Propofol and Pain: What Users Say

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2013

For Anesthesia "I had an endoscopic procedure yesterday, and they used Propofol instead of Versed. I am 61 years old and was told of a slight sting. I had about 60 seconds (long seconds) of a feeling like my hand was set on fire. I will never let anyone use this drug on me again. I'm 61 and healthy and can't imagine if I was a frail little old lady or man given this drug. The pain was horrific."

• Joe...
• August 26, 2015

For Anesthesia "Was given propofol for colonoscopy. As soon as the nurse gave it to me, my arm started burning like it was being dipped in acid. Unbelievably painful. I sat up and reached to pull the IV out of my arm, and then the drug took effect, and I lost consciousness. It was a barbaric, excruciating experience that thankfully was over quickly. Should have at least warned me that it would hurt."

• Muf...
• June 11, 2008

For Anesthesia "I had Versed and propofol for a colonoscopy, and it was wonderful. I went out like a light and then almost instantly woke up afterward. I was not even sleepy the rest of the day and could have driven home (although it would not have been advisable). There was no pain upon injection and no soreness at the injection site. Propofol was used as I throw up if I take any kind of narcotics or synthetic narcotics."

• man...
• September 2, 2014

For Anesthesia "I had my colonoscopy yesterday. I was out like a lamp. But I did experience some pain and woke up briefly during the procedure. I was quickly popped back to sleep. I remember the doctor apologizing and saying he would give me some more. Overall, not my worst experience in life. I woke up shouting too!! Was it a girl or boy?"

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2016

For Anesthesia "I had outpatient surgery last week and received propofol to induce general anesthesia. By the time the anesthetist removed the syringe from the IV tubing after injecting it, I already felt it taking effect and lost consciousness within a few seconds. Within the blink of an eye, I awoke in the recovery room with no ill effects. After reading some of the comments here, I worried that the propofol injection would be painful, but there was absolutely no pain - did not feel a thing."

• Sga...
• June 6, 2016

For Anesthesia "Had a colonoscopy on a Tuesday. No issues with the propofol, and no burning or pain at all. Was out like a light after just a few seconds before the procedure. Woke up just fine. After two days, was able to drive, but still not feeling 100%. By Sunday, still quite tired, sleep each night is very deep, and if I take a nap, it has been extremely difficult to get up. I sometimes feel a bit of a fog, or 'not all there.' I thought by now the stuff would have cleared from my system, but it hasn't. By the way, I don't drink coffee or any other drinks with stimulants. Hoping the stuff will clear out of my system soon, so I can feel normal once again. Propofol works fine for most people, but everyone is different, so there will be differing side effects."

• Sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2023

For Anesthesia "The worst pain I ever had in my life was caused by a propofol infusion in a small vein in my hand “without” proper pre-medication or lidocaine with a large dose pushed over a short period of time. It felt like lit gasoline was being infused while being electrocuted! Horrible and negligent care."

• Spi...
• October 5, 2015

For Anesthesia "I have had over a dozen major surgeries. Opium tolerant, I recently went for a shoulder replacement. When the anesthesiologist injected propofol into my IV, I experienced-not some little burn-but some of the most incredible pain of my life. It literally felt like someone had injected sulfuric acid into my veins and it was now making its way through my veins. This lasted about 10 seconds before I went under. I remember screaming and thought I would break the nurse's hand. Unfortunately, I have endured some pain many will never experience in their life, unfortunately, this rated among some of the worst."

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2012

For Anesthesia "Five years ago, for my last colonoscopy, the nurse gave me a Versed cocktail, which put me under for about 10 seconds. Then I woke up and literally felt no effects from the medicine. The doctor then began the procedure, and I was in such pain from the cramping that the nurse gave me a second dose of Versed, which I still powered through. The effect was like being very drunk and thinking through molasses, but I was awake the whole time and able to watch the entire procedure on the television, mostly annoyed that it was so hard to concentrate. This time, I received 260 mg of propofol. Within 10 seconds, my head felt numb, and then I was out cold. In what seemed like the next instant, I was dreaming and then opened my eyes in the recovery room."

• hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2016

For Anesthesia "I am a 72-year-old woman. I had propofol for a heart ablation. They had a hard time trying to start my IV, and when finally in, it was very painful to even move my wrist, but decided to leave it in as it was working, and I didn't want them to dig around any more. In the operating room, they put the oxygen mask on me and then said I would be going to sleep. They said what they were putting in my IV might burn a little. It was horrible! It felt like they poured boiling water on my arm, and it just kept getting more intense. I tried to get away and screamed at them, but they kept up till I passed out. Horrible experience. Have had 6 major surgeries and never had this happen before."

• Cra...
• November 6, 2018

For Anesthesia "I just had a colonoscopy, and they gave me Propofol. I woke up fine. I was extremely thirsty, then went to eat, and I could not swallow my food... very scary. In less than 30 minutes, my throat was on fire, and I could barely talk. Seven hours later, it actually feels like it has gotten worse. This has never happened to me. Third colonoscopy - 54 years old, not sure if they used Propofol before. I'm telling them never to use it again. I am in extreme pain!! Plus, I'm hungry and can't really eat. Not liking Propofol :("

• Rid...
• July 11, 2013

For Anesthesia "I also had Propofol (with Fentanyl) for a colonoscopy recently. While a nurse was hooking up sensors, the surgeon explained the Fentanyl was for pain; Propofol for sedation. Overall, he said I would be very drowsy during the procedure. He pushed a pre-measured syringe of each with a warning that Propofol might burn a bit. The Fentanyl produced an almost immediate light rush. A few seconds later, the nurse asked if I felt any burning. I answered 'No, but my wrist is a little sore.' My wrist immediately went numb, and as I stared at it, my world went blank. The next thing I knew, I was prying my eyes open, feeling pretty drowsy as well as half tipsy. Someone said 'All done!' and wheeled me to recovery. No bad side effects; good stuff!"

