General Anesthesia Side Effects

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I have a quistion if anyone can answer it would be a great pleasure. My quistion is how long does it take for the confusion and dementia to go away from anaethesia? or is this even a side effect? is it normal for the patient to be confused, delusions, not recongnizing people, weakness, and cant walk without calasping as well as a loss of appitite?
any feed back would be appreciated
thank you
Terah

I just had surgery last Tues ( Nov 6/07-gall bladder out) and I am still having lightheadedness and dizzy spells on and off? Has anyone had effects of Anesthesia this long also...I am kinda worried. I do have to go back to work!

My brother has bad pneumonia due to HIV and was sedated for twelve days and when they stopped the sedation it took him three days to open his eyes. Has been over a week and now does not move or seem to recognize anyone. They sedated him to put air tube in throat to help him breathe. Now like a vegetable. Dr.thought had brain infection but test came back negative. Says does not know why my brother unresponsive, but my feelings is this is from the anesthesia, or combination effect from meds given and anesthesia. Anyone heard of this side effect lasting this long. Now they want to put him in long term nursing home and keep on a ventilator with a feeding tube.They changed him to a traich tube to get the other tube out of his throat. He was talking and walking fine before the pneumonia and being sedated. I was not able to find any side effect like this on the internet anywhere. Dr's have an "Oh well" attitude.

My husband had surgery on Tuesday January 5th. As the days have gone by, he has gotten more and more disoriented and dizzy. He says his head just doesn't fell right.

In addition, he cannot sleep...at all. Has anyone else had this problem following anesthesia?

Thank you.

Thanks to all that have shared here!

I am posting to add some of my experiences from the effects I have had from GA. I have worked in construction all of my life, and I have had numerous injuries which have required surgery. The first major one was a knee surgery in 1986 which lasted 6 hours and I had the hick-ups for 3 days after the surgery. I was hospitalized for those 3 days and was given what they said was anti- psyhcotic meds to relieve this problem! I also had memory lapses and depression issues, which I blamed on the fact that I was out of work for so long to recover.

I have had four other surgeries since then 1.right elbow repair from an old injury. (3 hour surgery) Oct.1990

2.left arm bicep repair. (2 hour surgery)
June 1991

3 Right rotator cuff repair (4 hour surgery)
Oct. 2004

4. Left rotator cuff repair (4hour surgery)
July 2009

I have had many questions for years about the long term side affects of GA... which are based on my own experiences. This last surgery has me feeling worse than any of the others. Maybe it is due to the fact that I have been off of work so long, but I don't think that is all of it! I think the long term effects are stacking up from all of the surgeries.

I am learning new computer skills and starting my own online business so that I can quit working construction. I am doing quite well, but my thought processes just aren't as sharp as they need to be when I talk to people. I know what I want to say, but it just won't come out of my mouth correctly! Not a good thing when trying to make a business contact... people seem to run the other way!

I am battling depression big time, but I don't want to lean on prescription meds to get over that. I just started a vitamin and natural supplement program which I hope will help me to win this battle! I just don't trust the drug companies any more. I think they do more damage than good for people.

Thanks for reading this post and I will do my best to let you know how my natural remedies work out.

Blessings to all

Thanks so much for all your posts. I thought I was going crazy. I had my gall bladder out the first week of July. About a week later, I started experiencing lightheadness ALL the time. Then I had several cases of my right arm jerking uncontrollably. (Those seem to have stopped.) Went to my regular doc and now seeing a neurologist for EEG & brain scan. Now feeling much better - 5 weeks later -- so I got to thinking (now that I could think!) it was like I was still under anesthesia. Reading all your posts make me feel that that is really what it might have been. The lightheadedness has not completely stopped (but VERY minimal now) and I go for the EEG/scan later this week, but I am more convinced that ever that this is the issue. Why did the docs not suggest that? Thanks again.

I had an arthroscopy on the 22nd dec 09.In recovery I had a headache and some pain and they gave me Digestic.By the time I got home I had nausea and vomited. the headache then went. I have been vague, depressed, confused and extremely teary ever since. Only thing I can think is causing this is the GA. I havent been dizzy or had double vision.I am on no pain meds as I have no pain to speak of.. so.. what else could it be but the GA..

Hi all. I found this forum when doing a search on long term effects of anesthesia. I had minor out patient surgery under GA a week ago today and have been EXHAUSTED on and off since. I am searching around to see others' experiences since I may need a more extensive surgery which would have me under GA for 1-3 hrs or so and am now nervous and concerned about that! I just LOVE that doctors say, "Oh no, your issues are not from the GA." My sister-in-law has a friend who works in anesthesiology and the friend told her that it takes the body ONE MONTH for every hour you are under anesthesia to clear it from the body!! She is the only one so far that I have heard cop to this!!
I hope this day finds everyone doing well and feeling better!!

Hi.
This thread helped me most understand what i was likely going through after gallbladder surgery and GA, so i thought i would post my experience in that it may offer further insight to others with similar problems.

About 48 hours or so after the surgery i started to get 1 or 2 sessions of extreme light-headedness every day. Everything felt off - it was horrible. The sessions would last 1 to 3 hours. It was because of this site and some others that i was more relaxed that in all probability it was a side effect from the surgery and or GA.

What i did that seemed to help me were these things:
I ate piles and piles of lean venison jerky though in general i wasn't feeling ready for solid foods. Was it the iron, salts or proteins? I have no idea but they seemed to stabilize me. WAs it a placebo effect? Didn't matter - it helped. I also made sure to lay back with my laptop or whatever after the lightheaded session began just to get the load of my body and focus on healing.
Another thing i did was everyday a good exercise session via fresh air hikes jostling my body back and forth and lots of stretches even though i had 4 surgery wounds. I pushed the limits of discomfort everyday actually going for a hike the 1st day after my surgery and every day after that. It was amazing how pockets of gas would just pop loose from places inside. I remember one big stretch working my gallbladder area and i had suddenly 3 fast big burps of gas, like they were just freed and released.

Conclusion is after about 1.5 weeks of daily sessions with lightheadedness they were gone again.

I had GA 2 and half weeks ago and I suffered from these waves of light headedness type feelings. Went back to Doctor and she said that the anesthesia gets into the fat tissues and slowly releases. Seemed a bit of a tall story to me but I have been feeling better. I'm Male and weigh 16stone (102 kilograms.

GA - Yup had it for a smallop two weeks ago. Same blurred vision, struggle to focus at times, mild dizziness at times - nothing bad just just enough to be quite uncomfortable. Went back to Doctor who suggested its not the GA - more likely to be coincidence with a condition in the balance of the inner ear where the little hair folicles get a "crystal" trapped in them causing incorrect messages to be sent to the brain. Sounded plausible - gave it a few days, tried some exercises he gave but am back to thinking it HAS GOT to be a side effect of the GA. Those who have had it - how long can one expect it to last?

I have also been experiencing the same side effects after having my wisdom teeth removed about 4 months ago. The doctors don't really know what to think and I have been going to a psychologist. Previous to the operation I had never had any problems like these.

My husband had surgery 9 years ago in 2001 for an arthroscopy on both knees. after the surgery he was very very sick, he couldnt even take anti nausea medication or pain relief. he says it was the worst time of his life. one of the nurses told him they were trialling a new anaesthetic and he was the first to have it. apparently he was given too much. all the other patients in the room also had it and were all sick but not as sick as him as they reduced the amount they gave the others. when he came home from hospital his nerves were shot and couldnt tolerate any noise. his legs were also black from bruising from his thighs to his feet. he had the opperation done at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide by a Dr Krishnan but was actually operated on by a strudent we found out later. there was no follow up appointment. since his operation his live has been hell, he has had surgery before but had no problems. he has been diagnosed with Fibromialgia and has chronic pain every single day. he describes it as nerve pain and muscle pain. we have tried everything we can afford even getting his fillings replaced because we thought it might be the mercury. nothing has helped. ironically he is now seeing a pain management clinic at the same place he had the operation. we mentioned the anaesthic to the Dr and of course he said it wouldnt have been the anaethsetic but possibly the pain medication, which he couldnt even take because of the nausea. we really beleive it was the GA that did this to him. he has lost his livelihood, and quality of life, lives in chronic pain but what can you do, how can you prove it. dr's deny aneasthics cause problems because if they admitted it what would they do, they would get sued. we are hoping that new pain medication will help have a quality of life. my heart is so sad sometimes because we both go through hell.

two years ago i had a surgery...
i always forget things...i hardly memorize words...is this a side effect of the anesthesia?

I came upon this forum while searching for vision problems as side effects from anesthesia, and this forum is proving to be most helpful.

My dog can't speak for herself, but she was spayed one week ago and this morning my son commented that she looks kind of cross-eyed; last night my daughter said the same thing.

Yesterday I allowed my dog to stretch her legs off her leash in the backyard for the first time since her surgery, as per instructions to limit her activity, and she was so happy to be free she RACED AROUND THE LARGE YARD AND RAMMED THE PICNIC BENCH SO HARD IT FLIPPED IT OVER, THEN CIRCLED THE YARD AND SLAMMED INTO IT AGAIN, THEN CIRCLED THE YARD AGAIN AND BASHED INTO THE 4X6 POST SUPPORTING THE CARPORT. I put her leash back on and walked her around the yard three times to calm her down.

She's an agile and happy one-year old, 80 lb. American Bulldog and I attributed this bizarre behavior to her excitement at being allowed to run free after a week of confinement inside the house, along with the fact it was raining and windy, which she loves, and that the yard was wet and slippery.

After my son noticed the red bump on her head and I told him of her encounter with the picnic bench and the 4x6 post, he tested her by shining his little flashlight toward her eyes and noted that, instead of looking directly at the flashlight, she was looking about 12" to the right of it. Then I started remembering how emotional and clingy she has been all week, and I had thought she was just bored.

After reading this forum I phoned her vet's office and the receptionist told me she didn't know of any cases of visions problems attributed to anesthesia but that I should bring her in to be checked. Then I called her back again to share the information I had read in this forum and she stated that she remembered of one case of vision problems and that I should bring my dog in for an exam. I told her I don't have money for and exam right now, and said she would have the vet phone me and that maybe he would see my dog for no charge, as a follow up.

The vet phoned me back, I told him my story, and he said, just like everyone's doctors in this forum, that there is no connection and if my dog has vision problems now it's because she slammed herself into the 4x6 post. Maybe.

I've been at the receiving end of customer service calls and I'm aware that one of his concerns (loss control)is to obtain and document any details that might keep someone from claiming his practice is responsible for some problem, i.e. my dog was so happy to be free that she ran fast and slipped in the rain and bashed herself into objects three times and that's why she can't see straight - figures.

I don't believe my dog's vet did anything wrong in her surgery, just wanted to know if vision problems could be attributed to the anesthesia and, if so, if he knows whether it might be temporary or permanent. He declined to examine her for no charge.

The last time I had general anesthesia, I laid down on a table and stared at the cieling and laughed at nothing for about an hour.

Thank you for all your comments. I had parathyroid surgery 2 weeks ago. I have had numbness in both arms my fingers have been tingling and uncordinated. Dizzy and light headed. I have been laying in bed hoping this would go away. I have also had panic attacks because I have never felt like this befor and it scares me. I am also confused and saying wierd things which scares me too. I am greatful for all your comments it gives me hope.
Has anyone found something to speed this up

It is normal to last short periods of time, but a week is a bit extreme.

addendum to my post just above:
I would recommend doing the physical activity of jarring the body and stretching closer to home and safety. During my hikes i would have moments where i felt like blacking out and the freaky feeling of being way off on my motor coordination skills. But i believe it is critical to loosen and shake all that gas out and be aggressive about it, or it will linger and linger and will cause side effects.

Note: I had the surgery beginning of Jan 2010 and i have been free of the lightheadedness now for 1.5 months and feel very good doing very intense exercise. It would appear i have overcome the side effects.

To add to my comment above I had a hysterectomy a month ago and all went well, just had normal affects such as diarrhoea, no nausea or anthing, however last week i felt funny in the head and then developed a headache which just wouldnt go away. i thought it was from the anti biotics i was on and i stopped taking them. it got better but now the same headache has returned and funny feeling in my head. it feels like it is my sinuses and goes all the way down my spine in my muscles. i had the thought it may be the anaesthetic getting out of my system and after reading this forum i may be right. after reading of your experiences my heart goes out to you as i know first hand of your suffering because of my husbands experience. it helps to identify with others.

I got an emergency colostomy last june then they reconnected me in october. It's been two months since the last operation and I am still experiencing light headedness, blurred vision and cloudy thinking. I didn't have the fuzzy thinking after the first surgery. I guess it's normal but it sounds like two months is longer than most of the other posts. I'm just wondering how long I should wait before I go down and get new glasses?

I had GB surgery 2 weeks ago. I have had several surgeries prior to this one under general anesthesia. However, 5-6 days out from this surgery I was disorientated and confused about several things. I thought I had spent several days inpatient when I actually only spent one night and the next day inpatient after surgery. This never happened to me before. The surgeon told me it was possibly from the drugs that were used to paralyze muscles during surgery. Just wondering if anyone else ever had this side effect.

I had GA during a hernia surgery recently and many of the same affect others described here. I initially had trouble with my vision and thinking which started to clear up after a few days. The extreme fatigue and feeling cold gradually faded over a few weeks. At my postop visit, myy doctor said that this is fairly common for older people (I am 54 and did not experiance any of this when I had an operation when I was 25). Apparently having an operation during the warm summer months is better than during the winter. Otherwise I have not been able to find any ways to hurry up the recovery process other than using heating pads and such to stay warm. Just dressing warmly does not seem to work as well since the body does not keep itself warm. Too much exercize is definately not recommended. When I did this my exhaustion level increased quite a bit.

Thank you for this information everyone! I will also share my stories here to help.
Most recent story: I'm literally sitting on my couch 5 days after an inguinal hernia surgery. I quit taking my hyrdro pills 48 hours ago but am still feeling vertigo, blurred vision, nausia, pressure behind my eyes, lethargic, cloudy thinking, and just plain "dope-head" feelings! I started researching about anesthesia today because I went through these same feelings 5 years ago when I had jaw surgery. I had these feelings for 2 months after the surgery and ended up calling doctors, my surgeon, etc. to try and find out what was wrong! I remember being told several times it was my jaw surgery that could be affecting my "balance" because it was by my ears. They also all told me that they had never heard of this before. Well, after 2 months, I felt like I was pretty much back to reality again and so I left it alone. Even though at times I'll still feel dizzy in the shower and don't feel as "quick to by witty" as I used to be. Its not resolved for sure.
So now 5 days ago, I warned my anesthesiologist what had happened before and she said she had never heard of it and said it was probably my balance again. So I decided to take the drugs instead of stay awake with a shot. Aiy! The hydros were hiding these feelings for the first 3 days, but now that I want to be back to reality again, I feel like its all coming back! I don't want to have to go through 2 months of this again and I'm hoping this doesn't last longer the second time! I'll definitely pray hard. I don't know if I'll be using anesthesia ever agian though....what other options are there? No fun. I hope I can be healed quick and that I can find out how to reverse these drugs! I read above to take calcium and excercise. Other than wanting to puke from walking around, we'll see if it works. For all of you going through this, its no fun, but at least we have hope in Christ that our bodies will be perfect one day, to those who come to Him to be washed clean. :o)
May God comfort those who are hurting. Life is fragile, but God is faithful!

Started researching and sent this email out:
The strangest thing has been happening to me these past 4 days that is causing me to read up on anesthesia. The pain from my surgery was minimal and so I decided to quit taking my hydrocodone pills early so I could begin to “get my brain back.” It has been over 72 hours now and I still feel just as dizzy, lethargic, nauseous as before. My brain is incredibly “fuzzy” and everything feels like a dream. Even last night I couldn’t sleep because it felt as if my dreams were confused. I would constantly wake up from my dreams loosing track of their purpose. I normally wouldn’t be bugged by this for another week or two, but 7 years ago I had jaw surgery and had this feeling for almost 2 months! I started researching the drugs that are used in anesthesia, possible long term affects, and similar cases and have come to the conclusion that finding out what is going on in my body could be beneficial to myself and others. I’ve begun to collect data (pre and post surgery blood test reports and my anesthesia reports from all four of my surgeries that have needed anesthesia (only the last two leaving me in a mild state of euphoria)) to be able to have some kind of starting point with this. I’ve talked to several doctors (met with one), my surgeons, my anesthesiologists, and several nurses in larger hospitals and most are saying the same thing, that they’ve never heard of this before and to “walk it off.” Though there are forums where people are experiencing what I’m experiencing, it doesn’t seem to be a problem that people are willing to address, maybe due to the small amount of people who suffer from some form of POCD. Could the drugs be affecting the chemicals in my brain? Could the surgery have caused another issue in my body to “come out of the woodwork?” Liver? Thyroid gland? There are many theories, but no one will know unless data is collected.
One nurse suggested getting exhaustive blood work done. She stated that most general tests will never find the chemicals in your blood. She also reminded me that exhaustive tests will be far more expensive and the labs are harder to find where I live. Since I do not have insurance and live in a smaller town, I am limited on what I can do.
My previous surgery had a side effect on me that lasted almost two months! This long-term “fuzziness” with my consciousness in regards to my last surgery was long enough to have a 25-year-old calling his surgeon, doctor, and looking up things on the internet.
Every doctor I’ve talked to here in Washington just shrugs it off and says they’ve never heard of it before. Obviously many people on the internet have, and there are a few studies being conducted on it. But where do we go from here? I felt compelled to write a doctor and at least let them know that there were young people going through these effects as well.

My husband has had amnesic drugs 2 times - both times for at least 4 weeks afterwards he has had sporadic, uncharacteristic memory lapses which have impacted his job and our family. I am positive it is a result of the anesthesia. As usual, the doctors will not admit that there is any problem. I also noticed that he has had some issues with mood afterwards (again, uncharacteristic for him.) After reading some of the other posts, it seems that others may experience this as a side effect of GA. Keep talking everyone! I want the medical profession to own up to the risks they impose on people - especially when it is sometimes as much for doctors convenience as it is for patients comfort.

i had surgery with GA 2 days ago and now my body aches all over and my muscles feel weak. I feel like I have he flu. Does this go away?

I had a Gastrocopy done 2 days ago and that was the 1st time I've been sedated. Ever since I've been having problems sleeping at night, I've gotten a panic attack that lasted for over 2 hours, and an array of other symptoms such as light headedness, dizziness, loss of appetite, tiredness, headache, anxiety, depression/crying spells, diarrhea, upset tummy......is this normal?

today is 2/7/12. surgery was 12/2/11. 2 weeks ago, began occasional room-swirling dizzy spells. if i bend forward to tie shoes, turn head quickly to the right, lay flat on back ...extreme light-headedness, almost to fainting. am 54.
the operation - right foot bunion removal, arthritic toes corrected - was almost 4 hrs, under spinal block anasthesia. was on hydrocodone for a few days after.
i felt ok, somewhat shakey for the first month, which i attributed to getting balance back, after not walking.
Waking up, there's a chemical taste. During the day, randomly...the waves hit...sitting, or riding in a car or at computer, feel huge dizziness, lightheadedness and drops of blood pressure. Comparing it to when i'd get my period and i'd have to lay down to calm my heart. Also like when i had a bad virus and needed to be still.
i look healthy, and feel off.
a long time ago, an RN friend of mine told me that GA takes up to a year for the body to shed.
Your comments above bear this out.
What I've read and will try is: taking vitamin b12 the methlycobalmin version of it 2 or 3 times/day. it is healing to the brain and blood pressure.
am sensing i need potassium and calcium, too. it seems to help the anxiety from the feeling of heart racing. i take walnuts, brazil nuts, almonds and a combo calc/mag/potassium supplement. oh, and chocolate. not kidding, chocolate helps.
i agree with the person who walks and exercises: the dizziness stops when i'm walking normally to briskly.
am going to ent/brain dr. friday for more info.
good luck to all, if i get more info, will post...

Unfortunately*

hi everyone! i had GA 3 weeks ago and was only a day case for a bunion op! each time i got out of bed i went hot and faint and had to stay in hospital for a night as my blood pressure dropped! i was told this can happen! i try to get up and about as i'm in a cast and on crutches! but i go off on evening's especially if i've been out in the car even on short journey's, i get bad headaches and get very tired, after 3 weeks why?

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I had surgery a month ago, and have not felt quite right since the general anesthesia. I've felt minor panic attacks, a slight pain in my neck and can still somewhat taste the the GA at times. There also seems to be an overall lethargic feeling that I can't shake. I've tried to explain it to my wife, but she doesn't think the GA would still be in my system. After reading some of your stories here, I know this is not just "in my head".

Yeah, talk to your doc, but it's probably normal. I had similar symptoms after surgery, plus my fingers swelled up for some weird reason. ???????

Im 45 and over the last 2 years ive had surgery 9 times.Im definitly having vision issuses that I never had before.Ive also complained about being disoriented.My cordination feels like it went from a 10 to a 2!Ive lost alot of confidence in my abilities.Its been a real bummer!

My husband 54 years old had total hip replacement surgery 2/02/2010 and has not been the same since. Totally wierd eye sight distortion, like the world is moving too fast hard to focus on one item in the store, dazed and confused at times. Has trouble following TV programs. Has had MRI and EEG of brain, all normal. Has been off all meds for over a month. Was totally normal before surgery, all doctors are puzzled. But all of you confirmed that it was all connected to the GA.

Hi again - I just posted above and went on to read a bit more elsewhere and there they talk about headaches, body aches, etc after GA. I had the minor surgery last Thursday and Monday night I tossed and turned and could barely sleep due to horrible body aches. Every part of me ached. Even my eyes when I moved them! I thought I was getting a fever or the flu or something. I guess that too was from the anesthesia....four days later.

I had foot surgery 6 days ago im still not feeling ok im getting the sweats dizzyness
and i also get these tired spells it comes and goes allday im wondering if may be an allergy to GA and how come nobody tells you this could possibly happen after surgery?

My dad was had surgery 2 months ago and he wasn't able to drive home from the hospital so my mom left work for the day and drove for him. That's some side effects: poor judgement, lack of coordiantion, slurred speech...

I am set to have endo tomorrow, where they will make an incision on the inside of each leg at the groin area and shove tubes up inside the aorta in order to repair a 5.8cm aneurysm.

I've had problems with general anesthesia before where I had massive and very painful stomach cramps for days afterwards, they were all but crippling.

I tried to explain this to the anesthesiologist at my post surgical interview and he claims he has never heard of such a thing. The surgery that caused that one was a complete bladder scrape to remove a cancerous tumor prior to chemo-radiation which had to be delayed until this stomach pain went away. It lasted about 10 days. A cough or a sneeze was a whole new experience in pain!

I tried to find out what was used on me for anesthesia but the hospital records department is unable to locate those pages of my files that would have explained the drugs that were used.

Anyone else?

I had bone spur surgery on my shoulder on August 19th they also took off part of my collar bone It was about a 3 hour surgery. 10 days later I started having trouble being able to fall asleep and getting solid sound sleep where I wake up refreshed . Now 2 months later I'm still having the same problems. I tried Ambien for 3 weeks it didn't help. Has anyone else had the same thing happen to them?

I had knee arthroscopy about 10 days ago. Everything seemed to be fine until I started having what appear to be panic attacks the following evening - they can't find anything wrong - I even had a nuclear stress test. I've never experienced anything like this before. I am not feeling anxiety when these attacks just suddenly occur. I have light headedness, blurred vision, heart pounding, etc. I was beginning to think it was all in my head until I read these postings! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Because general anesthetics affect the central nervous system, patients may feel drowsy, weak, or tired for as long as a few days after having general anesthesia. Fuzzy thinking, blurred vision, and coordination problems are also possible. For these reasons, anyone who has had general anesthesia should not drive, operate machinery, or perform other activities that could endanger themselves or others for at least 24 hours, or longer if necessary.

Most side effects usually disappear as the anesthetic wears off. A nurse or doctor should be notified if these or other side effects persist or cause problems, such as: Headache,muscle pain etc.
http://www.thebrainhealth.com/mini-stroke-symptoms.html

2 days max. side effect was dizzenes, anconcious,tasteless, weak, by the time your awake you cant recognize people beside you. since then my vission is blurry base on my own experience.

ok i had a dislocated shoulder... they used morphine and some other shit
this is now going on day 7... i feel so messed up in the head
my gf left me for another guy and now i just wanna scream
can someone give a answer how long it usely lasts ?
or maybe its nerve damage..
i dont know i just want it to be over
the dr said it will take a few weeks so he gave me some prochlorazine
it helps but i feel my anxiety levels messed up ...
i wanna cry its like on 1 side of the head only...
my dr said lots of water helps flush it out ...
>.> i told them I WANTED NITROUS OXIDE

I'd a lumpectomy & lymph nodes surgery 20th of May 2011 and was under GA for nearly 2 hours. First 5 days after surgery I was in good form, suddenly everything went all wrong ever since. In the beginning I suffered depression, tearful, dizziness, coldness for at least 3 weeks. After that I've developed chronic backache where the pain constantly shifted from one place to another and sometimes I could hardly move. At the same time I got this awful bruising surface pain in the area back of my right head behind the ear area which extended to half of my face, inner ear and jaw. It's so excruciating if accidentally touch, like all the nerves are on the surface.

Today is the 12th of July 2011, the pain on back & behind ear/head is still there. Because
I'm highly sensitive to any forms of drugs, I did some research and found this forum & host of information about side effects of GA which help me to alleviate my worries. It doesn't help to relief my pain.

I've tried everything to alleviate the pain, but it only lasted temporarily. I try not to rely too much on pain killers unless I'm in agony, otherwise adding more chemicals toxins
in the body. I just hope and pray to God that
the pain stops soon. Moving to another counry
in 6 weeks time and have the hole house to pack up but can't do anything with this pain.

As a practicing anesthesiologist, I can say that these are not normal side effects of anesthesia. I am sorry you have had a difficult experience. The members of anesthesia myths.com may want to hear more about your experience as well.

http://www.anesthesiamyths.com

You should talk to your doctor. Your symptoms might be a side effect from any meds they gave you.

Did you get Versed because it can do that. Try to figure out what drugs you were given and next time, talk to your surgeon and anesthesiologist and say you REFUSE to get them again.

I am sorry to hear what happened to you. I just am glad to hear that I am not crazy. When I tell doctors about my reactions to general anesthetic, they act like I am making it up. I recently will be having surgery again soon and I am scared to death of general anesthetic. If I can't do an epidural, then I will not do the surgery. I would rather die.The first experience I had with general, I woke up shaking. I started to get hallucinations after a few hours and could not sleep for a couple of months. I was shaking, had severe anxiety, had terrible thoughts, became severely depressed. I was remembering dreams that I had from years ago. VERY WEIRD and scary. I had another surgery a few years later and my reactions were worse and lasted longer. I would rather be dead then go through this experience EVER again. This may be rare, but IT DOES happen to people. So, why don't anesthesiologists believe me when I tell them this? Is it that uncommon? It has nothing to do with being nervous after surgery for crying out loud. I have had a tummy tuck totally with novacane and I was fine. IT IS THE general anesthetic that somehow effects the neurotransmitters in our brain. Somehow our brain does not recover properly, like most people. I believe this should be further researched. I do have to add that I ended up having to go to a mental hospital where I had to take drugs to help me sleep. I am no longer on these. This was 10 years ago, but I have never been the same since. I still struggle with depression. Somehow it brought it on and I was fine before. I am functioning without drugs now, but it has not been an easy road and NEVER want to experience this again.

Has anyone had a change in their taste? I have lost all taste for some things that I loved prior to surgery...such as coffee.

I was put under a GA 9 months ago, after complications following a bad birth.
Since then I have had visual disturbances including double vision, FLOATERS, and dizziness. I have also suffered major anxiety and depression from it.
Not a nice feeling at all................

Heres my story. I know it was the Anesthetic.
I had sinus surgery in May 2010. Everything went fine. Id had a few surgeries in my life so wasnt anxious about being put under.
10 days after surgery i litrally could not get out of bed. My head felt like it was drunk x 100. Weirdest feeling ever. I kept telling my husband "i can feel my brain and it hurts" I became anxious..that fight or flight feeling.. all the time. Couldnt eat. I lost over 30 pounds. I didnt leave my bed for 2 months..i couldnt..i wobbled... whoozy. I felt contantly nausea's. Then the worst things started to happen. I had this feeling of electric shocks. Like id put my finger in a socket...that was absolutely aweful and also made me feel really sick and i would wretch! Then my skin became sore... anything touching it would hurt. Even opening the freezer door.. the cold would hurt..the shower would hurt and make me sting for hours. My hubby would come home from work and take me to Doctors appointments because no way could i drive...my eyes wouldnt work properly.. blurry or i could see really vividly..to brightly. I had tinntinus in my ears..My heart would pound and sometimes i would feel numbness in my limbs.My mouth would be dry all the time...i would have the most vivid dreams and wake up startled. Noises would become overly loud. My doorbell ringing sounded like big ben and i would jump.My dogs tags jingling sounded like somebody had turned up the volume on a stereo so loud it would hurt my ears. I had difficulty breathing sometimes. The list goes on..just cant remember it all. I honestly thought "i,m gonna die" and i actually sometimes prayed for it because i felt so bad.. I had i dont even know how many tests and saw many specialists.. Neuros' Ent's, Cardiologist etc etc. Everything negative.
Then they started to say i needed Anti depressants... that i was depressed. No.. i was sick and they didnt beleive me. But had they looked at my barely 1/4" thick medical file over the past 20 something years they would have seen that i wasnt one for going to the Docs. But they wont admit its Anesthetic and even if they did..what are they to do.?? It took me over a year.. litrally dragging myself to do things..making myself get up and moving.. making myself go back to work even though i felt like falling down. I had to take charge and keep moving.
How do i know it was Anesthetic. Well... forward to right now. June-July 2012. I,m having a large bridge made at the dentists and also had a molar extracted.and ive been in many times over the past few weeks and had quite alot of Anesthetic. Some of those symptoms started creeping back. OMG!! Really!! So over the years ive become pretty intolerant to most Antibiotics,medications ect..like my body is turning on me... Now Anesthetic??? good lord. But i know its that..i just know..I dont care what the Docs say.
This time i,m not going down. I joined a gym..i,m drinking lots and lots of water to try and flush whatever this is out of me. I,m eating healthy and most of all i,m keeping mobile.... just keep moving. I refuse to have another year or more like last time.
So anybody else going through this.. thats all i can tell you. I can tell you it gets better.. it does.. It just takes a long time for some of us. But slowly you start to feel better. I can say i never felt fully 100% but i felt pretty ok to where i could lead a normal life and mostly forget about some of the stuff going on in the background of my body..the odd tinglings, ect.
Keep the faith. It does get better.
I just wish that Doctors would admit that "yes" it can be the Anesthetic. they dont knwo everything and never will. The body is a mystery and when tehy say "oh you just cant be allergic to this and that" its nonsense. YES WE CAN!!

My husband had TURP and Hydrocelectomy a month ago and had GA and Regional in two days interval. At his age of 84, he had recovered amazingly after spending 15 days in the hospital. However, since he came home instead of recuperating and gaining strength, he has no energy to get up on his own, feeling lightheaded and complains of pain in his legs, back, neck etc. His whole body itches and he scratches all the time. He does not get enough sleep and constantly depressed with his inability to move alone and feeling useless. Before the surgery he was of course active and the only discomfort he had were those related to hydroceal discomfort and BPH symptoms. Doctor advise of course is that both had to be addressed immediately. Believing he will be alright in the hands of an expert I have never thought of GA's effect at his age since it is not the first in the last 18 years we have been married that he had undergone GA. In fact he went through it 5 times. It is only on this surgery that he feels all that has been described here and knowing that it has affected a number of people is an important information that hopefully comforts him and will encourage him to take strength to go out and do some slow walking exercise to start his long activity of recovery program. Thanks for sharing.

Very normal indeed. My surgeon gave me anti-vomiting meds. But I didn't need them. I had surgery Oct 18th to remove my cyst and right ovary. It was laprascopic. 2.5 hour surgery. I had felt like I was waking up very slowly for about 2 hours, but after that I was fine. I also had a very itch face. But dizzy spells is normal. Feeling like you are going to vomit is normal or comment as well. There is a website called Anesthesia side effects you can look it up. there are some very long term side effect like memory loss and not feeling like yourself after 6 months after the surgery. I checked the website out before and after my surgery. I felt very full 4 weeks after surgery. Probably due to the gas in my belly due to the surgery. If you have surgery again, you can ask your surgeon to give you meds for the dizziness and for the vomiting feeling. And ask how long they should last for your type of surgery. tell will let you know.

How many people reporting these symptoms are experiencing them under the influence of pain medication?

The symptoms most people are describing sound more like the side-effects of pain medication than anything. Other medications? A blend of medications?

I realize that can't be the answer for everyone...but I wager it is for more than a few.

My mother aged 74 had a surgery about six months back to remove Uterus. Since the surgery she is not active as before. She feel that his head is hallow. She says she does not have brain and her head is empty. She is not having propoer sleep for the last six months. Can any one help for her recovery.

Ehhh...I don't think it's normal. What was the length of duration from surgery? It might be your blood pressure. You should have a follow up appt (soon) and need to address this to your doctor.
Surgery will make you weak.

i had cancer surgery 7 yrs ago 8 hr procedure and i cant remember things like i used to and iam very emotional now never was b4

Three words: See a Doctor!

It is normal, some people have been known for it to take a week or more to get the anesthetic out of their body, i had an operation on friday and am suffering from the dizzy waves and sickness. Dont worry, it should pass very soon, speak to your doctor for extra reasurance or if any other alarming symptoms develop then be sure to seek medical attention. :) Take care ! x

Do you tke medication? or had brain surgery?

I just had my wisdom teeth out over a week ago and have suffered with the worst nausea and pressure in my head. Its the first time I have been under anesthetic and I didnt expect any of it. Only recently have I started to feel normal again. My boss at owrk thought i was making this all up in my head! maybe i should let hime read this forum!

I also say thank you for sharing. I've had GA several times before and didn't have any of the problems that you all have talked about.

I had a hernia repair done 6 days ago and it has been a horrible experience this time. I've had the dizzy, lightheadedness. The vision changes I am experiencing is sooo bad that of my three pair of glasses, NONE clear anything up well enough to see clearly. One pair is for normal vision, (driving etc) One pair is for reading (books, magazines) and another for working on my computer. My depression comes and goes, it isn't so bad since I got home yesterday. Someone mentioned seeing things at a fast forward speed. I found for the first two days after GA I was hallucinating big time. Than goodness that has stopped BUT will it stay away?

When my stress levels were high, it was hard to control my shaking. I have never experienced trembling so bad before. For four days I was so completely "not" myself. I could go from hot to freezing in minutes.
What I would like to know is how long can I expect to go back and forth from one sympton to the next.

I had surgery 9 months ago, and again 2 days ago. It was the same surgery on both shoulders (lucky me). The first time I had double vision issues for 2 months after surgery. I also had chills and rapid weight loss. I had difficulty thinking for a very long time. So far after this surgery it is very different. No side effects other than insomnia, which did NOT happen last time.

Hello All, I recently had surgery on November 24, 2010 on my right leg to close my damaged saphenous vein. I have been experiencing the majority of side effects from the time I woke up in the recovery room and still feeling them today, December 3, 2010.

I woke in the recovery room, my upper lip was swollen and felt like someone had punched me in the mouth. Both of my legs were wrapped with thick gauze and ace bandages from my ankles to my knees. I started having difficulty breathing and my blood pressure was going up. The nurse came over to me, looked at my blood pressure reading and frowned her face. I looked back at the monitor and it read 165/115. I told the nurse that I was having trouble breathing. The nurse checked the monitor and said that my vitals and oxygen levels were good. I don’t recall having any devices hooked up to me that could read my oxygen levels. I told the nurse that an asthma inhaler worked before. She went over to the nurse station, picked up the phone, looked at the clock, and hung up the phone. I had left my inhaler at home. I had to put my mind in survival mode. Breathe in, breathe out, pat my chest, cough, breate in, breathe out, move my head from side to side. It worked!!! I left the hospital and I finally got home that evening. The next day, I felt like I had the flu. My throat was swollen, my lip was still swollen, my lungs felt like they didn’t have enough oxygen, and my body was hurting below my rib cage. I returned back to work on December 1, 2010, I have loss my appetite. The sight of food makes me nauseous. I have been having blurred vision and very dry eyes. On December 2, 2010, while I was at work, for no apparent reason, I felt severely depressed, then tears started rolling down my face and would not stop until I drove home. Today, December 3, 2010, I am at work, my eyes are extremely dry, I have been feeling very nauseated, but not depressed today. The evening may bring on another issue.

I had surgery a week ago using GA and have noticed since then that my vision has been blurry and at times, I'll have double vision, especially when trying to read words. I have also been getting waves of dizziness verging on vertigo. I'll even get a bit nauseous from the dizziness. It has gone on for a week now.
Can anyone please tell me how much time it will take to completely go away this feeling?