Colonoscopy Sedation Without Versed
by Hospital Ratings & Reviews
Filed under Health-E Living
Did you know what medication alternatives are available for colonoscopy sedation?
Part II: of the Medications for Colonoscopy Issue
Most of the time when having any types of procedures performed by our physicians we as patients don’t ask enough questions. We just ‘assume’ that our doctors would do the right thing or the best thing automatically for our well being. The trouble is that many times physicians and/or staff follow standard procedures that are simply the
procedures that they are used to following and may not always be the best procedures for us as an individual patient. And you must also keep in mind that many times things are done that make it ‘easier or quicker’ for the physician and/or staff, but may not make our recovery ‘easier’ for us. The trouble is, that there are many things in
medicine that just ‘depend’. Depend upon the patient, depend upon the situation and ‘depend’ upon the procedure. So your goal when getting any type of procedure performed is to ask the right kinds of questions so that you are well informed and know your options. And so that you can then make an educated decision about what types of medications would be best for your own personal situation, and not simply best for the convenience of the doctor or hospital. Here’s an article regarding understanding medication options that you may find helpful.
Ok, let’s make this easier by giving you some examples. Particularly in the case of sedation options for having a colonoscopy. We’ve written some previous articles about 1) Preparation for a colonoscopy, 2) Medications for colonoscopy: in part one of our article we talked about one of the most common combinations for colonoscopy sedation, and why you should learn more about how these drugs act both when they are given to you and what possibly could happen when they wear off. And 3) In this article that you are now reading, we’ll discuss some alternative sedation combinations that can be used during a colonoscopy procedure. Some of these options, keep in mind, may not ever be brought up by your physician unless you ASK QUESTIONS. So find out in advance (not on the day of your procedure), what medications are available, and ask your doctor about options if you don’t feel
comfortable with the ‘standard’ medications that are ‘normally given to ‘everyone’. You’re not everyone, you’re you, and an individual, and what’s best for everyone may not be in your best interest.
So in our earlier article about sedation options for colonoscopy we talked about how in most cases doctors will give a combination of Fentanyl and Versed for colonoscopy sedation. What most patients do not know or are not told is that there are other options for sedation during the colonoscopy procedure. While it may be true that for most patients Fentanyl and Versed may work perfectly fine, there is a growing number of adverse patient experiences that I am beginning to hear about both from nurses in the field and from patients that is concerning regarding the use of Fentanyl and Versed. Interestingly enough, Fentanyl and Versed may be the ‘favorites’ among staff and physicians, (to use on their patients) but in a growing number of patient reviews and patient reports, when things go wrong with this combination, it has been a traumatizing experience for patients. Incidentally, I am hearing from some of the health care providers that actually perform these procedures that when they themselves have colonoscopies, many of the health care providers that I am hearing from are choosing NOT to use the Versed and Fentanyl combination. Wonder why? Some engineers have reported that they have lost memories that involve their ability to perform their jobs after being given Versed. Perhaps that’s why some physicians won’t take Versed themselves. Just understand that proponents of these medications will tell you they give them to thousands of patients and it is normally a “well tolerated procedure” etc. Again,the question is not whether you would “tolerate” this medication or drug combo well, but shouldn’t you be informed about the possible drawbacks to using it?
So let’s re-emphasize that point as I’m sure I’ll have lots of emails from those who want to keep the issues with Versed low profile. The purpose of this article is not to debate whether you or your physician should use Fentanyl and Versed, or even one of the other alternatives, but to make you, as the patient, aware that there are options in most
cases for medical procedures in terms of what medications are used, and unless you are being wheeled into an emergency room already unconscious, it is my belief that you should know about these options, and you should be aware of what medication options you have with any type of medical procedure that you may be having performed. So this knowledge you will gain can also be applied to other procedures you may have in the future, not just a colonoscopy.
Here are the most commonly used colonoscopy sedation medications:
1.Fentanyl and Versed: Versed is amnesiac type of drug which means hat in most cases you won’t remember what has been done to you. You ay be in pain but will be unable to do anything about it. See part I of our article on colonoscopy sedation medications for more information about this combination.
2.Fentanyl, (a pain medication) and Demerol (also a pain medication) this combination has been used in cases for pain control but where the patient will remain aware and be able to view the colonoscopy monitor and/or converse with the doctor during the procedure.
I have read that Katie Couric was given Demerol during her very famous televised colonoscopy procedure but I have not confirmed this. If anyone knows what medication Katie Couric was given during her colonoscopy let me know and I’ll update this article! It would not do to have a news anchor be asleep during her television segment, thus she had to be given either some medication or medications that would not totally put her to sleep. Due to some reports of possible issues with seizures when using Demerol, it is not generally a ‘first choice’ among physicians any longer, but used to be used more frequently.
3.Fentanyl and Valium – We will post a video of a patient soon which shows a patient who underwent a colonoscopy and whose Doctor agreed to give him a combination of Fentanyl and Valium during the procedure so that you can actually see how the patient could converse with the physician during the exam. This patient who agreed to share his
colonoscopy experience with us wanted to be aware of what was happening during his exam. He absolutely wanted a physician who would respect his wishes that no Versed was used, but the patient had agreed to receive medication to prevent pain. The other positive about this patient’s experience with having Fentanyl and Valium used during his
procedure is that the patient was able to converse with the doctor after the exam and could remember the conversation. The patient recovered quickly, was able to leave the hospital much sooner than those given other types of sedation, was also not groggy during the day and even went dancing later that night! Note: In order to get this combination of medications the patient researched the procedure, researched his provider, the physician who performed the exam, and worked it out with the physician ahead of time i.e.: before exam day that he would not be taking the Versed. So it is not something that just happened by accident, it had to be planned and discussed beforehand. The patient’s requirements were that he would be given medication for pain but wanted to be aware of what was being done to him during the procedure, and he wanted to be able to view the monitor during the procedure. He also didn’t want to lose an entire day of work after the procedure or feel “drugged” up for the rest of the day.
4.Propofol is an option for those patients who would like to be totally asleep during the procedure. This is an actual anesthesia agent, fast acting, so you won’t remember the procedure but will wake up quickly, aren’t sedated or nauseated for long periods of time, can be discharged generally within 30 minutes and many patients report
feeling like they’ve had a power nap. Patients report great satisfaction with propofol and it is used generally for the following reasons: 1) It is fast acting, and short acting, which means once you are given the drug it takes affect right away, but when you wake up there are generally no long term affects like with some of the other sedation type drugs. Patients can return to activities requiring clear headedness and being aware unlike some of the other combinations in
which you may be feeling ‘drugged’ for hours. Patients report less nausea with propofol than with other combinations of medications. After the procedure you will be awake and alert and able to remember your conversation with the gastroenterologist, unlike with some other combinations like Versed where you may have a conversation with your physician but will probably not remember it. Disadvantage is that propofol requires a CRNA or Anesthesiologist to administer the drug to ensure your airway and respirations are maintained during the procedure. Propofol is not a good choice if you would like to remain aware and alert and/or watch the procedure on a monitor.
Quick Fact Tip: When President George Bush had a Colonoscopy back in June 2002, the medication that the President received was propofol. It was also reported that the President was expected to have the procedure in the morning and then go running or exercising that afternoon. With some of the other types of medications that would not be possible. One “fun” way I like to question my physicians when investigating a test that has been recommended for me if I am contacting a physician as a patient is to ask what medications would the President would be receiving if he were having the same testing as what my doctor is recommending that I have. This way I can generally find out what options there are for medications that are fast acting. I’m personally not interested in taking any medicines which put me out of commission for an entire day or days if I can help it. So asking this question generally gets providers you’re working with to think along the lines of safety, and efficiency in terms of minimal down time for work etc.
Cost can be an issue with propofol because some insurance companies are not reimbursing for the use of propofol. This can vary depending upon the area of the country you are in, and your insurance carrier. Most patients report being more satisfied with propofol, but it can add to the cost of the exam. Note: some patients have written in and said that they had to pay extra for propofol (I’ve seen ranges from $125 –400 depending upon the provider and regions). Your costs could be different, or your insurance policy could completely cover the use of propofol at 100%, and we received lots of feedback for this article from patients who had to pay extra for propofol but who said it was the “best money they ever spent.” The important thing isn’t actually that it is ‘too expensive’ as some providers use as an ‘excuse’ not to discuss this option with a patient. The point is that you as the patient should know in advance there are physicians that will perform exams with propofol and even practices where propofol is used as a #1 choice and that if you find a doctor who uses it regularly or who will use it upon request it is your right to know about it and make an informed choice with your doctor to see if it would be a good choice for you. If you are comfortable with being totally ‘asleep’ during your procedure and don’t wish to converse with the gastroenterologist and/or see your exam on a monitor while it is being performed, then propofol can be a very good choice. If you wish to remain awake and know exactly what is happening to you during your procedure, or if you want to watch the monitor then you’d probably be much more interested in having a physician who would use Fentanyl and Valium, or Demerol or something along those lines. Your personal medical history may also be an issue in terms of which medications can safely be used so do have conversations with your doctor. Give yourself enough time before your actual exam to find out what your options are with your doctor, (and not on the day of the exam, you must find out about this beforehand), and then research the medications that will be given so that you understand in advance how they work and the possible disadvantages to each choice. All medicines can cause side effects but part of being an informed health care consumer is that you are involved in your choices when it comes to medications.
Full disclosure about medications: There are a significant number of patients who have reported very bad experiences using Versed. There should be real informed consent meaning that patients should be told that Versed is given to keep you relaxed and make you forget, not just ‘here’s something to make you comfy’. And patients should be told about the side effects and/or possible paradoxical reactions to Versed. If you ever are approached by any healthcare professional who comes at you with any medication and says they are “giving you a medicine to make you feel comfy,” then I personally would run as far and as fast away from that healthcare provider as possible. It is your absolute right to refuse the medication if you are not told what it is for and possible side effects and/or alternatives and to ask for and receive complete and full disclosure about what they intend to give you and what other options or other medications may be available. It is your right to walk out of an office if you are not told complete information about a test. I was once a patient at a prestigious hospital, known as one of the best in the nation, and refused a radiology test because the doctor who ordered it should not have ordered it until after I had a particular type of surgery. There was a clear medical reason to wait for the scan and not have a scan with contrast until after my surgery was completed. But the physician who ordered the test said it was ‘no problem’ the nurses whom I asked about it said it was ‘no problem’ to have the test and they were ‘sure’ that the physician had checked before ordering the test. To the contrary, so I can recall wearing one of those short little hospital gowns, sitting in a cold room and telling the nurse that I was not going to have the test until I spoke to the Radiologist. Luckily, I had my laptop with me, and so, sitting in the holding area for testing, in my hospital gown, I pulled up the medical research that clearly indicated that the test I was getting ready to have was not in any way, shape or form, to be given to someone before my particular surgery. The Radiologist leaned over the table where my laptop was perched, took several minutes to peruse the documentation I provided and said, “’you’re right, you should not have been scheduled for this test before your surgery. I’ll contact your doctor and we will reschedule it.” It was a moment I will always remember. Shouldn’t they have known this? I was at one of the best places in the nation and I had questioned my original doctor about the test and was told it was not a problem. Later, armed with the actual research and my laptop I was able to show the Radiologist the opinions from other surgeons and facilities about how having the procedure was contraindicated at that time. I got dressed, and walked out of the testing area, and knew then that the responsibility for my medical care and decisions from that point onward were going to have to come from a place of knowledge and not from just trusting what anyone said no matter how many initials they had after their names. Unless you are going in for some type of emergency treatment in which case decisions sometimes must be made quickly, you can and should research your options in advance. Healthcare professionals should treat patients like adults, not like 2 year olds. We would tell a child we are giving them something to make them ‘comfy’ not a grown adult.
One rarely known or used resource can be the pharmacy staff. Call your local pharmacist or get to know one in your area and ask them about side effects of medications. Get online and research drug side effects and read about how certain medications work so that you are an informed patient.
For healthcare professionals:
Patients who use providers and who are cared for by nursing staff who offer full disclosure and alternatives
to the ‘this is what everyone gets’ generally feel more satisfied with their care or procedure and are more likely to return to the provider and/or recommend that provider to a friend or family member. Even if the ‘alternatives’ take a little longer or are not the norm. Having an informed patient leads to better outcomes, and more referrals, and
happier patients. It is a win-win situation when your patients participate in the process of receiving care.
Thank you for this article. I only wish there were even more options! Personally, I DETEST Versed! I prefer to be awake, alert and aware and to watch the monitor and REMEMBER what I saw as well as what my gastro has to say AFTER the procedure.
My gastro and I had many conversations about my aversion to sedation and wanting to watch the monitor before I agreed to annual colonoscopies (Crohn’s disease for 34 years). We didn’t come to a “meeting of the minds” regarding ANY colonoscopy UNTIL we reached agreement about doing them w/only Demerol (maybe fentanyl or alfentanyl would be an even better choice???).
We reached that meeting of the minds AFTER I gave her the two following articles AND she insisted on undergoing both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy herself W/O sedation BEFORE we reached that mutual agreement. She now agrees w/me that the upper endoscopy w/o sedation is worse than colonoscopy w/o sedation due to the gag reflex!!
Endoscopy 2002 Jun;34(6):435-40
Patient pain during colonoscopy: an analysis using real-time magnetic endoscope imaging.
Shah SG, Brooker JC, Thapar C, Williams CB, Saunders BP.
Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy, St. Mark’s Hospital, Harrow, London, United Kingdom.
PMID: 12048623 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
and
Gastrointest Endosc 1996 Feb;43(2 Pt 1):124-6
Why is colonoscopy more difficult in women?
Saunders BP, Fukumoto M, Halligan S, Jobling C, Moussa ME, Bartram CI, Williams CB.
Department of Endoscopy, St. Mark’s Hospital, London, England.
PMID: 8635705 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Judy, thank you for your comments. They are most appreciated, and I am so glad there are other patients out there who are questioning the status quo. You know, intererestingly enough the gastroenterologist from one of the colonoscopies where I was permitted to attend for the purpose of working on this topic was both open to using another type of medication other than Versed and was also great with helping the patient get approval from the hospital to actually film the colonocopy so I will be posting a video of the actual procedure soon. Anyway, it was the nurse involved on colonoscopy day who couldn’t believe that the patient was not going to have Versed, but the physician did want to have some Valium on hand in the event that the patient needed it after they started. So during the day of the procedure the nurse tells the physician that “We don’t have any Valium here on the unit, I will have to order it from the pharmacy and that will take an extra 10 minutes!” The physician kindly smiled at the nurse and said, ” that’s fine, I can wait 10 minutes, please order the Valium to have on hand before we begin.” So sometimes it’s not that another medication wouldn’t work or perhaps work more effectively, it’s just that sometimes I think we can all get in a “rut” of doing the same thing just because we’ve always done it that way. Makes me want to re-read the Dr. Spencer Johnson book “Who Moved My Cheese?”
Thanks Again Judy for writing in and for sharing the reference sources. My hope is that others will read this and get some “courage” in having conversations with their physicians so that they can make educated decisions as you did when scheduling procedures. Way to Go…I’m so pleased to know that you were your own advocate!
One final note: the gastro that I was able to follow for the colonoscopy I witnessed said that his belief is that the more knowledge that a patient has the better, and that “it’s your body, you should have the ability to make decisions about your own care.” I thought that was a breath of fresh air! Take Care Judy and many thanks for the great info you provided and shared.
Many patients are reporting significant trauma from Versed. I’m an airline pilot with a bad history of colon cancer and have resisted getting a colonoscopy because many of my friends have reported long-term memory loss from geting Versed for a colonoscopy. None of these people are wackos ( at least not any more than I am; I’m a 20,000 hour pilot and have flown in 2 wars). My current First Officer (co Pilot) used to work as a CRNA and she tells me that the memory and PTSD problems with Versed are minimized by most doctors because administering the drug makes their jobs easier. She also tells me that she rarely administered Versed (used propofol) and that few medical professionals would consent to receiving the typical colonoscopy doses of Versed (0.05mg/kg). In addition to being an airline pilot and CRNA (weekends), she flys F16′s in the USAF reserve…she’s no dumb broad. As a pilot, I can’t afford memory loss (I have killed enough brain cells myself). I’m just a lay person who needs a potentially life-saving colonoscopy; but the problems with Versed (and the GI practitioners who mislead patients about this drug) have kept me out of the endo suite. I wonder if the public will ever hear the truth about Versed, or is informed consent no longer in vogue?
Jerry, thank you very much for writing. After researching this issue for a friend who needed a colonosocpy I was appalled at the lack of disclosure regarding Versed and the problems that some patients experience from this drug. Please thank your First Officer as well for sharing her experiences and thoughts about Versed. One of the gastroenterologists, (MD) whom I spoke to said that at a Veterans Adminstration Hospital where he previously worked, the protocol was to give Valium not Versed, along with other medications for colonoscopy procedures. This made perfect sense to me because if in a Veteran’s Hospital environment you already have Veterans who may be dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Issues, it may not be a good idea at all to give a medication like Versed which can cause some of the issues/problems in memory and/or the traumatic experiences that some patients have reported. As I’ve written previously, the issue is not that as many of the docs will tell you that “most” people do alright with Versed, the issue is that as a prospective patient, you have a right to know what the drawbacks are to this particular drug and what your choices are. Every drug/medication has potential side effects and drawbacks but knowing that it is your right as a patient to ask questions and understand the choices about medications and get this information in advance and not on the day of your procedure is a message that I think we need to share with everyone!
