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From: DanK
Remote Name: 128.119.232.100
Date: 09/16/02
Time: 02:34:35 PM
Hey Lisa,
Just some clarification to the comments below... Benadryl is used sometimes as an initial agent to produce drowsiness. It is not usually the main sedative (however, unlike what was said below, sedation is an indicated use of benadryl (although not under that name brand). It is the sleep agent in tylenol pm and many over the counter sleep aids. however, the most likely drug of choice is versed (or ocassionally vallium, although it's use has waned). Both are benzodiazepines which act as anti-anxiety drugs so that may ease your panic. In addition, demerol (or to a lesser extent fentanyl) may be administered as narctoic pain reducers. they tend to magnify the sedative affects of the vallium or versed. versed tends to produce more of an amnesiac quality than vallium which is why many people here don't remember most of their scopes (the only one i remember more than the setup for was an egd i had when i was a younger where vallium was used instead of versed). a clarification about what melissa said is that you will most likely not be unconcious during the procedure. this is considered concious sedation because while you are "out of it" and may not remember anything you can usually respond to the doctor's instructions (this is preferable for the procedure). Some people will fall asleep during the procedure (but it's hard for you to know if you do because you wont' remember it). There are some cases where full sedation is indicated, but these are rare.
sorry for all that garble above. In a nutshell, there really isn't anything to be concerned about. I have a terrible gag reflex. When I had my stretta about a year ago, they gave me an initial injection of benadryl and then began to apply a topical anesthetic to my throat and i wacked the nurse. the last thing i remember her saying is, "inject some more." so, what i'm getting at is that they are going to sedate you enough that you won't care, but if you are really freaked out about the drugs, you can always opt for the no sedation method (but, i can only imagine that that will make you more anxious, rather than less."
good luck.
cheers,
dan