The Colon Club

Getting a colonoscopy, never had one before.
The patient is asleep for this procedure, so it makes me wonder about some stuff.
My mother and father were diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I think I may have it as well, but I have never been tested.
Could that be a problem?

Here is a 5-page Informed Consent document for colonoscopy. It does not mention sleep apnea among the potential problems, but it wouldn't hurt to mention this to the anesthesiologist before the procedure, because I would imagine they would have a way to make sure that the airway is open if sleep apnea were to occur.

Be sure to follow all of the prep instructions that you were given. That's very important for the success of the procedure.

Colonoscopy Informed Consent Document
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/consent/documents/shared_file_42.pdf

Anaesthesia Informed Consent Document
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/consent/documents/anaesthetic_01.pdf

O Stoma Mia is correct. I just looked at my paperwork and it’s not on there either.

Mine is tomorrow and although I HATE the prep (see my other post LOL), I love the sedation. Midazolam and a hint of Propofol is a great way to start/end a day, particularly with a healthy dose of IV fluids to make you feel fit as a fiddle when you wake up LOL!

Good luck!

I didn't take meds of any kind for my colonoscopy's it's an option where I live

My last colonoscopy I was able to watch the whole thing on the screen. I even asked a couple questions. But didn't feel a thing. It was kind of cool. The two I had before I was totally out.

No it will not be a problem for the following reasons

You will be hooked up to a pulse ox to measure o2 saturation
If your o2 is low you will likely already be on oxygen which can be turned up
You will be lying on your side which provides improved breathing as opposed to on your back.

Chickspeed wrote:I didn't take meds of any kind for my colonoscopy's it's an option where I live

Lucky you, I'm going to be asleep.

behconsult wrote:No it will not be a problem for the following reasons

You will be hooked up to a pulse ox to measure o2 saturation
If your o2 is low you will likely already be on oxygen which can be turned up
You will be lying on your side which provides improved breathing as opposed to on your back.

This information is consistent with other descriptions of colonoscopy I have read.

O Stoma Mia wrote:Here is a 5-page Informed Consent document for colonoscopy. It does not mention sleep apnea among the potential problems, but it wouldn't hurt to mention this to the anesthesiologist before the procedure, because I would imagine they would have a way to make sure that the airway is open if sleep apnea were to occur.

Thank you for your insight. It's helpful!

Be sure to follow all of the prep instructions that you were given. That's very important for the success of the procedure.

I am very scared- my fear alone is enough to ensure my absolute compliance!

Colonoscopy Informed Consent Document
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/consent/documents/shared_file_42.pdf

Anaesthesia Informed Consent Document
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/consent/documents/anaesthetic_01.pdf

You are correct. Read the documents, and sleep apnea is not in there

Don't worry at all. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and I sleep with a CPAP machine. I have had maybe 7 colonoscopies due to genetics and now my own history of polyps, with no problems. I've also had general anesthesia on many occasions and it went perfectly fine. Best of luck! Ps don't do the colonoscopy while awake. That sounds terrible