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Midazolam Sedation Is Not ALWAYS Safe
posted by Jackie Murray on 16 Sept 2006 at 8:06 amMidazolam/Versed is not as safe as the manufacturer would like you to believe. It causes extreme mental reactions in some (maybe many) patients, which last well beyond the systemic life of the drug. Amnesia and /or a hypnotic effect is not always desired by the patient and should be explained clearly to the patient before application. This reaction is well known to the administrators of this drug, but it is not widely reported.
Read the news article that this opinion was posted about:
New ITI Study Shows Potential Of Intranasal Midazolam As An Effective, Noninvasive Sedative
I Dislike Midazolam
posted by Tim on 16 Sept 2006 at 2:14 pm
I agree with Jackie's posting. I was given Midazolam prior to a hernia repair with no explanation of the drug or its effects. I would have refused this drug under all circumstances if the anesthesiologist had been honest with me. I ended up having a bad reaction and was then given general anesthesia. It adds insult to injury because I have experienced many operations while wide awake with no problems. I am very pain tolerant and not at all squeamish about surgery. My wife was present during the pre-op consultation and we both agree in retrospect that the anesthesiologist was deliberately sneaky and essentially, by committing lies of omission, forced this awful drug on me.
I object to the amnesia and I object to how this drug is used. After starting Versed Busters (http://versedbusters.blogspot.com/) and sharing experiences with a large number of people, it is clear that there is a widespread pattern of abuse.
If it were up to me, I'd ban this drug entirely.
Midazolam Aka Versed Is Evil
posted by Lois on 11 Jan 2007 at 9:42 pm
I also had a bad experience with Versed. It was administered to me first during a colonoscopy. I didn't know what it was. I was told that I would be getting a twilight sedation. For weeks, actually months afterwards I had a weird feeling of trying to recall something.
I found out what I had been administered and did an internet search. When I found out that Versed causes amnesia it made sense to me why I was feeling so weird from it. Then I had surgery and assumed that I would be receiving general anesthesia only.
I was very upset to find out that Versed was being given to me just prior to entering the OR. I wrote a letter to the hospital to inform them that they should advise patients first before assuming that they would want this drug. The hospital administration advised me to always state from now on if I have surgery to write down that I am allergic to Versed. I think that was a cop out on their part.
I think that everyone had a right to be informed that they are going to be given an unnecessary drug.
Versed Busters Page
posted by Tim on 22 Jan 2007 at 12:03 pm
Lois:
I would like to have your comments posted to my site as well:
http://versedbusters.blogspot.com/
Feeling Violated
posted by april cleveland on 10 Feb 2007 at 6:10 pm
I didn"t go to a doctor for ten years after less than ideal experiences. Have been going to mine for 5 years now & thought I could trust him. I feel like he help a sadist to torture me for a half hour for colonoscopy even though I can't remember . I am 58 year old woman. If I have anything wrong I'll die from it before I go back.
Bad Reaction To Versed
posted by kent on 01 Apr 2007 at 8:00 pm
I had Versed two days ago for a dental procedure. It was the most terrifying experience I've ever had. It felt like I was being forced up a vacume where all sides of me were many mirrors and glass, and I had no control over this as I felt like I was racing in the air trying to reach the end of the "glass" but it never ended.
I know this sounds crazy, but I'm still recovering today, and I get terrified when I even think about it. (I'm 56 and an R.N.).
Thought that I was dying. I was trying to scream but no one could hear. I did notice the shadowy shapes of the dentist and his assistant as they hovered above me, but I believe I came very close to having a heart attack.!!
Respiratory Failure And Convulsions
posted by Alex on 20 May 2008 at 12:49 pm
I had to have back surgery a couple of years ago and was administered Versed (Midazolam). Typically when a patient starts to spasm, they are either allergic or do not have enough Midazolam in the system. So a second dose was administered in which I began to convulse and went into respiratory failure according to my surgeon. They had to inject flumazenil (Anexate) an antidote to reverse the effects.
We are the unlucky 0.1% of the world population who is allergic to this most abundantly used sedative. I recommend to any of you to get a necklace or bracelet from http://www.americanmedical-id.com, just in case you are not able to communicate your allergies.
