Has anyone here had an endoscopy while they were taking nal? (not necessarily that day, but in the days before). I am set for an endoscopy on May 24th and I know that sedation will be involved. I mentioned briefly to the doctor that I took naltrexone but didn't ask about potential interactions. I might be overreacting as he probably knows his job...but anyone have any insight?
Thanks,
EL

Nal will block any opiate based anesthesia or painkillers. To be on the safe side I would discontinue the nal for at least 3 days prior to the endoscopy... but your doctor should know best.

Right, I know about the opiate-based stuff. I guess my question was about what kind of sedation they use for endoscopies, as I know it's NOT anaesthesia. The other problem is that due to poor timing (my graduation party and insurance woes) my procedure kind of HAS to be that week of May 24th, and my party is May 21st. So the last day I'll take the nal is the 21st...but I'm afraid that might be cutting it close. Obviously I'll let them know, but part of me is wondering if I need to actually stop taking the nal for longer if there's no non-opiate based sedative.
EL

A little bit of research seems to indicate that this is a likely sedative that they will give me :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midazolam

I'm no doctor, but I don't see the word opiate - does that mean it should be fine?
EL

Benzodiazepines are not opiates. It is a pretty quick procedure (mine was anyway), and it's a complete knock-out unconscious kind of thing. I think of opiates being used mainly for pain, not for than kind of thing. But I'm not a doctor. Whatever they used in my case was very short-lived, as in just a few minutes, and then I was wide awake again.

Cool, thanks Prairie. I will of course check with the doctor before the procedure but I thought I'd throw some feelers out into the TSM community If I have to stop taking nal for a bit I will, but if there's a non-opiate sedative available that sounds good. And also good to know the procedure was easy! They're doing a biopsy and some other stuff down there at the same time, but either way it shouldn't be too long.
EL

I had an endoscopy last month and stopped two days before; no problem.

As I understand it, NAL has a half life of 12 hours, meaning it's pretty much out of your system in 24.

As a medically qualified armchair doctor, Midazolam is used as a premedication for sedation not the stuff that knocks you out. Its role is an endoscopy is as a relaxant. But again ask the doctor!

So how do you feel about getting your PhD? Is this the graduation party?

We'll have to call you Dr. Electra

Andy.

Thanks Andy. Obviously I will ask the doctor. Thing is, I don't mind being awake if sedated. As in, if there is no massive pain, but I'm kind of loopy...that's ok. But again I will not have taken nal for 72 hours prior to the procedure...so maybe I will be ok wiht opiates anyways.