• ase...
• June 16, 2015

For Anesthesia "I had my 1st colonoscopy yesterday on propofol. I was incredibly nervous (I'm terrified of needles as my veins blow and roll, making all needle experiences very difficult). I have multiple sclerosis, which causes all sorts of fun mysterious issues. Well... when they started the propofol (after digging for my vein that rolled), they might as well have been pumping acid through my vein. It was so insanely painful. Within 60 seconds, they shot me a dose of lidocaine, and the pain eased. I was able to roll on my side and drift off to sleep. I highly recommend anyone with vein sensitivity to START with lidocaine! Other than that, the drug was okay. Easy wake-up. Quick recovery. But today (the day after), I'm still disoriented and pretty emotional."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2019

Propofol for Anesthesia "I recently went under the knife for gross in my nasal pharynx. The anesthesiologist went through all of my allergy list, and propofol was one of them, gas was another. I told him if anything is on the list that he wanted to use, he couldn't because I was severely allergic to them. He asked me what kind of allergies I had with them, and I told him they cause seizures, they cause tremors, they make me throw up, and I can't eat or drink for days on end. It causes depression and causes many aspects to where I don't want to relive. I am now writing up a case history for the administration of surgical anesthesiologists. Most anesthesiologists are supposed to go by your allergy sheet, I've had two instances where they did not. I am tired of having surgeries. If I have to have another one, I will never have another one. I have now had multiple blood tests because of bacterial contamination and blood poisoning from this medication, it has caused me nothing but pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

For Anesthesia "I am a 29-year-old woman who received propofol for my first colonoscopy. I slept through the entire colonoscopy and was not drowsy afterward, although when they administered the drug, it felt like lava being pushed into my vein. That pain lasted just a few minutes."

• 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!"

• Gus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2017

For Anesthesia "It was the first time I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy. I was quite anxious about possibly feeling pain. Not at all. Simply perfect. Three seconds is all I can remember after being given the propofol. Woke up in the recovery room two hours later feeling perfectly normal, no pain at all and totally lucid."

• 28F...
• January 26, 2018

For Anesthesia "Had this for the first time anesthesia for a small (15 min) operation. The injection did burn and was painful, but I was out 5 seconds later. My recovery time was pretty quick, I just felt like I had one or two too many drinks. Later, I had a tickly, runny nose and couldn't stop sneezing! I slept a lot after my procedure, so the drowsiness was manageable."

• War...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2018

For Anesthesia "Was to have an implant for a spinal stimulator with locals only, lidocaine. That did not work, so all of a sudden my arm went severely and painfully cold, and my arm no longer felt like a human arm. It was cold with a cold, steel metallic feeling, like a metal beam. It was hurting like crazy. The nurse said that is just the effect of the propofol. Mercifully, I finally went to sleep. No bad effects when I awakened. I do not want it again!"

• Sus...
• April 20, 2018

For Anesthesia "I've just finished my colonoscopy, which went like clockwork. Actually, the only pain was inserting the needle on the back of my hand. I saw the nurse anesthetist administer the propofol, I was out after 3 seconds. So far, I feel fine! Even went shopping at Sam's!"

• App...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2017

For Anesthesia "I just had an appendectomy under propofol. I'm 50, male, the procedure was minimally invasive and lasted 1 hour, although I was kept under about 2.5 hours because of complaining about pain after surgery. I don't recall this and was given the information by staff. I was ventilated during the procedure. Wake-up was quick, and I was able to stand up and go to the bathroom by myself as I arrived in my room. 24 hours later, I feel pretty good, I sometimes mix up words, although that might be the pain meds (tramadol). Overall, a good experience so far."

• Sna...
• December 16, 2018

For Anesthesia "I was administered propofol for the first time for an upper endoscopy. Despite repeated reassurance, I was quite nervous that the medication would not work for me given an extensive use of recreational drugs, including use of cannabis, which I heard can affect propofol (not sure if this is true). The anesthesiologist was informed, and I had to await his decision on whether he would continue given that I had smoked cannabis that day. He decided to proceed. Upon injection, an intense burn was felt as it was coursing through my veins. It was quite uncomfortable, and I was audibly in pain for a few seconds. Luckily, this ended very quickly as everything became blurry then dark (about 10 seconds from injection to lights out). I had no clue I was even getting a procedure done, I woke up about an hour and a half later. I woke up dazed and shivering. But the best sleep of my life despite it being so short, but there was no memory of anything after going out until waking up."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

For Anesthesia "I was given propofol during a spinal cord stimulator implant surgery. Did fine during the surgery and woke with no problems. However, the arm used for induction was extremely sore afterward. Felt like my arm had been severely twisted during surgery. The soreness lasted a couple of days and then went away. Never had this problem before with propofol, including during a major spinal operation in 1986."