My mom has been having stomach problems for a few months, I have posted about this before. The doctor wants my mom to have a Colonoscopy and mentioned to my dad that they will put her under for this procedure. I have heard people on here talking about the anesthesia progressing A.D. and wanted to know if anyone had any input.

I was just talking to my insurance agent earlier this evening and she mentioned that another agent there had the same thing done and was loopy for a few days afterwards. This was before I even mentioned my mom having one ordered so after hearing that it was even more of a concern to me.

Leah,

You should have a discussion with her doctor about the specific anesthesia they plan on using and how it may affect a dementia patient. Perhaps there is an alternative that wouldn't cause so much confusion. You definitely want to stay away from any inhaled anesthetic. And I'm not so comfortable with the modern memory-blocker drugs they commonly using for procedures like coloscopies on AD patients. I've had them a number of times and felt fine, but I don't have dementia.

I think it's best to talk with her doctor, and if possible, the anesthesiologist.

I believe Propofol is one drug to avoid along with inhaled anesthesia, if possible. There's a lot more information on other threads. Maybe try the find box and type in anesthesia and anesthetics.
My Grandma had a colonoscopy years and years ago (Before the AD) and she actually didn't have any anesthesia, but she said it really really hurt.

Thank You for the information.

Does anyone know of any type that might be okay to use?

Leah,

I don't know the specifics of your case. Why does your LO need to "go under"?

From what I know, generally, for colonoscopy, they don't use general anesthesia. They use fentanyl and versed. Fentanyl is a pain killer. Versed is a mild sedative, an IV, given by the doctor or nurse. It doesn't need an anesthesiologist for that.

I'm not sure exactly, but the doctor mentioned they would probably put her under because my mom wouldn't let them do it otherwise.

I'll have my dad ask them about the things you mentioned.

I asked my LO's brain doc about Versed because a local dentist offers it as an option, as was told that it can trigger increased memory loss.

I'm not sure which sedative a doctor used for my LO's pacemaker procedure, but it created havoc -- hallucinations and a huge increase in confusion. The next day, she had her first episode of not recognizing me.

Unfortunately there don't seem to be any safe sedatives or anaesthetics. I've read that even a topical anaesthetic can trigger memory loss, and that many older people who are hospitalized become severely disoriented afterward.

The conclusion seems to be -- choose procedures with great care and only have something done if it's worth the risk. Many doctors don't seem to be aware of the risk; the pacemaker doctor never mentioned it to us.

If the colonoscopy meets your criteria for "urgent and worth the risk," be sure to choose a doctor with loads of experience. The first few hundred colonoscopies a doctor does are just practice, and you don't want your LO to be a practice patient. A good colonoscopy should be completely painless with a sedative.

My take after my father's multiple surgeries - most surgeons and anesthesiologists are clueless when it comes to Alzheimer's/anesthesia issues.

If you have a geriatrician or some other professional versed in dementia, it might be worth having him/her talk to the docs. Or be prepared to do your own research.

For what it's worth, my father seems to have done OK on "twilight" anesthesia. It's the inhalants that produce full unconsciousness that are the problem.

I also agree it's worth asking whether this procedure is necessary. MD's tend to do procedures reflexively and not think about the overall impact.

Good luck and keep us posted.


Best,
Alan

I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago. They ran an IV, something and Versid. I had no problems, during and after. And, a precancerous thing was found and removed, so the procedure was very much worth it.

We still haven't had the consultation with the GI doctor so I just wanted to give an update.

She did have the Cat Scan a couple of weeks ago and they didn't find anything. Her stomach problems could be due to Celiac Disease which she was diagnosed with recently and we have put her on a Gluten Free diet.

However, I still want her to be tested for a bladder infection, but my dad can not get the sample with her being in depends. How do you get one? They told my dad to do the best he can, what does that mean? Is he supposed to squeeze out the depend to get the urine? Isn't there any other way they can test for one?

Can't she be cathed for that?

I didn't have much of a problem with my colonoscopy. The prep was the worst part. I went home and slept it off. I received IV sedation and probably something like Versid. I didn't have any issues the day after.

