CPAP for colonoscopy, or is oxygen sufficient?

[Cardsfan]

I'm planning for a routine colonoscopy. I called the Dr and talked to the nurse. I asked about my cpap machine. She said "you do not need it, you will be on oxygen and monitored the whole time". That doesn't sound right to me, I said. She said, well, you can bring it with you if you want.
How does oxygen keep my airway open? I need my machine right? My consultationn appt. with this Dr isn't for a month, and I'm trying to get informed before I meet him.

I called my sleep Dr, and his staff told me she didn't take her machine when she had her colonoscopy.

[mralaska]

I cannot speak on the procedure or equipment involved, but my recent unplanned visit in the hospital I was denied a request for a PAP machine because I am self prescribed. The staff informed me they will track my O2 and if needed they will put me on oxygen. I asked the very same question, "How is oxygen going to keep my airway open?", and I was informed that oxygen is normal procedure for people undergoing xPAP therapy who do not have a machine available. They did finally have someone from the sleep department talk to me who told me basically the same thing. Apparently the pure oxygen will get enough in your lungs to keep your 02 level up when you would be struggling on normal atmosphere, or at least that is the conclusion reached by at least some staff. They also asked me to crank the head of the bed to have me sitting up partially which they said helps keep the airway open and told me I did not snore while I was there which I found surprising.

Even so, given a choice I would rather have my machine handy regardless and extract a promise to hook me up the first sign of snoring.

[stienman]

The anesthesiologist needs to know you have sleep apnea, but they will only be applying a light amount of anesthesia during the colonoscopy. You will technically be awake and able to respond to commands, but will probably not remember much, if any, of the colonoscopy.

As such it's unlikely that your muscles will relax enough that OSA will become an issue, nor will you enter the sleep states where other sleep apneas would normally occur.

That said, your oxygen and breathing will be *very* closely monitored during the time you are under anesthesia. If there are any issues they have a set of procedures to follow to enable you to breath without suffering hypoxia which they will use only if needed.

It's unlikely that they'll be interested in having your machine set up or in use during the session, but it doesn't hurt to bring it and discuss it with the anesthesiologist prior to the procedure if you still have concerns. They don't work with these machines, it would only complicate their working environment and the tools they will use if needed. Their expertise and equipment, however, are capable of resolving any breathing issues you might have without using your machine.

[andycole]

just a quick question - how would you sterilize your machine?

[Jay Aitchsee]

I just finished my 4th routine colonoscopy (must be getting old ). For at least the last two, the medical staff was aware in advance of my OSA and I mentioned it to the anesthesiologist just prior to each procedure. In each case, the staff acknowledged my OSA and CPAP use, but other than them being aware, there didn't seem to be any difference in treatment. It was never suggested that I would need to bring or use CPAP during the procedure. I'm sure you will not need your device, but do mention it in advance of the day of your procedure. There are different types of sedation in use.

P.S. It seems like really great sleep! But it's not very long.

On the other hand, if I were being admitted for an overnight stay (which I've been), I would take my own machine (which I've done).

[chunkyfrog]

I suspect that many of us are conscious during the procedure, but we have drug-induced amnesia;
so we only think we have been "out".
But of course there has been some push lately for general anesthesia.

[ChicagoGranny]

How does oxygen keep my airway open? I need my machine right? My consultationn appt. with this Dr isn't for a month, and I'm trying to get informed before I meet him.

Hi, this is Gramps.

I've had three colonoscopies since starting CPAP. There is always an anesthesiologist in attendance. He's right there beside you and monitors your breathing and oxygen levels closely. If he sees you stop breathing, he will jiggle your jaw a bit, and the breathing will restart.

The nurse in the recovery room is also watching your pulse, blood-ox levels and blood pressure.

I have severe OSA with bad desats. I never felt bad after a colonoscopy, so it seems certain they did not let me have any long apneas.

You may be interested to know that some doctors performing colonoscopies are on the lookout for patients who have never been diagnosed with sleep apnea. If they see apneas during the procedure, they advise the patients to see a sleep doctor. A neighbor three houses up from mine got his warning this way and now uses CPAP.

So relax, the only bad part is the prep.

[Cardsfan]

Thanks to everybody.

[cathyf]

One thing to be aware of is what happens if you have a complication and need emergency surgery and/or hospitalization. I was filling out a survey about patient instructions and it was for colonoscopies -- they wanted patients to bring cpap machine and mask and stash it with their belongings, and then someone would get it if you found yourself needing to sleep there.

And as Gramps says, now that large numbers of people are having the procedures, every gastro has probably had a couple of scares of people with severe apnea. The whole startling-yourself-into-breathing thing that we do is not exactly following the "hold still" instructions.

[DeadlySleep]

Back when you stood and held onto the table, and they did sigmoidoscopies, I held my breath for the entire procedure.

[LSAT]

Back when you stood and held onto the table, and they did sigmoidoscopies, I held my breath for the entire procedure.

I remember...It was terrible

[DeadlySleep]

I remember...It was terrible

Oooops, I didn't know anyone was watching.

[sc0ttt]

I suspect that many of us are conscious during the procedure, but we have drug-induced amnesia;
so we only think we have been "out".
But of course there has been some push lately for general anesthesia.

I remember thinking "OK, when is this stuff going to take effect?" Then I remember waking up. That is some weird stuff... propofol.

Told the anesthesiologist that I probably had OSA, but hadn't done my sleep study yet (a few weeks later) and didn't have a machine.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I just took my CPAP/gear to the clinic and left it in my car - that was only for off-chance something went awry and I needed to stay overnight. Over the years, for my three colonoscopy sessions, I've never had anything go wrong. If you tell them you use CPAP (and you should IMO), then they will probably give you minimal sedation.

[Wulfman...]

I was told to bring my CPAP stuff.
I took it and used it during "the procedure".
They used Propofol for the sedation.


Den

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