Propofol and Nausea: What Users Say

• sun...
• May 21, 2014

For Anesthesia "Just received a D&C today and had to be put to sleep with propofol, and I must tell you it is amazing. I was so scared to be put under because this was my first surgery. I'm 21. The anesthesiologist talked to me the whole time. When the medication was injected into my IV, it wasn't painful, but it did go up my shoulder, and I could actually taste it, but after that all I remember was looking at the clock and them strapping me down on the surgery table, and then I was in recovery. It's that simple. It's just like a regular nap. I woke up tired, but no nausea, I wasn't groggy, no headache. I felt great. Would definitely do this medicine again. Hope this helps for those who are afraid like I was. Don't be. It's as easy as 123."

• Bil...
• July 21, 2014

For Anesthesia "I had a colonoscopy, which was the first one I had. I am 54 years old and elected to have this to be proactive. I have to say I am normally nervous when general anesthesia is administered because the first time I had surgery (neck surgery), I had a violent reaction involving nausea and vomiting. I had never had Diprivan (propofol) as an anesthetic, but I was told by the doctor that this medicine has an anti-nausea effect. He was absolutely correct. It was an awesome experience. I am a person who gets sick from taking even mild pain pills and any kind of anesthesia. I have to say it was great. I had no side effects whatsoever. The recovery time was nothing. I felt great when I came out of it. It felt like taking a short nap."

• Zak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2017

For Anesthesia "Today I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy, and propofol was used. I am a very, very anxious person. I started with my anxiety attacks three days ago because of the procedure, but especially for the propofol. I love the propofol, it was amazing my recovery. Once they gave it to me, I fell asleep, and I woke what looked to me like one minute after, and yet my procedure lasted thirty minutes. Propofol is very mild, and I was awake and walking right after the procedure. No nausea, no vomiting, no side effects at all. I know everybody is different, and everybody reacts differently, but it is what I think the best anesthesia so far. If you are like me, anxious and scared of everything, just relax, take a deep breath, think everything through, and ask your doctor about it. Get informed about it."

• Pro...
• April 30, 2015

For Anesthesia "I had a colonoscopy a few days ago and propofol was used as the anesthesia. The doctor said he was injecting it into my IV, and I felt a little burning sensation in my hand, and then I was awake and in the recovery room. No drowsiness, no nausea - I drank some juice, got dressed, and went home, where I felt absolutely fine the rest of the day!"

• Adr...
• April 26, 2014

For Anesthesia "I was given propofol IV prior to a colonoscopy procedure. I was out within seconds of administration of the medicine. The next thing I remember is half an hour later being told that all the procedure has finished. I had no nausea or other side effects. I ordered a taxi and went straight to the office, where I worked for the rest of the day."

• Ali...
• April 13, 2014

For Anesthesia "I have had a few 'twilight' surgeries, and this was my first time having Propofol. I can honestly say it is the BEST anesthetic I have ever had. It is literally like a light switch on/off. I was given a sedative beforehand because I have bad anxiety and then was wheeled into surgery. I was given the Propofol, and within 30 seconds, I was gone, and the next time I knew, I heard a nurse calling my name in recovery, giving me water. I had no nausea, and I felt a little buzzed the next day, but I could function. I wasn't sleepy or groggy at all."

• Wif...
• June 22, 2015

For Anesthesia "I had a colonoscopy today, and propofol was used as the anesthesia. The doctor said he was injecting it into my IV, and I felt a little burning sensation in my arm, and then I was awake and in the recovery room. I had a little bit of drowsiness, no nausea - I got dressed and went home, where I felt sleepy for the rest of the day!"

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Anesthesia "Have had some horrible experiences with anesthesia, but my last 3 experiences with propofol were excellent. Woke up clear-headed, no nausea. It's been used for my last 2 colonoscopies and a gallbladder surgery. Has really alleviated my anxiety over procedures, surgery."

• fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Anesthesia "It has been 3 weeks since my colonoscopy, and I am getting worse. Came home with a slight headache, but the headache and neck pain are getting so bad that I'm experiencing nausea. Never had incontinence before, but that's getting worse. Even when I don't feel any urge to urinate, I pee on the floor. I don't want to go back to the same doctor because I've just gotten excuses before. But I don't know where to go, other than the emergency room."