Beware Versed
posted by Sharon on 10 Sept 2008 at 8:28 am
I was given Versed for cataract surgery. I was told it was a benzo sedative and was not told about amnesia qualities. As soon as it was administered I went into a panic. I was completely aware during the surgery, but unable to communicate. I clenched my fists, but no one seemed to get that I was in a complete state of panic. Just as well, they probably would have given me more. When I was picked up I was freaked out and just kept saying "get me out of here." I remember nothing else for two days except wandering around the house, uncoordinated, and bumping into walls. I still have a lingering feeling of panic and lack of control. I have to have a second surgery and they are telling me they will adjust the dosage. I may cancel the surgery if I can't convince them that they will never give me any amount of this drug. I don't feel the professionals understand how it can mess up patients. Maybe they like it because it keeps them quiet and "under control."
Versed Was Ok For Me.
posted by Johnny Hotsot on 29 Sept 2008 at 10:48 pm
A few days ago I dislocated my shoulder and was brought by ambulance to the local hospital. I was given morphine for the pain when I got to the ER. Before they popped my arm back in, they gave me more morphine and said they were going to give me something else to sedate me. I asked what it was and they said Versed. I've been an EMT for almost ten years now, so that's what prompted me to ask. They told me I might have no recollection of the events, and I was OK with that. They also hooked me up to a cardiac monitor to be on the safe side in case I crashed.
I remember them pushing the drugs, then I woke up back on the x-ray table. My girlfriend, who was with me through all the procedures said I was conscious through everything.
I can definitely see how people have problems with drugs like this not knowing the effects. It's one thing if you know there is a possibility of complete blackout and amnesia, but if they fail to warn you, I can see how the amnesia would bother some. Not something to be taken lightly.
I Love Versed
posted by Tom K on 05 Feb 2009 at 3:38 pm
I've had multiple procedures with versed. One was a neck biopsy (where local anesthetic would not have been an option) and also for a combination colonoscopy and upper gi endoscopy.
I had no memory of any of the procedures, which was fine with me. The last thing I remembered was being hooked up to an IV. I was told what I was getting, that it would calm me, and that I would have no memory of the procedures.
I'm Very Angry About Versed
posted by Rebecca Chulski on 05 Apr 2009 at 5:08 am
On March 20th I had carpal tunnel surgery. I had had a procedure several years ago and was given versed then. I completely never got over the feeling of being violated and a loss of control. Consequently it took forever for me to be convinced to have the carpal tunnel surgery. I made it very clear in the pre-op that I was to be given no more than 1 mg of versed. My wishes were granted and I was awake for the whole procedure and everything went well.
Two weeks later on April 3rd I went back to have the other wrist done. I made it very clear in the pre-op, where they tried to give me 2mgs, again that I was to be given only 1 mg of versed. I remember moving from the pre-op bed to the bed in the operating room and the next thing I woke up in the recovery room. I WAS LIVID!
They knew my wishes, they knew I was okay with being awake for the procedure and they violated my wishes 100%. They went out to the waiting room and told my husband what they had done and they knew they had screwed up because they told him I was quite mad. That is an understatement. I will die before I ever have another surgery. They told my husband that they gave me 5 mgs in the o.r. and I had had 1 mg in the pre-op. I will never get over this.
Ironic
posted by phil on 29 Apr 2009 at 8:01 am
I had a gastroscopy done a yr or so ago and was told by the surg he doesn't give anything, as he claims ppl lose their inhibitions and can do silly things like trying to pull the tube out etc.... He said it would be the longest 15 mins of my life, and he wasn't kidding.
It was the worst experience I have ever had, but after reading the posts about versed, I will specify analgesics only. I would rather deal with the pain than having possibility of my mind messed up, anxiety etc. I would rather deal with the memory of a bad experience any day over the mental mind games some of these drugs can cause.
Permanent Harm
posted by Jackie on 05 May 2009 at 7:02 am
Mine is the first post at the top of the page. It is shocking how many other people have had the same symptoms as I have from administering Versed, ESPECIALLY in direct opposition to the stated wishes of the patient. Versed doesn't calm anybody down, it IMMOBILIZES you and forces you to be obedient. Not one single person who has recall under maximum Versed mentions being calm!!! Not one.
So the medical people are deliberately saying calm, when they mean that you can't resist them. My CRNA went on about how "calm" I was when I was actually seething with rage at being injected with this and humiliated by his nasty little comments about me! I have never gotten over this singular event.
