Versed

We recently tried to control Macayla's grand mal seizures with Versed. Versed (ver - said) is often used in anesthesia and we get it in small, one mL vials. It is med meant to be given via injection, but this would take too long to have impact in the midst of seizures. Therefore, we give it to her buccally meaning between the cheek and gum without a needle. We use a vial cannula to draw up the med and then squeeze a few drops at a time between her cheek and gum. After we put a drop in, we massage that area of her mouth to help it absorb. Then we put the next drop in another place. Macayla's swallowing is impaired and even the single milliliter causes her to choke. We even suction her before we put it in. Within about a minute, we get the entire mL in.

We have tried Versed because she has built a tolerance against Diastat. Unfortunately, the Versed does not have much effect either. This past set of seizures started and I did not wait for a second one. I could see she was not finished, so I gave her Versed immediately after the first one. The second seizure was less severe and she didn't have any more after that. I'm not sure if the Versed was the difference or if she simply was not going to have as many seizures that time. The bonus for using versed is that it is easier to administer. Diastat is a rectal gel and obviously requires us to pull down Macayla's pants and diaper. Versed can be administered while she is in her chair, bed or otherwise. It is supposed to absorb directly into the gums which is faster (and less painful) than an IV or IM injection. We just wish it was more effective. Midazolam is the technical name and also marketed under the names Dormicum, Hypnovel, or Midacum.