• Nic...
• November 17, 2015

For Anesthesia "I was given Propofol during my first routine colonoscopy after turning 50. Wow, what a drug. I went out like a light, and the next thing I remember was waking up in recovery and feeling like I was coming out of the best, most relaxing sleep of my life. I can see why Michael Jackson got hooked on it. What I really liked was the quick recovery time. About two hours after the procedure, I felt fine, no drowsiness, nausea, or anything."

• Ver...
• April 17, 2017

For Anesthesia "Just had my 8th colonoscopy. Previously, I always had Vicodin, etc., sedation and woke up feeling great - hydrated, hungry, ready to get on with my day. No problems at all. Anticipating feeling fine after the procedure would get me through the prep! Unbeknownst to me, my doctor now has a nurse anesthetist administering propofol during the procedure. Woke up nauseated (despite IV Zofran), feeling dehydrated and somewhat disoriented. Ate very little, no appetite. Slept 5 hours and woke feeling like my face was on fire. Also headache, grogginess, no appetite. I will take my chances with my high-risk GI issues. I will NOT have another colonoscopy with this anesthetic. These are not truly serious problems, but they are 100% unnecessary."

• Mug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Anesthesia "First colonoscopy today. Propofol used. Awesome!!!!! I'm 56 years old and this was by far the best drug experience I've ever had. No nausea or grogginess when the procedure was over. Quick acting, felt a deep sleep coming on and my eyes getting heavy. That's the last I remembered until 20 minutes later I was dressing myself to leave feeling mighty fine."

• Sen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2016

For Anesthesia "I'm a cancer survivor and have had multiple surgeries requiring anesthesia. Typically, I wake feeling very groggy and nauseous, racing heart, headache, etc. This is the first time I have had propofol. I woke feeling completely alert, was able to stand up immediately, dress myself, and walk unaided to the restroom within minutes of waking. I thought this drug was finally the answer, but after several hours, I began coughing and sneezing and have not been able to sleep for two nights. I'm on day 3, and my chest feels heavy, and I continue to cough. Despite a recent bout with breast cancer, I'm physically fit and strong. I have excellent blood pressure, and my resting heart rate is around 50 bpm, which is excellent for my age, not sure why this reaction."

• CSa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2016

For Anesthesia "Had a colonoscopy with propofol. I went out quickly and didn't experience any problems during the exam. But afterward, in recovery, I felt drowsy and unbalanced when asked to get up to get dressed. It seems like you are forced to leave recovery too fast. Finally, I was able to walk to the car. Once we arrived home, I had severe nausea and felt like vomiting. I wasn't able to get out of the car. We called the doctor. He told me to stay reclined in the car and do not eat or drink anything. The good thing is I was in my garage, away from the cold rain. After 2 hours, I was able to go into the house. Called doctor back. He informed me I had a reaction to the 'new drug' aka propofol. Other effects: chills, sleepy, tired. NEVER again!!!"

• Cys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2013

For Anesthesia "Went through a bronchoscopy (lung scope), which took approx. 1 hr 10 min. They gave me a vial of the propofol through an IV. I previously had this done with an endo, and both times I was impressed with the post-procedure effects. No nausea, aches, etc. I remember everything up till the time I fell asleep, and there was no discomfort! Great stuff."

• And...
• July 17, 2018

For Anesthesia "Many people have a pleasant experience with Propofol for induction or MAC (monitored anesthesia care). I have had it for both induction and MAC. It worked OK for induction because it was given slowly (I cannot use Versed, so only got Propofol). For MAC, it was pushed too fast; my arm felt on fire (the resident forgot to loosen the BP cuff, so the drug was 'stuck'-me and the attending shouted at him to 'Get the cuff off!'). I felt 'hit on the head' and woke feeling sick (I did not receive other meds-just Propofol; I checked). This was for a chemo port placement; the same thing happened for a 'quick' outpatient procedure where it was pushed fast (I guess they're on a timetable). I felt awful-nausea and difficulty waking up (was told, 'Oh, you're wrong, this NEVER causes nausea!'). I can't say I'll never use it again, but I'm going to insist on better pre-treatment for nausea."

