A few days ago I had a cone biopsy and was given Versed "to help me relax" and was not informed of it's lovely amnesia side effects, just figured I'd feel kinda doped up during. I feel very mislead, angry and violated. The procedure was scheduled with very little notice so I didn't really have time to research the sedative, and what info I did come across really didn't mention the memory effects (naturally after the fact I find tons). The drug will make you "feel drunk" ...yeah, my a**! The first thing I remember feeling afterwards was panic and confusion..and it's extremely unsettling.
I mean it's one thing if I'm asleep ..but if not, I want to have the ability to remember what has happened to me...or at the very least be given the right to make an informed decision.
This is the first surgery I've ever had and I can honestly say my experience was not a positive one!
Just curious how do most people usually act when under the influence of this drug?
(this was definitely a time I wish I was already in nursing classes, perhaps I would have at least heard of this stuff before hand.)
My son takes Versed before he goes under general anesthesia for an MRI (q 2 yrs.). I am so thankful for it, because he's been having this done since he was a tiny baby, and he hates doctors/hospitals/iv sticks, etc. Only once did he wake up a little ticked off...all the other times he was quite relaxed and doesn't remember anything. They once tried to start an IV on him when he was 4 without any sedation (Versed)...it took 6 people to hold him down, he vomited and burst every blood vessel in his eyes screaming bloody murder (yes he has a true phobia).
This may not be the drug for everyone, but I sure am thankful for it!
At my last surgery, I made it *extremely clear* that I did not want versed in any way, shape or form. I told the anesthesiologist (an MD) this, I also wrote this in big letters on my written consent form. So, the MDA comes in with a syringe to give me something to relax me pre-surg. He injects it, and I ask him what that was, and he mumbles, very quickly and in a low voice, "Midazolam".
I said, "BUT! BUT!" so he knew that I knew what he had done, but then my mind blanked out. Of course, I didn't remember this until several days later.
.
I have to ask- when you remembered, what did you do about it? You told him you didn't want Versed, you wrote on your consent you didn't want versed, and he gave you versed. That's considered assault in my neck of the woods.
I know everyone reacts differently to medications- I've had a couple patients see pink elephants running past their door or dancing in a corner of their room, after getting Stadol (always elephants!). Personally, I was grateful for the versed when I had my colonscopy, I was all too awake for my flex sigs and had no desire to remember the colonscopy.
My son had Versed before his surgery when he was 2 . . . he acted giddy and drunk.
I didn't have anything when I had my cone biopsy - they never even offered anything. It didn't hurt as much as labor pains, which is what I always compare pain to. The flushing feeling after was weird though.
I understand your frustration about not being informed about the drug - but I would have gladly taken it 20 years ago when I had my cone biopsy - THEY GAVE ME NOTHING! :uhoh21:
First Versed, which I have had and give frequently is not given for pain relief. Its and anxiolytic (?sp) and amnesic and that why it is given.
Secondly even if you are fully informed about the effects of the drug, one doesn't know how you or any patient will react to that drug the first time you receive it. Demerol can also give you some strange feelings and effects. When these drugs are used for conscious sedation they do hang around long after the proceedure is done and patients are discharged.
And yes you have the right to refuse any drug. I would definetly complain formally and possible legally (potential battery) if it was done to me. even if I didn't remember till a week later.
I recently had some oral surgery and while discussing options with my peridontist, Versed came up as an appropriate agent. I was concerned that I would still feel pain. I have issues with people "messing around in my mouth" and I'd rather have another dozen babies with no drugs than feel pain in my mouth.
We settled on Demerol and Versed. The combination was excellent for me. I remember a little of the procedure, but what I remember best is IT DIDN"T HURT.
Any patient has the right to know the drugs that are going to be administered, and object if you don't want a particular agent. You shouldn't have to say you are "allergic" in order to avoid a certain medication.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Versed. I have had it for 2 proceedures. I know it's an amnesic, but really all it did for me was to give the sense of time passing very quickly. I never felt out of control, just relaxed as if I had a glass of wine. I can still remember most of my arthroscopy; I was just "surprised" when they said it was done.
And, quite frankly, I wish I was given Versed for MY cone. It hurt like Hades, and I could STILL smack that GYN for saying, "It's nothing".
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
I am surprised you had these drugs at all. My cone biopsy was done under local only. And baby, it HURT. I am sorry for your bad experience.Not everyone goes well w/Versed; I have seen some pretty wild reactions to it myself. Scary ones too.
This is definately one procedure that I am so glad that I don't remeber. I had propofol during my cone...not sure about pain meds, I know I had about 25 mcg fentanyl after I woke up for mild cramping but not sure about intra-op. I don't remeber anything about the procedure though- and thank God for it! But that is my experience- I would not want to remember any part of the procedure! Anytime they take a knife to your cervix it will hurt!
As for versed, I use it alot in my workplace- for some it works really well and others don't like it so much. I would say that I have had about 98% positive experiences with it (administering it to others that is) but for what we do, I typically use smaller doses, only 1-2 mg whereas for the cone procedure I would guess that they use a fair amount more.
OP- I am sorry for the bad experience...Hopefully you won't have to go through the procedure again...and let your docs know that for future procedures you don't prefer versed.
My son takes Versed before he goes under general anesthesia for an MRI (q 2 yrs.). I am so thankful for it, because he's been having this done since he was a tiny baby, and he hates doctors/hospitals/iv sticks, etc. Only once did he wake up a little ticked off...all the other times he was quite relaxed and doesn't remember anything. They once tried to start an IV on him when he was 4 without any sedation (Versed)...it took 6 people to hold him down, he vomited and burst every blood vessel in his eyes screaming bloody murder (yes he has a true phobia).
This may not be the drug for everyone, but I sure am thankful for it!
~J
I agree with the use of Versed for young children. I remember my Emergency Room visit as a two-year old, when I needed stitches for a forehead laceration. It was not a pleasant experience. I also remember going to the Emergency Room at the age of 13 to get gravel scrubbed out of a knee abrasion, along with some stitches. Rules must have been different back then, because they were talking about needing to hold me down while scrubbing the abrasion without local anesthesia; unless the proper person showed up. We waited a short while, and local anesthesia was used, although the alcohol prep on an open wound prior to injection was quite painful (I sucked in my breath , but did not cry).
I appreciate hearing from people who like Versed. Learning different viewpoints helps me to understand others better. As for me, though, I want my procedures done without sedation, by a doctor who is comfortable about doing it without sedation.
Michael
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Specializes in Did Med /Surg for 5 y, now PP for 3 y.
I don't post very often but wanted to ask a question, Cone biopsy? Is that the same as a Cold Knife Cone? If so,I had this done in Sept. of last year along with a D&C, and I can not imagine having this done with anything but general anesthesia. Although I would have loved to have has some versed when I went to have my first pap smear afterwards, I have had several pap smears, and this one hurt worse than anything I have ever had done.
RNin2007
513 Posts
My son takes Versed before he goes under general anesthesia for an MRI (q 2 yrs.). I am so thankful for it, because he's been having this done since he was a tiny baby, and he hates doctors/hospitals/iv sticks, etc. Only once did he wake up a little ticked off...all the other times he was quite relaxed and doesn't remember anything. They once tried to start an IV on him when he was 4 without any sedation (Versed)...it took 6 people to hold him down, he vomited and burst every blood vessel in his eyes screaming bloody murder (yes he has a true phobia).
This may not be the drug for everyone, but I sure am thankful for it!
~J