom was not awake. My health center does not put you to sleep. They probably give something to relax you like Versed which I had for an endoscopy. (My doctor was late, the drug wore off and I was gagging the entire time!)

Were you awake???

I have Joel Siegel's book for his son. An earlier colonoscopy probably would had saved his life. I'm planning on having it after tax day.

Paula, stay vigilant!

ZF,

It's a light anesthesia as i understand it - is that what you mean by super relaxed? I feel the same going under as I do with general anesthesia - they start the drip and I'm out in a few seconds. But you aren't under that long.

paula

ZF..They put me to sleep with a drug similar to Demerol..Cant remember the name..I was briefly in a relaxed state, and was vaguely aware of what they were doing, and it was no big deal..They use the same anestetic drug for an endoscopy, and during the three endoscopies Ive had, my Dr makes damned sure that you are asleep..My Dr is always on time, and they dont administer the anestetic untill my Dr is there, and ready to perform the procedure

Also..this is important..Demerol has a reaction with Sinemet..It causes hypertension

Paula and Steve, it sounds like you went to sleep. They don't do that at my health center. Maybe the Brigham does it. I'll check.

Steve, I was wide awake for my endoscopy and it was a nightmare. The drug only relaxed me for a short time, and as I waited for the doctor my blood pressure went up and up. They never gave me the option of being asleep. Worst experience I've ever had.

I'll need to look into this. I don't want to be awake if I don't need to be.

Thanks.

In my honest opinion..I think you should look for another Dr..I had a endoscopy done on the 17th, and a colonoscopy done on the 26th, and I wasnt nervous in the least about having them done because of the experiences Ive had in the past..I have started to wake up during the procedure in the past, and they administered more anestetic to put me back under..As a matter of fact, because of effects of the anestetic, it is mandatory that you have a designated driver, to, and from the facility..If you dont make arrangements for a ride, they will not perform the procedure..They ask who the person is, and if that person is not with you, they ask for their phone number..No way should they make you go through that awake..I can imagine what a nightmare it must have been for you..My Dr makes it as benign as a visit to a Chiropractor

I have trouble breathing -my chest has a heavy pressure upon it, that
is usually what wakes me at 3:00am - I have to take my meds, or I cant breathe, my brothers and father all had/ have sleep apnea.
the last time I was put under anesthesia - I had a hard time, so much in fact
I would not want to try it ever again.
sincerely
tena

Sleep Apena - Anesthesia Danger?

http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/50685.htm

06/19/2007 07:01AM



Question:
I have sleep apena and read that general anesthesia poses more risk for those with sleep apena. Should the anesthesologist be aware of my condition prior to surgery? What extra precautions should be taken by the anesthesologist? I am living in a foreign country and want to make sure everyone is aware if I were to ever need surgery.


Answer:
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) your anesthesiologist should very definitely be made aware that you have this condition. OSA is exacerbated by the lingering effects of general anesthesia during the recovery phase. In other words, your apnea spells (breathing pauses) are likely to become more frequent and more severe, after general anesthesia. This is especially true if the pain-killer drugs known as opioids or narcotics - like morphine, meperidine, and hydromorphone - are used. Severe OSA causes low oxygen levels in the blood, which affects the heart, brain, and pulmonary circulation. In the worst case scenario, OSA when combined with opioids can even lead to a fatal respiratory (breathing) arrest

Patients with OSA are more often difficult to intubate (place a breathing tube) than other patients. Other considerations for anesthesia correspond with whatever other conditions you have, that might be associated with obesity and/or OSA, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm disturbances, etc.

this is for all questions
http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/anesthesiology/