I am supposed to have a small intestine biopsy in about a week, and on top of the usual nervousness over the procedure, I am very concerned about the possible bad effects of the sedative they will use. The drug is called Versed and will be administered thru an IV. I've read terrible things about this medication, and even read where people have died after being administered Versed. Has anyone here ever been administered this drug for either endoscopy or colonoscopy? What did it feel like, how unconcious were you and what were any bad reactions?

ps) I also suffer from orthostatic intolerance, meaning my blood pressure and heart rate can be unpredictable at times. This concerns me as well.

Hi gillian. I've been through 7 endoscopies in my lifetime since having dealt with GERD for many years. Fortunately, I've had no adverse reactions to versad. I don't remember a thing when my endos have been done. I just feel kinda high as the IV med goes in (my doc uses a combo of versad + valium), and then nighty-night for the next 30-45 minutes.

I also had versad as an inhaled anesthesia during a breast biopsy a month ago. No adverse reactions there either. You might feel a little drowsy all day, but other than that, you should be safe. Your vitals will be monitored very closely during the procedure and if needed the docs can bring you out of your twilight state very quickly.

It's important to have trust in your doctors. Will you be meeting with the anesthesiologist as a pre-op procedure prior to your biopsy? That's usually standard procedure, and he or she can discuss with you fully all your medical and emotional concerns.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G

I have had 2 scopes but I don't know what meds were used. I was completly knocked out on my first scope and awake but feeling good on my second scope. I did not have any sort of reaction to either of the meds. You do have to trust your doc and you need the procedure if you want to find out what is wrong with you. For me it's worth the risk but usually adverse reactions are rare or else they wouldn't continue using the medication. Plus you will be monitored and there are procedures that can be performed if a reaction occurs. That's to say nothing serious can go wrong because something serious can go wrong with any sort of medication. It always makes me laugh when you are asked if you are alergic too any medications and I always say no but then I am giving a med that I have never been on before. Guess I am to find out later if I will have an allergic reaction to the new med.

katie how is it the drs can bring you out of a twilight state quickly? i too have heard bad things about versed and am afraid of having the endoscopy done because of that. thanks for any info

Hi yvonne. I don't know the name of the meds that can be administered, but your oxygen levels, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. will be monitored VERY closely during this procedure, and if anything goes haywire during the procedure, the anesthesiologist or surgeon has drugs to counteract the versed very quickly. You must trust your doctor - please talk to him or an anesthesiologist prior to the procedure to discuss your concerns. DO NOT avoid a procedure just because of the potential risks. Life in general is a risk everyday, and you need to know that you are in God's hands.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G

HI again,
Thanks for all the replies...I saw my GI doctor today and asked if I could be awake during the endoscopy, but he didn't want to go along with that. He did aknowledge that I have a real problem, considering my diagnoses of orthostatic intolerance (meaning my heart rate will be unstable during the procedure) but seemed to believe I'd be ok and said the anesthesiologist would work with me about which sedetives are used. I'm still very nervous, it's really hard for me to think of anything else but this. It's a week away but I know I'll be soooo anxious till' then. If anyone else has any stories about how well their procedures went, I'd sure love to hear them, it makes me feel alot more relaxed! Thanks again.

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gillian