Side effects of sedation for Colonoscopy? Help!! - Bowel Disorders Message Board

montereychic · 06-12-2007, 07:22 PM

Hi there,

I am hoping that someone else has had this experience and knows what is going on!!

Yesterday morning at 8am, I had my first colonoscopy. I am 39, and had noticed blood in the toilet. Fortunately, my colonoscopy was perfectly normal. But I think I've had some issues with the drugs they gave me.

I was given "conscious sedation" using Versed and Fentanyl. I went out immediately, but woke up at least twice in severe pain (I can remember this). They had to give me more drugs. The whole procedure took about 25min, according to my husband. I was SOOO drugged afterward. I had a horrible time trying to sit up, and my husband said I was completely out of it. The nurse said they almost approached the maximum dose of Fentanyl and Versed because I kept waking up in pain. I was told the pain was probably because I have scar tissue from old surgeries, and I have a twisty colon.

Well, I got home yesterday around 10:30am and slept like a rock until 4pm. I got up and tried to move around a bit, but felt like a truck hit me... still sleepy and drugged. I was told that I could go to work today, but no luck. I forced myself up at 6am this morning, and proceeded to get ready, and fortunately, before I left, came down with the visual aura I get before my occasional migraines. The aura lasted about an hour, and I was able to offset the migraine pain with Advil. But I was sensitive to light all day. I was also STILL out of it today, feeling dizzyish, drugged. I also started crying uncontrollably.

So now it is 6pm on Tuesday. I am feeling slightly more awake, but still not 100%. I talked to my internist (not the one who did the colonoscopy) and he thinks I am having effects from overmedication and that I will be fine tomorrow.

Anyone have this experience with Versed/Fentanyl??? I much rather prefer General anesthesia since I never have felt like this after other surgeries!!!

Janni37 · 09-18-2007, 08:25 AM

This is probably kind of a late response for you, because I found your post when searching on "conscious sedation." I had the Versed/Fentanyl a week ago (9/11) for multiple dental extractions, and I think I am still feeling the effects. It wasn't what I expected at all - I had had conscious sedation for cataract removal and felt alert while it was going on and like myself by the second day. I wish I had asked the oral surgeon more questions! I think I was oversedated too, actually out! I've just felt tired and fuzzy all week - I think I'm just about over it, but I'm kind of mad that I wasn't better prepared, or that I wasn't consulted about how much sedation I felt would be appropriate.

hopetofeelwell1 · 09-18-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montereychic

Hi there,

I am hoping that someone else has had this experience and knows what is going on!!

Yesterday morning at 8am, I had my first colonoscopy. I am 39, and had noticed blood in the toilet. Fortunately, my colonoscopy was perfectly normal. But I think I've had some issues with the drugs they gave me.

I was given "conscious sedation" using Versed and Fentanyl. I went out immediately, but woke up at least twice in severe pain (I can remember this). They had to give me more drugs. The whole procedure took about 25min, according to my husband. I was SOOO drugged afterward. I had a horrible time trying to sit up, and my husband said I was completely out of it. The nurse said they almost approached the maximum dose of Fentanyl and Versed because I kept waking up in pain. I was told the pain was probably because I have scar tissue from old surgeries, and I have a twisty colon.

Well, I got home yesterday around 10:30am and slept like a rock until 4pm. I got up and tried to move around a bit, but felt like a truck hit me... still sleepy and drugged. I was told that I could go to work today, but no luck. I forced myself up at 6am this morning, and proceeded to get ready, and fortunately, before I left, came down with the visual aura I get before my occasional migraines. The aura lasted about an hour, and I was able to offset the migraine pain with Advil. But I was sensitive to light all day. I was also STILL out of it today, feeling dizzyish, drugged. I also started crying uncontrollably.

So now it is 6pm on Tuesday. I am feeling slightly more awake, but still not 100%. I talked to my internist (not the one who did the colonoscopy) and he thinks I am having effects from overmedication and that I will be fine tomorrow.

Anyone have this experience with Versed/Fentanyl??? I much rather prefer General anesthesia since I never have felt like this after other surgeries!!!

Hi Monterrey! You don't have to tell me about Versed!! Believe me I know and I have never hated a drug as much as that one. I've had 3 colonoscopies since 1991 and I have told the doctors since '91 DO NOT GIVE ME VERSED and they have. I would keep waking up in the middle of the procedure and crying. In July of '06, they had to stop in the middle that's how bad I was and they finished it with a lower GI. There are so many people who have had as it is known as an adverse or paradoxical reaction to that med. I just had Fentanyl weeks ago when I had my gall bladder out and it made me dizzy but helped me to sleep. I'm willing to bet your problem is with the Versed more than the Fentanyl, although that packs a powerful one in itself. Versed is from the Valium family of drugs and Valium always made me cry. I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I hope my own has shed some light. Take care--Hopeto--