Between the rage and humiliation and the odd after effects from the drug itself, it has been extremely bad. I was stripped of my dignity, my wishes were violated, I was charged a fortune for the medical treatment which should have been minor, attacked without warning. This is a bad drug which causes permanent harm.
Life Motivations Have Disappeared Since Versed Induced Amnesia
posted by Shannon on 26 May 2009 at 11:26 am
I was given something that was suppose to help me forget the hernia repair procedure I was going to have. Then they started wheeling me to surgery prep and my memory is completely wiped until hours later when I was in recovery.
Most of my memory of that and the following few days is also gone. Now, a few months following the surgery I have found myself completely unmotivated to pursue several ambitions that I had dedicated my life to for many month prior to surgery. I had dreams of becoming a self made millionaire with a device I have been trying to patent, and several other devices that I had engineered but not yet built. Now its as if I cannot tap into that higher plane of intelligence that had been guiding me through these projects. I don't know what else to attribute it to.
I've lost a lot of friends in this mess tom, because I can't track that I need to get in touch with them.
It feels like I'm stuck somewhere between consciousness and the lack there of. Life seems almost dreamlike.
Anyone else have similiar experiences?
Bad Vibes after endoscopy
posted by Kirk on 27 Jun 2009 at 2:54 am
I just had a endoscopy yesterday and was administered versed. I was told I would go to sleep and have no memory of the procedure. That was true initially. I remember being wheeled in and given the injection (iv) and then "awakening" in post op. No problems at that point. But I had a nagging feeling something was wrong. Last night as I laid down to sleep I felt as if something was going down my throat and began to relive the procedure. I keep waking up in fright just as I begin to fall asleep. It has been quite a rough first night, and as it is a weekend, I can't call my Dr. until Monday. I hope this passes soon. I will update as events unfold. So far I am very upset this possibility was not discussed with me.
Sedation Is Unnecessary for colonoscopy
posted by Colonoscopy Pt on 10 July 2009 at 6:10 am
I specified no sedation for my colonoscopy, I'm a hospital pharmacist and can verify the "Versed horror stories". We have a primary-care doc who got 4mg of Versed for colonoscopy last month and she still hasn't returned to work because of the mental problems, anxiety and memory loss. That's a fact. Oh, when my colonoscopy was to start I reminded the nurse "no sedation" as specified in the consent that I marked "no sedation" but she pushed it into my IV anyway.
The last thing that I remember is complaining about not being able to breathe and pain in both hands. About an hour later when I came to my senses I was surrounded by apologetic nurses, soaked in sweat, confused and angry as hell (not normal for me, these nurses are actually friends of mine).
Long story short: 4mg of Versed caused me to choke the nurse who injected it; she has bruises around her neck and they said that I wrecked the endo suite. It took 2 people to pull me off of her and I don't remember a thing. True story, all because someone doesn't pay attention to a patient's wishes. I had an paradoxical rxn to Versed at the dentist, that's why I refuse it.
I'm embarrassed that I choked the nurse; I work with these people, but nobody faulted me for what happened. I have 6 years of pharmaceutical education and I will tell you this: if you want sedation (I don't), pay for propofol in my opinion. If you want to take a 10% chance of having a terrible time with Versed, be my guest. 10% is huge!!! And to you nurses out there who think that it's cool to just squirt Versed into an IV without real informed consent, remember this: the endo doc blamed the nurse for giving the med despite my refusal to receive it (and the written consent); she was facing a reprimand over this (everyone runs when trouble happens).
I met with the DON and told her that I hear the endo doc tell her to push Versed, do it's HIS fault not hers and the reprimand wasn't given. Nothing of course happened to the doc, yet. oh, and do I have colon cancer? I'll never know. I thought that Versedbusters was BS; the anesthesia doc that I eat lunch with says that she would never consent to it or use it. Despite my degree (PharmD), I'm scared to have any type of sedation or anesthesia ever again and I need surgery. Great stuff, Versed. Fortunately, my anesthesia friend is arranging for me to try (self administer with anesthesia supervision/PCA pump) some propofol to see if I can get past this episode and my fear of sedation. If Versed screwed me up this much, be careful.
