I went to the ER on Monday with a dislocated patella. I was given Demerol and Versed for sedation prior to having it reduced. The ER doc successfully reduced the dislocation, and I was left for awhile with my hubby at my bedside while the doc and nurse tended to other patients. I was on a cardio-respiratory monitor, pulse oximeter and dinamapp with stable vs. I was sitting up talking to hubby, and was dozey, but quite capable of responding to questions, requests, etc. I had no respiratory depression or other adverse reactions to the medications.
After about a half hour, the nurse returned and stated that she had more medication for me. Almost immediately after being given the IV med, I began to feel intensely nauseated, flushed then chilled, and began shivering uncontrollably. When I asked what I had been given, she said it was Narcan. When I asked why, she said that it was necessary to reverse the sedation. In the next breath she told me that I could have Vicodin for pain if needed, and that I would have to stay for about 2 more hours as X-ray was backed up and they wouldn't release me until the post-reduction films could be read.
Why on earth was it "necessary" to reverse the sedation? I have never abused drugs, had no adverse reactions to the sedation, was getting good pain relief, and was not going anywhere for at least 2 more hours. I guess I could understand doing it if it would hasten my DC, or if they were in desperate need of the bed for someone else, but that was not the case. I have never felt so miserably sick in my life. Fortunately, it did not last long, but it seemed so unnecessary. I asked the Ortho about it when I saw him the next day, and he couldn't offer any explanation. Next time, I'll know to ask what med the nurse is wielding prior to it being given!
