How does an IV sedation work?

Answer

I had it when I had my cataracts done on my eyes and my husband had it when he got some teeth pulled. It's a Valium drip (aka: Twilight sleep) and it works on the brain like amnesia. You are in and out of slumber and can hear what the doctor and others are saying, but really don't care and feel no pain. They should bottle it! The anesthesiologist will give you the right dose to your weight and monitor you. Depending on how long you are out and if you are an out patient you should be almost out of the effects of the sedation by the time they take you to the recovery room where they will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure for 15 - 20 minutes, give you coffee, tea and a muffin and then let your mate or friend drive you home. Although I didn't feel at all like I would from a regular anesthetic my husband had to drive me home. I was able to make dinner when I got home and just felt fine. If you have any concerns please either phone your doctor or go see him and ask any questions that you need.

ANOTHER ANSWER

SINCE YOUR QUESTION was listed under "Dental Health Questions", I will assume you will be having a good bit of dental work done. The procedure is referred to as "Conscious Sedation." It can be done right in the dentists' office. Before the dentist begins, there is another doctor on site who is an ANAESTHESIOLOGIST. He will set up an I.V. (intravenous drip) into a vein on your arm or hand. His sole responsibility is to maintain you in a comfortable, dazed, painless yet conscious state, while the dentist works on your teeth. The "drip" contains an anti-anxiety medication such as Valium, and in most cases, it also contains a painkiller such as Demerol. The doctor adjusts the dose until you are almost out cold, but awake just enough to follow directions from the dentist to open your mouth, turn your head etc... You are in a "happy zone" with no pain. The anaesthesiologist monitors your vital signs (breathing, heart rate etc...) the entire time you are under. When you wake up after the work is done, you are a little "dazed" and remember nothing. When you are fully awake, you need someone to help you out to the vehicle, and drive you home. When my wife had it done, she asked me (about 10-15 times) if I remembered to write a check to the dentist! She also asked me what time it was (about 10-15 times)!! She slowly got back to normal and remembered nothing of the dental procedure, and reportedly remembered no pain at all. The dentist will usually give you a prescription for pain pills to use as the medication you were given begins to wear off. Soon you are back to normal and lying on your sofa, enjoying a little snooze! As Marcy stated, you sort of have amnesia for a while. After extensive dental work, my wife was a "happy little camper"!!! Also, depending on the type of work or surgery being done, many times the doctors may choose to do it in a hospital, using the same procedure, on an out-patient basis (in before noon and out by 4:00) Conscious sedation is perfect for people who are scared, nervous and apprehensive. Plus it is safer than general anaesthesia, where you are completely unconscious. I hope I helped you, and possibly alleviated any fears you may have had. <<>>

ANOTHER ANSWER!

I am currently on rotation of a Sedation Department (Dental) and I would like to add to these answers. Most people do not fall asleep, you generally stay awake while under IV sedation, and it most defiantly does NOT stop you feeling pain. It's Midazolam, it is not a General Anaesthetic, and it does not block out pain. The Midazolam is usually given so that the patient will feel more relaxed, and will feel more willing to receive a Local Anaesthetic Injection. A person under Sedation needs a lot of reassuring. Signs of sedation include half-closed eye lids, and if you ask the patient to touch their nose with one finger, they may struggle to do so, and may find it amusing that they no longer remember whereabouts on their face their nose is situated! If you give a person sedation, then try to extract their tooth without a Local Anaesthetic, the sedated patient will defiantly let you know about it! Most people do experience slight memory loss. The amount of Midazolam, or any other sedative, that a person receives is not determined by their weight, although overweight people cannot have sedation. The patient should be kept in recovery for 1 hour after the last increment of sedatives is administered, they should have a suitable escort with them at all times during the treatment, and the escort should stay with them for the rest of the day. The patient should relax for the rest of the day, and should not be cooking etc as the memory loss can last after the main effects of sedation have wore off. For example, someone who had IV Sedation in the morning, could put something in the oven later that day, and forget all about it. A light meal should be eaten 2 hours before the sedation appointment. This ensures the patients blood sugar levels are normal, and lessens the risk of fainting. If the patient has not eaten before the appointment, a glucose drink can be given, and the patient should be closely monitored throughout the treatment.

AND ANOTHER!

Just to make clear, the medications used when sedating someone can vary incredibly.
Working on Liver Intensive Care Unit, we sedate people, to the extreme end of the spectrum and we do not use Midazolam.

First answer by Reiofsunshine. Last edit by Lop0. Contributor trust: 18 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 23 [recommend question].