Propofol and Versed experience

Propofol is also known as "milk of amnesia", I hope that helps 😃

Thanks but no, not at all.

I had hernia surgery 3 days ago. I assume it was propofol but cannot be sure. Good lord, it works quickly! Felt it going up my arm, into my neck and then "whoosh!" up into my head. A couple of seconds later, at the most, and I was out. It wasn't unpleasant in any way whatsoever.

I'm allergic to propofol, but I unfortunately found that out the hard way.

The hospital here in Montana only uses versed/fentanyl.

If it weren't for the whole "hives and get super sick" deal, I'd much prefer propofol.

Versed makes me say weird things to my boyfriend that I can't remember but he'll still mock me for it.

I understand that Versed has different characteristics in men and women. Many women have problems with Versed with the sort of reports on here of waking up kicking, crying, etc. Men not so much. Interesting. I also have had many endoscopies and colonoscopies and I personally prefer Versed. The reason is the relaxing properties, at least from my experience.

The one time that Propofol was used the anesthesiologist used Lidocaine in conjunction with the Propofol. Never again. I had a reaction to the Lidocaine and the buzzing and discomfort was extremely unpleasant. I think that the anesthesiologist (required here) did not use quite enough towards the end of the procedure and as the scope was removed from my esophagus, I had a spasm which pulled up stomach acid and burned a spot on my left lung. The Drs. and I knew something was wrong immediately upon waking up, which is fast with Propofol. The matter degenerated into a case of pleurisy which I would not wish on anyone.

Moral of story, be careful to remember those chemical agents one is allergic to.

I side with the folks that prefer propofol over Versed any day of the week. I've had Versed for two colonoscopies and didn't remember anything for at least the night after the procedure. With propofol, you just go to sleep and wake up; no fuss, no bother-you just get dressed and leave and have a normal rest of the day.

I side with the folks that prefer propofol over Versed any day of the week. I've had Versed for two colonoscopies and didn't remember anything for at least the night after the procedure. With propofol, you just go to sleep and wake up; no fuss, no bother-you just get dressed and leave and have a normal rest of the day.

For the approximately 10% of us that suffer more wide spread memory disturbances, avoiding this drug is critical, especially when you consider that Versed is more about physician productivity than patient comfort.

I had a rash once after Versed. Now it's a drug allergy.

I have used Propofol twice and have had no ill effects. Thanks to this forum, I will be avoiding Versed.

Propofol is an excellent fast-acting anaesthetic (sometimes combined with Fentanyl as is Versed (midazolam)) . I have had and administered both. For an endoscopy though Midazolam + versed usually fine and upto the skill of the operator. You may indeed have some memory recall though. I have also had endoscopy with just local anaesthetic spray on back of throat and that's ok. Just a bit uncomfortable with mega -burping! Discuss it and your previous experience with your physician.

As Newton said Propofol is extremely fast acting when combined with Fentanyl or Alfentanil . We prefer to use alfentanil because it is 1/4 to 1/10 the potency of fentanyl and around 1/3 of the duration of action, but with an onset of effects 4x faster than fentanyl. It also produces fewer cardiovascular complications ( though with propofol it can cause hypotension ) but its has the potential for stronger respiratory depression and so requires careful monitoring of breathing and vital signs. Since we primarily uses it for ventilation this is not a problem for us in the ITU.

The reason why we like this combination is that when you have to wake the patient for extubation , they are much more likely to become awake and orientated within 30 mins from stopping the infusion without any of the "hangover effects " of midazolam. We also prefer to used midazolam and morphine if the patient is going to be ventilated for an extended period.

As previously stated , midazolam is used commonly for a lot of endoscopic procedures , because of its ability to produce amnesic effects as well as sedation . It has the effect of producing respiratory depression, but in my experience (20 + years in ITU) I have never seen any adverse reactions during procedural sedation relating to respiratory depression. I have with propofol, we had to insert oral airways to maintain their airways at times.

