Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/18/2009

Question
I recently had a colonoscopy. I had an IV and they administered sedation just before beginning.  The nurse said that I would start to feel light headed and sleepy, which I did not.  I was awake during the whole procedure and even watched most of it (I remember every part, and even was involved in the conversation between the doctor and the nurses).  I think was administered both versed and propofol - only as far as I could tell it did nothing.  I remember ever minute of what happened from the time I was wheeled in to the time I got up to get dressed.  I felt a lot of pain during (mostly on the way in as he was blowing in air) - not so bad on the way out.

My question is :  was this likely caused by a bad IV (the nurse wasn't too sure she did it right) or am I just not affected by these drugs?  I have to go back for a shorter followup and I don't know what to do.

Thanks

Answer
If the IV wasn't in, you would have had tremendous pain at the injection site so I assume the IV was working. EVERYONE is affected by those drugs but to different degrees. My feeling is they just didn't give you enough medicine. I am surprised that they would start the procedure before you were adequately sedated. Next time I would make sure that they know what happened to first time and that they should make sure you are ready before starting the second time.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston