Here's the site;Patient Safety Tip of the Week Archive
Here are a few notable quotes about the use, misuse and overuse of Midazolam aka Versed.
"Failure to titrate the dose to the needs of the patient was noted to be a common problem. They did note that a high reliance on using flumazenil to reverse the effects of midazolam may have contributed to use of excessive doses of midazolam as well and conclude that the routine use of flumazenil reversal is not a good practice." (In my opinion any amount of Midazolam is an excessive dose. This is shocking! Failure to titrate when this particular poison is fatal in tiny amounts and if given quickly! As for the "needs of the patient" what a crock. Versed isn't given for the "needs of the patient" most of them time, if at all. Then they want to rely on an antidote so that they can over sedate people? This is crazy.)
"While all these issues appear in the detailed prescribing information on midazolam available through the FDA and other reputable drug information resources, practitioners seldom read through those details at the time a procedure is being performed. The NPSA rapid response report would suggest that a false comfort level with the “safety” of IV midazolam has developed and that understanding of the substantial risks involved has not been routinely appreciated. (Did you get that? A FALSE comfort level with the "safety' of IV Midazolam has developed!!! Understanding the SUBSTANTIAL RISKS involved has not been routinely appreciated!!! Ya think?)
"As a class, benzodiazepines are the drugs most commonly precipitating delirium (see our prior columns pertaining to preventing delirium and managing delirium) and they are on Beer’s List of drugs that should be avoided in the elderly (see our January 15, 2008 Patient Safety Tip of the Week “Managing Dangerous Medications in the Elderly ” and June 2008 What’s New in the Patient Safety World “Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Elderly Hospitalized Patients”). Yet their use continues to be widespread, both in inpatients and outpatients. When we are asked about topics a hospital should choose for conducting a FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), we often suggest looking at benzodiazepine use (either in toto or just the parenteral use). When you do such a FMEA, you’ll be amazed at what you find in your organization. We truly, in most organizations, have developed a comfort level with the use of these drugs that is clearly not warranted." (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the last line of this one... Can you hear me now medical people?)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Another Physician Speaks Out Against Versed
I grabbed this post from here;Colonoscopy Sedation Without Versed Isn't it odd that as you read through the comments they are almost UNIVERSALLY against Versed/Midazolam. That's because, contrary to the lies told by medical practitioners, this drug is for THEIR convenience, not your comfort or anxiety. Read my chart, one person, the crna Aaron, detected some illusive "anxiety" unknown to myself or anybody else there. (and there were scads of people around) EVEN IF I was experiencing some minor anxiety, (and who wouldn't when you have a crna who is trying to coerce you into having things you don't want, like sedation and g/a.) What's so life threatening about a little nervousness? It's absolutely ASININE to inject a person with poison to alleviate some quirk in the mind of the anesthesia nurse. This drug causes all kinds of problems for patients up to and including DEATH! At least you won't have any of that dangerous anxiety if they kill you with Versed! Here's the post;
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Michael says:
Interesting thread; as a primary care provider and as a patient, I can verify that way too many people have significant problems with Versed (midazolam). It’s really a shame that this drug is used so much; many problems go unreported because they happen after the patient gets home and it’s hard for the patient to relate what’s happening to Versed administration. A physician in my group had a screening colonoscopy with 4mg versed and 100mcg fentanyl; doses that were certainly within range. Immediately after the colonoscopy, she became extremely fearful, had terrible nightmares and developed most of the common PTSD symptoms. Everyone told her that her symptoms were unrelated to the exam or the drugs; this is clearly nonesense. Six months later she still has serious memory and anger issues; I worked with her for nearly 20 years and she definitely has serious PTSD. I would avoid all Versed like the plague. Regarding the amnesic effect of propofol; it’s given in an induction dose, so you sleep and you are naturally unaware; patients wake up minutes after a propofol drip is stopped with no problems such as amnesia that I’m aware of. Adding small amounts of versed to propofol and fentanyl certainly decreases the amounts of drugs used, but at a cost: you get the undesirable versed effects and you lose the benefit of propofol. Even adding fentanyl to propofol makes no sense to me; with effective doses of fentanyl, a patient is slower to wake and likely to have a hangover. My previous colonoscopies were done without any drugs; I have seen too many patients have long-term memory loss from versed and other “sedation” drugs….My GI doc wanted to so my last colonoscopy with sedation, propofol only of course; docs rarely consent to amnesic benzos like versed, so I reluctantly agreed. I had a board-certified anesthesiologist do my case (not a nurse; CRNA are fine, but you don’t want an unsupervised nurse/CRNA giving you an induction drug like propofol). I’m in good shape and have no health issues; I got 500mg (yes, 50ml) of propofol for a 20 minute procedure. I was out completely and woke up with no hangover, no creepy amnesia, no problem. Too bad that everyone can’t afford to get propofol; many insurance plans only cover the cheaper amnesia drugs like versed because any nurse or physician can administer them.
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I guess I'm not a stupid as crna's would like to imagine, because this PCP's thoughts parallel mine.
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Michael says:
Interesting thread; as a primary care provider and as a patient, I can verify that way too many people have significant problems with Versed (midazolam). It’s really a shame that this drug is used so much; many problems go unreported because they happen after the patient gets home and it’s hard for the patient to relate what’s happening to Versed administration. A physician in my group had a screening colonoscopy with 4mg versed and 100mcg fentanyl; doses that were certainly within range. Immediately after the colonoscopy, she became extremely fearful, had terrible nightmares and developed most of the common PTSD symptoms. Everyone told her that her symptoms were unrelated to the exam or the drugs; this is clearly nonesense. Six months later she still has serious memory and anger issues; I worked with her for nearly 20 years and she definitely has serious PTSD. I would avoid all Versed like the plague. Regarding the amnesic effect of propofol; it’s given in an induction dose, so you sleep and you are naturally unaware; patients wake up minutes after a propofol drip is stopped with no problems such as amnesia that I’m aware of. Adding small amounts of versed to propofol and fentanyl certainly decreases the amounts of drugs used, but at a cost: you get the undesirable versed effects and you lose the benefit of propofol. Even adding fentanyl to propofol makes no sense to me; with effective doses of fentanyl, a patient is slower to wake and likely to have a hangover. My previous colonoscopies were done without any drugs; I have seen too many patients have long-term memory loss from versed and other “sedation” drugs….My GI doc wanted to so my last colonoscopy with sedation, propofol only of course; docs rarely consent to amnesic benzos like versed, so I reluctantly agreed. I had a board-certified anesthesiologist do my case (not a nurse; CRNA are fine, but you don’t want an unsupervised nurse/CRNA giving you an induction drug like propofol). I’m in good shape and have no health issues; I got 500mg (yes, 50ml) of propofol for a 20 minute procedure. I was out completely and woke up with no hangover, no creepy amnesia, no problem. Too bad that everyone can’t afford to get propofol; many insurance plans only cover the cheaper amnesia drugs like versed because any nurse or physician can administer them.
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I guess I'm not a stupid as crna's would like to imagine, because this PCP's thoughts parallel mine.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
HEARTBREAKING!
I just got this absolutely HEARTBREAKING comment on my post "Dentists And Versed."
"My only child, 17 year old daughter Jenny Olenick, died in April from complications after having one wisdom tooth extracted. Versed was was of the several drugs given. She went into cardiac arrest and the oral surgeon never even got to remove the other 3 teeth. She was in a coma in the Ped ICU at Hopkins for 9 days, then eventually stopped all breathing. Thank you for this blog. Maybe it will save another child's life."
My deepest most heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I have a 12 year old daughter, an only child as well, and I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. You try your very best to take good care of your precious child, just to have this happen when you thought you were doing the right thing. Horrifying! I actually allowed my daughters dentist to sedate her when she was 4. Naturally nothing was really explained to me. When I saw her eyes as they gave her the drug I knew I had made the wrong decision. Then they refused to allow me to accompany her into the dental area. Now I know why! Who knows how smart she could have been if I hadn't allowed Versed, or if it had been explained to me including the death part. I got lucky. I trusted them with my most prized possession and they betrayed that trust. Much, MUCH worse for you...
This also makes me feel sick in another way... I am angry that I was given Versed, in violation of my very clear instructions and in violation of every single law there is on the books as far as informed consent and patient autonomy goes. It absolutely wrecked my mind and caused unimaginable emotional suffering. However *I* am still alive! This little girl (to us Moms, young lady to others) Jenny Olenick, wasn't so lucky. (nurses and doctors, please do not bother to e-mail or post that it could have been one of the other drugs... I will not post it! We all know that Versed is notorious for this kind of thing! Look at the "side effects" and "warning label/black box" on the vial!) I decided to show everybody what some of the side effects of Versed are; This is from extended side effects - AOL Search Results
"...a slow heart rate.." and "...irregular heart rythm..." Insane Nurse who has been so adamant that Versed is oh so very safe should read this and BELIEVE IT! So many people have died as a result of this drug it isn't even funny. I'm so sorry this happened. So preventable if we had just known how bad this drug Versed can be... Our health care providers should start being serious about their job instead of lying to us about the safety of Versed so that they can have their way...
"My only child, 17 year old daughter Jenny Olenick, died in April from complications after having one wisdom tooth extracted. Versed was was of the several drugs given. She went into cardiac arrest and the oral surgeon never even got to remove the other 3 teeth. She was in a coma in the Ped ICU at Hopkins for 9 days, then eventually stopped all breathing. Thank you for this blog. Maybe it will save another child's life."
My deepest most heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I have a 12 year old daughter, an only child as well, and I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. You try your very best to take good care of your precious child, just to have this happen when you thought you were doing the right thing. Horrifying! I actually allowed my daughters dentist to sedate her when she was 4. Naturally nothing was really explained to me. When I saw her eyes as they gave her the drug I knew I had made the wrong decision. Then they refused to allow me to accompany her into the dental area. Now I know why! Who knows how smart she could have been if I hadn't allowed Versed, or if it had been explained to me including the death part. I got lucky. I trusted them with my most prized possession and they betrayed that trust. Much, MUCH worse for you...
This also makes me feel sick in another way... I am angry that I was given Versed, in violation of my very clear instructions and in violation of every single law there is on the books as far as informed consent and patient autonomy goes. It absolutely wrecked my mind and caused unimaginable emotional suffering. However *I* am still alive! This little girl (to us Moms, young lady to others) Jenny Olenick, wasn't so lucky. (nurses and doctors, please do not bother to e-mail or post that it could have been one of the other drugs... I will not post it! We all know that Versed is notorious for this kind of thing! Look at the "side effects" and "warning label/black box" on the vial!) I decided to show everybody what some of the side effects of Versed are; This is from extended side effects - AOL Search Results
Versed Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, and a slow heart rate are some of the common side effects reported with Versed. Side effects of the medication are mostly minor, requiring little or no treatment. There are, however, a number of potentially serious Versed side effects that should be reported to a healthcare provider right away. Among these more serious side effects are difficulty breathing, an irregular heart rhythm, and signs of an allergic reaction.
Another E-mail From My Inbox!
Good morning!
Visited your blog and saw that you have aroused the irrational ire of a person identifying themselves as a crna. How completely creepy, and I can't say I am surprised to discover people attracted to that field have bizarre control and hostility problems.
I began to wonder AND WORRY about the complete disregard for a patient's well being some time ago (as you know). I refuse to capitalize the bogus credential some of these people seem to love so much. The one I had a few months back was certainly a complete failure as a professional and a communicator, and Aaron was worse.
Now there is a JConnor with delusions seeking... what? Not credibility, that's clear at this point.
Something about the ability to inject unsuspecting adults with this drug is attracting or creating some very UN-healthy personality and behavior aberrations. The more an intelligent person reflects on the desire of one person to prey on and alter another's consciousness, the more frightening the whole dynamic becomes. It escapes me how this goes largely unnoticed and is touted under the banner of "helping". It is appalling that "medical professionals" (or anyone) would even defend this.
So good for you for outing JConnor. And openly stating a concern for your safety is a very smart move. Terrible position to be in, though.
Why am I not shocked some crna thinks that sort of vitriol is just fine? ICK >:(
Please let me know what support I can be, _______________
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I decided to add a bit here. There is a well known quote that "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." What does Versed do? It allows medical personnel to obtain absolute power over patients. The added fillip is that (mostly) patients won't even remember their craven obedience and their screams for mercy. It makes me SICK! Giving these medical people absolute power has corrupted them, absolutely. I truly believe that. I imagine them as MONSTERS lurking in shadows of medical centers with syringes full of Zombie drugs. Smirking and sneering at how gullible we are while they take our rights, dignity, memories and our self control. It's a hideous scenario.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Got This E-mail Today, No Comment Needed
Hi,
I was just reading your blog about JConnor. You are right. This person does reflect the kind of disrespect and non caring medical person we have been exposed to. As you know I spent 20 yrs. nursing. There are good and bad in the medical field but you, I and the rest of the VERSED VICTIMS know the truth. We are aware that the laws regarding informed consent are lost. Many medical personnel have found the loop holes and know how to cover it up in charts and patient records. Versed is often given with not only lack of consent but with out and out lies. Such is my case where I was told I was receiving Morphine. Versed, morphine don't sound alike at all. Further it is my belief that I was lied to because medical personnel wanted to do what they thought was BEST for me. As it turned out I guess respiratory arrest was BEST for me. Of course I had the usual side effects from Versed. PTSD, depression, long term memory problems that medical people deny happens. Yet I have an answer to a letter from a doctor who confirms these side effects are happening. Also the research to confirm it. And too bad for the people who have used Versed all these years to mistreat patients and leave them too suffer for their BEST interest. There are 841 posts on askthe patient at my last count. Getting close to one thousand. Out of those the average rating is 2.5 out of 5. This is an awful high dissatisfaction rating for such a marvelous drug. Am I angry. You bet I am. I say keep up the good work and do not let people like JConnor stop you from spreading the word. We will no longer allow medical; personnel to treat us like cattle. We will stand up for our rights and we will not allow versed to harm anybody if we can help it. I hope JConnor doesn't end up one of the 10 percent that so many other medical personnel have.