You are so right to bring up the fact that sometimes medical professionals may simply give a medication because it is “easier” for them, not because it is the best for the patient. Just know that there are doctors out there who will work with you to come up with an option so that you do not have to have Versed if you don’t want it to be used. I don’t know where you’re from but I’ve heard from many patients who say on the East Coast many facilities are now moving towards using propofol instead of Versed because it has increased patient satisfaction rates etc. And, you know when former President Bush had a colonoscopy, propofol, not Versed was used!
I know how difficult it can be to find a doc who will work with you and who is not just interested in doing another case quickly, but I think if you ask questions in advance and have some time to find the proper doctor for you, it will be possible for you to have your colonoscopy exam without Versed, because there are other options. And I agree wholeheartedly with you about informed consent…most patients don’t even know what they are consenting to, or that they don’t really have informed consent about many of these procedures. But, by sharing information like this, my hope is that patients will start asking a lot more questions and be advocates of their own health. Probably going to be even more important in the coming days/weeks/months as we deal with the consequences of where our healthcare system in the US is going. Anyway, that’s another topic, but really appreciate your taking the time to post. Please let me know if you find a doc to do your procedure without Versed, and I hope very much you get your exam. It really can be lifesaving….. All the Best to you.
I just had an unsedated colonoscopy ( had to lie about allergies to the amnesia drugs)….the unsedated colonoscopy was EASY! But, it looks like I need yearly exams.. fine. just don’t make me undergo “conscious sedation”………..I would rather have colon cancer………………..
I just received my first colonoscopy w/o Versed (using only Demerol) mainly because my husband had and is still haunted by his Versed experience from 8 months ago. He has talked to our PCP and the gastro who both seem “glazed over” swearing that they have never heard of sleep loss, anger, feelings of being being lied to, etc. Somehow, he must get some relief. Our PCP recommended he see a psychiatrist to explore a PTSD diagnosis. I am not sure how this will help but I guess it is worth a try. Does anyone know of (and has been helped from) a web or local “support group” or will these “hauntings” fade in time?
Kathleen, I had a Versed experience similar to your husband’s about two years ago, and the intense rage, insomnia, & depression lasted for over a year, but it did finally get better. I am sure I could have benefited from counseling, but I didn’t feel I could trust another doctor. Versed was the worst thing that ever happened to me, and I left been left with permanent anxiety about ever needing another surgery or medical procedure again. I don’t just feel the doctor “tricked me” about the amnesia, I truly feel betrayed. He also never acknowledged a letter I wrote to him, and his staff did not return my phone call at a time when I was practically suicidal, feeling profoundly VIOLATED (mentally). Tell your husband he is not alone – there are MANY of us out there who know exactly how he feels. It will get better, but will take time. Whoever is behind this website, God Bless You. I know now there are at least some medical professionals out there who “get it.”
Kathleen, I too had a husband who was given this horrendous drug Versed so I understand what you are going through. Like Polly’s comment the feelings will decrease in time but it’s important not to get re-victimized by the medical profession denying that it is an issue. Just going to a psychiatrist to be labeled potentially as part of the problem may not help your husband. Maybe there’s someone at church he can talk to or a support group locally for victims of trauma that is led by a survivor. Part of the issue for my husband as well was in trying to get the doctor to acknowledge that my husband had a bad experience with Versed. We weren’t interested in any legal proceedings or anything like that, all we wanted was an acknowledgement that there are other options and it would have been nice to know that patients were given those options prior to having a procedure done. Bless you both and thank you also Polly for writing about your experience. Although I’m so sorry that any of us had to go through this, it’s also comforting to know that we were not the only ones.
Lots of people have problems with Versed (midazolam), just like those mentioned in the 3 posts above. I’m a clinical pharmacist and I have encountered a lot of patients who have had bad reactions to Versed. Initially, I thought that the reports of anger, insomnia, feelings of being lied to were exaggerated, but when one of our primary care docs spent some time in my office crying about her own Versed debacle, I started to take the problem seriously. The biggest problem with Versed IMHO is the almost universal LACK of informed consent about the drugs amnesia effects. You can’t thrust a consent form in front of a patient 5 minutes before a colonoscopy and tell them “sign this so we can give you something to keep you comfy”!!! Then after the procedure, they are a little stunned and hustled out the door only to arrive home profoundly amnesic and mad as hell that nobody told them that they would receive an amnesia drug. Versed is given to make the patient forget the procedure, pure and simple. Many docs use it sloppily just as a patient control drug. There really isn’t a conspiracy here; if patients were told in advance that Versed is an amnesia drug I doubt that many would have problems later. Informed consent only takes a few minutes. Versed doesn’t “erase” your memory, basically you just don’t form new memories from a few minutes after it’s injected. That’s why patients think that they were asleep when they were actually awake and babbling. The doc who did my colonoscopy wasn’t thrilled that I requested an unsedated exam, but she did it and it wasn’t painful. To the posters above: as a pharmacist, I apologize for the way that you and your loved one’s were treated. You should have been told the truth. Don’t expect that the doctor will admit that you weren’t properly consented. Just move on. It was the lack of informed consent, not the drug that caused the problem. The drug was out of your system in a few hours. Even though I have heard a lot of Versed horror stories, I have taken the drug. I had to have a brutal spinal procedure done while awake and without a lot of narcotics so that I could communicate with the surgeon. She suggested Versed and that’s what we did. I felt as though the procedure was over in minutes (it took a long time) and I don’t remember anything. It obviously was a painful procedure, I was soaked in sweat and I was told that I was moaning a lot. I don’t remember a thing and that’s good. But my doc told me in advance that the drug was being given to induce amnesia of a very painful procedure and I was fine with that. When you aren’t lied to, you don’t usually have problems. Try to understand that you experienced a problem with a slob doc who was too lazy to consent you properly and realize that you don’t have any residual effect from the drug. Take care.
I wasn’t going to comment again, but I would like to say that I disagree with the previous poster on several points:
1) There IS a “conspiracy” involving true informed consent for Versed. I do not believe for one moment that doctors just forget to mention the amnesia; they know darn well that many patients would not agree to the drug if they knew the truth.
2) While I know that most doctors will never admit that a patient wasn’t “properly consented,” that was no reason for my own own doctor to ignore my obvious mental distress over what happened. Seems to me that he didn’t acknowledge my letter or phone call because he was afraid I might sue him (which was never my intent).
3) I disagree that it was “not the drug that caused the problem.” How do you really know that before the drug clears the system, it doesn’t permanently alter brain chemistry in some people ? With every other drug out there, there are people who have adverse reactions, but no medical person will ever admit that Versed may cause problems, because it’s used more for their benefit than the patient’s.
4) There are many people who do have a “residual effect” from being given the drug. I for one have been left with permanent anxiety over my experience ( I had a nightmare just the other night about it, ABSOLUTELY TRUE), and I will never be able to “just move on.” What I thought would be just a routine screening colonoscopy for me turned out to be a life-changing exerience.
I know you meant to help, but I actually feel worse after reading your comments. (There will be no more from me. ) Thank you again for this website.
Polly: When you say that you were tricked into receiving Versed, that means that you were not properly consented. That is the worst possible abuse of informed consent. I have spoken with many, many patients who had the same experience. I believe that if the doctor had simply told them that they were getting a drug to make them forget the procedure rather than lie to them about “something to relax you”, the problems would not have happened. We had a huge problem with patients and Versed (about 10% of the total number receiving the drug); when we changed and enforced the consent protocol the number of problems dropped to almost zero. Are there slob docs (especially gastros) who just use Versed to do an exam quickly and roughly to make money and push the patient out the door in a daze? Sure, but with the internet, it’s happening less and less. The drug does not have a residal pharmacologic effect; this is an accepted fact. But the trauma that is caused by it’s improper use can be long-lasting. If you really have permanent anxiety (I believe you when you say that you do); it’s proper to consider counseling; just as if you had PTSD. I know of a primary care provider who has PTSD symptoms years after receiving 4mg Versed.
Great website; I’m glad that I read it before I got my recent colonoscopy. I never knew that there was so much controversy with Versed; it’s obvious from this site and from versedbusters and askapatient that a lot of patients are not told of the amnesia effects of this drug. Lack of informed consent causes a trusting patient to feel lied to. I thought the gastroenterologist who was doing my colonoscopy was someone whom I could trust and I was certain that he would be honest about the versed/fentanyl that they use. Wrong! He didn’t mention anything about amnesia and deliberately tried to make me feel like a pest for asking questions. He lied when I asked if versed was an amnesia drug; I got the same old crap about it being something to relax you. No informed consent here at all. When I started asking questions, the gastro tried to brush me off and said “we need to get started”. I told him that he was going to answer all of my questions or we were not doing the procedure. He marched out of the room telling me to relax and to trust him. When he returned he was shocked to find my IV bag and tubing in the sink (I had pulled the IV out) and applied pressure until the bleeding stopped. I have never been so angry in my life. He became apologetic and said that he would do anything for me; I asked him to get my clothes, which a nurse did and I dressed and left. Every patient within earshot heard our argument and at least one other patient cancelled. That night he called me at home and I let him have it. He admitted that he basically lies about the amnesia effects of versed and says he does it for the patients own good (I’m a doctor and I know best). I told him about the large number of patients who have been hurt by this drug and by not being properly informed of the amnesia/ptsd and he told me I was wrong. I told him to visit askapatient and read some of the versed horror stories and I hung up. About a week later, I had my mom in the ER for treatment and I ran into this gastroenterologist. He came up to me and wanted to talk; initially I told him to “get away from me, I don’t talk to liars”; but he put his hand on my shoulder (and I almost punched him) and he looked me straight in the eye and said “I’m sorry, I really didn’t know that so many patients were having problems with versed. We have changed our consent procedure”. I was about to smack him, but then I noticed something: this guy was telling the truth, he didn’t know about the problems with versed. He looked really sad when he told me that the nurses who answer the phone got a lot of versed complaints and that it was his fault for not informing patients. O.K, that’s enough for me.
I’m from the UK – 43 year-old female – due to go for a gastroscopy next Wednesday (24 March). I’ve read the warnings about Versed and decided to go with private health instead of UK NHS in the hope I could have a general anaesthetic (propofol), but I’ve hit brick wall after brick wall with my own GP and Consultant. I queried the bad press on Versed with the Consultant when I saw him yesterday and he just looked puzzled, said it was fine and he would give me an extra dose along with Pethadene. I was convinced by him at the time, but soon realised later on that I cannot go through with it – I keep crying and feel depressed and anxious at the thought of it – and nobody is listening to me. My fiance has now stepped into my “battle for Propofol” and called the hospital to say under no circumstances do I want the gastroscopy with Versed and will only undergo it with a general anaesthetic. I honestly didn’t think I’d have to be battling it out with medical professionals at my age. I’m appauled – there are so many people out there suffering and yet nothing is being done to change the procedure.
Vanessa: I think (professionally and personally) that almost all of the problems with versed are due to a lack of informed consent before the patient gets the drug. IE: patients are not informed of the amnesia then they freak out afterwards. I would freak out too if someone gave me an amnesia drug and told me that it was “just to help you relax” That’s a lie. Once this has happened to you, it’s too late..you won;t trust the medical system again. BUT; if you know in advance that the main purpose of versed is to eliminate your recall of the procedure, you won’t have a problem. The amnesia starts about 5 min after the injection and continues for about an hour or less. The amnesia is intense enough that most patients think that they were asleep, when they were actually awake…they just don’t remember. If you are told about this in advance, it’s no problem. Propofol causes amnesia too; the only difference is that most people are actually asleep (you obviously have amnesia sleeping), but it wears off 3-4 min after you stop injecting it. That’s nice, but most places require an anesthetist to administer it and that’s expensive; probably why you are having trouble getting it in the NHS syetem, Propofol for gastroscopy isn’t general, it’s just deeper sedation. I would not hesitate to get versed for gastroscopy as long as I was aware of the amenesia in advance. I have had propofol and versed; I prefer propofol since the recovery is much faster, but it requires an anesthetist here in the USA and is very expensive. Your choice, but I wouldn’t skip a procedure waiting for propofol if you really need the procedure. All of the bad press that versed gets is because of the lazy docs who administer it without telling the patients in advance about the amnesia….amnesia isn’t a bad thing..propofol causes amnesia also, just not for as long a period. good luck.
Thanks for all this information. I have had a lot of memory problems but had no idea it related to Versed, which I was told was the “same as Valium, only smoother.” Since my family has a history with colon polyps, I’m supposed to be scanned every three years if they find no polyps or every year when they do. But while my doc is considered one of the best in the country, I’m not impressed with his medications — Fentanyl and Versed. My last one was the worst. They do not seem to realize that trying to put an IV into a dehydrated person’s hand is very painful, unless you inject lidocaine with it. They blew two veins and then, when I asked for ice or a cold pack to keep the swelling and bruising down, they didn’t have any. It was very clear to me that I was not given enough pain meds, because I was yelling “stop, stop” during the procedure only to hear my doc whisper “give her some demerol” which I cannot take and was on my allergy sheet. Immediate nausea followed. I was very clearly moaning and continued to be in horrific pain as they proceeded. The demerol finally knocked me out until they finished, but when I awoke, they were trying to hurry me out (we have many patients) and I said I needed to speak with my doctor. The response was classic. “Why, you’re not going to remember anything he says.” I got up and left…and no one stopped me…and drove myself home. This is not going to happen again. Period!!
I too have been horribly affected by Versed. Had my colonoscopy about 7 months ago and didn’t do any research before hand. My fault, I trusted that this was a fairly easy procedure and that everything would be ok. In terms of not remembering, I do recall bits and pieces, and none of it was pleasant. I was actually screaming in pain and then the physician I heard tell someone to give her more. I’ve had nightmares ever since and even though I know this is an important test to have, can’t imagine myself ever going in for another one.
I’m a Ph.D. in physics at a local hospital and I basically run the radiation lab; I’ve worked there for 25 years and I ask that fellow employees not call me “doctor” because, even though it’s my proper title, I’m not a physician and don’t want to confuse people. I prefer to do my job in jeans and basically be part of the woodwork; I don’t want to be considered “important”. One of the primary care docs found out that I had blown off my required annual physical for most of the 25 years that I have been employed and she freaked out. She and I are friends (good friends in the past, if you know what I mean), and one day she cornered me for a physical, did all the labs and told me that she was scheduling me for a colonoscopy. I told her that I would only do it without sedation, and after all of the horror stories that I have heard about Versed, I was really bothered that they would use it on humans. Memory loss could mean job loss for me; she told me that none of the docs get Versed. Anyway, on the day of the exam , the nurses and the GI doc tried to talk me into it, ubtil someone mentioned “he’s a doctor”..then suddenly everyone changed their mind and said: “of course you don’t want Versed, sorry for the confusion”. A CRNA offered propofol and or painkiller only (fentanyl), but I was so shocked at the Versed subterfuge (docs get one thing and patients get amnesia, memory loss, PTSD), that I did the exam with nothing. It wasn’t too bad, but the doc couldn’t get all the way to the cecum so I have another scheduled. The CRNA will standby with fentanyl only if I ask for it; I put on the consent: I’m not consenting to sedation. When did medical practice start treating patients like lab rats? Tell the people the truth about Versed and stop scaring them! It’s a bad drug for 10% of the people and 10% is HUGE.
I disagree with the people who say Versed does not have residual effects. It is a fact that Versed works by increasing GABA in the brain and it is also a fact that some people have depression when GABA is increased. This drug alters brain chemistry and I believe that for some people the damage is permanent. Think about it.
Also after reading the other comments I would like to say that I did not recieve proper consent. I was given versed to repair a fracture. I directly asked the nurse what she was giving me and she shrugged her shoulders and said morphine. I was given 15mg in two hours. I believe I have been permanently damaged as it is three years later and I still have anxiety and phobias and cannot go to a doctor or health clinic without fear (overwhelming me) and crying. Thanks for this web site. Knowing there are others helps.
Thank you very much for giving patients information about Versed. I need a follow up colonoscopy and just got off the phone with my gastroenterologists office and got the typical run around. First, I had specifically asked the scheduling staff to put the fact that I will not take Versed in my medical record and in the appointment request. And I had called first to find out that propofol was an option. Now, they tell me that there is no one to give the propofol during the times my doctor is available. And if I hadn’t double checked, there wouldn’t have been anyone to give the propofol and I would’ve shown up for the appointment after doing the prep for 3 days and losing at least 1.5 days of work.
Unbelievable, what medicine is coming to these days!
I wouldn’t pay a ton of money ($700) for propofol,and I’m allergic to versed, (it’s a horrible drug). On the day of my exam, a CRNA was there and started to take my history for propofol. I told her that I’m a healthcare professional (higher in the food chain than a CRNA) and told her that I wouldn’t consent to sedation, especially from a nurse). When I objected to the cost, she said “it’s a professional courtesy”, nice but not needed. I did the exam drug-free, it was easy.
I’m a layman, so take this what it’s worth. I’m 55 and have a Ph.D. in aero e., so I’m not stupid but certianly no a medical person even with the title “doctor”. Anyway, my primary-care NP scheduled me for a colonoscopy; she told me that I was getting one unless I was prepared to argue. O.K., I said that I didn’t want those awful amnesia drugs (versed) and she said fine. The gastro doc called me and said that she could do the exam without sedation, but asked that I consider painkiller only (fentanyl) and if I didn’t have a ride home I could stay overnight. Hard to argue with such kindness. Did the prep and showed up driverless; the nurses got me in a gown, asked a lot of questions and started an IV. I reminded them “no sedation”, a CRNA asked me if she could “keep me comfortable” with fentanyl on demand; I agreed only if I asked for it. We did the exam with nothing, it was painless.
It’s tragic that some gastor docs “insist” on the dangerous and mind-numbing conscious sedation for a simple colonoscopy………….this exam is easily done without amnesia drugs by a caring practitioner…………sign a consent for “TITRATED” VERSED AND YOU WILL HAVE A CHEMICAL LOBOTOMY…….sorry, I’m an advance practice nurse (NP) and can’t stand hearing from patients who were abused by “conscious sedation”. If you need sedation, get propofol from an anesthesiologist, not a CRNA ( a nurse with less than 2 years additional training)………………………I’m sorry that I have referred patients for colonoscopy; it should be done carefully and unsedated; it’s not, its a rush and to heck with the patient……..sorry, I have to tell the truth……….
Had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 3 weeks ago…was put to sleep in the holding area..woke up 3 hrs later in the post recovery room…great…it’s over…do not remember a thing! a week later at followup at surgeon’s office……a pleasant woman in the waiting room was waiting to see my surgeon as well; asked if I remembered her? she was my OR nurse, and apparently right before my surgery. We had had a conversation while i ‘walked ‘ to surgery suite, climbed on the surgery table, was prepped, , and draped…, strapped at thighs and arms… before being put completely under to be intubated… when i asked her why I could not remember (this was my very 1st surgery)…and how I could physically do this…she kindly informed me of the side effects of the drug that was given to me to ‘RELAX’ me…..I was in shock to say the least, so wished I could have discussed further with her…since then. I have been researching the effects of this drug…i feel horribly vulnerable at this point…why was I given this when i was going to be put under general anesthesia anyway? it was just a routine elective surgery, nothing traumatic… or emergency…. I am a 49 yr old woman who was told she was being given something to relax her (all my vitals were normal; and yes i was nervous but who would not be, being their 1st surgery…but I was calm in the pre OR holding area…I just cannot seem to shake this fear that I embarrassed myself in some way as I know now the drug pretty much makes you a compliant zombie… and uninhibited…why would I need it? surely the short distance to the operating room was nothing i would need to ‘forget about? I actually would have liked to have seen it…. I just cannot grasp and come to terms with why i was given this drug at that early stage of the surgery? i could understand after I was on the surgery table., before intubation..the next day after I was told this…I had my hospital records pulled for me…and there it is 4 mg Versed… now seems every waking moment right now this is on my mind…and am growing more despondant each day..cannot seem o jusify the actions of being given this..and not informed of its side effects….by the way…how long has this drug been a mainstay in surgery suites?
hello..the reason i posted here..as you can see from my age listed above…i am due for a colonoscopy later this year…and am scared now that i know this drug is used for that procedure as well……
Hi Tembra,
I am very sorry that you were given Versed without proper information and consent as well. This too happened to me, not for a scheduled procedure but I was also given Versed and was only told that I would get something to make me “relax.” The worst thing for me was not my experience with Versed…I don’t remember anything and I know that’s what is supposed to happen. It was the betrayal of my trust in that I feel like I can’t trust the medical providers to tell me the truth about medicines etc. I’m sure it is hard but if you can, maybe you can allow yourself to not worry too much about what happened when you had the Versed but perhaps see what you can do to make sure that you never get it again if that is your request. For me, the more I focused on what could have happened the more anxious I got, so what helped me was to come up with a written plan that I now give to any of my new physicians, that says in writing I am never to have ANY VERSED EVER for any type of procedure. There are other medications that can be used. Like on this site here where I read that former President Bush had a colonoscopy and he didn’t get Versed.
To answer your question this is just my opinion, but I think the reason that the medical profession gives patient’s Versed is not so much to make it easier for us, but to speed up their processes. Operating room time is billed by the hour/minute etc, so it is expensive, so if they don’t have to interact with us —the patient, or worry about how we’re “handled” it is easier for them to do more cases. Just my opinion, but if you put your foot down and specifically tell them that you’re not taking Versed, they have to come up with other alternatives.
I’m sorry that you had to go through this experience and please let me know how you’re doing and what you decide to do for your upcoming colonoscopy.
I was given “vitamin v” by a CRNA against my will. When I questioned this cretin, he stated that this drug was merely a “muscle relaxant.” The other nurses who were in the room went along with this, even though I had told them in no uncertain terms that they were not to give me any drug that would incapacitate me. There is another poster here who opines that it is the lack of informed consent which causes the Versed problem. Yes, that’s part of the problem, as I would NEVER have consented to an amnesia drug, EVER! However this drug, like many others, didn’t work well on me. Despite HUGE doses, I retained memory, just became absolutely obedient and docile. The CRNA claims that I actually gave consent for general anesthetic while doped up with Versed because I “didn’t object.” How could I object with 7 mls or so of Versed in my system? I couldn’t speak coherantly, move my body or object in anyway. The horror remains. I specifically said that I would NOT accept general anesthetic either. So informed consent is just a joke and nobody is enforcing it, BUT, it wasn’t the informed consent part that caused my PTSD. It was the stinkin’ Versed, without any amnesia. I am livid over the informed consent or lack thereof, but the anxiety, shaking, memory problems, insomnia, PTSD etc. is a direct result of Versed, not just a lack of informed consent. It has gotten better. The first 3 months when I was suicidal and HOMICIDAL TOWARD THE ANTI SOCIAL MORONS WHO INJECTED ME WITH POISON, were the worst. My self control was severely tested during this time. After that, it took about 3 more YEARS to begin to feel sort of normal. I started a blog about Versed for cathartic reasons. No use talking to medical professionals as they are the ones responsible for my mental disorder. There is hope. We may never be the same, but the human mind is wonderful in its ability to adjust. It will probably become more bearable for you. Good Luck!
Versed causes many people long-term memory problems, most of which are ignored by “medical professionals” who administer this drug for “patient control” issues. I have seen too many patients harmed by Versed; I list it as an allergy which causes hives and difficulty breathing and mention that this happened during a distant dental surgery. Insist that Versed caused hives and difficulty breathing; don’t go into a “versed is an evil poison rant” or they will ignore you. Google “versed problems” and see the hundreds of Versed horror stories (like never again) above. These people have nothing to gain by relating their awful experiences; personally, I believe every one of them. And I’m a medical professional.
Jenny, It is a relief to know that a medical professional has a poor opinion of Versed. My husband’s colonoscopy was almost 3 months ago but he is still having nightmares about it. He was told he’d be given something to “relax” and that he’d be comfortable, but his experience was quite traumatic. Apparently, he “woke up” several times during the procedure and was in agonizing pain. He has a very high pain tolerance so for him to complain–I know it must have been fairly bad. He remembers the doctor telling the nurse to “give him more” and says there was joking in the background. He’s got 2 advanced degrees and is also having trouble at work with tasks that involved complex calculations as well as his memory. We didn’t even know that he was given Versed until asking for his medical records because no one gave him any options. I can’t believe in this day and age that things like this go on. Thank you Jenny for giving your opinion. We asked for a meeting with the doctor just to see if we could get some help or find if something went wrong with the medications but we were brushed off and told it had nothing to do with Versed. I’ll never permit anyone to come close to my husband with this medication again. Just glad I found this website.
I’m writing in to ask a question about scheduling a colonoscopy. How is the best way to schedule the colonoscopy exam if I am sure that I do Not want Versed to be used during the procedure? Are there certain hospitals or doctors that offer colonoscopies without getting Versed? I appreciate the information here very much.
Hello Norma,
I’m an RN who works in a surgery center and we do colonoscopies without Versed as our new protocol. What you may find is that some of the more progressive gastroenterology practices are finding that patient satisfaction rates are much higher when propofol rather than Versed is used.
What you can do before you even book an appointment with a gastroenterologist is to call the office and ask to speak to one of the RN’s there and then ask very specific questions. Ask if they offer propofol or other sedation agents other than Versed, and then if they do find out the names of the medications and research them before you make a decision on which doctor you want to see. If you need any other help please post again. I know it’s frustrating but it is possible to find a doctor who will respect your wishes and offer options for sedation that is not Versed. Good Luck!
I just wanted to let you all know that I had my colonoscopy last week with propofol and it was a breeze. Woke up with no grogginess, just felt like I had a very refreshing nap. I was so glad that I requested it instead of Versed. My one prior to this one was done about 6 years ago with Versed I think. Not sure as I don’t have the records, but it took me all day to recover vs this past time which was way easier to get over. If anyone is fearing a colonoscopy or the medications that they use, I would really suggest looking into finding a doctor who will use propofol.
First, I want to say that colonoscopy saves lives. Second, I think that MOST conscious sedation experiences (with Versed and fentanyl) are o.k. until the patient gets home. Many people have problems with the amnesia from Versed (midazolam) and fully 10% end up in some sort of counseling because of this drug. 10% is HUGE. Personally, I would have colonoscopy with NO drugs (if you have a good doc) or with painkiller only (fentanyl only)…..I have IBS and have these exams yearly. I’m getting tired of watching patients getting screening colonoscopies “carwash style”…hurry up, over use meds such as Versed, get them out the door only to have nightmares and PTSD from the unecessary sedation. Propofol is a “better” option, but causes exactly the same memory loss as Versed.I avoid these drugs like the plague. And if you think that nurses are safe to administer sedation, I disagree. RN’s of CRNA’s are NOT anesthesiologists…………………….do what you want; ask questions, avoid sedation, your mileage may vary…..
This site is great! I just got off the phone after a bad call with my husband’s doctor who told him he wouldn’t be sedated but only meant general sedation… I basically said if they can’t do the colonoscopy without drugs we would just cancel and keep hunting till we found a doc who would. My Mom died of colon cancer and I have been putting this off (I am 55) and will continue to put it off till I feel I have found a doc who tells me the truth.
Thanks for all the info!
Hello R Minor,
Thank you very much for your comments about colonoscopy sedation. I had a similar situation happen with my spouse when I was trying to find a doctor to do his exam without the sedation. What we ended up doing was finding a doctor who would agree to do pain control only (so he got fentanyl) which was for pain, but he did not get any Versed during the exam. I think Dr. Allison had a really valid point saying that #1 colonoscopies save lives and #2 you need a good doc to do the exam. My spouse ended up getting some polyps removed that could have later potentially turned cancerous, so I’m really glad he had the exam when we he did….
Good luck with everthing and please come back and update if you find a good doc to do the colonoscopies. And if your doctor (once you find him or her) doensn’t mind getting more referrals you may want to include the name of your doctor (smile).
All the best to you, and thanks again for taking the time to join our discussion about colonoscopies.
Hello Dr. Allison,
I really appreciate your taking the time to write in and comment about this article. And for your re-emphasizing that Colonoscopies are truly life saving, but that it’s important to do one’s due diligence in researching doctors, options for pain control and/or sedation etc.
It’s also a breath of fresh air to have a physician share their thoughts about Versed, and the drive through type colonoscopies. I also work in health care and was appalled at some of the practices I saw with regards to giving Versed without any thought just because “That’s how we do it”.
Thanks for contributing to the discussion and for sharing your own personal experience.
Hello. My colonoscopy is scheduled for next month and I’m glad I found this information before I go in for the procedure. I have more questions to ask of my doctor now so thank you for providing this material.
Could anyone tell me if I request pain control only for the colonoscopy is there any other medicine that would relax me but not cause me to fall asleep? I don’t mind being awake, in fact, would prefer it, but don’t want to take anything that could cause memory loss. Thank you.
My wife had her colonoscopy last week and said she would never do this again if she had to have Versed. Either someone miscalculated, or her body just responded differently to most, but she woke up several times during the colonoscopy and said the pain was unimaginable. Now she’s waking up every night and having nightmares about this. She is very upset about not being told that there were other options and I’m concerned because her doctor never mentioned anything about alternatives. She’s a college educated professor and not one to complain or exaggerate things. I wish we had known about this information that you posted here before she went in for her colonoscopy.
Furthermore, she was given the GoLytely colonoscopy preparation to drink and it was difficult for her to drink it because she was nauseated and vomited a few times trying to finish the preparation according to her doctor’s instructions. I don’t know why other options aren’t provided to patients for the prep part of the exam either. Yes, I understand like the doctor said here in one of other comments that colonoscopy saves lives, but seems as if there should be some more truthfulness on the part of the physicians that do this exam so that patients don’t feel “duped” afterwards.
I’ve had blood in my stool for about the past 2 and a half months and my doctor has recommended a colonoscopy. I’m extremely nervous about having the procedure. I know I shouldn’t be—other people have them every day, but my anxiety is definitely increased and I’m worried about it. Could I get some more info from anyone who has not used Versed and how you handled asking your doctor to use something different. I’ve talked with another lady whose had a colonoscopy three times and she says the worst part is the preparation (the day before). I hope that is true.
Thanks for the help,
Kate
Hello Kate,
I’ve had two previous colonoscopies so I hope I can give you some helpful tips. First of all, the colonoscopy prepartion the day before is the worst part of the whole exam, so if you can get through that part, you should sail through the actual procedure pretty easily. I would also cut down on the amount of food I was eating for several days before. I think my instructions also said to cut out salads and high fiber things for a week before. Ask your doctor if you can use the Miralax/Dulcolax prep and not the GoLytely. Also stock up on some baby wipes and get the Ultra Charmin Toilet tissue as well as some hemmorrhoidal cream and pre-treat the area before you start going. Hope that’s not too much info, but it helped me so I’m sharing it for you. Good luck with your procedure and I hope this helps you.
Gina
Kate,
My first colonoscopy was in February of this past year and I was extremely nervous also. Mine went fine, no problems, but I preferred to be awake during the procedure because I did not want to have Versed given. My doctor gave me a painkiller only and I was in no pain or discomfort at all. I also suggest not using the GoLytely and rec’d the Miralax suggestion from a good friend of mine who has to have regular colonoscopies done because of a condition that he has. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor lots of questions and get the answers before you go in for the test. As long as you get all the info you need up front, the exam should be fine if you have a good doctor. Best of Luck to you.
I’m freaking out about this exam also. My diagnosis is ulcerative colitis and I’m to have my first colonoscopy in July. The prep is the part that I’m worried about. I’m supposedto drink something caused gavilyte, (anyone heard of this) and then take 4 dulcolax tablets at 7pm in the evening. I’m worried that 4 dulcolax tablets is too much. Once in my life before I took one dulcolax and had horrendous abdominal cramping. I don’t want to go through that again.
Kevin, I think with your situation I would call the doctor’s office and explain that you had some difficulty with Dulcolax tablets in the past. Sometimes the physicians have different options that you can use for the colonoscopy prep. I wrote down a long list of questions for my doctor before my first colonoscopy exam. Yes, I had lots of questions, but I figured if I didn’t write down my questions, I’d forget to ask them.
Good luck and let us know if we can help further.
My 4th colonoscopy is scheduled soon and I’m to use a slightly different bowel prep this time. Seems like every time I go in for an exam they are changing up the bowel preparation a bit. Anyway, my sheet says to begin clear liquids the day before the colonoscopy at noon. Before when I’ve had this done, the forms said to begin the liquid diet at midnight the night before. This one they want me to use the Dulcolax and Miralax mixed in with the Gatorade, but it says to take 4 Dulcolax pills also in the afternoon before. Isn’t that an awful lot of Dulcolax to take at once? Has anyone else taken the 4 Dulcolax tablets and survived the situation? Do you know how long I should plan for before the Dulcolax will start working? I have horses to take care of and I need to schedule their care before I am otherwise not able to be up and about if you know what I mean. Is it ok to eat breakfast on the day before the colonoscopy? Appreciate your help.
Valerie, My last colonoscoy instructions were to take 1/2 of the Nulytely preparation mixture in addition to 4 of the bisacodyl tablets (otherwise known as generic Dulcolax). Because I’m known for researching EVERYTHING I found that there was a clinical study done which actually showed that 2 tablets not only worked just as well as the 4 tablets, but there were much less side effects with the 2 tablets. When I asked the gastroenterologist about this he said, “Ok, just take the 2 tablets”. My prep worked fine, the doctor commented that everything was clean and easy to view, so it does pay to ask if you really need the 4 tablets vs the 2.
Normally Dulcolax tablets don’t kick in for several hours, but they could upset your stomach, so I always plan on being at home after taking them. 4 Dulcolax tabs is alot of tablets, when I took them before my last preparation, it really made things explode, and it was not a good thing. I would definitely ask if the two Dulcolax would be ok instead of taking the four.
In terms of the day before the procedure, truly it is better to be on a clear liquid diet all day. Whatever you eat has to be purged out, and this makes it more difficult to do. Just make sure you drink lots of fluids and have something with electrolytes like the Gatorade so that you can stay hydrated. It’s very important to have your colon totally clean for the colonoscopy, otherwise they can’t do the exam.
I’ve taken the 4 Dulcolax for the colonoscopy prep before but I was told to take them the night before the day before. Gosh, that’s confusing, I mean the night before the day of the preparation. It never caused me any cramping or anything, but I did get up the very next morning and went straight to the bathroom. Then, just did the clear liquids as instructed and took the miralax late in the afternoon. I also make sure to stay at home when I start the prep, no driving or being out and about for me. Sometimes you can get nauseaus or need to get to a bathroom fast so I wouldn’t suggest being out and about in a car.
A friend of mine had bad long-term memory loss from Versed, so I list it as a drug allergy (I say it gives me hives). A nurse advised that I do this or they will try to give you Versed because it causes amnesia (yikes) and they like that. I told my GI doc it was fentanyl (painkiller) only or nothing and I wrote thison the consent. The exam was painless.
I also have been told by a couple of doctors, a nurse, and even a therapist, that if I really want to make sure I am not given Versed again, that I should say I had a really bad reaction to it , and that I “stopped breathing ” when I was given it. However, I have a major problem with having to lie to get a doctor to respect my wishes. Shouldn’t it be enough to say that I absolutely refuse it; that it caused long-term psychological issues with me, which I have been told are similar to PTSD; and that I was near-suicidal because I was so distraught & depressed over my experience? (This is the absolute truth) Why isn’t that enough ??? It has been over two years since my experience, and my worst fear IN LIFE is that someone will slip me that drug again. For some of us, the damage this drug has done is irreversible.
Polly: Sorry that you had a terrible experience with midazolam. You are not alone. Please understand that when a patient stops breathing because of midazolam (Versed) administration, that is a SEVERE allergy and should be listed as such to insure that you do not get the drug again. Yes, in an ideal world, your refusal of the drug would suffice; in today’s medical environment if you go into the emotional toll that receiving this drug has taken on you, many providers will consider you confused and administer the drug anyway. Versed causes amnesia, forces patient compliance and generally makes everyone’s job easier. Good providers don’t act this way, but frequently the drug is given anyway. This is not right, but save yourself the grief: list it as an allergy. I have never had midazolam but list it as a class 1 allergy causing hives and difficulty breathing. I don’t want it because I have seen many patients have severe mental reactions to it and I don’t want amnesia. Best to you.
Hello Polly,
I really do understand where you’re coming from regarding not wanting to list the Versed as an allergy and wanting to know why you may be hearing options as to why it may be best to do so…. I’m a registered nurse and think that patients should definitely not be put in these positions. However, let me just share with you the following perspective. There are numerous opportunities for errors within the healthcare environment…multiple departments interacting with one another, and medication administration is one very important component. Let’s say in a perfect world you did find a provider who listened to you and who was willing not to administer Versed— but you may be admitted somewhere in the future and the unit or facility is very busy. In busy, chaotic environments health care decisions are made quickly and since Versed is the “go to drug” of choice for many providers— you could be given Versed either intentionally or unintentionally if someone on the health care team either didn’t check your preferences or decided in a moment of rushing to provide care to you, that it wasn’t an issue in that situation.
Contrast this scenario with you having an “Allergy” to a specific medication. It is documented in your medical record, your pharmacist, as well as ALL medical providers should have this “ALLERGY” listed in your chart. When and if you are admitted anywhere in the world for medical care one of the first questions you will be asked is, “Do you have any allergies to medications?”. If you are unable to speak for yourself this info can be, part of your medical record so that it travels with you everywhere. And there are other things you can do to properly document this “Allergy”.
You would also as a matter of standard protocol get a brightly colored arm bracelet, denoting that you had an allergy so that all healthcare professionals interacting with you during the entire time of your admission would know NOT to EVER administer Versed or whatever drug you are allergic to.
So, although in a perfect world yes, it would be great to have a world in which choices like this were not necessary, BUT I know what my choice would be if I wanted to have the odds on my side of not getting a particular medication that I knew was not in my best interest.
As a healthcare professional and as a nurse, my job is always to put the patient’s needs first, and I wish that you would never have received Versed, as it is my personal opinion that it is a very poor medication choice with regards to the needs of the patient. I don’t ever want to have it and won’t permit my family members to have it either. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with Versed, and my hope for you is that in the future you have dedicated, caring and professional individuals who provide you with full disclosure about your choices regarding medical care and that your experience in the future should you need healthcare, your experience will be much better.
Thank you
Polly, you are very welcome, and thank you for asking a great question. I think your concerns on medication choices and options for conscious sedation during colonoscopy procedures are going to provide other patients with some very valuable information and insight for decisions that they make for their own medical care. All the best to you:-)
Dear Polly, I have been afraid to actually get a colonoscopy scheduled although I am way overdue by about one year. This will be my first one and I have a lot of anxiety about it. Although it was very disturbing to hear about your experience with Versed, I wanted you to know that I will now be sure not to have a colonoscopy using that type of sedative. I was going to use the same doctor that my husband used for his colonscopy which he had two years ago, but that doctor told me that I would be “just fine” with the Versed and kind of brushed off my questions. With the help of the info that I’ve learned here and knowing about your situation I can now feel more confident in choosing another physician and not being pressured into taking something that I don’t feel will be good for me. I will let you know how it goes and my deepest appreciation to you for talking about this because otherwise there is now way I would’ve learned about the problem had I not found the info on this site before my exam.
I’m brand new to this site and I was hoping someone could possibly give me some support and/or encouragement. The past 8 months I’ve been having stomach and bowel issues and am supposed to be going in for a colonoscopy in two weeks. I’m not just scared, I’m terrified.
The doctor has explained that he will use sedation but I’ve had a previous procedure performed where I was told the very same thing and the sedation didn’t affect me in the least. I’m not sure the doctor, (gastroenterologist) that I’m using is liberal enough with the medication. I’ve spoken to the nurse in the office to try to help reduce my anxiety –but she tells me “it will be ok”, and she said that they will use Versed, which is the same thing I had for the previous procedure. This frightens me even more because it didn’t work well for me in the past. I really don’t want to go in and have pain during the colonoscopy. Do you all think I should ask for something else to be given and if so what would you suggest for those of you who have been through this before?
Appreciate your help.
hi
i have pain in anus and when I have defectation I saw new bloody secretion but I’m afraid of colonoscopy. Help me please
thanks
I’ve had ulcerative colitis for several years and have tried numerous medication regimens. They seem to help for a while, but I always seem to have relapses. I was talking to a friend yesterday and they said I may want to try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Has anyone heard of this and if so, do you have an opinion on whether it works? Thanks!
Susan
Good morning Susan,
I’ve heard nothing but really good things about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It’s got really good reviews…here’s a link to it if you want to know more about it.
http://www.hospitalsoup.com/intestinalhealthdiet
My cousin had ulcerative colitis and was almost going to have to have bowel surgery but decided to give the diet a try and is doing well now—without surgery or medications. I would highly recommend that you consider it or at least read more about how it works.
Hi everyone, I have some great news to report about the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet). My husband has ulcerative colitis as well and was going down the road to nowhere in terms of the regular medical treatment: ie: colonoscopy, then they wanted to do a sigmoidoscopy and put him on steroids etc. I always do a lot of research before just blindly following what a doctor says and so I found out about the SCD diet. I asked him if he wanted to try it and he said “what do I have to lose…nothing…so sure I’ll try it.” He’s been on it for a few months and has had outstanding results. He finally has a normal stool for the first time since January. No mucus in stool anymore and no bleeding which he had regularly before doing the diet. I can’t say that following the diet is easy..it’s not really a diet per se in terms of losing weight but it’s basically lots of good fresh fruits, certain vegetables and meats, so it’s back to basics in terms of cooking. No processed foods, wheat, glutens or some other things. If anyone has more questions I’d be glad to help if I can.
Mac,
I would definitely encourage you to get an evaluation from a doctor. I wouldn’t let the fear of having a colonoscopy stop you from getting an evaluation. Sometimes bleeding can be caused by hemmorhoids and if that is the case, then you may be able to get treatment for that which would not involve a colonoscopy. If I were you I would encourage you to make an appointment with a family doctor, or a clinic where you can receive general medical care and get the opinion of a health care professional as to what your next step should be. That way you will know if they recommend a colonoscopy or if it is just something else that could be treated. But it’s better to know what your options are so that you are not frightened. Best of luck to you.
Hello Tanya,
I’ve had 3 colonoscopies before, so I hope I can ease your mind at least a little bit about the process. My opinion is that if you have a good doctor, you won’t have any pain if they give you pain medication. My doctor uses fentanyl and knows that I don’t want and won’t accept any type of sedation and he is accepting of that although at first it took some arm twisting. Smile:) I told him I wouldn’t have the procedure at all if he required sedation! Now I know some people aren’t comfortable with this and prefer to be asleep during the procedure. And as you’ll read here, some are really, really opposed to Versed, for many reasons. Since you’ve found that in the past Versed for you wasn’t very “sedating” you may want to explore other options. Some will find a doctor who like mine will give pain medication only, others wanting some type of relaxation will ask for Valium which is a relaxant and then fentanyl which is pain medication. Others who wish to be totally asleep may want to use a doctor and a facility which offers propofol but this would require monitored anesthesia. The procedure itself for me was not bad at all,the worst part was definitely the prep. It sounds like you may have some concerns about your doctor and if this is the case–perhaps you could find another provider who would give you more info other than “it will be ok” or “you’ll be fine” and who will put your mind at ease so that you won’t be afraid going into the procedure.
Tanya,
I’ve been through several colonoscopies also and agree with the other poster that the worst part is the prep. Here are some things that I was told by other patients which helped me. Hope they can help you prepare for your colonoscopy so that the preparation part is a little easier for you.
Make sure and refrigerate your cool aid or gatorade or whatever liquid you are mixing with the powder if you are using a powdered prep. The cold temperature of the liquid helps make it more palatable and disguises the taste. I was embarrased about the passing of gas after the procedure so I talked with my gastro before hand and was told that they can not only pump the air into the intestine but also pump most of it out. There could still be some gas, but it isn’t like you have to feel like you’re going to be “lighting up anything” for the rest of the day. Also, go easy on the food/liquids post operatively. You’ll need to rehydrate, but do so slowly and eat just a little bit for a few hours afterwards. If you have your procedure done in the morning you can have a very light lunch, then can generally have a regular dinner. Hope this helps, and all the best to you!
Greetings to everyone,
I wanted to comment on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as well. I have Crohn’s Disease and was also prescribed medications to control the symptoms. Nothing really seemed to offer a cure–and even with meds my symptoms could vary from day to day. Someone in my church group gave me a book about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and I am so encouraged by my results.
Now the diet itself does require work…the key is to take the time to read and understand which foods are ok to have on the plan and which ones can aggravate your gastrointestinal symptoms. I also use the crock pot frequently to prepare meals and then freeze individual servings so that when I come home from work, I can just pop something in the microwave and have dinner.
It’s amazing to me that after seeing over 7 gastroenterologists not one discussed the importance of diet in terms of healing my intestinal tract. If you’re open to taking a little extra time in preparing your meals in advance, I highly recommend checking out the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It has been a real life changer for me.
I’d really like to try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet but I’ve heard it is very difficult if you travel. I’m on the road quite a bit for my job and I’m wondering if there would be a way to do this while away from home. Could anyone with a bowel disorder who has tried the SCD diet let me know if you were able to succesfully stick to the plan while traveling?
Hello Liz,
I’ve been on the SCD diet for about 4 months now. And I travel. While it is sometimes difficult to know exactly what you are eating, it is not impossible to do the SCD diet while traveling. Some things that helped me were to get a list of the legal foods that I could easily pack. Although they are supposed to be a little more advanced, the Lara Bars made with just dates (no sugar) are lifesavers for my lifestyle. They pack easily in planes and if I’m starving, one of these with an apple can really tide me over and/or serve as a lunch in a pinch. If you need more info, let me know.
Here’s an update on my colonoscopy procedure. Had it yesterday and it was really no big deal. The day before, by far was the worst. I checked into the surgical center at 6:30 am. and I was dismissed to go home at 10:00 am. I had been worrying about it for weeks. Hopefully this will reassure some of you who are very anxious about the colonoscopy.
Regarding the day before and drinking the prep, I had asked my doctor if I could do the Miralax/Dulcolax one because I had heard it is easier to do and although I wouldn’t say it was a pleasant experience it was certainly tolerable for me.
Doc said I was cleaned out perfectly and he got a clear view. He did remove 2 polyps and I’m waiting to hear the results back but doc said everything else looked good.
Hi all,
My dad went on the SCD diet last year because his doctors were suggesting yet more meds for his ulcerative colitis. And it seemed like his “flares” were more violent and frequent even with steroids. He had upper endocscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, you name it, and wasn’t getting much relief at all. He’s a golfer and trying to play a round of golf while having to run to the restroom 4-8 times an hour, just wasn’t working.
But after learning about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, his life has changed considerably. He doesn’t have the frequency or urgency issues that had plagued him for years. His stool, although most of the time soft, is much better and isn’t liquid. Minimal to almost no mucus which is a huge improvement, and he feels and looks better. It is a really good program.
I have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease and my doctor is now saying I also have Diverticulitis. Has anyone else been given two separate diagnoses like this and if so is there a correlation between having both the Diverticulitis and the Irritable Bowel? I mean, could one have contributed at all towards me getting the other?
Elaine,
It isn’t an uncommon situation to have both diverticulitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Although it was initially thought that these disorders were two separate conditions, some doctors now think that there can be some overlap. Treatments for diverticular disease that is painful and IBS are normally the same. Adding in fiber to the diet can help in both cases, although too much fiber during a flare up can sometimes exacerbate the symptoms.
Anyone try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for their child? My son has numerous bowel problems and has been to several gastroenterologists over the past several years. I’m concerned because none of the options we’ve been given lead me to think that anything would be curative. The medications that traditional MD’s are using seem to me to do nothing but mask the symptoms. I know many have used the SCD for ulcerative colitis, Irritable Bowel Disease and Crohn’s Disease, but could someone give me info on possibly using the SCD for a child?
Linda,
My daughter has been on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for 2 months. She is like a different child. Her energy is back, her eyes sparkle and she has no more stomach pain. In the beginning I was a bit overwhelmed with what to feed her and didn’t know how I could incorporate the food plan into our day to day routines. But I got the book and read about it first, and then got to meet some other parents who were actually using it for their kids and now I’m comfortable with the food prep and she’s doing great with not only eating the food, but enjoying it also. I make her banana muffins with almond flour, and carrot muffins, using the same kind of flour. They’re moist and taste really good, and have none of the bloating effects that you’d see if you were using regular type flour. So the diet is really good for anyone with celiac disease also. My daughter is no longer on any medications so for her, it is really reduced the irritation and inflammation that used to occur in her gut.
Hello Tammy,
My husband has Ulcerative Colitis and he’s been on the SCD diet for a little over 6 weeks now. We’ve had to do some tweaking, which the book says is normal for people with gastro disorders, like limit the amount of honey he can eat as well as to initially limit things like onions etc, but he’s making some good steps towards getting better. My husband initially had diarrhea issues and had hemmorrhoids and the gastro doc wanted to do another invasive exam ie: a sigmoidoscopy even though he had had a colonoscopy a few months before. But the gastro never even checked for the hemmorhoids, just wanted him to go in for another procedure. We said no and because he is not having diarrhea anymore, the bleeding has stopped and he is not running to the bathroom all day/every day like before. I like to make baked goods for him using the coconut flour which is also legal but I ordered the almond flour this week so next week I’m going to try the carrot muffins with the almond flour. Sounds good now as a matter of fact…but I’ll have to wait until my flour comes in.
I have Crohn’s Disease and am using the Specific Carbohydrate Diet also. It was more difficult at first because I had to get used to the preparation time for some of the foods. Now, I have a system down where one day a week I prepare most of my meals for the week. You have to do some tweaking I think because at first you have to see if there’s some things that bother your stomach even if they’re “legal” on the diet. But once I figured out some basics, it’s now really easy and very convenient. I also use the Lara Bars (my favorite is the apple pie flavor) for take along snacks during the day, especially if I’m going to be commuting on the train.
I’m going to order the book for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet today. It seems like it will be a lot of work but I guess it will be worth it if it helps with Colitis or Crohns. Our family has many members with bowel disorders of some type so guess what I’ll be bringing to the family reunion this year. LOL. I was at a neighbors house yesterday and her daughter is on the diet. Had some muffins that were SCD legal and they were suprisingly tasty and had good things in them, carrots, honey, etc.
My first colonoscopy is scheduled in the next few weeks. I didn’t ask about Versed when I scheduled the exam. if I decide that I don’t want to use Versed, should I call my doctor’s office now and tell them I don’t want the Versed, but want something else? I’m nervous about the whole thing and don’t want to worry about memory problems. It was interesting to note that there were even medical professionals here that said that Versed is not such a good medicine to use. For this, I’m thankful. I’d rather know than not know about the Versed problems than to simply get it because I didn’t ask.
I had my first colonoscopy this morning and it was way worse than I expected. Everyone told me “not to worry” it would be alright, but it was really awful. I think I was given Versed, I didn’t know to ask about it before, and just found this website while searching for someone else who may have had a bad experience to a colonoscopy. I woke up several times during the procedure because I was in severe pain. Each time that I awakened I noticed that there were no sheets covering me–I was exposed and was appalled that they wouldn’t cover me with something. Each time that I woke up–I felt as if my insides were being stabbed. Even after the procedure was over my pain continued for a while and I passed not only the gas I was told to expect but also some blood. The nurse reassured me that this was “normal” and that everything was “fine” but I wasn’t expecting to feel such discomfort especially because I wasn’t warned about it. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I won’t be doing another colonoscopy unless something changes for 10 years, but I won’t ever let them do it without putting me completely asleep.
Hello Kimberly, I’m sorry that your colonoscopy experience was a bad one. I can relate, mine was also last week. From the sounds of it maybe we had the same doctor. (Smile) No but seriously, I had done my investigation about the procedure and thought I knew what to expect. I can remember myself screaming and crying and the doctor saying he had a hard time sedating me. I felt lied to….that if I had been told that the procedure hurt, I would have known what to expect. But I felt violated and “duped” and would not go back to the same doctor again. I would also insist on being put “out” completely for the procedure instead of using the light sedation that was promised with Versed.
