Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 10/17/2010

Question
Hello, To start off with I work in a hospital ER and have seen many conscious sedation procedures. I have been scoped up the bottom and down from the top several times, and they always had me asleep and not remembering the procedure. I even had a cardiac cath. in which I was given versed and fentanyl and was comfortable during that procedure. Last week I had a colonoscopy and was awake through the procedure. The nurse gave me meds to help me relax and not remember the procedure as well as pain meds, but it did not work.  This time something wasn't right. I remember the whole procedure from start to finish. I remember asking the nurse for more meds and her saying she couldn't give me anymore because it would affect my ability to breath. I told her I was was able to breath fine because I am talking to her. She told me she had given me all the meds I could have. I was in terrible pain during the procedure and all the nurse and doctor would tell me was to stay still and it would be over in 15 minutes. I can tell you it was the longest 15 minutes of my life. After the procedure I had pain in my large intestine for several days. I called the doctors office got an appointment with the doctors PA. She examine me and they wanted to do a blood test and urine test. The blood and urine test came back all OK. She did not do an x-ray to check for free air in the abdomen. I am still having pain through my large intestine that over the counter pain meds won't relieve. I am afraid to go back to the doctor because he might want to do a sigmoid scope or another colonoscopy. Any suggestions? Thank you for you time.

Answer
Versed is the med that causes you to have amnesia and while it usually does that, it is not guaranteed. That being said, there is no reason she couldn't give you more meds if you were otherwise stable with good vital signs. If this was done at a hospital, I would write to the patient relations person and express your displeasure. As for the discomfort, if you had free air, you would have shoulder pain. If you get that, go to an ER. Otherwise it is probably the air they insufflated to see your colon and it should go away in a day or two. If not, go to an ER for a check up.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston