What is benzodiazepine & how long does it stay in your bloodstream?

[bruski1128]

What is benzodiazepine & how long does it stay in your bloodstream? I had a UA done today to have my pain meds changed & they said I had a benzo...in my system.  I havent taken anything in the past 2 1/2 weeks except my usually prescribed meds, but I had surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago & was in for 5 days & given A LOT of meds(9 pages of meds!), including temazepam & I think diazepam. The Dr said it had to be since my surgery & thinks I have taken something else but I certainly think I would remember!???HELP!

[Ffion]

Benzodiazipines are what would used to be called "tranquilizers." They are grouped in 4 catagories, Anti-anxiety,Anti-Convulsant, Hypnotic, and Muscle Relaxant. Each Benzo has a different "half life" the amount of time it stays in your system. Diazepam, or "Valium" was almost certainly used pre-operatively at a high dose for it's Anxiolytic  effect to give you a calm feeling and the Temazepam or "Restoril" was most likely infused into your i.v. line as it is a Hypnotic. These two drugs are often used together for procedures and surgeries that don't require you to be under GA but rather a "Twightlight Sleep."
   Valium can, indeed, stay in your system for as long as 100 hours. It's one of the longer acting benzos. So, don't panic, it's routine in surgical suites and you don't remember because that's one of the reasons these 2 are used in tandem...so you FORGET the experience and don't freak out about it!

You take good care and be reassured that by this time, they have been completely eliminated from your system!

God Bless,
Ffion xx

[Mollyrae]

If you had Temazapam then it will show up as Benzodiazapine. It can stay in the blood stream for up to 14 days. The Doctor should know this and does. Is there something else going on? I'm not sure where the problem is. Take care, Mollyrae

[roadrunner940]

is he saying that he found benzo in your system when he was giving you your pain meds? he was giving u diazepam, which is similar to benzo. really, whats the differense, they still respond the same as what he gave you after surgery.you can say u could not tolerate the diazepam, the xanax worked better, or u mistakingly took what you had before which was the benzo.if u did not have a previous script for benzo, then u will have to tell him . it will work out for you,do not fret,benzo are not as strong than what he suggest which is diazapam. just be truthful with him.