Colonoscopy sedation

[Profound15]

Does anyone know whether the sedation used for a colonoscopy triggers afib please? I think they use midazolam in the U.K. but not too sure

[Hidden]

Personally unaware Profound, but I do not recall anyone here saying they had a problem with sedation. Might be worth asking your Doctor.....

[Profound15 in reply to Hidden]

Yes seeing him this morning. Read that the one I mentioned does not appear to cause a problem but thought checking personal experience was far better

[meadfoot]

In the past two years I have had sedation for colonoscopy and various other procedures plus full anaesthetic for gall bladder removal and not had a hint of af during them.

Plenty of af and svt at other times but sedation and anaesthetic haven't triggered anything neither have copious amounts of Iv drugs for various tests. Hope this helps.

[Profound15 in reply to meadfoot]

Thanks Meadfoot. Now arranged colonoscopy for next Friday and the consultant is using medazolam as the sedative. Hopefully will not be an issue

[Gowers in reply to Profound15]

I have had that same sedation 4 times last year for dental work & year before for colonoscooy. I checked with my cardiologist & he wrote a letter which I copied & took with me on the days of procedure - in it he advised what intravenous meds they were to use if I went into af (I didn't) Might be worth checking with your cardiologist? I had no problems though I did take low dose sleeping pill night before each procedure. These were prescribed by gp & approved by cardiologist

[Jalia]

I've had this for gastrocopy and no problem.

[Hidden]

When I had a colonoscopy they could not guarantee that the sedation would not trigger AF , so I had the procedure without.

Really wasn't that bad, the thought was definitely worse than the reality

[Profound15 in reply to Hidden]

I’m a wimp so I’d rather have the sedation but thanks Mikee

[Shcldavies]

I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago, the Dr decided on the day that I would not be sedated but I did have intravenous pain killers. The colonoscopy, though not pleasant, was not as bad as expected, just one short lived uncomfortable moment and watching the procedure on the screen was really interesting. The procedure you go through the day/evening before to empty your bowel is not very good. All that said its well worth having the procedure as it does put your mind at rest and if anything is found it almost always can be fixed or the right medication prescribed to fix the symptoms. On the very rare occasions they find something more sinister, then knowing and treating it as soon as possible will always give the best outcome.

[seasider18]

I had been in NSR for 15 months after a cardioversion and went into AF during a colonoscopy. It was caused by the probe stimulating my vagus nerve. My BP and heart rate also dropped dramatically. I was on very light sedation.

[Tapanac]

I had a colonoscopy a couple of months ago, I had a relaxing drug but no actual sedation. I'm not sure why you need full sedation as truly the thought is worse than the deed. No problem. I personally have found that any anaesthetic that contains adrenaline is a trigger for tachycardia for me which I found happened at the dentist injecting my gums to take a deep rooted tooth out, but that is no problem as there are plenty of anaesthetics/sedatives that do not contain adrenaline. Try not to worry, you will be fine, just tell the person who administers the drug into the cannula that you have Afib and no problem. Good luck and hope the results of your colonoscopy are good.

[Profound15]

Thank you for the helpful responses

[Profound15]

Anyone had mediprep to prepare for a colonoscopy. Just read on it’s documents re side effects that one is arrhythmia. Just wondering if it’s something I should worry about. The prep is tomorrow for my colonoscopy on Friday. I’ve had colonoscopies before but always used picolax. Any info would be really appreciated

[Profound15]

My bad it’s called moviprep

[Lindaj754]

Had 2 endoscopies with this sedation during the summer. No problem. Don’t remember anything about it. Dreamy!