I have been operated on a couple time I really don't know what was used, but I remember what ever it was it was injected into my IV I tasted it in the back of my throat and the my lights went out. Didn't seem to long but when I came around hours had gone by. I was just happy that there were no side effects to it, did't feel nausea or anything just sleepy thats all.

When I have my frequent colonoscopies, my gastro. uses a combination of Demerol and Versed. I wake up quickly in the recovery area and have no memories of the procedure and little hang over. I usually go home and go to bed for a few hours. I am happy with the meds. I receive. I have also received Fentanyl pre-op and it is like an orgasm. I am always up for Fentanyl. the time between the IV injection and me going out is brief, but wonderful. I can see how anesthesiologists can get hooked on Fentanyl. In my town, every hospital does random urine checks on all anesthesiologists, since they all have access to this drug.

To my knowledge, I've never had Propofol. I've had lots of versed with no after effects. All of these newer drugs beat the hell out of Pentathol, which always put me into a panic and a feeling of falling.

Over the last few I have had versed for lumbar injections two times, before undergoing nerve burning procedures in the lower lumbar both times and for the placement of a implant stimulator in the spine.

During my last procedure: I can remember everything...even the conversation the doc and nurses were having about their plans to go to Las Vegas for the holidays. The pain was immense!!! I screamed out during the whole procedure and was white knucked on the bed trying not to move...they are messing with my spine after all, and was literally begging the doc to stop all while being told don't fidget!

After the implant I can remember all of the pain, had muscle spasms for 8 hours straight but I don't remember much after the procedure. The problems it has caused are annoying. I wasn't told there were any long term effects with the drug what so ever. I was told I would be awake and I would not have any memory of the procedures. NOT TRUE!! Oh I was awake for sure and I remember every moment of the procedure. My primary care provider expressed concern about my ever having it again due to the problems with thinking and memory it has caused. I received the drug from the pain clinic that treats my chronic pain and fatigue.

Be careful!

Three years ago I had a laparoscopic appendectomy . I was given Versed . It affected me for quite a while afterwards . I remember having a conversation with family and halfway through I'd forget what I was talking about . I'd also forget items I was needing from shopping etc .

I've had 3 surgeries in the last 7 weeks and I've been given Propofol each time .

I wake up absolutely fine without any head fog , dizziness or memory loss . I make sure now that I always ask for Proprofol only .

Nikki

Plumper, I can't imagine any medical professional doing that to you without a general, or a spinal. That sounds medieval !

To be fair, Versed and Propofol are two different drugs with different qualities as we've mentioned and its not fair to say one is better than the other, depends on what you are using it for. As a paramedic, we carry Versed and its our go to for seizures, behaviorial sedation, and procedural sedation (i.e. cardioversion, intubation, etc.) especially with its amnesic qualities. Its definitely easier to draw up and titrate to effect by bolus and can last 20 min, rather than an IV infusion like propofol is due to it having an effective time of about 1-2 min. Also if blood pressure is a concern propofol is not a great choice because it can cause very profound hypotension, which is why most of the time I've seen anesthesiologists have propofol with versed or fentanyl to keep blood pressure from going down too much. That said propofol is very good for long procedures especially requring intubation because it works fast, you usually get good lung compliance, and if you need to stop surgery it will wear off very quickly.

