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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on February 18, 2007, at 19:15:19
I'm going to need some painful/invasive medical procedures done soon and asked the doctor for an IV drip of Diastat(Valium) or Versed. She said no, and told me to take oral tranquilizers instead.
I know already that Xanax wont be strong enough because I'm so freaked about gotting the medical stuff done that for the first time in my life I'm having full blown actual panic attacks just THINKING about it. I need to get it done for a serious medical condition I have, but I just can't do it! I don't normally have terrible anxiety, just an extremely low pain tolerance that most doctors don't understand.
I have the 1 mg pills of Xanax, which I usually take to sleep at night. I'm less worried about taking too much than I am of not being sedated enough. How much Xanax at once will safely be the equivalent of Versed or Diastat?
Posted by rjlockhart on February 18, 2007, at 19:33:10
In reply to Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by Cynthia_Greene on February 18, 2007, at 19:15:19
I would say about 8-10mg of Xanax, but wait is this for surgery? Xanax would never be used for surgery i belive.
Have you heard of Ativan? or Lorazepam, it is used in alot of hospitals for sedation, they can go up to 10-20mg but thats rare.
Versed i had when i had wisdom tooth out and it knocked me clear out. Diazpeam is more low potent.
I dont really what your question is.
Sorry im stressed right now.
Matt
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on February 18, 2007, at 19:56:57
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by rjlockhart on February 18, 2007, at 19:33:10
> I would say about 8-10mg of Xanax, but wait is this for surgery? Xanax would never be used for surgery i belive.
Sorry; I should have specified.
It's not surgery, but painful, invasive diagnostic testing for some physical health problems I have.
Posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2007, at 21:52:04
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by Cynthia_Greene on February 18, 2007, at 19:56:57
Well anything as invasive as a colonoscopy requires versed and usually demerol too. Love Phillipa better to say what it is so the answers can be geared to that.
Posted by bassman on February 19, 2007, at 16:32:41
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax? » Cynthia_Greene, posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2007, at 21:52:04
I fully agree. Versed is really unique-you not only lose any anxiety about things, you don't even have any curiosity about them. I had a colonoscopy and three nurses were pushing on my abdomen (to get air out of the intestines, as it would turn out)-and I didn't even have the thought, "I wonder what they are doing". There's "nobody home" to be anxious.
Back to your question: I'd use the highest does of Xanax you've used before, like 1 or 2 mg, but no more. It might well make you dizzy and feel funny and cause more anxiety if you take too much. Actually, I'd start taking the Xanax a couple days before the procedure-because it sounds like "anticipatory anxiety" might be more the problem.
Posted by valene on February 20, 2007, at 19:06:51
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by bassman on February 19, 2007, at 16:32:41
Hello,
I had a colonoscopy several months ago and I have been on xanax for over 20 years, now decreased to 1.75mg. I was extremely apprehensive of the colonoscopy to the point of almost panic.My pdoc told me to tell them to give me extra versed (maybe because I am habituated to benzodiazepine?) but I was awake through the procedure and very upset. I told them I needed more versed but don't think they paid attention to me. I hated it. Glad it was over and don't have to go back for ten years!
Next time I will ask to be put out (they can do that if you get an anesthesiologist). I did not arrange for an anesthesiologist beforehand as I was not aware that it would be what they call "twilight sleep" or some such thing. If you are on a benzo, I suggest asking to be put out entirely. I was when I had my elbow surgery and came through that just fine, thanks.
Posted by yxibow on February 20, 2007, at 20:46:29
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by valene on February 20, 2007, at 19:06:51
That is rather surprising that they wont use Versed, as it is an amnesic hypnotic used for a lot of procedures as mentioned. It is far more powerful (not in terms of the first chart on Dr. Bob's bz page) than any of the other benzodiazepines because of its unique characteristics. It is a twilight anaesthetic and also a pre-anaesthetic.
Posted by valene on February 21, 2007, at 7:22:36
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by yxibow on February 20, 2007, at 20:46:29
Jay, as stated above, I had versed given to me for my colonoscopy and I had also taken my xanax that morning .5mg. I was STILL awake through the procedure and remember it so it was not amnesic to me. Do you think it was because I was already on a benzo? I do because look at how people who first take a benzo are sleepy and sedated. I will never have another test like that unless I have general anesthesia.
> That is rather surprising that they wont use Versed, as it is an amnesic hypnotic used for a lot of procedures as mentioned. It is far more powerful (not in terms of the first chart on Dr. Bob's bz page) than any of the other benzodiazepines because of its unique characteristics. It is a twilight anaesthetic and also a pre-anaesthetic.
Posted by yxibow on February 21, 2007, at 9:09:43
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax? » yxibow, posted by valene on February 21, 2007, at 7:22:36
> Jay, as stated above, I had versed given to me for my colonoscopy and I had also taken my xanax that morning .5mg. I was STILL awake through the procedure and remember it so it was not amnesic to me. Do you think it was because I was already on a benzo? I do because look at how people who first take a benzo are sleepy and sedated. I will never have another test like that unless I have general anesthesia.
>
>
> > That is rather surprising that they wont use Versed, as it is an amnesic hypnotic used for a lot of procedures as mentioned. It is far more powerful (not in terms of the first chart on Dr. Bob's bz page) than any of the other benzodiazepines because of its unique characteristics. It is a twilight anaesthetic and also a pre-anaesthetic.
>
>Well there was another thread in which it mentioned it had amnesic properties, but that's not to say you wouldn't remember everything. Its a twilight sleep as I say, so you are still awake unless the strength of it knocks you out. Its possible you might have a small tolerance to the other benzodiazepine which made it less effective in that way.
Posted by kelv on February 22, 2007, at 4:58:42
In reply to Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax?, posted by Cynthia_Greene on February 18, 2007, at 19:15:19
> I'm going to need some painful/invasive medical procedures done soon and asked the doctor for an IV drip of Diastat(Valium) or Versed. She said no, and told me to take oral tranquilizers instead.
>
> I know already that Xanax wont be strong enough because I'm so freaked about gotting the medical stuff done that for the first time in my life I'm having full blown actual panic attacks just THINKING about it. I need to get it done for a serious medical condition I have, but I just can't do it! I don't normally have terrible anxiety, just an extremely low pain tolerance that most doctors don't understand.
>
> I have the 1 mg pills of Xanax, which I usually take to sleep at night. I'm less worried about taking too much than I am of not being sedated enough. How much Xanax at once will safely be the equivalent of Versed or Diastat?
I don't know, for me scripted 3mgs Xanax daily, it would probably be 20mgs+ and a few Vodkas:)My father had Gallbladder surgery recently and was given IV Midazolam+IV demerol and he remembers none of it, he also came home the most peacefull i'v ever seen/heard him-he apparent enjoyed the experience-having refused Morphine.
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on February 22, 2007, at 19:54:43
In reply to Re: Versed/Diastat how much stronger than Xanax? » Cynthia_Greene, posted by kelv on February 22, 2007, at 4:58:42
Thanks for all the replies! From what everyones said, I think my best option right now would be to try and get them to reconsider letting me have Versed. I just wish I could find doctors who understand things like this.
This is the end of the thread.
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