Love you always Linda
PS You have my permission to post this for JConnor to see if you desire.
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
Newest Posts On Askapatient
http://www.askapatient.com/ is an excellent place to obtain TRUE stories about Versed, the truly horrible effects of it, the sneaky way it is administered and the problems subsequent to being injected. We are NOT all imagining this. We are having the same symptoms. Many people are very appreciative of others having the same problems, as health care providers are trying to put a spin on this drug and claim it is actually beneficial and that we are just imaging all this, mass hysteria or something. There is a REASON this drug is used without consent... There is a REASON that medical workers don't want us to find out how bad it is, and are determined not to let anything bad be said about it. The REASON has nothing at all to do with patient care...
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This one is from 7/9/11 and is a 50 year old man. "The rating is a 1 which means that Versed is no good and they would not recommend this drug!
REASON GIVEN; "colonoscopy"
SIDE EFFECTS; "Anger, depression, memory issues, unable to return to work the next day.
COMMENTS; "Was flat out told that I'd be awake and responsive, not 'out.' Was not told of the amnesia. I was shocked and then angry when the process was complete and I had no recall."
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This one is from a 62 year old female on 7/11/11 The rating is a 1 once again. Here's what she says;
REASON GIVEN; "Cataract Surgery"
SIDE EFFECTS; "Smallest dose possible (so they said) was administered twice one week apart for cataract surgeries. Five days after the first administration I started experiencing obsessive thinking, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and weight loss. I went to bed anxious, with pounding heart and difficulty breathing and woke up depressed. The slightest thing made me angry. All of this was SO unlike me. I could not control my thinking, something I'd never experienced. I felt as though I'd been turned into someone else, and I had no idea what caused it. It was horrible."
COMMENTS; "Fortunately I am mostly back to normal (8 weeks later), except for lingering memory issues which I hope will eventually resolve. I will NEVER take Versed again. I just hope medical profession takes me seriously and doesn't decide to stick it in my IV anyway. Nothing would surprise me. THANK YOU to all the people who posted here, helping me to understand the reason behind the dramatic and terrifying change in my mental state."
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Does this really sound like a safe drug? How many more of us have to go through this experience with Versed for the medical people to LISTEN TO US? Too many of us are having these problems after Versed for it to be a coincidence. We are not all going on Facebook and arbitrarily deciding that Versed is a bad drug. We are talking about it because it IS a bad drug for way too many of us. We are comparing notes, not indulging in self pity. We are looking for answers because the medical community is guarding this drug with their life! Claiming that we are suffering from some kind of delusional thinking makes us think that medical providers are delusional themselves! How can you deny something that so many people are experiencing? We can't ALL be wrong, now can we?
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This one is from 7/9/11 and is a 50 year old man. "The rating is a 1 which means that Versed is no good and they would not recommend this drug!
REASON GIVEN; "colonoscopy"
SIDE EFFECTS; "Anger, depression, memory issues, unable to return to work the next day.
COMMENTS; "Was flat out told that I'd be awake and responsive, not 'out.' Was not told of the amnesia. I was shocked and then angry when the process was complete and I had no recall."
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This one is from a 62 year old female on 7/11/11 The rating is a 1 once again. Here's what she says;
REASON GIVEN; "Cataract Surgery"
SIDE EFFECTS; "Smallest dose possible (so they said) was administered twice one week apart for cataract surgeries. Five days after the first administration I started experiencing obsessive thinking, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and weight loss. I went to bed anxious, with pounding heart and difficulty breathing and woke up depressed. The slightest thing made me angry. All of this was SO unlike me. I could not control my thinking, something I'd never experienced. I felt as though I'd been turned into someone else, and I had no idea what caused it. It was horrible."
COMMENTS; "Fortunately I am mostly back to normal (8 weeks later), except for lingering memory issues which I hope will eventually resolve. I will NEVER take Versed again. I just hope medical profession takes me seriously and doesn't decide to stick it in my IV anyway. Nothing would surprise me. THANK YOU to all the people who posted here, helping me to understand the reason behind the dramatic and terrifying change in my mental state."
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Does this really sound like a safe drug? How many more of us have to go through this experience with Versed for the medical people to LISTEN TO US? Too many of us are having these problems after Versed for it to be a coincidence. We are not all going on Facebook and arbitrarily deciding that Versed is a bad drug. We are talking about it because it IS a bad drug for way too many of us. We are comparing notes, not indulging in self pity. We are looking for answers because the medical community is guarding this drug with their life! Claiming that we are suffering from some kind of delusional thinking makes us think that medical providers are delusional themselves! How can you deny something that so many people are experiencing? We can't ALL be wrong, now can we?
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