I don't know what was given to me. But when I was 21 I had to have an emergency appendectomy. It was the second time in my life I have been sedated or put to sleep for anything. The first time I was 4 years old and was given gas for a toe surgery. I was very nervous and scared the whole time scared about have appendicitis and when the doctor said they were gonna put me out I got really nervous. (Afraid I might not wake up again or die). I remember being in the OR on a table and people were prepping tools and stuff. I already had an I've line in my arm or hand. I can't remember which. I remember the doc coming with a syringe and putting something in the line. I said to him should I start counting and he said this wasn't the sleepy stuff yet and was to help me to not feel sick. Then a couple minutes later he comes with another syringe and starts putting it in the line. I said is this the sleep stuff and he nodded. I had decided that I was going to try and fight it and stay awake as long as possible. I started counting down from 10 and got to 7 and I couldent remember what came after 7 then I was out. The next thing I know I was awake but very very sleepy. I couldent see anything. All I could see was a brown blur. I said omg help I can't see anything. And a nurse said I was in recovery room and my eye sight would return soon I was panicky and said how long she said about 10 minutes or so and sure enough slowly it did. I definitely did not like the waking up blind part of it.(very scary) but I do remember everything about before and after I was out obviously. It was definitely faster then I expected. The last time when I was given gas I got light headed first and then very sleepy and then out. This was like turning a light switch off. I am assuming from what people are saying on here that I was given propofal. Looking back on it now several years later it kind of arouses me that how quickly a big strong guy like me who actually was gonna try and fight with all his might to stay awake was within seconds completely out.

Propofol does not induce temporary blindness. There are a number of other induction agents and anesthetics so I can't guess what they used, but unlikely that it was Propofol.

Doc

I've had both drugs a number of times, and seen both used in my work setting. For me they are relatively equivalent in action, though Versed takes a short several seconds longer to take effect.

Versed induction: I get a burning in my IV, not severe, but certainly felt as it courses up my arm. As it hits my chest the burn disappears, as the volume of the Superior Vena Cava dilutes the drug. Acouple heart beats and I get a "whOOSH!!!" sensation, increasing in strength, as the Versed hits my brain. I feel like I'm passing through a membrane of sorts, and then everything is just GONE! Later I waken suddenly and all is over.

Propofol (or as I like to call it, Milk of Amnesia) just goes from the syringe into the IV tubing, then NOTHING!!! I'm suddenly disconnected from the world, and then I wake up. No hangover, no nausea, just gone and back again. It works great.

I've worked on patients using both drugs for dislocations and fracture realignment. Both seem to work equally well, and each actually has a bit of a twilight period as patients come back around. I actually don't have a preference for myself, and it seems anesthetists tend to use one over the other by personal professional preference.

One interesting aspect of Versed in lower doses as a pre-op sedative, to reduce anxiety, is that a patient can appear awake, talking, interacting with staff and family, but not remembering the chat. And the patient sometimes seems to be a bit behind in processing things said to them and in their replies. That can be very funny, and patients don't usually remember it, or remember it very poorly.

I've also had my diaper changed several times but have no memory of being changed. I'd go to sleep in one of my premium diapers, and waken in a cheap hospital diaper. I usually like diaper changes, but don't remember any of those.

Just my $0.02 from the viewpoint of a patient and a medical professional.

Binkey

Too fast before you can feel it you are out and wake up in recovery, a slow inhalation induction can be enjoyed more

Versed: Never again. Messed me up for days (think space case/dementia type stuff) and I hope that I've finally re-learned the stuff that I lost (seriously... names of people who I interact with every day went "pfft" along with some professional stuff). Based on my reaction I have Versed listed as an allergy and I will react to any attempt to give it to me again as an attack against my person.

Propofol - people thought I was having a stroke the day after. I avoid this but if I had to have one or the other I'd choose propofol over Versed.

There was no fun in either experience, either at the time or afterwards, other than having the issue that I was going in for surgery for fixed.

I guess my sister and I have trouble with anesthesia? When I broke my ankle, I got propifol. When I came out of it, I was fine. About 30 minutes later I had all the CYA warnings on the sheet that you have to sign but not read. I discovered the warnings when I came home and read the sheet. fever, chills, dizziness, nausea but nothing to throw up. and my blood pressure dropped to 60. They gave me oxygen for a while and things settled down. Second time for colonoscopy. I had the MOST spectacular dream you could imagine that night full technicolor! I was afraid to go to sleep the next night for fear I would not wake up.

Now I have a memory problem 2 years down the road. Dropped my antidepressant, and meloxican for joint pain. It's better but my memory is still not what is was 2 years ago. They did a brain scan when I went to ER because I was walking with my head down and was not alert enough to drive a car. No plaque in brain and no explanation. Also have "Parkinson like" symptoms.

