Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/5/2009

Question
Hello
22 years ago, 2 weeks after the birth of my daughter I had my gall bladder removed. I had an allergic reaction to the pre-op shot. They said there were 3 things in it and they believed it was the Versed that I had the problem with. I had went into the OR and started getting hives all over me and then my blood pressure shot up. I had a terrible headache. It was horrible. I was taken out of the OR and the anesthesiologist stayed with me administering drugs. I then had the gall bladder done the next day with no pre-op shot.
My question? I have not had anesthetic since and am going to have a colonoscopy in a few weeks. They use Propofol. I have many antibiotic allergies and also to novacaine.
I am not anxious about the procedure, just the anesthetic.
Need I worry? My experience 22 years ago is still vivid in my head.
Thank you for your help.
Jayne

Answer
They definitely didn't give you Propofol 22 yrs ago because it didn't exist, so as long as you are not allergic to eggs, you can get the Propofol. As for the Pre-op shot, if they gave you a combo of 3 meds, they can't tell what you are allergic to. It's most likely an antibiotic, rather than Versed (assuming you got an antibiotic). You should get allergy testing for those substances so you don't restrict yourself from getting a medicine that might be helpful to you.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston