General anesthetic and after effects?

[Ellie_Finesse]

Hi everyone

I am waiting for an appointment to come through for surgery on my nose so I can breath easier and I was just wondering if anyone has ever gone under general anesthetic, how it affected you afterwards, how long for and how badly?

Was having surgery the cause of your ME/CFS, did you relapse or did it just make your symptoms worse?

I hope you don't mind me asking you guys, I am just very curious at how having surgery has affected people!

Thanks in advance

 

[minkeygirl]

There is a thread here from a week or so ago when someone asked how to prepare for surgery.

Everyone is very different in how they do with anesthesia. I had general about 10 years ago when I was much healthier and I don't think I had long lasting effects.

I think it all depends on your level of functioning before you go in.

Here's some links I found

http://phoenixrising.me/resources/preparing-for-surgery-anesthesia-warning

http://www.prohealth.com/me-cfs/me-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-anesthesia-recommendations.cfm

http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/drugs/anesthesia.html

 

[SOC]

I had general anesthesia a couple years back. Knowing that many PWME have trouble with anesthesia, I had the anesthesiologist call my ME/CFS specialist, in my presence, to learn about the special needs of PWME. He then ignored everything my specialist said, and did whatever he wanted. I crashed for almost two months. The anesthesiologist insisted, very snarkily, that the crash could not possibly the result of the anesthesia despite the fact that my specialist told him what would happen (and did) if he didn't do things right.

I plan to avoid general anesthesia at my local hospital if I have any choice in the matter, not because I think general anesthesia is not safe for PWME, but that it needs to be done properly and my local hospital has proved that they can't be trusted to do it properly even when told.

You might want to read Advice to PWC's Anticipating Anesthesia or Surgery and perhaps send a copy to your anesthesiologist in advance.

In my case, we think the anesthesiologist did not keep me properly hydrated and probably used some vasodilator or catecholamine. If I have to have general anesthesia again, I'm going to go in extremely well hydrated, no matter what they say, and insist on something signed that says they will not use the specific medications that are contraindicated. And then hope for the best.

 

[minkeygirl]

Do what you can to prepare but don't let people's stories scare the crap out of you.

We bith gave you links.

Everyone has a different experience, horror or not. Scaring you is not going to help, in fact it will cause more stress and trauma which could cause problems on its own.

A little gentleness would be nice

 

[Ellie_Finesse]

Hi @SOC

It beggars belief why the anaesthesiologist ignored and didn't follow through on your specialists advice! *wonders what goes through their silly heads*

Thank you for the link and for sharing your experience

Hi @minkeygirl

Thank you for the links I will have a look at those in the morning!

I just want to say a couple of things before this thread gets out of hand over misunderstandings as you are all lovely people who willingly help others with guidance and support!

I would rather people tell it how it is, warts and all! whilst I understand that for some people this is not the case, for me it's how I function. I won't be offended or worried by what others say as I know that everyone means well. Quite often when in print, it's very hard to understand the meaning of others and it can quite easily can be taken out of context. I don't scare easily, I am very nosey and enquisative and thrive of information, people's thoughts and opinions. So feel free to tell me that I am a nosey so and so if needed and to not ask so many questions

The reason for starting this thread was out of curiosity mainly, and if there was information that I may learn from to help myself manage my own illness then great.

 

[minkeygirl]

@Ellie_Finesse some people, myself included, need a little honey with the vinegar. good you are ok with it. I wouldn't be.

 

[SOC]

Hi @SOC

It beggars belief why the anaesthesiologist ignored and didn't follow through on your specialists advice! *wonders what goes through their silly heads*

Thank you for the link and for sharing your experience

You are very welcome! Many people here at PR have helped me with advice on things to try and also things to watch out for. I'm happy to be able to pass on the favor.

 

[*GG*]

You might want to check out this link:

http://www.ncf-net.org/patient-physician.htm

Information about anesthesia

Anesthesia has adversely affected patients with CFIDS (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis). The reason for this has been found. Recent research* funded by the National CFIDS Foundation, Inc. found that a substance, much like ciguatera toxin, is being produced in the body by a disease process in those with CFIDS/ME/CFS. Dubbed the “ciguatera epitope,” this research explains the danger of using any anesthesia that uses the sodium channel at the cellular level. Some anesthesiologists have had success blocking the sodium channel during anesthesia for CFIDS/ME/CFS patients.

J Clin Lab Anal, 6/2003, Hokama et al

*J Toxicology, 12/2003, Hokama et al

 

[Misfit Toy]

I had surgery in January and it was general anesthesia. I will try to not scare you. I have been ill for 26 years so for me, it was hard. It was surgery on my wrist. I have not felt the same since. I have been quite ill. It was a 3 hour surgery. I had my wrist broken.

I also had 3 nerve blocks. So, it was no minor deal and the healing has been intense and I just had my last day of PT today....6 months in! WOO HOO.

I will just say, I am exhausted and went from being okay to not being okay. I could go into detail, but would rather not.

I want you to go in with a clear head.

Best of luck and I hope it goes well.

 

[barbc56]

It's important to weigh the benefits vs. the risks of getting any medical procedure.

Will the surgery fix a problem that was making you feel worse?

I have had several minor procedures requiring general anesthesia since getting sick. The first one fixed a problem that was making me crash more. Once I had surgery, while I think it took me a bit longer to recover, it did put me back to baseline, which isnt saying much. But I think I would have felt worse if I hadn't had it done.

The other one, I wasn't out as long and had complications not related to me/cfs, so it's hard to tell what part the anesthesia played. There's always a recovery time which may be longer with us.

Does the fact that you can’t breathe through your nose affect your sleep? If so, it might be worth considering, as sleep is closely related to how we feel.

How confident are you with your doctor? Even if you are comfortable, it never hurts to get a second opinion.

This is a decision you have to make for yourself and each person's experience is different. There are so many factors involved, that getting as much information as possible, weighing that information is important but unfortunately even then there are no guarantees.

But please keep in mind I am not in the medical field.

Good luck!

Barb