Low dose propofol

Has anyone experienced propofol sedation (not unconscious) for a minor surgical procedure? What was it like? I know about the 'lights out' that propofol usually accomplishes. They're going to use this for a cataract repair instead of Versed.

I was given propofol for my second cataract repair. It felt very pleasant both on induction and afterwards. I was unconscious for the actual procedure. I recommend it if you need to have the surgery done.

I'm allergic to propofol, but I do recall the time I had it (before the reaction) to be fairly pleasant. It was a gentle sensation and I wasn't scared or anxious.

I'm going to be asking for unconsciousness. I'm very sensitive to having stuff in front of my eyes.

I was given propofol for my second cataract repair. It felt very pleasant both on induction and afterwards. I was unconscious for the actual procedure. I recommend it if you need to have the surgery done.

I list Versed as an allergy due to permanent memory issues after having had it used on me. BTW, what was your allergic reaction to propofol?

I'm allergic to propofol, but I do recall the time I had it (before the reaction) to be fairly pleasant. It was a gentle sensation and I wasn't scared or anxious.

I'd find a knowledgeable anesthesiologist I could actually trust and be very upfront with them, especially based on your history.

Personally I'd probably consider propofol if it was actually medically necessary (not merely convenient for the doctor). Sure, it took 2 days or so to recover from it, but there weren't any permanent effects. Eyes might be one of the instances where I'd consider it.

BTW thanks for the heads up on the permanent issues from Versed. It explains quite a bit. I'm trying some strategies to get around it, and fortunately the issues seem to be minor.

Good to hear.

Unfortunately, it's next to impossible to visit with an anesthesiologist except for the minutes just before your procedure. I'm going to request to be 'absent' from all the distasteful portions of the procedure - needles, knives, etc around my eyes.

@Jds4med, I have intracranial hypertension and it increased the spinal fluid pressure on my brain and hospitalized me for a week and required two spinal taps and a blood patch.

So, maybe allergic isn't the best term. I had an adverse reaction to it.

@Jds4med, I have intracranial hypertension and it increased the spinal fluid pressure on my brain and hospitalized me for a week and required two spinal taps and a blood patch.

So, maybe allergic isn't the best term. I had an adverse reaction to it.

Close enough. Glad you recovered.

Whilst I am not familiar with propofol by name, it sounds similar to iv anaesthesia I once had for dental surgery. Apparently I was fully conscious for the procedure but the drug eradicated all memory of what happened.

Whilst I am not familiar with propofol by name, it sounds similar to iv anaesthesia I once had for dental surgery. Apparently I was fully conscious for the procedure but the drug eradicated all memory of what happened.

That's probably Versed.

For those that have had propofol, have you ever been given a dose low enough to provide sedation but not amnesia or unconsciousness? IOW, do you remember your procedure? How do you feel about that? Did it help provide adequate sedation for uncomfortable procedures?

I would be very interested in hearing what you find out and your experience, as while I'm still likely to bias towards "awake and unsedated or we do nothing" it would be nice to have options, especially if something is really hurting or could develop into something dangerous and no one will do local/regional without sedation.

I've only had propofol to general, so can't help you with sedation. Do say how long it takes for you to recover (both to ability to function at all and to full recovery).

Absolutely, I'll report. If this wasn't in such a sensitive area of my body, including injecting a nerve block around my eye and close up and personal aspect of the process, I'd vote for local only. I already get injections into my eye for diabetic retinopathy. That's tolerable because it comes from the side and takes just a few seconds. I've never tolerated stuff right in front of my face. Even when I get MRI studies, I opt for the open machine. It's not claustrophobia, it's stuff close to my face.

I had propofol for a colonoscopy and was OUT. Felt amazingly good when it was over. Just a local for both cataracts. I didn't believe I could tolerate it initially but they were very good and it was close to painless.

Except for this last time - I attribute that to the lack of finesse by the doctor - I've had no issues with drug free colonoscopy. Some cramps were completely tolerable. For the cataract, my concern is my lifelong issue with close quarters stuff in front of my eyes - I feel pain even when nothing is touching. I have to steel myself for routine eye exams and can't tolerate the electronic visual field test.

To jump in here, no an anesthesiologist is not required to give propofol. I use it frequently from everything to placing a chest tube to reducing fractures. It's a great drug, nicely predictable and it's easily given. 2mg/kg gives a predictable level of unconsciousness without apnea. And no I've never seen anyone have an orgasm with it and I didn't have one myself when I was given it. I did feel very pleasantly euphoric.

My biggest concern is that the doctor was talking about a low dose. I'm rather intolerant of stuff in front of my face and eyes. My preference is to 'check out' from the beginning to the end of the party. I really don't want the spotty memory of Versed (or the permanent memory issues). Lights off - back on afterwards.

Jd, when you go in for your appointment for your surgery tell the doctor exactly what you told us, that you have issues with things coming at your face. Tell him you don't want to see or feel anything and that you want to not remember anything. He will make sure to give you that experience but you have to communicate with him accordingly. Doctors are people to and they get being afraid just like the rest of us.

Whether a patient gets a low dose or a more significant dose of Propofol the results and desired effect are basically the same, lights out. The dose amounts just depend on how deeply you fall and for how long is all.

Mashie