I have had a family member have a terrible experience with Versed (memory loss long-term) and severe anxiety, nightmares so I wanted to avoid it for my own exam. The nurse from the GI lab and the GI doc told me that I could start with nothing and that they would only give me a very minimal amount of Versed if I asked for it so I agreed. What a fool I was. Just before the exam, the GI doc pushed the max dose of Versed all at once into my IV and I flet like I was going to die. A month later I still can’t remember discrete information, dates, etc. I’m a fairly young nurse and I’m not exaggerating. When I confronted the GI “doctor”, he told me that I didn’t really remember what actually happened due to the amnesia effects of Versed; when I showed him the records and had one of the endo nurses who was present back my story up, he just said: “you signed a sedation consent, so any promise to use a minimal amount or to titrate the amount used is meaningless. You gave me written permission to do whatever I wanted to do, regardless of any verbal promise that I made”. I was shocked and felt like crying, but steeled myself and told him off. I see this idiot frequently in the hospital where we both work and he says hi to me; I respond with “have you lied to any other patients today you unethical slob”? I always make sure that others (especially patients) hear me and I told him just to try to shut me up. He’s totally silent. Do not sign a sedation consent unless it specifies no Versed; a promise to use a minimal amount is worthless. I’ll never get another colonoscopy and I will never recommend one to any of my patients. I have been an advanced practice nurse for 30 years and can’t believe how the GI profession has deteriorated into a bunch of ethically bankrupt slobs.
Shelly,
I’m grateful that you shared your story about Versed. I’m a nurse too and was beginning to think I was in the minority of those who think Versed is an awful choice for patients. I was like most other health care providers I’m sorry to say until I experienced Versed myself during a colonoscopy exam. I remember a male nurse telling me I would not remember a thing but in my case — I did wake up during the procedure and heard myself begging for more medication. And I have a very high threshold for pain. My doctor, whom I thought I trusted, made some comment about me not being able to remember anyway and I was mortified at how I was treated.
I am so sorry you had to go through such a betrayal of trust in your case as well. Now I believe nurses are a patient’s last line of “defense” against some of the abusive practices that exist in healthcare. And the brainwashing of staff that goes on to “convince” them that Versed is a good medication is criminal in my opinion. Anyway, I just wanted to write in and to say thank you for your courage in standing up to that jerk doctor, and know that by spreading the message you are doing a really good thing.
Warmly,
Andrea
I was given Versed for another procedure before and my physician did not take the time to explain about the drug or the effects of it. No one on the medical team told me about it otherwise I would have refused. During my procedure I “woke up” had a negative reaction to the Versed and then they ended up having to put me under using General Anesthesia. This was not for a colonoscopy, so I don’t want anyone to think that this is normal for a colonoscopy. I was just very angry at not being told the truth. In the past I’d had other operations and remained awake during those procedures. My tolerance for pain is very high and I’m not anxious about having surgical procedures. My sister was with me during the pre-operative phase of the operation and said that details about the sedation options were never discussed. Knowing now I’ve learned about Versed, it is something I would never, ever, take again. I have in writing in my chart that I have allergies to Versed and should not be given this medication under any circumstances.
I needed a colonoscopy but after reading the Versed horror stories, I couldn’t believe that any doctor would mislead and basically lie about this drug (especially the creepy amnesia that can be very long-term). So I picked 3 endo docs and played dumb; I didn’t want to do the Versed rant right off the bat so I waited to see if ANY of them told me the truth about the drugs (Versed and fentanyl). Gastro #1 was the worst: “sign this so we can give you meds to keep you comfortable”. (total lie and he never mentioned amnesia; in fact he denied that it occured; he even insisted that I would be asleep). Gastro #2 was better, he told me nothing about the drug at all except that”the exam requires sedation, we use versed/fentanyl. At least the nurse gave me a handout which mentioned the side effects (fine print). When I asked to see the gastro after the nurse was finished, he was pissed at my questions; I asked him directly about the side-effects and he wouldn’t answer a direct question. Gastro#3 was a woman and although she didn’t go into gritty detail she did mention that a driver was needed since Versed causes amnesia. When I asked about the other terrible side effects, she was honest. I asked her why she didn’t give patients more detail about Versed side-effects and she was blunt: without sedation most would not get screened and a lot would develop cancer, she tries to minimize the side-effects, but if anyone asks direct questions she will answer truthfully and she did. My last question is important for this website: “doctor, would you want to receive Versed yourself”? NO! She said that she would demand propofol (as would any physician), but she reminded me that many patients can’t affort the huge cost of this drug which many insurance companies won’t pay for. She then asked me a question: given that most patients demand sedation and that Versed is the only choice for many, what would I do? If you tell them that a much better drug is available (but not for them), they would walk away. She had a great point: if you establish trust with the patient and you are honest during consent (I will act in your best interest and I’m giving you Versed to make you forget the procedure (and list the reasons)…she said that she always does this and has had decent patient satisfaction with the drug. She also told me that she hates using it because of the side-effects and that it commonly doesn’t work anyway; they give incremental doses until the patient is really comfortable, but by this time the exam is over, the patient has a hangover and their memory is fried. I was shocked that she talked to me for so long about why she uses Versed but basically hates it. Her last comment was: most gastros hustle a patient who got Versed out the door and tell them that they had a good experience; then they get home and all hell breaks loose…Then the call the office and get ignored. I admire her honesty and have a very low opinion of gastro’s 1 and 2. She knows them both and called them “slob gastros”. At no time did she push me to get the exam, but she did tell me that I was high risk and that with my symptoms that I needed to get the exam (without Versed if that was my choice). I left and we parted as friends. The next day a anesthesia provider (a nurse) called me and told me that gastro #3 had called her and she was calling to see if I wanted to try propofol and she verified that my insurance would cover it. I was still afraid about sedation and she told me i could try it with nothing or with narcotic only (fentanyl). I chose nothing and the nurse told me that the prep was waiting for me at the pharmacy and that my exam with gastro #3 was in 1 week. Gastro #3 had already scheduled it. Did the prep and reported for the exam. Verified that I wouldn’t be getting anything and the gastro doc agreed. She had one suggestion: would I mind if the CRNA stood by with syringes hooked up to my IV with propofol and another with fentanyl in case I changed my mind? I agreed because the gastro doc was so honest. The CRNA held my hand during the exam and reminded me that all I had to do was ask and I could get narcotics for pain or be asleep (really) with propofol in seconds if that was my desire. I tried it with nothing and it wasn’t bad. The CRNA and the doc were great, honest and I was comfortable with them. Towards the end of the exam, my back started painful spasms (nothing to do with the exam, but I have several fused vertebrae, so this happens when I lay on my left side. The doc and CRNA saw that I was in pain and the doc again mentioned that I wouldn’t get anything unless I asked for it but that she had several polyps and a biopsy to do and that this would take a while. Nobody was pushy, so I admitted that my back was killing me because of the left-side position and that I wouldn’t object to a little relief. The CRNA smiled and asked me if I wanted a nice buzz (fentanyl) or a nice nap (propofol) or both (she’s a great bartender). I told her to use her judgement (finally, people who I can trust); she gave me increasing amounts of fentanyl until the pain was gone, no side-effects at all. The exam was long, but painfree until the end; I couldn’t release the trapped air (fart) that was introduced thru the scope no matter what I did. in the recovery room, this got painful until the CRNA offered to help; she suggested some propofol and I could be as awake or asleep as I wanted. Again, I said use your judgement. She told me that I would be getting sleepy and I did; they rolled me into a different position and the air noisily came out. Within minutes after stopping the propofol I was wide awake, feeling great. It was sad to see the other patients who had received Versed babbling and moaning in the recovery room. Morale: Versed is a bad drug for many (I won’t take it and ,neither do medical people); you can’t trust many gastros (they lie for a buck) and when you find a great honest gastro like the woman I found (and a great CRNA), then drop your pants and get a colonoscopy. My results were precancerous and I need frequent colonoscopies. I’m not worried at all.
Versed was not a good choice for my colonoscopy. My procedure was done yesterday and there was significant pain. I had a hysterectomy several years back and don’t remember feeling so much pain. Perhaps Versed works with some people, but for me, it didn’t have any effect. I remember the entire thing including asking them to stop several times throughout the colonoscopy. What frightens me the most is that they didn’t/wouldn’t stop. I certainly think that it would have been appropriate to stop, give me some pain medication, and then proceed. I asked for an explanation from the gastro afterwards why it hurt so much, and he just said something about that the hysterectomy had “shifted things” and some colons are more difficult than others or something to that effect. I’m really upset and cry when thinking about what I went through. Why didn’t anyone tell me ahead of time to expect more pain because I had a previous hysterectomy?
To Kimberly regarding waking up and being uncovered during her colonoscopy: I had a colonoscopy done last year and was VERY concerned about the exposure. I was given propofol so don’t remember a thing. I did ask several nurses, however, as well as my doctor about the exposure and was assured that the patient is always draped and only the bottom is exposed (and sometimes even that is covered after the scope is inserted). Now there is no way I know for sure this happened but I have no reason to doubt it. You should definitely lodge a concern/complaint to the doctor and/or facility. There is no reason that you should have been uncovered in that fashion. It is totally unacceptable, whether you are a really modest person, like myself, or not. It is just plain dignity for the patient as most facilities profess in their patient rights statements. If patients don’t complain about this type of treatment then it will just persist!
Jean, thanks for writing and letting me know that being covered during an exam was a concern of yours also. I just felt so betrayed on many levels, and I think I will voice my concerns in writing both to the facility and the doctor. If nothing else, maybe this will help prevent another patient from being treated in this fashion. Just getting the courage up to do something like a colonoscopy is difficult and all you hear again and again is how important the exam is etc. But to treat people like I was treated shouldn’t be acceptable practice. I’m glad that you had the propofol. If I have a colonoscopy or other type of exam again that requires sedation, that’s what I will require. And you’re so right. We patients have to stick up for our rights if no one else is looking after us! Thank you again Jean.
Kimberly,
I understand completely how you feel. If this exam is so important then the medical community should do all they can to make the experience a positive one and respect the patient’s modesty and dignity as much as possible. I am a very modest person and think a lot of other people are, also, but may be afraid to voice their concerns. If you feel this way, you may want to check out some other blogs regarding medical/patient modesty, especially ones by Dr. Joel Sherman and Dr. Maurice Bernstein. There are many interesting points of view on these blogs regarding this issue. I hope you do follow through with your complaints. I would like to know what feedback or explanation you do get and I will check this site periodically to hear from you. Good luck. Jean
I just had a colonoscopy and was prepared to argue because I didn’t want sedation and I just assumed that I would not be treated very well. I was wrong. The GI doc was a very skilled and pleasant young woman who took the time to explain everything to me. She agreed to do the exam without sedation and assured me that she would stop if I said stop. In fact, she thought that an unsedated colonoscopy was just fine, an she was totally honest: we usually give Versed because that’s what insurance companies pay for, most people expect a pain-free procedure and with Versed most won’t remember much (but she agreed that many have bad experiences with Versed if not warned of the amnesia). On the day of the test she asked if a CRNA could stand by in case I changed my mind; she would have propofol and fentanyl ready to go but only if I asked for them. The exam went well without anything, a few twinges but really minor. The doctor told me not to be concerned about embarassment and that everone would be looking at the monitor, not my butt. This exam was easy because I had a doctor who was very honest and not in a rush like most seem to be. Tammy’s experience is really unfortunate, that doctor should be fired. My guess is that consent for colonoscopy sedation wil change in the future: as my doc simply put it, get Versed if you want amnesia of the procedure and it’s usually with fentanyl to reduce any pain. This combo usually works well, but you are not usually asleep. There is often residual amnesia and a hangover for a while following the exam. Get propofol if you want to sleep thru it and wake up quickly; but many insurance companies won’t pay the $700 or so extra cost. If you have a good GI doc you can try it unsedated like I did. One other factor is that most docs want to use sedation beause they think that it will increase a patient’s chance of returning for a repeat exam. My doc told me because of Versed (patients not being told of the amnesia and other problems) exactly the opposite is happening; the patients with bad Versed experiences are telling their stories and lots of people will NEVER get screened. Websites like this are great.
Hello again Jean,
Thanks very much for the info on patient modesity and again for all your support and help with the colonoscopy issues. I’ve already begun writing out my concerns, have a good first draft almost complete so it will be interesting to see what comes from this. The good thing is that I’ll be much more vocal now about telling other people to come and read this site and learn in advance what their options are for colonoscopy, and I’ll be better prepared to deal with medical providers in the future after this experience. I’ll certainly keep you posted and will update here to share any feedback that I get as a result of my written complaints. Hope your weekend is going well!
Kimberly:
I am so glad that you are going to follow through with your written concerns. I hope the other websites gave you some ideas on how to properly address your complaint and also how to take it to a higher level should you not get a satisfactory explanation or even apology about how you were treated. I also think these websites are valuable resources for patients and I wish I would have read more before I had my colonoscopy. I have little experience with the health care industry; luckily I have always been healthy and able to avoid it. I have always been concerned with the modesty issue and I believe that a lot more can be done to accomodate patients in this area. I feel a lot more “empowered” now and feel like I will be better able to speak up for my wishes if and when I need to visit a doctor/hospital again. I think it is so important that patients and doctors work together to make the atmosphere as comfortable and dignified for the individual even if it means perhaps doing things a little differently; outside of “standard protocol”. I think medical personnel get so used to doing things a certain way that they do not even consider options. They also, as may have been in your case, get careless and probably feel like it’s no big deal to them to see uncovered patients but fail to realize that the exposed person is the one feeling humiliated and will possibly have lingering feelings of shame, anger and/or resentment. Anyways, didn’t mean to go on so much on that but I hope you will keep me posted on your progress. It may at least give you some satisfaction to let the proper parties know how you feel. Good luck. Jean
I’m getting a colonoscopy soon and was fortunate enough to find this site. Gary, I’m especially glad I read your material about having a doctor who would agree to do the colonoscopy without any sedation. I didn’t know this was an option. Jean, Kimberly, and everyone else who provided info about their experiences–thank you so much also. I didn’t ask any questions yet–but am going to call my gastro’s office this afternoon and setup an earlier office visit so that I’m sure that I can either request no sedation, or have the propofol that Jean used during my colonoscopy. Guess I was expecting that my doctor would give me the best choices. It’s a blessing to know this info in advance.
Sandy,
Actually I was not given a choice on sedation and didn’t know enough to ask. I would have preferred to be unsedated; just pain meds if necessary. No versed! I did ask the anesthesiologist the morning of the procedure what I would be given and was informed I would have BOTH versed and propofol. They gave me the versed before taking me into the exam room; to “relax” me supposedly. But I have to wonder why they would give versed before the propofol if propfol is so fast acting. It made me wonder what they did not want me to remember as versed is an amnesiac. I actually didn’t feel good about having that (embarrassing) procedure done in front of 5 people and not know what each one was doing to me, what they were seeing, etc. I would have liked to have had some participation in the exam and would have liked to watch the screen. I wish I would have researched more of these websites before having my colonoscopy because if you don’t ask questions they sure don’t volunteer any information. I realize that everyone is different but I would think that they would at least offer you the option of more detailed information (as far as what to expect in the exam room, who will be there assisting, what they will be doing, what choices you may have for sedation (if any), etc.). I just am not comfortable having an exam that requires exposure and not be aware of what happened. Please do call your doctor and get answers to any questions you may have before going through with it so that you do not have any regrets afterwards. Jean
Jean,
Thank you for clarifying the information about your colonoscopy procedure. I am so sorry that you were given both the Versed and the propofol and that you didn’t receive a complete explanation. It’s terrible that we aren’t given information without “digging” it out of the medical providers.
I really am so grateful to you and the others who have spoken up about this so that myself and other people will be more informed as to what we need to do in order to properly plan for a colonoscopy or some other type of medical exam.
I agree with you 100% that it should be required to provide patients with more information about what will happen, who will be there, meds that may be used (their side effects) etc.
If I don’t get answers in advance I will call and cancel my exam and reschedule it only when I’m comfortable that I’m getting truthful responses from a potential physician. Thank you so much for caring and for all your helpful info Jean.
Sandy and others: glad to hear that you will be informed patients. I’m writing because thelab lost my biopsy samples from my recent colonoscopy and I have to repeat it tomorrow! Idid the original without sedation and it was refreshing to have my fears about Versed validated. One HUGE comment: if you have a provider that you trust, everything else falls into place. The endo center just called me since my test is tomorrow; everyone as sorry that the biopsy samples got lost, but it happens. I got a cal from the endo doc and she told me that she was mortified that the samples got lost, but she has been 100% honest with me; so was the CRNA..I told her “no sedation” and thats what I got. The CRNA just called and talked to be for 1/2 hour; she agreed to just “stand by” and not to give me anything unless I asked for it and I trust her. It kind of sucks having this test repeated in just a few days, but I’m not worried. When you have providers that you can trust, it’s not bad. The crna is still trying to get me to agree to propofol (no Versed side effects)…..she was there when i got the unsedated exam and acknowledged that I was able to tolerate it…………but she thinks that it would be “better” with propofol. the endo enter offered to do a repeat exam and cover the cost of the propofol (no charge). I never complained about the lost biopsies, but the doc and the crna offered to have me stay overnight after the test in case I didn’t have a driver and wanted sedation……..can’t get any nicer than that. my wife is a physician and told me to accept the offer; she wants to get rid of me for a day or so. she spoke with the endo doc and I think that they are planning to convince me that the propofol is a good idea…..hey, if you need a colonoscopy, get a good doc and do it…..
