recent colonoscopy experience

This old NYT article sites versed's approval date as 1985: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...53C1A96E948260

Although, the FDA page says 1998.

I did this; in the first 5 Google pages, I got a few forums with threads discussing Versed, with some posters talking about their bad experiences with Versed. Other postings mentioned Versed in passing, without saying that it was bad. Any references given pointed to a blog called Versed Busters; no one referenced any research or data. This blog seemed to be the only website about how horrible Versed is; there were lots of anecdotal stories, and it seems as though people truly had awful experiences, but no numbers or information indicating how common such problems are.

I don't doubt that there are people who have had terrible reactions to Versed. But how many? Versed is given thousands of times every day in the US for procedures. Lots of people have bad reactions to penicillin too, but it's still a useful drug for most people when needed.

Does anyone know of any studies done on this topic? A quick Google Scholar search trying several different terms did not turn anything up.

You are correct. The approval I referenced is for pediatric usage (I believe). According to the FDA, Versed was approved for continuous infusion in 1985. The sedation indication occurred later (from personal experience Valium and Demerol were used at least into the mid 90's.
My apologies.

David Carpenter, PA-C

I am so sorry that some of you had bad experiences. I have had two colonoscopies and the prep of the "Go-Litely" was the bad part. The towns where the procedures were done were 300 miles apart. I do not remember one tiny thing about each of them and as far as I know there was no pain, no after affects.
My question, the dr could not go all the way maybe because of the twists and turns of the colon, they actually do not know why they could not go all the way, some obstruction.
However, no cancer, and that suits me.
Have any of you had this problem, is it common and it was not present during the first exam in 2002.

Me too. I've had versed several times and never had any noticeable side effects other than closing my eyes and waking about "1 second later". I think it's great stuff.


Added: I didn't mean me too to indicate my doc had problems. In fact he told me my next one will be needed in 2017. I must have an exceptionally attractive gut I guess.

They use Propofol where I work...People seem to do well with this.
I think the redhead stuff just has to do with the fact that most (generally speaking...not all), are more sensitive to pain/nausea and require more medication to control it. Don't know the whys.

I did not get my bad reactions to Versed right away, it was after years of procedures under sedation that I developed my reaction; not during the procedure, but deep depression for the rest of the day after the procedure.

Now that I know what it is, I can better deal with it. But it's hard.

I had 4 mg of Versed before the procedure and then propofol during the procedure which totally knocked me out. I had the worst feelings of depression for about a day and a half after. I don't know if it was caused by the Versed or the Propofol or what. I felt like I had been intimately violated or raped or something.

People respond differently to Conscious Sedation. If you have had any abdominal surgery, have IBS, or a loopy colon all can contribute to discomfort. It can also depend on the skill of the physician. I would suggest you look for a facility that gives Propofol. Patients remember little; have a better recall of physician talking afterward; have less "hangover effect", and leave within 30 minutes or so post procedure.

Booty Nurse:

I added some links to the front page of Versed Busters.

Check out the first three, Colonoscopy Warning, Brad Ideas, and Askapatient.com.