I went for a colonoscopy yesterday. All I can remember is screaming because of the horrific pain at the Propofol insertion site. The Dr. Told me there would be " a little burning"! Had I not fallen asleep I would have pulled the line out. I am not a baby with no pain tolerance, but this was unbelievable!!! I need to go for more surgery and almost want to cancel because of only ?30-40 seconds of barbaric pain. Actually I am embarrassed for screaming like that but I couldn't help it. Anyone experience this, or know why it would have been so bad?? Thank you
Why does Propofol burn SO bad when injected?
Question posted by Rixiesmom on 7 Aug 2013
Last updated on 23 August 2024 by Slogan039
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
65 Answers Page 3
Slogan039
18 Dec 2018
I had a scope 2 months ago and it burned so bad that I cried. I'm usually pretty good but the burning was so bad. I have to go tomorrow for another scope because the prep didn't work last time and I have been on a double prep this time. I'm so scared of the burning. Im not sure if I should ask them to push the meds slower or what I should do. But I'm very anxious just knowing that this burning pain is more than likely going to happen.
Djwalker
6 Dec 2018
This happened to me today!! It was terrible! I was yelling it hurt so bad!
Embroadway13
17 Oct 2018
I had a colonoscopy today and I had the same exact reaction to Propofol. Your post described my experience exactly. The pain was unbearable. Luckly I passed out, because I would have ripped my IV Line out!
Heath2018
25 Sep 2018
I had a colonoscopy last week. IV of Propofol was given. I thought someone was injecting fire into my whole arm. I too screamed. I was told after procedure that they missed my vein and had to reinsert while I was under. It is 6 days later. My arm still is swollen and sensitive at the site of entry. Will this go away? Should I tell the doctor?
Butz1951
19 Sep 2018
Yes, yes, yes. I just had my colonscope today and I experienced pain so bad I was writhing. I asked the anesthesiologist prior why it hurt so badly. He explained that a major nerve runs down the hand near injection site. Advised me next time to have IV placed in crook of elbow. Hope this helps. And, yes, it is way more than a burning sensation!!!
Treborthax
6 Sep 2018
I just went for an epidural steroid injection in my back and I've had many. This time however when the sedation went in my hand turned ice cold burned and then it started going up my arm. Before I went to sleep the anesthesiologist had the blood pressure cuff on the same arm that I had my IV port in and when the BP cuff deflated the pain went completely away you might want to check on that next time this is the first time I've had the iv put in the same arm as the BP cuff and I will not have that done again.
bigalinps
10 Aug 2018
My first encounter with propofol was for a cardioversion. The anesthesiologist said "there might be a sting," then began the infusion. In a moment I said to her, "this is going to hurt, isn't it?" She said yes. And it did. It hurt a lot. The second time was for another coronary issue and the doc did not say anything that I could recall, and I was expecting something along the lines of the first experience, but holy living god almighty! As I think about it, I feel my rage surfacing as I think that some quack claiming to be a physician would knowingly impose that level of pain on a patient. I am 73 years old and have experienced lots and lots of pain over my time, but this was the single greatest pain I've ever had to tolerate. At GW hospital in DC for what that's worth. I mentioned it to the surgeon who did the procedure and he just about laughed it off.
Yesterday, I went in for another procedure where they would use propofol again, and I inquired about the pain, the doc gave me this song and dance about the size of the vein, etc. BS is what it was. I told him that if that were ever done to me again, I would get a baseball bat and go looking for the person who inflicted that pain on me. I didn't feel a thing this time. Go figure. I think he heard in my voice my own understanding that I was willing go to prison for bringing violence upon the person (the sadist) who enjoys causing such pain. Turns out that there are ways to eliminate the pain, but for some twisted and bizarre reason these "doctors" seem to enjoy this part of their work way too much.
Billh01
30 July 2018
I was just looking up why this crap burns so much and ran across your post.
I had surgery on my elbow last week and remember the doctor injecting this stuff into the IV and then I sat up screaming to make it stop, then passing out. I have had a few surgeries before and have never had this happen. But I agree, I won’t let them inject me witht that crap again unless i am knocked out first. Propofol is the devil.
Inactive
29 July 2018
I was just trying to jog my memory of what my doctor’s response was to my question about that very thing when I came across your question a few minutes ago. Unfortunately, however, I have no answer for you, as I have zero memory of what my doctor said. Despite the fact that I clearly remember asking him that question. But what I can tell you is that, however painful, off-putting and frightening I know that sensation was for you, it was a completely normal reaction to that particular anesthetic medication. And you definitely are not alone.
Because I can also tell you that, I, too, was given general anesthesia with that very same drug a total of 16 times, I believe it was, over a rough 6-week period during these two months past. And all but one of those 16 times the “icy-hot” searing pain now “burned” into my memory for all eternity that I felt during the first several seconds before was pretty darn impressive. As far as pain levels go anyway. Okay, I‘m exaggerating just a little about my eternal memory of it, but not much if at all about the pain of it. I agree with you, it was pretty awful.