Gary, I am so sorry that you have to redo your colonoscopy procedure. Can’t imagine having to go through that prep again and have sedation. But I’m so glad that you seem to have a kind and responsible doctor.
It’s also nice I think that you will have the option for propofol. Anything to stay away from the terrible Versed.
Sending prayers and good thoughts to you for an easy procedure. Best of luck and do let us know how it goes.
Maureen
Gary,
Good luck with your colonoscopy. I feel so badly for you that you must have the colonoscopy exam done a 2nd time. Thank you for sharing all your valuable comments about physician choices etc, and your experience with having a physician who allowed you to refuse Versed and have the option of taking propofol during your colonoscopy. I sincerely hope everything goes well on your biopsies, and hope that they proper steps are taken by your medical providers so that they are not lost. Good luck to you and please do update us here so that we know you are ok following your next colonoscopy.
I had the repeat colonoscopy this morning. Maureen and Robin: you are special people and I really appreciate your comments and encouragement. I’m sure that everyone is sick of hearing about my colonosopy and my sedation issues but here goes…I did a 2 day prep and reported for the exam….everyone was sorry for the repeat exam (no big deal, sh*t happens)…having to repeat a prep never killed anyone………….I asked for an unsedated exam and they agreed to this; but a CRNA asked to stand by “in case I changed my mind”…………fat chance….not so fast.she used fentanyl and propofol not Versed and only asked to “keep me comfortable”…………….so I agreed…anyway the unsedated exam was easy…….the doc said that my biopsies were “worrisome” and that I’m back again next year…as much as I hate sedation, the crna asked my permission to give some propofol during my procedure because the doc was having difficulty with the scope…I agreed and it wasn’t bad..I hope that everyone has providers like I have…………best
Gary, so relieved to hear that your colonoscopy is finished. And I’m sure I speak for everyone that having you share information about your colonoscopy, the sedation, and physicians can only help other patients make better choices about their own care.
It’s nice to know that you were comfortable, and that the CRNA was respectful of your wishes. Hoping that your biopsies turn out ok.
Appreciate your taking the time to let us know that you are ok, and for again providing information about the propofol, Versed, and other issues.
My colonoscopy procedure is on the books for next week and I’m so nervous! It’s in the afternoon which means I’m going to have to fast for the day before but also an additional 1/2 of the day. Have had blood in my stools for a few months now. This will be my first colonoscopy and I was told by my neighbor who’s incidentally a physician, not to use Versed. So my gastro will have a CRNA to give me the propofol but I’m wondering now if I should ask to do the colonoscopy without sedation? My preference would be to be awake and see what’s happening to me. I don’t like not knowing and definitely don’t want to be drugged up or groggy for the rest of the day. For those who’ve had the procedure without sedation how uncomfortable could this potentially be?
Angie, I’ve worked in the gastroenterology department for several years. Although I haven’t ever had a colonoscopy I’ve worked with many patients who’ve had them. Regarding your question on the afternoon appointment, yes this means you will have to fast a bit longer. You may want to ask if your physician has another day where she/he can work you into their schedule that is an am. time slot. I think that is the easiest one for most patients just because you can get the exam over with and then go home to rest.
There’s quite a bit of discussion now about Versed and it’s effects. Knowing what I know I would not recommend it, so I agree with your neighbor on avoiding the Versed sedation. In terms of your being awake, that is obviously your choice if your gastro will do the colonoscopy without any sedation. I like for paitents to know that they can request pain medicaton–but no sedation, and if you’re in the hands of a very skilled gastro, this can work well for you. Just know that sometimes women’s colons are more challenging to navigate, meaning that if you’re reading reports of men who’ve had colonoscopies without any sedation and saying how easy it was–it may not always coincide with how things go with a woman’s anatomy.
I also let patients know that they can specify “no Versed” on their consent form, pain medication only and then put an additional notation that they would accept Demerol, or Valium but only if requested. (I just used those two meds as examples, not saying these are the ones you would list, but you can be very specific about your wishes in advance and put them in writing so there’s no miscommunication on the day of your procedure.)
I was in the room incidentally when my brother had his colonoscopy–without sedation, just pain meds (fentanyl) and he was discussing all kinds of topics with the doc as well as watching his exam on the monitor.) So it can be done, just plan in advance what you want your options to be. Good Luck!
I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE VERY LIGHT SEDATION (JUST ENOUGH TO TAKE EDGE OF PANIC OFF)
WAS GIVEN 30 VALIUM 75 DEMEROL AND 25 BENEDRYL. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WAS NOT LIGHT SEDATION. THIS, AFTER REPEATED CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. TOO LATE NOW BUT MY TRUST HAS BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED AND AT THIS POINT I DON’T KNOW IF I COULD GO BACK FOR A REPEAT IN 5 YEARS AS THEY HAVE SUGGESTED. BUT MY QUESTION IS THIS. WOULD THERE BE ANY INFO IF THEY DID A POSITION CHANGE OR APPLIED ABDOMINAL PRESSURE DURING COLONOSCOPY? I AM HAVING TROUBLE GETTING ANY INFO. THANKS
Marie,
Losing trust in your medical providers is a terrible thing to have to go through. I’m very sorry that your wishes were not followed. I have heard of other patients who were verbally promised certain things would or would not happen during medical procedures, and who also experienced that their wishes were not followed. What I do now before going in for any procedure is to discuss what medications will be given, and then make sure that this info is on all of my medical records so that it is in writing in terms of what I will or will not take in terms of meds. I learned this the hard way after I was given some Versed for a procedure and I didn’t know there were other meds that couldn’ve been used or that I could’ve refused this type of sedation completely.
In terms of your question, are you asking how you would find out what positions you were placed in during your procedure? I know by law that you can request access to your medical records. Generally, though if you request access what the hospital, facility, or doctor’s office will send is just a written summary of the procedure. You can request complete medical record, including nursing notes, full operative details and summary, and note COMPLETE Medical Record is requested. If you don’t get them you can follow up in writing and with a phone call and request the full operative record, not just the summary. I’m not sure if the info you want will be on there, but it is for certain your right to have a copy of your entire medical record.
Marie, I am also sorry about your experience. I requested my complete medical records (in writing) from the endo center where I had my colonoscopy, after a nightmare experience with Versed. (This was strictly for my own information, without any intention to sue.) I was surprised at the lack of information on my records, and even more surprised that many things were scratched out, and appeared to have been changed before being sent to me. In two different places on my records, the time documented for the colonoscopy had been changed from 10 minutes to 12 minutes…and the times documented when I was given medication did not always agree. The doctors notes from our pre-op discussion (a phone call) made no mention of my request to be awake for the procedure, although we had discussed that. There was also no mention anywhere about how I “tolerated” the procedure… and although it was noted that a nurse spoke to me the day after the procedure, the comments about our discussion were completely scratched out ! I doubt anyone actually documents position changes during the procedure…
My trust in medical providers has also been severly damaged from my experience, but not completely destroyed. Lesson learned: put everything in writing, tell everyone you refuse Versed, and pray you have chosen a competent, honest, caring doctor… (they are out there)
Honesty and full disclosure in healthcare are certainly lacking in some situations, and this one is a prime example of it. And Marie, add me to the list of those who are very saddened by your experience. Out of all the procedures one can have as a patient nothing seems to put us in such a vulnerable experience as a colonoscopy.
Now, I don’t watch much television, but last week I happened to catch an episode of a true, real life as it happens medical series called Boston Med. What was striking about this program is that not only does it portray the experiences of doctors and patients as they happen, but the program also catches both physician and patient reactions as both go through the variety of experiences that make up their lives.
On the episode that I watched, there was a supposedly brilliant cardiac surgeon who operated on an infant who had a defect in his heart. After the surgery the infant was supposed to come off life support but the doctors couldn’t figure out why the baby wasn’t responding as he should. The parents were told to say “goodbye” to the child, but then the medical team discovered through some additional testing that there was an error in the first corrective surgery.
Surprisingly enough the television coverage showed the surgeon immediately going to the parents, telling them that he made an error, and then the child being brought back to surgery in order to correct it. The child is now 16 months old and is doing well. I was amazed that not only did the surgeon admit to the error right away, but that it was profiled on medical television.
thanks everyone for your responses. i had spoken with the doc’s nurse at least 4 time prior to procedure
stating i wanted to be awake, alert, and aware of what was going on and specifically stated no amnesia.
somehow they ignored that but remembered enough to switch from versed to valium but at that amount
they knew it would cause amnesia. now i don’t trust them at all prob is my dad had colon cancer so that is why i had the test. what made everything worse is i had done the research and showed my husband
i talked to him over and over about this. he promised he would make sure my wishes were carried out and would be in room with me during procedure . he let them drug me and keep drugging me throughout the procedure. . when I (came back) i immediately realized what happened and called him on it and he would just say he did what he thought was best as i was apparently in a lot of pain even though they didn’t up the pain killers just the sedation. i had two make two trips to pick up records because they didn’t give me everything and still i basically got medication record and summary of proc. same thing at doc’s office ..requested complete file and all they sent me was the summary of proced. than when i brought it up again he asked didn’t i trust him. probably why i am having problems with trusting right now. anyway thanks all i really needed to vent and have someone listen
who isn’t trying to convince me i’m the one who overreacted.
thanks again.
I think patients would have more trust in their healthcare providers if medical professionals would admit when they made an error. Tell the patient you screwed up, then tell them what you’re able to do to fix it or just acknowledge that you understand if they want to find another provider.
Keeping things “secret” may look good on paper to some corporate attorney, but in reality, patients are much more likely to sue if they’re lied to.
I empathize with anyone who’s been lied to by their doctors or healthcare members.
Marie,
I applaud you for having the guts to say that your treatment was wrong and to stand up for yourself now. Although the treatment you received from your doctor was just awful, what adds fuel to the fire, in my opinion, is for anyone to insinuate that you may be over-reacting to the situation. What happened to you was an abuse of power on so many levels, and you were violated not only by the physician but by the nurses and other staff who did not put your needs and requests first. If the staff couldn’t honor a verbal agreement they should have said so. One of the first things one learns as a nursing student is that a nurse is a patient advocate. I am so sorry that you had no one to be your advocate when you needed one.
Marie,
I don’t think you are overreacting. I had a colonoscopy last December and still to this day feel upset and angry about the experience. They gave me both versed and propofol for the exam and I wouldn’t even know that if I hadn’t have asked the anesthesiologist the morning of the procedure. Mind you, I had to ASK. So, I was totally asleep for the procedure. No knowledge of what was done to me, who was doing what, etc. Yes, that bothers me. I got a complete copy of all my records from both doctor and surgi center and no details about the procedure on either one. I think doctors use a one-size-fits-all approach to this stuff. They don’t give you any options. Obviously this procedure can be done with pain meds only; no sedation/amnesia. We are all not babies that cannot handle seeing the actual procedure. What are they trying to hide??? What do they want you to forget??? Anyways, I watched the video of Katie Couric’s colonoscopy; she was awake, talking to the doctor, watching the monitor AND modestly covered. Did you see the post here by Kimberly on July 22? She awoke twice during her exam to find herself totally uncovered. That kind of stuff makes my blood boil!
Frankly, I don’t understand why they don’t take a more conservative approach to screening people for colon cancer, such as doing a FOBT, stool DNA test or even using a new blood test recently developed by Israli doctors which detects not only colon cancer but also the presence of polyps. Then colonoscopies could be used only in cases that warrant it. No wonder health care costs have skyrocketed here in the U.S. Someone is making a lot of money off all those exams. I, for one, will be foregoing any invasive, humillating screening exams in the future, even though they recommended a follow-up colonoscopy in 5 years. I will be content to reduce my risk by eating a healthy diet, exercising, etc. Don’t mean to rant here but sometimes it feels good to get it off your chest and also to realize that there are others out there who feel the same. By the way, Marie, if your husband was in the room during the exam couldn’t he tell you if you were repositioned, had abdominal pressure applied, etc,? Just curious. Jean
Jean, I’m very glad that you brought up these issues. Medicine has become a minefield and it seems that many, not all, but many providers are more interested in a quick turn around and how much they can bill instead of providing choices, information and the best healthcare to their patients. I’m with you totally on wanting my physicians to tell me what they will be using, why it will be used, what options I have, and then let me make the final decision. Unless I come into the ER and it is a life/death decision and I’m unable to make decisions for myself, I don’t want anyone giving me broad generalizations about… “we’re giving you something to relax etc.” , I want the facts, and just the facts. And yes, there are facilities out there who are more amenable to including the patient’s in the decision making process, but what I’ve found is that even in these cases, one has to be fairly assertive about what one will and will not accept.
I am very glad to have found your comments and to know I’m not the only one who thinks we must not accept such antiquated practices such as “doctor knows best” etc..
Jean, my husband was in the room with me. that is part of my huge problem. i had several discussions with him prior to the procedure. i told him about my research with medications, the stats that showed less complications with very light sedation or no sedation at all. he gave me his word that he would not allowed them to drug me into twilight sedation and that he would get me out of there immediately after.
i knew i could handle any pain if i could of focused on him and told him so. he knew how strongly i felt about it. i also told him if he didn’t think he could do those things to just tell me and i would have not let them give me anything then i could make sure they didn’t have the chance. HE LET THEM ANYWAY
then his response was didn’t i trust him he did what he thought was best. this was hugely important to me and he brushed me off. at one point he asked me what i would do the next time and i told him i would never ever allow it again and would take my chances even with a family history of colon cancer, and breast cancer. i originally worked up the courage to see my nurse pract. because of rectal bleeding which i was pretty sure was from hemorrhoids she barely looked said could be anything should get colonoscopy because if i wait until they find cancer i will die. nice huh anyway colonoscopy happened june 21st and still get depressedl along with overwhelming anger and sadness i am trying so hard to control. can’t seem to let it go and i tried to talk to my husband but from what he has said i don’t really know that he would really tell me what happened. i feel like i am all alone
jean, one thing i forgot to mention. when i came to in the recovery room my right collarbone hurt, this is why i asked them if they touched me or moved me. he said no i must of laid on it wrong. this is why i am wondering if they changed my position or applied pressure. since he already knew i was so angry about it i don’t know if he was telling me the truth or not. i was on my left side not my right. i could see a light blue outline of a what looked like a bruise for a few days.
Marie,
I am so sorry you have the added issue with your husband. Actually, I am surprised they let him be in the room for the exam. It sounds like you are having a hard time trusting anyone. I understand completely. After over 6 months I am wondering why I am still so obsessed with this and still thinking regularly about it all. I have almost decided that those drugs did something strange to my head and I am tempted to go get some counseling just so I can get some peace of mind. I am normally nothing like this! Anyways, after I came home from my colonoscopy I noticed 2 faint red marks on the upper part of my chest but that was from the monitors. That’s exactly where they had been placed by the nurse in the prep area. I can’t think what would have caused your collarbone to hurt, though. I was on my left side, also, and think that’s how I stayed. The place where I had my exam done said that they occasionally have to apply pressure to the abdomen to ease the scope through a turn but the medical tech does that through the blankets. (That’s what they told me, anyways) I know that there is no way I will ever know what exactly happened to me during that 45 minutes or so when I was “out” so I suppose I have to learn some way to get past it. It’s just unfortunate that experiences like the ones we had have to color our opinion of the medical world and perhaps prevent us from getting care in the future. Jean
Jean and Marie,
Since Katie Couric made the whole idea of getting a colonoscopy less frightening, I’ve been always the one to encourage friends and neighbors to book this exam –the colonoscopy as a means of detecting colon cancer before it could spread. But I must say, I am extremely upset that both of you ladies had to go through what appears to me to be deception from your physicians. I get better cooperation from my local grocer if I ask him/her where my vegetables come from, and this information is not life threatening. Well I guess it could be life-threatening down the road if I ate vegetables in the high pesticide category, but I think you know what I mean:-)
How can the medical profession claim to want to “educate” the consumer of medical services by making claims, developing brochures, and spending money on advertising for a procedure where it seems that it is not that unlikely that you as the patient will be deceived?
Bravo to both of you for not staying silent. You are trailblazers in an industry which needs to start policing itself, but in the meantime, you are serving other prospective patients well by letting them know that they must always protect themselves as much as possible even in an environment or setting which is supposed to be safe and to be protective of good health but may in reality be just the opposite. With my kindest regards to you both for health and healing after your colonoscopy ordeals.
I’ve had several colonoscopies and have struggled with gastrointestinal issues. I’m only 26, and have had bowel problems for around the last 7 years. Initially, my symptoms were bloating, and the first doctor diagnosed gallstones. Then I had surgery to remove them, and that’s when everything changed for the worst. I was constantly on the toilet and had bloody bowel movements. The colonoscopy they did at that point was the worst one ever. For some reason the sedation did not work and I felt the entire thing. At that point, I was sick and tired of doctors and tired of hearing that they couldn’t find anything wrong. I moved to a different state and found a general Internal Medicine Practitioner who said I had Entamoeba histolytica and that I needed medication and also to be treated for IBD. He put me on flagyl which didn’t help and now I’m on other meds to see if they work. I feel like an experiment for the physicians to use as a trial and error thing–like a mouse in a lab to them. I wish someone could tell me after all these tests what is really wrong. They are always eager to do the colonoscopies yet I am left with no answers.