My sister had hip surgery at 75 and has never been the same. She is n now. Of course the nursing home she was at after colon surgery was forcing her to walk for 3 1/2 weeks after falling one night. her son had an ambulance take her to er where they did the hip replacement.

Oh, I dropped the antidepressant after ER because I realized the walking with my head down was to compensate for my eyes rolling back in my head.

Propofol was used on me when i had 2 teeth pulled a couple of years ago. i went under very quickly and woke up feeling fine. It is the way to go for me but I had to pay extra because my insurance would not pay for it.

I have had Propofol used during my colonoscopies. Very quick acting. Woke up easily and effect wore off completely within a few minutes. Always dreaded the thought of anesthesia probably as a result of ether being using for a tonsillectomy as a child but Propofol being used was a pleasant experience.

I had Midazolam (Versed) and Fentanyl a few years ago for a bronchoscopy. It didn't take and I remember everything - it was awful.

I am supposed to be having some minor procedures and my ob/gyn wants it done under sedation with propofol. I don't want it, based on what I've read. I hate the thought of not remembering. I am going to see if the anesthesiologist will do a spinal block instead.

BBW, propofol will put you to sleep so you don't remember which is what you want. With Versed it doesn't put you to real sleep and often causes reactions like you had. Trust me, with the propofol that won't happen. You will be completely asleep and won't feel or remember anything. It's the best option and you should be lucky that your doctor is willing to use proper sedation on you instead of trying to pussy foot around making and keeping you comfortable you lucky girl you.

Mashie

BBW, propofol will put you to sleep so you don't remember which is what you want.

Why do people keep saying this? Any support? If I know what's going to happen and know that I'm properly anesthetized and won't feel anything beyond the dragging/pulling then why would you need to not remember? I guess I do know what the sounds and smells are likely to be and know that won't bother me either, though, which might not be the case for many.

Part of this is academic, but part is more practical. I'm thinking when I get enough saved I might have my varicocele fixed, but I don't see why I wouldn't just have them knock out everything below my navel and do it "in front of my face" so to speak. They'll do vasectomies and c-sections that way, why not other surgeries?

Thing is, I don't want to be knocked out. If I did, I'd ask for general anesthesia. I want to be awake and aware and watch what is going on.

Bbw4doc well if you dont want to be knocked out then the only other alternative is Midazolam ( Versed) and a pain killer like Fentanyl or Pethidine ( Demerol ) Personally I think Midazilam and Fentanyl is the more effective combination. We tend to used this combination for endoscopic procedure ( max dose of 5mg Midazolam and 100mcg Fentanyl).

This would allow you to be awake. relaxed and able to watch and be aware of the procedure. As a patient you can say that you don't want to have Propofol ( Diprivan).

As Mashie said Propofol will make you sleep and so you will not be aware of what is happening.

The only drawback with Midazolam ( Versed) is that it does have amnesic effects ( partial or total loss of memory) so you may not remember what has occured. In addition it can cause a paradoxical reaction. When this occurs, an individual may experience anxiety, involuntary movements, aggressive or violent behavior, uncontrollable crying or verbalization, and this behavior is often not recalled by the patient due to the amnesia-producing properties of the drug. Finally most patient experience a "hangover" feeling from the Midazolam .

So the reality is even with Midazolam ( Versed) you may not remember/recall the events or the procedure . It what we refer to as a "catch 22" experience (paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules).

I had Midazolam for a bronchoscopy and it didn't work at all. I was totally awake and aware for the whole thing and remember it all. They gave me 2.5mg, my respirologist said it was double the normal dose and he didn't dare give me any more.

My ob/gyn's admin asst said you aren't out but in a "happy" state with the propofol.

I am hoping they will do a spinal block. That way, I will be awake and aware and can watch on screen and remember everything. Then again, I might just say to heck with it and not do it.