I Found It Appropriate - my colon-scope
posted by Biomedical Engineer on 10 Aug 2009 at 6:01 am
For my colon-scope. I got the exam at the VA hospital. They used a combo of versed and a pain med that they used only when I told them of discomfort or they sensed it--I was groggy but aware when I wanted to be. I never thought I would look at the monitor and watch my own exam after working with surgeries and equipment for so long, but I did. It must depend of the person cause the guy before me was in recovery crumpled up like a wounded animal.
Versed Abuse
posted by Jim Massey on 18 Aug 2009 at 10:50 am
I took my child in for treatment she needed for a small cut on her cheek. Having been an active child myself (with more than a few stitches received back in the day) I was not overly concerned about the process, other than potential scarring. The institution I went to is an internationally known Children's Hospital with it's own emergency room facilities.
The attending RN said they needed to give my daughter something to calm down before the stitches were administered. My little girl is plenty tough and was totally calm (actually coloring in her book I brought along), so I questioned why she would need any medication other than a local anesthetic. The RN explained that they administered calming medication to all the children undergoing procedures of any kind and no big deal, and allowed for the procedure to go more smoothly.
Because the stitches were on her face I agreed, thinking a small dose of depressant may make her more steady and the stitch job better. I was not told it was versed, but I soon was in a nightmare situation! My daughter had severe convulsive reactions to the medication. After reading these posts, I now understand why she was so despondent for a couple of months afterwards. My wife works for a hospital corporation that has discontinued use of the drug because of the severe allergic reactions including loss of involuntary bodily functions seen in connection to the administration of this drug. Shame on these people for exposing children to this toxic substance.
I Can't Believe It Happens
posted by Tigger on 17 Sept 2009 at 3:14 pm
Its awful to read about these people being given a drug against their wishes or without their knowledge. Now, isn't this illegal? Why are healthcare professionals getting away with this? Please, report them or sue if you have to. This has got to stop. I have been a recipient of "bad medicine" from medical folk and I am also a nurse.
Midazolam Didn't Sedate Me During Endoscopy
posted by Anne on 02 Oct 2009 at 11:12 am
I had a gastric endoscopy today and requested the sedative midazolam in preference to the throat spray. I have to say that I was completely aware of every moment of this distressing procedure which I have complete recollection of. Thankfully it was over in a couple of minutes. I don't understand why the drug didn't work for me unless the consultant didn't wait long enough for the beneficial effects to take place or maybe the dose was just too low. I didn't start having amnesia until 2 hours approximately after being administered the drug but it was short lived.
Versed And PTSD
posted by dave on 21 Oct 2009 at 7:52 pm
Hello,
In 2003 I was hospitalised for a problem and had an asthma attack while in the ER. They intubated me while I was combative and could not breath. I was panicked and tried to run outside-I remember a little of that. After every blood gas test they did they used Versed. When I finally came too after more than 70 hours of semi-conscious periods in the ICU I found a person flooding my lungs with a solution. I could not talk due to the intubation and had a living hell of panic and anxiety as well as serious mental confusion. Then they would do the blood gas and give more versed.
I thought I was in the Vietnam war again and being tortured. The cause of my collapse was never discovered and I HAVE had versed since and did all right. I will always recall the sense of sheer terror and panic at losing my memory again. IN the Military I had amnesia and indeed still do not recall much of the past. I would say always ask what your given and why to stay in the process.
After I went to the 3rd floor to recover I asked an orderly what happened in the ER on Sunday morning and he said "Some Veteran went crazy and they had to subdue him." The situation was known apparently through out the facility. I was embarrassed and felt like my dignity was taken and the vulnerable feeling of being totally helpless still troubles me today.
The intubation scarred my lung massively I believe or maybe the flushing procedure by the man who never smiled or looked like he gave a care for me. I had many many large blood clots and a problem breathing for some time after. The blood clots were never explained or the versed other than to mention that the Versed was an amnesiac. The Hospital director took my case and was my Primary physician for several years after.
I apologize if I seem angry but I feel like I was a lab rat or something.
Versed Terror
posted by Linda on 27 Oct 2009 at 6:15 am
Two years ago I was injured in an automobile accident. I dislocated my hip and fractured my ankle. I was transported by ambulance to University Hospital in Syracuse NY. In the ambulance I was given 10mg. of morphine. When I arrived at the hospital 20 minutes later the nurse Jolene Keyes RN said she needed to get xrays and said she would give me something for pain. I asked what I was getting she shrugged her shoulders and said morphine. So I agreed. I woke up 11 hours later terrified with a cast on my leg and no menory of the days events.