Rosemarie,
I’m sorry but I think the necessity of screening colonoscopies for the general public is overblown. I understand Katie Couric’s concern but her husband died of colon cancer when he was still in his 40s, so more than likely he was at a higher than normal risk for developing the disease. They recommend EVERYONE get this test at age 50. I still think it would make more sense and probably save people a lot of anxiety if they took a more conservative approach. I read just the other day about a new DNA stool test that is highly accurate at predicting pre cancerous lesions (even smaller than most polyps) and that test if approved would cost only $300.00. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use something like that to identify only those truly needing the more expensive colonoscopy. Sometimes, sorry to say, I feel like it is all a big money making industry. I will be interested to see if the gastro industry embraces this new test or if they continue to recommend colonoscopy since, in their words, it is the “gold standard” in testing. Also, as evidenced here, so many people have negative experiences with it all. There just seems to be such a disparate way these exams are done from one doctor and facility to the next. You just never know what you are going to get unless you ask a million questions. And why, as patients/consumers should we have to ask? It all makes me a little angry, especially in my case when my doctor’s records show that she had a thorough discussion of the procedure and options with me during my office visit. I know I would have remembered that! It just didn’t happen. Only some vague statements as to the safety and importance of the exam; nothing specific. Not even a mention of what meds I would be given for sedation. I still get upset thinking about it and blame myself a little for not going in more informed, but it is a lesson hard learned. Never again! They will probably want to kick me out of the next doctor’s office for asking too many questions. Jean
Jean, after all these years of me encouraging people to get the colonoscopy exam, now, I’m siding with you and would absolutely welcome a less invasive, less expensive procedure. I just think that it’s a horrible that physicians are not dislosing the full implications of the exam, nor the medications they use. I talked to some nurses today and their feeling is that the use of Versed in many types of procedures is not needed, and more importantly can be damaging to the patient. As so many of you all have discussed here, they said that Versed is most often given for the “convenience of the doctor” and that many, but not all physicians have a paternalistic view of medicine that does not sit well with patients participating in their own health care decisions.
The DNA stool test sounds very promising and if it works out, it would certainly help in screenings, and probably cut down on the problems that some people experience post colonoscopy.
I used to think that the US was great for healthcare, but even new technology like MRI machines which can be used with people with Pacemakers is available in Europe and even India while we, with our slow moving approval process in the FDA don’t yet have this available to our citizens. So I think it does pay to ask lots of questions and not only question whether a test is necessary, but question what other technologies exist in other areas that may not be here today, but may be worth waiting for, or going elsewhere.
I can certainly understand why you are upset about your procedure, but please know you did nothing wrong. It was the physician who misused his position and took advantage of your trust as a patient. You and Marie have both done us all a great service by giving everyone who seeks healthcare some vital information so that hopefully in the future we will all be better prepared patients. I’m just very angry that your knowledge came at such a high price to you personally.
Take Care,
Rosemarie
My neighbor’s 85 year old mother just had a colonoscopy. I’m questioning why, at 85 years old, anyone would even do a colonoscopy on a women who already has cancer that had spread. She was given Versed and spent the entire day confused and agitated as if she was in pain after they brought her back to their home to recover. I’m wondering now if she awoke during the procedure and had no one to advocate for her.
A few years ago doctors didn’t know what was going on with me and so I was put on Flagyl for a period of time. It didn’t help. I still had episodes of bloody diarrhea, although it was definitely worse in the morning and evenings. During the day, for some reason I could actually get through the day at work without too much trouble. But the medication, Flagyl, gave me such an upset stomach, that I began vomiting with it, and this was highly unusual as I hadn’t vomited for 35 years. I went through a colonscopy, then a sigmoidoscopy, and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I remember the sedation with the first colonoscopy didn’t go well, the pain was fairly intense although I was told I wouldn’t remember. The sigmoidoscopy wasn’t too bad. I’m doing fine now, was put on Prednisone and Asacol and don’t have any more episodes. But the diagnosing part was really rough.
How Frequently Should a Colonoscopy Be Done? My ulcerative colitis began last fall, and I’ve been reading about different people’s experiences with this disease. Some people talk about going into the hospital for 4-5 times over a 20 year period and having times when their symptoms are worse, coupled with periods of remissions. And this would only be “mild” disease. How often does one have colonoscopy exams if you have ulcerative colitis?
My ulcerative colitis was found when I was 30. I’m 34 now and my doctor wants me to have colonoscopy exams every other year. I haven’t had any issues for about 3 years now, so I’m not sure that having a colonoscopy that often is a good idea.
I’m 40 years old and have been diagnosed since 1990 with ulcerative colitis. Initially, I had colonoscopy exams every 5 years, and now I get them annually. Having monitored anesthesia is much better in my opinion than the Versed.
Rosemarie,
Thanks for all your kind words. It’s reassuring to know that maybe more and more people are willing to question and research things instead of blindly accepting everything doctors advise. If you are interested in reading the article on the possible DNA stool test, you can go to http://www.smartbrief.com, then go to “DNA tests could find colon cancer earlier” and look at the full issue (August 13, 2010). My apologies to others on this blog for getting a little off the sedation/versed topic but thanks for letting me vent.
Writing a letter or speaking with a doctor about a bad Versed experience (especially when there has been deliberate deception about the amnesia) only helps temporarily. It will not restore a patient’s trust in the medical profession; that is sometimes irrevocably destroyed. I know colonoscopies save lives, but if I could re-wind time and erase the fact that I ever had one, I would. I have been left with permanent PTSD, and continue to obsess over my experience. I saw a therapist twice, but he did not understand, and that made me feel even worse. I wear an allergy bracelet, and carry a medical card saying I am never to be given Versed under any circumstances. I have also recently read about a natural herb (available over the counter) that causes “rapid clearance” of midazolam. I have considered taking it, just in case a doctor tries to pull a fast one on me again, it won’t have the effect he wants. Could that harm me in any other way ?
I’ve been in the hospital 4 times since my ulcerative colitis diagnosis about 13 years ago. My initial hospitalization was bad because I was in a significant amount of pain and had a large amount of bleeding. They put me on IV steroids and fluids. I’ve had minor flare ups since then, but my last really major episode was in 2003. I am taking 12 Asacol a day, and it works pretty darn well. If I have a minor flare up sometimes they will have me take steroids again for a short period of time.
The reason for more frequent colonoscpopies is that once you have had Ulcerative Colitis for over 10 years your risk of cancer increases. So I go in once per year and they biopsy everything they see that is a possible issue. The monitored anesthesia means that you get an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist present in the room with you during your colonoscopy, and they administer propofol, which is a drug which puts you completely “out” and you won’t have any pain or discomfort and there’s no issue of being awake and needing more meds during the procedure. The propofol is very quick acting and it’s also out of your system quickly, so you’re not left all groggy for 1/2 a day or longer like which happens if they use Versed.
The doctors who use Versed may tell you that you won’t remember the experience which can or can not be true, but it can cause you to have anxiety about things you did later that day that you still don’t remember, and then you lose the rest of the day. With the propofol and the monitored anesthesia I can remember the doctor coming into the room and explaining the results, and I don’t have any bad effects afterwards. I’m able to eat lunch, and I’m not groggy at all.
I’ve had more colonoscopies than most, and am happy to say that I’m cancer free. Yes, it’s a pain to have to go in each year, but with the propofol instead of the Versed, it’s been very tolerable.
Polly, There is no way to excuse the behavior of a physician or health care provider who is not respectful or does not fully explain the procedure, medications used, and side effects and risks of such procedures. I think it’s such a shame that you had to go through what you went through with your colonoscopy. And if a therapist “didn’t understand” that is no reflection on you or your experience. I would say get a new therapist but I know each time you go in expecting help whether it be from a healthcare professional or therapist etc, that it is very disappointing when they discount your feelings and this can actually make you feel much worse. I don’t know anything about the herbal medicines in terms of the Midazolam clearance rates, but hopefully someone with more knowledge about that will write in. And although it doesn’t take away from your experience, just reading all the info here and learning what can happen during medical procedures like colonoscopies has helped me tremendously. I really appreciate your talking about these things–otherwise patients like myself who are supposed to be getting a colonoscopy wouldn’t have any clue about what to ask or expect and how to avoid problems. I know that doesn’t take away from your experience in the least, but I did want you to know that reading your story has helped me.
Jean, I think your discussion of the colonoscopy issues are all on-target. How best to uncover the “secrecy” of the subtleties that we all must watch out now as patients than to discuss all aspects of it. I say vent as much as you need to. And thanks for the article about the potential DNA stool test. I actually know some gastroenterologists who are very above board and give patients options, and won’t do unnecessary testing. While even they say that there are some gastros out there who simply do more testing ie: ordering sigmoidoscopy only a few months following a colonoscopy just so that they can bill for them. So I think any discussion from patients is relevant, and helpful, and we just have to keep our guard up unfortunately when dealing with medical issues just like we would with other services. Thank you again for bringing up some of the important elements that can arise when people are having screening procedures like colonscopies performed. I know you’ve enlightened me and feel certain that as more people come to view this discussion, that it will also be educational for others.
Question on Medication for Colitis? I know this is kind of off topic as well,but you all seem to have good knowledge here about gastrointestinal issues. My GI gave me some samples of two medicines: Apriso and Lialda. Has anyone tried either of these 2 medicines and if so, which one worked better for you?
What were the side effects that you experienced if you used either or both of these medications?
Lynn, I’ve taken Lialda before to help treat my Crohn’s disease. I normally have abdominal cramping but it seems like with this medication it has gotten worse. The pain is fairly severe. I also have increased frequency and urgency issues around needing to use the restroom–quite a joy when trying to work I must say. Additionally, I’ve also experienced some weight loss and have experienced nausea. I don’t know if it affects everyone like this, but I was not impressed.
My advice to anyone considering a colonoscopy: ask your doctor whatever you need to know about the procedure, no matter how trivial it may seem. If you do not get satisfactory answers, find another doctor. It is important that you feel comfortable knowing what to expect before, during and after the exam. As far as sedation, I think the 2 best options would be as follows: 1. If you want to be completely asleep and not be aware of what is happening, ask for propofol. It is deeper than the typical “conscious” sedation achieved with versed. 2. If you want to be awake and able to view the monitor, talk with the doctor, hear what is going on, etc. ask that pain meds only be administered as needed – NO VERSED! Personally, I would have chosen to be awake: it is creepy to me to know that something was done to me and I have no knowledge of it whatsoever. Just me personally. But everyone is different. That’s the point. Maybe someday the medical community will realize this and OFFER patients choices. Since colonoscopy is normally an elective procedure, take the time to find a doctor that you feel confident with before you consent to anything. That way perhaps you will have a more positive experience (as positive as something like that can actually be!) Good luck to all.
Jean, thank you for your important insights. I am looking for a new GI and will definitely be able to use your knowledge in my search. The GI I’m searching for should hopefully not be arrogant and they should take the time to listen and does not just want to do testing ie: colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and then get rid of you. Seems like there is a ‘mold’ of how physicians treat patients, especially anyone with ulcerative colitis which can be progressive, and if you ask questions, they blow you off.
I’ve been hospitalizated several times recently. Was discharged too early, and ended up back in another hospital because I should not have been discharged. My diagnosis is infectious ulcerative colitis. I have bloating, diarrhea, am exhausted, have abdominal pain and bloody stools, along with diverticulitis. Right now my abdomen expands so much after eating even foods that have been pureed in a food processor. I’m looking as we speak for a new GI and one hopefully who can help me with ways to beat this thing. I’m taking Colazol several times a day, and am still very weak. Dread having any more testing, just want a doc who could help with perhaps looking for a dietary link etc.
I’m glad that I came across your post. Thank you for the help.
For anyone whose sick and tired of taking pharmaceuticals, and feeling worse, I thought I’d pass along this article on Improving Health Through Nutrition.
Improving Health Through Nutrition: No Quick Fix
By: Michael Wagner, BA, LMT, CFT
When recommending dietary supplements to persons with health deficiencies,
one of the most common questions we’ll hear is, “How fast will this stuff
work?” If we can help steer people away from the “quick fix” mentality
and, instead, adapt realistic expectations for realizing improved health
through nutrition, I believe we’ve performed a great service. That’s
because the restoration of genuine optimal health takes time and patience
the quick fix mind set will never allow.
True, there are exceptional cases, especially with exceptional supplements
or unique circumstances. Some people begin a dietary supplement regime and
realize amazing results. But they are exceptions. And although certain
symptoms may have subsided, the body very often has a lot more healing to
accomplish over the long term.
To assist consumers of dietary supplements to “stay the course” and not
quit their program prematurely because they “weren’t seeing anything” we
need to educate them. Not only about the supplements in their regime, but
about their own body and how nutrition supports the body to effect
improvements in overall health.
To this end, I’ve found seven principles worth remembering and passing on
to those people we wish to see benefit from nutritional supplements and
programs.
1. With nutrition, we are not suppressing or manipulating symptoms as
with pharmaceuticals. We are not treating conditions as with herbology. We
are simply giving the body what it needs to heal itself and rebuild itself
anew and this takes time.
When correcting nutritional deficiencies, while we won’t see instant
improvements in most cases, we will be promoting true and lasting
healing. Pharmaceuticals may sometimes “work” instantly, yet never address
underlying causes and possess unwanted side effects. Contrary to popular
thinking, drugs don’t heal anything: only the body can do that – when it
gets what it needs.
In Optimum Sports Nutrition, Dr. Michael Colgan explains why patience is
the key:
“A principle of nutrition you need to know is physiological dynamics.
Unlike drugs, nutrients do not have rapid effects. No quick fix. The
business of nutrition is to build a better body. That has to wait on
Nature to turn over body cells. A blood cell lasts 60-120 days. In 3-4
months your whole blood supply is completely replaced. In 6 months almost
all the proteins in your body die and are replaced, even the DNA of your
genes. In a year all your bones and even the enamel of your teeth is
replaced, constructed entirely out of the nutrients you eat.”
This time course is well illustrated by the course of deficiency diseases.
If I remove all the vitamin C from your diet within 4 weeks blood vitamin C
will drop to zero. But, you will see no symptoms of disease at 4 weeks.
You will have to wait until enough of the healthy cells have been replaced
with unhealthy cells. It is another 12 weeks before the symptoms of scurvy
start to ravage your body.
“So when you implement an optimum nutrition program, don’t expect to see
rapid results. In one of our studies at the Colgan Institute, runners were
supplemented to try to improve their hemoglobin, hematrocit, and red blood
cell count. But after one month of supplementation, there was no
improvement at all. After 6 months, however, all three indices were
significantly increased.”
“Think of it this way: If you take a neglected houseplant and start
feeding and watering it, the leaves may perk up a bit from the improved
nutrition. But you have to wait for the old leaves to die off and new
leaves to grow before you get a really healthy plant. It is the same with a
human body. When you start feeding it better, you have to wait on
physiological dynamics of the body to grow new, improved cells in the
improved medium. After 18 years in sports nutrition, the shortest program
we will give any athlete is six months”. With patience, nature can do its
work and produce its
miracles.
2. We are all unique. Individual biochemistry’s are affected by diet,
lifestyle, drug usage, stress, fitness level, genetics, toxins, etc. It’s
inevitable, therefore, that some persons will respond more rapidly than
others to improved nutrition. If you’re not experiencing results as fast
as you’d like, it could be a factor of any number of things. It might be
that the body has priorities other than the one upon which you’re focusing.
For example, you may be wanting to lose body fat while your body may want
to lose a tumor you don’t even know you have. Give your body permission to
have its own priorities and timetable.
3. Positive health changes can be occurring without your “feeling
something”. Research studies utilizing blood tests, bone density and body
fat measurements, etc. confirm this. Improved health begins on the
molecular and cellular levels. Latter, this may translate into the
alleviation or disappearance of specific symptoms and conditions. (The
already healthy or symptom-free person, especially persons with
abundant energy, might take note: Your health benefits from optimal
nutrition tend to come in the form of your body’s correcting sub-clinical
problems-depletions, imbalances and toxic build-ups that haven’t yet become
clinical conditions or “felt” diseases. In other words, in optimizing and
maintaining health, remember “feeling healthy” really only means “feeling
symptom free”. Actor Michael Landon was “feeling great” on National TV:
three months later he died of cancer. Virtually everyone can benefit from
improved nutrition since, simply by living, toxins accumulate within our
bodies, the body wears out and chronic degeneration slowly settles in.
Giving the body what it needs to stay healthy can minimize the ravages of
modern living and optimize health.)
4. The Greatest health benefits of improved nutrition may well come in
the latter years of life. Regardless of the rate your current health
challenge is improving, continued optimum nutrition just makes good sense,
since the greatest benefits may be experienced in your senior years. While
others are painfully shuffling around nursing homes and tending to medicine
schedules, you might be enjoying your summers on the Colorado River and
winters in Hawaii. Is this the benefit you want? Learn what your dietary
supplements can do for you. Then make an educated choice.
5. If you experience a “correcting crisis” while on an optimal
nutritional program, stay the course – its working! When your body begins
cleaning out toxins, metabolic wastes, parasites, candida die-off and the
like, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms. Because you may feel worse
before you feel better, it’s important to read the articles and books,
which address this phenomenon so you can better understand this process.
The correcting crisis, when understood, is a clear indication that your
improved nutrition program is truly working and leading you to improved
health.
