Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 5/17/2009

Question
I had a colonoscopy last Tues and I am upset at the amount of versed I was given. I have been sober for almost 22 years and was very reluctant to have sedation. I finally went it to have the colonoscopy and the gi md assured me she would go light on the sedation. The nurse initially gave me 1 mg of versed and 50mcg of fentanyl and I felt great and very relaxed. After that I don't remember a thing. I ended up getting 3 mg of versed and 125mcg of fentanyl and I was very depressed and anxious about this afterwards. When I asked the md why she sedated me so much she said I must be a "light weight" and that I as having pain half way through and she gave me more meds.
   The whole experience has been very negative for me. It reminded me of being in a blackout. I am glad I did not experience any pain but I hate not remembering. It has been over 4 days since I had the procedure and I still feel weird. Are there any long term effects from versed that I should be aware of?

Answer
No, there normally are no long-term effects from midazolam (the generic name of the drug known more commonly as Versed). More and more many of us have been shying away from the use of Versed as its longer-acting and amnesia/fuzzy-feeling characteristics have become apparent. But in saying "us" I mean anesthesiologists--not the enormous number of OTHER doctors and nurses who administer these drugs and do not trend their side effects and long term issues.  The Versed will eventually, finally wear off.  In the future, you may wish to specifically request that an anesthesiologist do the anesthesia, and the surgeon do the surgery, etc......!