After I was discharged I was not emotionally stable. I was scared out of my mind. I couldn't figure out what happened. I began to relive the first few minutes of my stay at the hospital. I couldn't sleep and I cried constantly. I tried to ask the hospital what happened and they won't talk to me. When I complained that I couldn't remember they said "that's normal". Well that wasn't normal for me. After three months of fighting with the hospital and the surgeon I found out that the nurse had given five mg. of versed followed by another 10mg. and 50mg. of propofol two hours later.
Apparently at that time I quit breathing. According to my record I had been struggling to breathe after the first dose because they put an oxygen mask on me with 4liters of oxygen. This experience has left me with PTSD, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Previous to this I was high functioning. At the time of the accident I was attending grad school I almost failed my grades plummeted. I was almost fired from my job because I couldn't do it anymore. I am an LPN and a social worker. I am now terrified of medical practitioners. I have had to see a doctor a few times since this incident I cry every time. I can't stop the fear.
Versed has ruined my life. My conclusion since this happened is that medical personnel do not care if you will have problems. They do not care if you are allergic. They will do whatever they want. If you tell them you don't want versed they will give it to you anyway and they are not concerned with any problems you might have because they will give you something else to fight the side effects or intubate you or do whatever they want. The only thing we can do is fight for our rights because right now they say we have them but they are not enforced. Don't become a victim like so many of us have. Once they have the IV running they do what they want.
List Versed As An Allergy
posted by Sue G on 11 Nov 2009 at 6:03 pm
Anesthesia is my profession; some of the Versed stories are over the top (I know many anesthesia providers who abuse Versed on a daily basis and still function, sort of)..but many patients do have a horrible time with it. List midazolam as a drug allergy; tell them you had it once in the past for dental work and you got hives and had trouble breathing. Don't go into the "it ruined my life rant", if you do they will probably give it to you because it makes their job easier. Remember; midazolam=allergy=caused me hives"
Versed - Breast Cancer Surgery
posted by Cookie on 15 Jan 2010 at 3:09 am
I had a lumpectomy done for breast cancer and was given Fentanyl and Versed. I woke up in the recovery room by myself in a curtained off area naked sitting in a chair with a bandage on my breast and a small pump to drain the wound. Their wasn't a sheet to cover me and I was very cold. Why was I naked and alone following surgery? The recovery nurse was horrified when she found me.
I wasn't able to sleep the entire time in the hospital. All I did was pace and go outside and pray for morning to come so I could leave. The nurse said I was in "pain" and didn't realize it. She gave me something and I started vomiting. For years I wanted to have an investigation done but for some reason was unable to talk about what happened to me. For a year following the surgery, I couldn't eat anything but soup and bread. I lost eighty pounds. I also felt violated and depressed. I can remember nothing of what happened.
Versed Could Have Killed My Son
posted by Jill on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:00 am
In 1995 my son was 1 1/2 years old when he fell and bit through his tongue. We took him to the emergency room to get stitches, and he was administered Versed. The doctors called the screaming and screaming a "dysphoric reaction", but I could see he was terrified and completely out of it. We waited quite a while after the stitches were in, but he continued screaming and flailing. They kept telling me he should come out of it at any minute but he just kept screaming. Finally they administered something they called Re-Versed. He started to calm down and after 10 or 15 minutes they placed him in my arms. Within seconds, he was snatched from my arms and a nurse began performing rescue breathing on him (with a pump). We were asked to get out of the way. Apparently the combination of drugs, or maybe just the reversed itself suppressed his autonomic nervous system. It will never happen again. I am glad he was too young to remember it.
Bad sedation experience
posted by gerald on 16 Feb 2010 at 7:35 pm
Even though my wife is a physician, I don't know squat about medical stuff. I make a living flying airliners. I needed a colonoscopy and reluctantly agree to sedation; let me state that the GI doc was a bridesmaid at my wedding and I respect her totally. So when she suggested sedation with versed, I agreed. It was a disaster. I freaked out, they tried to hold me down and I hurt the nurses who were caring for me.
I remember nothing except that it was a nightmarish experience. I recently had the colonoscopy repeated with painkiller only on standby (which I refused).I suggest that you carefully signing a consent for "conscious sedation" if the drug midazolam is used. I list midazolam (versed) as an allergy at my docs suggestion.
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