Re: Gastroenterology/Endoscopy
 

I've had them both. No big deal. The lower is a pain in the ass, though. LMAO

SS-
It shouldn't cause a problem if your young cutters would use it as directed, use it on the acceptable patients for this type medication, and watch carefully for cyanosis/low Po2 intially, etc.

In reviewing reported cases of methemoglobinemia, clinicians almost always (every case I read about) used multiple sprays of benzocaine and/or sprays of longer duration than recommended

"Spray in excess of two seconds is contraindicated"

Predisposing factors include age (infants under 6 months of age and older patients with cardiac problems may be sensitive to even low methemoglobin levels); the status of the area that is being sprayed (inflamed areas absorb more drug); concomitant use of other drugs which also have been implicated in causing methemoglobinemia; and the genetic make-up of the patient (due to altered hemoglobin, G6PD deficiency, or methemoglobin reductase enzyme deficiency).4,5

FWIW, Intravenous methylene blue is the treatment of
choice for methemoglobinemia. The typical initial dosage is 1 to 2 mg/kg intravenously; clinical improvement is typically noted within 15 to 30 minutes.

If in doubt, cut it out.... so that applies to pt comfort producing meds too? ;) :p HAHA

THANKS for the warning Sir. I treat a LOT of geriatric patients and use benzo gel daily...with no concerns. I do, however, use the hurricane spray for gagging patients and had not been properly educated to this phenom until you posted it. THANK YOU SIR.:cool:

Saca,
a man of much wisdom......you are so correct. It is the abuse rather than appropriate use of such products that leads to complications.
I am the pain free king in surgical circles.....never cut out pain meds!!! especially for a wounded soldier/cop/etc that have weapons that could hurt you!!

Posted by Swatsurgeon:

I fall into that category. They gave me enough to make me good and not giving a shit when they did the surgery on my foot. Even though I was semi-conscious, I could care less that some dude was down the with a hammer and chisel smashing my joint apart. When they went in to take the hardware out a year later (it started working loose nad the screw head was visible just beneath my skin) I damn near came off the table and killed the doc. He hit a nerve, hadn't bothered to numb it up because he said I wouldn't feel anything. They ended up knocking me completely out.

So.....as long as I am goofy and not gagging I will be okay.....I hope! It's getting done at a civilian hospital. Wheeeee!!

I have had it done to me 5 times over the past 8 years. The stuff you guys talk about that they numb the throat with IS the worse part. The Demerol and Valium makes the lower portion more comfortable/tolerable.

I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue 8 years ago. They (the doctors) told me that the MRE's were partly responsible if not the main antagonist for developing the disease. The infectious disease doctor advised me that I am in excellent company as there were quite a few soldiers who developed the disease during and after Desert Storm. Anybody else hear the same thing?

Nope, never heard of anyone developing this disease. Linking it to MRE's? Are MRE's eaten in the M.E. different then eating one in any other country? BTW, I spent six months there and ate a whole lot of MRE's.

TS

QUOTE]I have had it done to me 5 times over the past 8 years. The stuff you guys talk about that they numb the throat with IS the worse part. The Demerol and Valium makes the lower portion more comfortable/tolerable[/QUOTE]

Is it just me having had a couple of glasses of wine or does this not make a whole lot of sense??

Edited to add: I think it means that he's allergic to beer!!!!:eek:

Ok, I had a bottle too many. I get both the esophogeal something, something where the tube (different one) goes down the throat to the small bowel. They numb the back of the throat so the tube can go down with out your "gag" reflex kicking in. They also will do a colonoscopy. This is where the Demerol and Valium comes into play to relax you so the gastroentenologist has an easier time scoping the entire colons.

I hope this explains it better, Sorry for the confusion.

I am just having the upper end done.....at least that's what they told me.....there isn't a thing wrong with my colon!!