• ohn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2012

For Anesthesia "I was given Versed propofol to sedate me for an upper endo. I have Asperger's, so I was very nervous about any sensory issues the medicines might cause, and also concerned with being nauseous, so the anesthesiologist gave me Zofran to ward off any nausea. When I was taken back to the OR, the CRNA injected me with a tiny bit of Versed just to relax me. I was rolled onto my side, they put the oxygen tube in my nose, and then the CRNA pushed the rest of the Versed and then the propofol, and I was out like a light! I woke up in the recovery area, and I felt fine. I had a bit of double vision at first, but that wore off after 2-3 mins. Also, I could not stop laughing. Slight stuffy nose like others have mentioned. Not a bad experience!"

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2016

For Anesthesia "Don't be scared! I was so scared about getting a GA for a colonoscopy, specifically propofol. I read the standard horror stories. I'm the biggest wimp when it comes to things like this, and my experience was as follows: Day before Moviprep, absolutely fine. It can be drank fine, people seem to get hung up on taste. Just drink it, no worse than cheap diluting juice. I ended up having 4x A and 4x B sachets for good measure. No pain, nausea, you basically just pee from your bum is the only way I can describe it. On the day, my procedure was at 8:00 am, in and prepped by 8:30 am, cannula in wrist, good to go in the endoscopy suite. Seen the propofol, quarter in, half in, gone in five to ten seconds. Woke up clear-headed at 9:30 am, ate, drank, slept!"

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2016

For Anesthesia "I'm a 33-year-old female with Crohn's disease. I had my 4th colonoscopy done today, and they used propofol. The nurse informed me they started using it about a year ago, and people just love it. I have only had the Versed, and I hated the groggy feeling, as well as the memory loss, and even being sick to my stomach. When they took me back, the anesthesiologist talked to me for a few seconds and then slowly administered the propofol. As I was laying there, my hand started to hurt really bad. I honestly thought the IV had come out! So I pulled my hand out from under the covers and said something about it, and he quickly replied, 'Oh yes, it kinda burns when it goes in.' Next thing I know, I'm in recovery waking up happy AND I remember talking to the doctor! Love it!!"

• Too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2017

For Anesthesia "Tuesday I had a colonoscopy, yes it works fast. When I woke, I was extremely groggy, needed help standing up, and was put in a wheelchair to be taken to the car because I could not walk at all. I was nauseous and was groggy all the way home, and when my daughter got me to the house, she had to literally hold me up and walk me to the bed, my knees were so weak. I slept the rest of the day (2:30 - 5:30 or so). Only woke up to use the restroom and get water. The nausea slowly began to subside, and today is Thursday. I'm still not feeling as well as I should, but I'm functioning. So the conclusion of the matter is I don't take meds of any kind or alcohol (no cough med) in any form because I have 0 tolerance. That's what I'll chalk it up to be."

• All...
• September 28, 2017

For Anesthesia "I just had a colonoscopy today. They used propofol. It worked great. I woke up and felt good. Last time I had a colonoscopy 10 years ago, they used Versed. It made me very nauseous. I was thankful for this good experience."

• bil...
• December 24, 2011

For Anesthesia "I had a colonoscopy the other day. The anesthetist used propofol to put me out and woke up with no nausea that other medicines seem to cause. The only side effect was the shivers that were quickly controlled by an extra blanket to warm me up."

• pns...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2018

For Anesthesia "78-year-old female. Had propofol for colonoscopy yesterday. I went out before feeling any warmth, as was told I would. The rest of the day, I felt like a million dollars and did not rest once. Today, when the doctor's office called, I asked what the anesthesia was, I was told the name and the fact that it was what Michael Jackson was hooked on. I can understand why...great rest and amazing pep. BTW, I had no nausea or other side effects."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2022

For Anesthesia "My first colonoscopy was a breeze - no issues. Second colonoscopy was a nightmare with propofol. Woke to horrible chest pain/congestion, coughing, sore throat/ears, fever, bad headache, and nausea. Never, ever again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2021

For Anesthesia "I had propofol for breast cancer surgery. I woke up with extreme dizziness-the room was going around so much I gripped the side rail so much-so long that I had bruises on the inside of my fingers. I had extreme nausea. Both lasted over 8 hours. My head also was extremely painful. Never again!"