The facts that I do remember about that part are that the burning pain is completely normal for that medication and nothing to be concerned about, and it’s completely unavoidable. Unless, of course, they also give you another medication along with or just before the anesthesia to lessen the pain of it. Which I was given my second time, but I didn’t respond very well to that medication, so I only had it the one time.
I found that, as long as I kept my focus and my mind occupied on absolutely anything else, I didn’t feel completely filled with dread and on the verge of tears every single time I had to go in. And I found that always having my phone with me helped with that. But the thing I found to be more helpful than anything else were my doctor, my nurses, my anesthesiologists and my nurse anesthetists. They were all amazing. It didn’t matter how worried I got every time, and “worried” is profoundly understating things, they were all just completely calm and disarming and very understanding. I didn’t once feel concerned about my personal safety with them. Which, is still a little surprising for me, because for anyone who I don’t know well to accomplish that level of trust from me, speaks volumes about them.
victoronto
4 July 2018
I just had a colonoscopy today and propofol used in the procedure was relatively pain free.
The only effect afterwards was memory loss and being very tired. I appreciate that some people do have different reactions to the same medicines but realistically each person is different in many ways to begin with. There was a slight burning upon insertion but it helps to relax completely in the knowledge that it's necessary and temporary given that one does fall "asleep" rather quickly.
Laney61
14 June 2018
Hi in Answer to your Question I just had an Arthroscopy on my Knee Last Saturday and like you I’m no Baby to Pain as have had Back Surgery and other Big Surgeries. But like you I was in Agonising Pain and Nurses were holding the Oxygen Mask On my Mouth as I think they were hoping I’d soon go to Sleep to alleviate my Pain. I’ve never experienced this before ever. I know I’m no Medic but I feel almost 99% Sure it was all down to the Fact they only used a very thin Vein as I heard them mention this a few times. On all Past Operations there’s always some problem getting a good vein from me but the Theatre Team Have Always kept trying until they get a good Vein and although it may take a couple of goes at least It’s been comfortable for me. The Pain this time was Horrendous and I was Screaming and grabbing that Hand As wanted it to Stop.
It was all Pannicky and like I said I felt they were trying to hold the Oxygen against me and I’m 99% sure it was in hope I’d go out Quicker to stop that Awful Pain. Years ago I suffered terrible anxiety about Anaesthetic and over the Years I’d got over that as I explained my Fears and all involved in my Care in Theatre helped to get rid of that anxiety. However since this last Operation I’m petrified to ever experience that again. Does anyone else share my Theory about the thin Vein?? In fact are there any others out there like me and Rixiesmom
tottart
4 July 2018
I had the exact experience last Summer. It felt like my wrist was on fire. I, too, have small veins and a pediatric needle has to be used. After reading these articles, I called the anesthesiologist and discussed what happened. They claimed they used lidocaine (sp?), however, I don't believe it because the pain was so intense.
tottart
29 July 2018
Hi Laney61, I agree with you. I have thin veins and experienced the awful burning when I had a colonoscopy. I was screaming in pain it was so bad. What I don't understand is why they started using propofol, years ago they did not. This time, I told the nurse prior to the procedure that I had a bad post colonoscopy experience the previous time they used propofol and they still went ahead and used it. UGH
Mcanml
13 June 2018
I had the exact same reaction 4 nurses had to hold me down. I have had many different procedures before when I had to be put to sleep but NEVER did I experience such pain.
Hmelissa824
14 April 2018
I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. No one told me that it was going to burn, or that t was going to make white splotches on my arm. I screamed, sat up, and pulled the thing they put in my mouth out. I tried to get to the IV, but all 4 people in the room held me down, and I went to sleep. Honestly, I'm pissed. I have PTSD with awful panic attacks, and now I'm in the same boat as you. I need more tests/surgeries, but am so freaked out by the experience. Did you end up getting all the surgery you needed? Did your doctor give you another option for medication?
bestpup
23 Dec 2017
Hi Rixiesmom
Next time you have to have Propofol in an IV make sure the anesthesiologist uses lidocaine and ask them to use a big vein if possible. The bigger the vein the little less it'll hurt.
It's still going to hurt though because it's a very strong sedative/anesthetic.
Best regards
bestpup
tottart
23 Dec 2017
I experienced the very same thing yesterday, screaming before going under for a colonoscopy. Even worse, upon waking up in recovery, I had bad gut pain and a very bad sore throat, which lasted all day and the next day. The next time I go in for a colonoscopy, I will tell the Dr. that they cannot use Propofol - if they insist on doing so, I will not go through with the procedure. My first two colonoscopies, they did not use Propofol and I had no adverse reactions. Yesterday was like a day in hell. Thank you!
Related topics
anesthesia, pain, propofol, colonoscopy, burning
Further information
- Propofol uses and safety info
- Propofol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propofol (detailed)
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