6. Licensed health care practitioners still make educated guesses as to
how long it might take to see a specific health improvement using
nutrition. Admittedly and imprecise science, but as a starting point, on
holistic medical doctor uses the following formula: For a specific health
improvements, figure three months, then add one additional month for each
year the chronic condition has existed. For example, a chronic condition of
5 years might be expected to see a good improvement within 8 months,
provided the body, mind and spirit of the patient gets everything it needs.
Experience with nutraceuticals largely indicated the longer the
consumption,
the greater the benefit.
7. As one very prestigious medical doctor has well stated, dietary
supplements ought carry the warning: “Not to be taken on an empty spirit”.
The human mind and spirit are powerful beyond measure. They can easily
override any optimal health plan. They must therefore be in alignment with
the healing process. Sometimes the non-physical causes of ill health are
poorly understood by the individual dealing with it. If long term attempts
to achieve better health bring minimal or no results, there may be a deeper
reasons that need exploration. Caroline Myss’ works, including Why People
Don’t Heal, or the works of Bernie Siegel, M.D. might be a good starting
point. Tend to your thinking; nurture your spirit.
Staying mindful of these seven principles of nutrition and healing will
hopefully keep all of us out of the trap of quick fix thinking and help
allow us to create the time and patience to achieve true healing and enjoy
lasting optimal health.
By: Michael Wagner, BA, LMT, CFT
My ulcerative colitis dates back around 11 years. I’ve had more colonscopies and sigmoidoscopies than I can remember. And yes, part of this is because I had some of the with Versed. Worst experience of my life. Listen to Jean’s words if you are planning a colonoscopy.
I’m 34 years old and used to have regular episodes of bloody diarrhea, pain, bloating, increased frequency, urgency, and inability to go out or be away from an easily accessible restroom. Literally homebound because of this horrible disease.
But finally, I was able to get a handle on it. I changed my diet, added in good probiotics. You see our gut is filled with “bad” bacteria, as well as “good” ones, and when we have all these tests ie: the colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy etc, they clean out both all the bacteria, even the healthy ones in your gut when you do the colon cleansing the day before. So your immune system and your gut are then compromised.
I now take probiotics every day, specifically one with Acidophilus as well as antioxidants . I also had very good luck adding in Vitamin B12, which reduces inflammation. I’ve been symptom free for about 2.5 years now, and with any luck will stay away from the gastros office for a while.
Bonnie,
If you do end up finding another doctor make sure you have a COMPLETE copy of all your previous medical records so that they do not repeat any tests unneccessarily. Also, you might try to find a doctor who is a proponent of integrative medicine. Check out Dr. Andrew Weil’s website: he is a big believer in that approach which combines traditional and alternative medicine to treat the whole patient. You may find some useful dietary tips on his site. It’s all about being proactive and eating for optimal health.
Also, I am a big fan of probiotics. I have been eating Stoneyfield organic, nonfat, plain Greek style yogurt every morning for several months. It has 5 active cultures (probiotics) that help produce a beneficial gut “flora”. My system has been humming along beautifully. Maybe you can stomach it’s consistency or even blend it in a smoothie. Give it a try! Best of luck to you.
Jean, you’re an angel:-) Thank you for helping me and for putting your information out there so that it will help others deal with physicians in a more positive manner. You’re the Best! I love the nonfat Greek Yogurt also. It beats the processed stuff in the grocery stores. I’ll try the Stoneyfield, normally I get the Fage, but hey, variety is nice too! Thanks again Jean.
Several years ago approximately 2003 , I underwent an endoscopy, and I have to say it was the most terrifying night mare i ever experienced, They administered Versed and Not only did I feel everything that was going on, the doctor over dosed me and quit my breathing 4 different times, and each time they resuscitated me they went back and gave me more only to stop my breathing, finally the doctor could not get my breathing to start so he ran for his supervisor and they finally got me breathing again, I remember every feeling of that tube in my stomach, and when they were done, the doctor came up to me and was in tears and apologizing and said i was a trooper and he did not think anyone could of pulled through that… he then went to find my husband and told him what happened and admitted he gave me enough versed that would of killed my husband and himself but he said I was a trooper and pulled through it…. I have never been the same since that day, I had a permanent hydiladia hernia in my esophagus..I have nightmares and am terrified of hospitals.. I have neurological problems went to a neurologist, and he said this could of caused some brain damage due to the breathing being stopped for that many minuted at a time, lack of oxygen could of caused brain damage as he quoted and now and they try to say its MS,and my Lumbar turned out inconclusive.. since after that procedure i have white spots on my brain..I tried to take this to a lawsuit and no one would take my case due to all my records had mysteriously disappeared..I do not know what this drug is or if they know its ruined many lives but i know live a life in a nightmare, like i am in a dream stage and never have been able to be the same as i was before that procedure and overdose that quit my breathing.. I feel for anyone who has gone through this and i hope they find something about this medication and come forward and help us who’s lives it destroyed….My life will never be the same and i will never beable to feel and think normal and get out of this dream like nightmare i feel i have been living in….I hope more come forward with there storied so we can all have more moral support and force them to investigate this medication… Anyone can contact me if you have had the same problems and nightmares with the administration of Versed…
Rhonda, Your Versed experience sounds like a horrendous experience to have gone through. I can’t imagine having that kind of trauma around healthcare which is supposed to help, not harm you. Truly sorry that you had that happen to you, and appreciate your taking the time to help others by sharing your story. My colonoscopy exam is not until next year (in terms of when it’s due) but rest assured, by reading your story, Marie’s, Jean’s, and I’m sorry if I’ve not mentioned anyone else personally, but all of the info here, I will be much better prepared to deal with the medical system. I will not, be getting Versed, so that’s for certain!
My GI doc has me on Asacol, and Immodium for my ulcerative colitis which was discovered after a bad experience with a colonoscopy years ago. I wish I had known in advance that Versed wasn’t required. Had flare up recently after being symptom free for about 22 months. This past colonoscopy didn’t show any inflammation, so I’m not sure why I’m having the same old symptoms again. All the doc can say is to take more Lomotil.
When I was informed that I needed frequent colonoscopies, I scheduled one and asked if it could be done without sedation and the doc agreed after a lengthly discussion. Trying to put Versed sedation is a good light is akin to putting lipstick on a pig…I do the prep and report for the exam and the nurse has a hissy-fit because I drove myself, I remind her that this is a no sedation exam and she tells me that shes unaware of that. We do the gown, IV fluid and the nurse asks me to sign a consent, which I read and cross out the sedation part and write “I am not consenting to sedation” and she almost faints. When the doc arrives, he’s no help and claims amnesia of our previous conversation. I really got mad at that point and let everyone within earshot know that I have been lied to and that I wouldn’t let this place scope any of my patients (and I announce that I am a physician). So I left. The next endo center was super, exam without sedation and without lying. My point: if you have sedation preferences (light, none, deep): a VERBAL promise means NOTHING in medicine today! Write your preference on the consent form before you sign it! If the endo doc won’t respect your wishes, go elsewhere. Often, docs are the last to know when their patients have a sedation issue (amnesia, PTSD etc)…usually the nurses pick up on this and are a good source of information. As a patient, once you are lied to, any chance of a doctor-patient relationship is gone. Never be afraid to put your desires in writing.
Dear Frequent Flyer: Re: Your Comments on Versed Sedation
I was thankful that you posted about your experience with being lied to by your medical team. I’m sorry that you had to go through that nonsense, and at the same time, grateful for your honesty to let other people know that this type of treatment can happen to anyone — even a physician.
I had a similar scenario occur although I didn’t have to go through the prep twice. I had called a free standing surgical center where I live which is one in which 99% of all the gastroenterologists use. I asked to speak to the nursing supervisor and the very first question out of my mouth was #1) Do you offer colonoscopy exams without sedation? My next question was #2) For those patients who request it, do you offer propofol as a sedation choice?
I was going to choice no sedation, but I wanted to know if they offered the propofol, just because I wanted to see if they had anesthesia coverage. I got affirmative answers to both question # 1 and question #2, but trying to get the exam scheduled was a nightmare. After the nursing supervisor told me that both options were offered, I asked exactly what one had to do in order to make sure that these choices were honored. I was told to simply tell the scheduling desk….
But when I tried to book an appointment with the scheduling desk, that’s when the fun began. I was told that I had to come in and “ask the doctor for permission” about not having sedation, and he may or may not honor my request. I asked for the doctor’s email or to speak directly to any physician’s nurse to reconfirm, verify what I had been told. No go. But they were more than willing to book the consultation and even a colonoscopy for me and I’m sure had I showed up for the colonoscopy exam that they would have just given me Versed unless I had crossed out items on the consent form as you did, or left entirely. I told them I wasn’t going to waste either my time nor my insurance company’s funds to find out that my choice wasn’t an option.
I had to travel out of state to get my colonoscopy done. The facility I chose set everything up for me in advance. No lying, no troubles, no sedation, and no pain during my procedure. I would do this again in a heartbeat, but I can’t believe that I had to travel out of state to have this done.
Versed Sedation shouldn’t even be used in my opinion. There are other much safer options that are better all around for patients. Of course, if I voiced this publicly in my workplace, I’d be fired. I’m an RN that would like to go back to school and get an MD degree. Daily, I am faced with impossible situations that make me want better treatment for my patients and a different environment for myself.
Amber, I’m relieved that another nurse feels the same way about Versed as I do. In our hospital, there is a culture of acceptance. One nurse I work with even says Versed “is her favorite drug.” I mean, how horrible is that? What’s she talking about for herself, Versed is her favorite drug, or the patients? I wish more physicians would be open and honest about discussions instead of just filling out the paperwork saying that they openly disclosed side effects and other info with their patients who trust them.
I’m supposed to have my colonoscopy done sometime in the next 90 days or so. This will be my first one so I’m extremely nervous. I’ve read all the postings about sedation and Versed, and from what I’ve learned– I’m not going to have a colonscopy if it requires Versed.
So, when I call to try to find a doctor who will do the colonoscopy without it, do I ask if they have an option to use something else? Or should I be very specific and ask for another certain type of medication? I know some of you have said that you’ve had yours without medicine at all, but I know I won’t be able to do that.
Having a Colonoscopy Done without Versed:
Tori, you can call the physician’s office and ask for the nurse and then ask the nurse what sedation options the doctor uses if the patient has allergies to Versed. This is the easiest way, in my opinion, to get a straight answer about options. If you try to say you don’t want Versed, sometimes you get into a war of words on why the doctor only offers Versed, etc, but if you just cut to the chase and let them know up front that Versed is not an option–ie in the even that someone had allergies, you’re more likely to get a proper answer.
Ask if anesthesia is an option instead of sedation, if you want to be completely “out” or asleep during the procedure. The advantage of the anesthesia is that another provider whose only responsibility is to handle the anesthesia will be monitoring you and your vital signs etc. The doctor can then focus on the procedure, ie: the colonoscoy, and not be trying to do more than one job at once. I think that’s a safer way to go.
You may also want to call your insurance company in advance to see if they’ll cover anesthesia instead of sedation.
My colonoscopy was last week, and my ulcerative colitis was found to be coming back. Initially when I was diagnosed back in 2000 I was hospitalized, but I had several years without flares,until recently. Was having episodes of diarrhea and some blood loss with the initial episode but have been stable on Asacol.
I am wondering if I could be helped with a certain diet. Has anyone here tried to manage their UC or IBD with diet along with medication?
Diet and Ulcerative Colitis: Hello Vickie, I’m so sorry to hear that your Ulcerative Colitis may be returning. My husband went through a colonoscopy, unfortunately he had the Versed, because we didn’t know to ask any questions about what would be given during the procedure.
His doctor did the colonoscopy, found inflammation, then wanted to do another sigmoidoscopy a few months following the first procedure. We said “no”, and decided to look at options for healing or helping this without medications. They also wanted to put him on Asacol–again we refused. He started on something called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. At the start of the “diet” although it’s really not a diet to lose weight, just eating specific types of carbs–it was difficult to adjust and know what to eat. Now, it’s been about 8 months, and he is symptom free. No bleeding, no pain, and no urgency to go to the restroom. I’ve heard that many others have had similar success with the diet. But it’s not for everyone. You must be very strict on it–any variation off of it can cause the bad bacteria to multiply –but with patience and adherence to the principles, and some adjustments in that even if a food is “legal” sometimes it won’t agree with you, I think it is the most sound plan that has science behind it. If I can help further with answering any questions–be glad to assist. I hope your flare is controlled quickly. UC can be a hard thing to deal with and we only dealt with it for a short period of time.
Re: my question about Diet and Ulcerative Colitis
Hello Georgia, thank you so much for your information about the Carbohydrate Diet and the Colitis. I have heard about this one before, and spent last night reading and learning more about it. The premise of it makes sense to me, there’s some websites that I found that even say it can be helpful for children with Autism because of the brain/bowel connection etc. I’d like to get off of the Asacol eventually, and maybe this is something that could help me.
I do have a question for you already. How long was it before your husband noticed an improvement in his symptoms once he started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?
Specific Carbohydrate Diet Question: Hello Vickie, I’m sorry that I didn’t answer sooner. Had to go out of town and didn’t have a chance to check the computer for messages until now. In terms of our experience using the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, I believe it was about one week until his stool began to firm up, although relieving the gassiness took a few months. His bleeding resolved fairly quickly as well. But he was adamant about sticking to the program and didn’t knowingly deviate. When I say this it was interesting that early on, if he ate out and even if he was very specific about what he could and couldn’t have, there were times when he knew there were “illegals” in the ingredients, because his body would react immediately.
We just ended up going out less, at least until he got some additional relief from symptoms. And that worked out just fine for us both because eating at home at least you know what you’re getting.
The other big chance he noticed almost immediately (in the first week) was that when he ate only “legal” foods permitted on the program, he did not have the frequency or urgency issues that had plagued him in the past.
Let me know if you decide to try it. There are some good recipes in the book for some things like Zucchini muffins, carrot cake, etc, that I also find quite delicious.
What was shocking to me to hear, as an RN, was to hear the residents discuss sedation options not in terms of what would be best for the patient, but which sedation agent was readily available in the ER or which one would be “quickest” and easiest to obtain and administer. Combine this with the fact that I also heard a resident say that he chose the sedation agent based on the ones that he could remember the drip rate and dosage so that he wouldn’t look “stupid” in front of the nurses, and you have a recipe for disaster. When we’ve lost all touch with what we as health care providers are really there to do which is provide the best care for the patient, then we may as well all go home because it’s an environment that may be riddled with dangerous consequences for all involved.
Is Asacol the standard for ulcerative colitis, or should I be looking at other medications? I had a very poor gastroenterologist who kept scoping me and probably put me through more procedures than is necessary. I’m having difficulty eating with lots of nausea and burping and have had prescriptions for antibiotics for small bowel bacteria overgrowth, but nothing so far has worked. Now I’m supposed to try Asacol (sp?) and wondered how many UC patients take this. Could it possibly be that I should try a probiotic because with multiple procedures done, all the “clean out” has caused more damage?
Re: Versed vs Alternative Sedation Options
Over the past 18 years I’ve had 5 colonoscopies. I’ve had 3 with Versed (midazolam) and fentanyl, and the other two with Monitored Anesthesia. My first 2 colonoscopies with Versed I had no problems. Or should I say, no problems I could remember. The third one, however was quite traumatic for me. I did wake up during it and I also had a new doctor that I was not familiar with for that one, which also made things more difficult for me because I thought he was much rougher during the exam. Since I don’t remember the other ones I didn’t know if this was really true or if it was because I woke up while they were working on me. If you have a choice I would recommend using the Monitored Anesthesia and not Versed because it is just less trauma that your body has to go through.
Hello to everyone who also has a bowel disorder. After many visits to different GI’s in multiple states, this week I did something different. I saw a naturopath and wanted to let you all know how my visit went. For starters, I was there for a full 2 hours, which compared to the cursory 10 minutes that I usually get with a gastro, was a good sign.
I will be starting on a good probiotic for my Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and will take a digestive enzyme with all meals. He said that may issues are caused by food not being digested completely and then causing problems in the gut. We’ll also be eliminating foods that are more likely to be causing allergies and then will slowly add in things one at a time to see if we can find any allergens that are contributing to my problem.
The hardest thing I’ll have to do is to cut out coffee, sugar, and soda. I know this should’ve been done a long time ago, but it’s going to be hard. He said there’s some strong correlations between IBD and other health problems. Wish me luck, I’ll keep you posted on how I do.
Melinda, it’s nice to hear that there are other things that could possibly work instead of meds like steroids and other types like Asacol. I’d be really interested in hearing about your results with the diet change and trying the probiotic and the digestive enzymes.
I’ve been though so many doctors over the years as well. Seems like all they wanted to do was more procedures. Colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, upper GI–very quick in my case to do testing, but no one had any real answers for how to stop my symptoms from recurring. It gets discouraging sometimes. I’m hoping everything works out great for you and will watch this space for your future posts.
Re: Versed Alternatives
I wish I had found this info out before my colonoscopy. I was having really really bad flares and went into my family doctor who said I needed to go back to the gastroenterologist. Of course once there all my GI ever wants to do are colonoscopies or other types of invasive testing. So I had the colonoscopy done and it showed inflammation–yeah, I could’ve told him that. I was given options to increase meds or change them, but I want to see if going gluten free or other dietary changes will help.
I can’t keep having these invasive procedures Ie: colonoscopies because my sense is that it actually makes my inflammation worse. Has anyone else gotten worse following a colonoscopy?
The Versed keeps me so knocked out that I lose an entire day. I never feel quite “normal” coming out of it, it’s like something bad happened but I can’t quite remember it.