The procedure should probably be done, but don't let them use general anesthesia. Almost everyone on this board that has talked about their Loved One going under anesthesia has said that they declined cognitively either for a long time or permanently...my Mom included (permanently). A colonoscopy can be done without anesthesia. Instead of a "mild" sedative, how about a "not so mild" sedative, whatever that may be!

Felicia

One more thing, I have read that Celiac Disease can mimic AD Symptoms...wouldn't it be great if they found that your Mom has Celiac Disease which can be treated, and maybe some of her dementia symptoms will disappear! Do a search on Celiac Disease and Alzheimer's on the internet. Here's one link:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_...-10/mc-mcd100906.php

Felicia

My mother had symptoms (but was undiagnosed) prior to a colonoscopy in 2006, but was still pretty functional with small lapses of memory. Within 2 weeks of that procedure, she could no longer locate her car in a parking lot, within 4 months she had to stop working and was officially diagnosed then.

LEAH....I JUST HAD A COLONOSCOPY 2 MOS. AGO, THEY USED PROPAFOL...I HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH IT.....I WAS FINE WITH IT, I KNOW IT WAS THE SAME ONE THAT KILLED MICHAEL JACKSON....BUT HE WAS NOT IN A HOSPITAL SITUATION, I HAD A SMOOTH RECOVERY.....HOWEVER, RECENTLY (OCT 14TH), I HAD CERVICAL SPINE SURG. WHERE THEY CUT YOUR THROAT MOVE EVERYTHING TO THE SIDE AND I STILL CAN'T SWALLOW THE WAY I DID, MY HANDS ARE STILL NUMB.....AND THEY USED 6 (SIX) DIFF. ANESTHESI'S....I TOLD THEM NO ISOFLURANE.....THEY USED DESFLURANE, VERSED FENTANYL, PROPOFOL, ROCURONIUM AND OXYGEN, AND I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THAT DESFLURANE, AND THE ROCURONIUM WHICH PARALIZES THE BODY, IT COULD ALSO PARALIZE BRAIN CELLS.....WHEN I WENT HOME MY HUSBAND SAID I WAS ABSOLUTELY IN A DAZE, I WAS POSITIVELY NOT MYSELF.......WE ARE AT THEIR MERCY.....SOME THINGS ARE NOT IN OUR CONTROL AND IT STINKS....YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR FEELINGS....(off topic)...OUR DOG BREEDER SAID USE ONLY KETESET/VALIUM FOR THE ANESTHESIA FOR CHLOE'S SPAYING.....OR YOU MIGHT LOSE HER, I LOST 2 TIBBIES....THE DR. USED SOMETHING ELSE, MY VET SAID I DON'T USE THAT..I USE THIS...SO SEE EVEN VETS DO THEIR OWN THING.....JUST A THOUGHT......AS FOR ME, I REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN THE SAME.....ITS A HORIFYING THOUGHT.

ZOEY M

My Mother had a colonoscopy,,,and was under anesthetic,,,the proceedure only takes about 20 minutes tops. Mom was no worse off going under that short acting anesthetic,,,so if its needed,,I think it would actually be safe. Peace

Hi, My Mom has AD and has to have regular colonoscopies because of past colon cancer. She has never had a problem with the drugs given for the procedure.

She always thinks she was asleep, but truly she never is. They just give them drugs to sedate them and make them forget the procedure.

Thank You everyone for your advice and experiences. I will have my dad bring in the information and questions.

I don't know if he asked about the catheter or if he knew that was an option. She's pretty mobile so not sure how that works, does somebody put that in for her? I doubt she would let him do it because she already pretty much hits him the whole time he tries to help her change.

quote:

Originally posted by Felicia:
One more thing, I have read that Celiac Disease can mimic AD Symptoms...wouldn't it be great if they found that your Mom has Celiac Disease which can be treated, and maybe some of her dementia symptoms will disappear! Do a search on Celiac Disease and Alzheimer's on the internet. Here's one link:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_...-10/mc-mcd100906.php

Felicia

Felicia I had read about that too with the Celiac Disease. I would be nice if it helped, but also hard to believe that there could be major improvements with her being between a Stage 6 with some signs of Stage 7 right now. She's been on the diet for about 2-3 months and so far hasn't had any declining like she was earlier this year. Even the Aricept and Namenda weren't working, but now with the diet she seems to have remained the same for the past 3 months.