How to replace B12 after anesthesia?

[tvellepern]

After reading about Nitrous Oxide I have many questions. I am scheduled for an Endoscopy and I am so frightened of the anesthesia to be used and won't be told which until the morning of. I have had "ether" and "nitrous" in the past during other procedures involving bad reactions and usually requiring blood transfusions afterwards. After reading on this site it makes sense to me. What is your advice on which type of anesthetic to be used? Should I be getting B12 by IV during the procedure or an injection afterwards?

[fbirder]

Which end is the endoscopy?

For a gastroscopy they don't use nitrous oxide (because it's not easy to administer gas and air with a tube down your throat). They offer a local anaesthetic spray (which I have) or a sedative.

For a colonoscopy they do use gas and air (I doubt anybody uses ether - too explosive) or you can ask for a sedative. Talk to the gastroenterologist and explain why you want a sedative.

[tvellepern in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for responding. This procedure is done beginning in the throat. I have been gathering information from the Anesthesia Dept. and was told that they would give me something through the IV plus nitrous oxide. Of course I will tell them that I cannot have that but I know from previous times in the operating room that I also have been reactions to ether. I am afraid that I am sensitive to all agents.

[fbirder in reply to tvellepern]

Are you sure they're using nitrous oxide during a gastroscopy? You will have a tube in your throat which would make it almost impossible to deliver entonox in any traditional manner.

Ether is never used outside the developing world. Even there is is almost always halothane that is used. Perhaps it is this that you mistook for ether.

[JanD236]

I had a sedative when I had my endoscopy and that worked fine, with no B12 consequences as far as I’m aware.

[Damseltree]

I had a colonoscopy last June in London and the sugeron reassured me that no nitrous oxide was used. I get the impression that it isn't used routinely any more.

[Damseltree]

Of course I meant to say was not used.😊

[Showgem]

I had one in the UK, they used a spray to numb my throat, the doctor said he doesn't generally use nitrous oxide anyway.

[Hidden]

I have had several endoscopes down the throat and never yet had any sedation for them. One even involved the Professor doing it himself and spending more time over it than usual. I have never found it anything to be concerned about, just take deep breaths whenever feeling like gagging and relax. I found the benefit of being able to get off the table and sit quiet for a few minutes then drive home a much better option that having to arrange transport. It doesn’t hurt, it is just uncomfortable.

The worst ones of this type of procedure were when they were using the very fine fibre optic cable up the nose, that did bring tears to the eyes. I think I have had half a dozen of them.

The pH monitor with a thin wire up the nose an down into the esophagus with a recorder on a waist strap was the worst because that tweaked my nose every time I swallowed and it was in for 24 hours.

As yet the other end of my alimentary canal has not been invaded by endoscope.

I found it it be a non-event, nothing to get worried about.