Re: Questions about anesthesia and depression...

[Guest guest]

Kim,

It's vital that you inform both the surgeon and anestheaseologist of

the current narcotics that you're been taking on a daily basis, as

well tell them about your past experiences where you woke up during

sedation.

Because of your tolerance to these medications, the anesthesiologist

will need to use appropriate sedation for you, and will have to

monitor you during the entire procedure.

When I had my teeth extractions under sedation at the hospital in

January, both the surgeon and anesthesiologist came in and spoke with

me about what I was on, (duragesic patch - 75mgs.). I was given a

sedative by mouth prior to going into the operating room, and then

something else by IV once the procedure started. Whatever they used,

it was enough to completely knock me out for the 2 1/2 hour procedure.

My only problems developed post-op, I woke up as planned, but had a

very weird and unexpected reaction, where my left arm and leg kept

jolting and flaying. I couldn't control the jolting and flaying

movements, and they put Benadryl into the IV, hoping that would

control it, but it didn't! They finally had to give me a tiny bit

more of the sedative, I believe, and the crazy reaction stopped. It

was really strange, since I've been under aneasthesia over a dozen

times and NEVER had that type of reaction before.

It's these type of things that the doctors need to be made aware of.

I'm sure your doctor will discuss this with you prior to your

procedure, but if he doesn't, you need to insist upon talking to the

surgeon beforehand.

In regard to your concerns about depression and antidepressants, due

to your present chronic illness and past use of an antidepressant, you

should discuss with your doctor whether it would benefit you to go

back on antidepressant medication. Many of us find that we have to

use it, to cope with trying to deal with this disease and the problems

we face. If you feel that your having problems coping, talk to you

doctor and seek some professional help.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

Bluffton, SC

South Carolina State Rep.

South Eastern Regional Rep., PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

Note: All comments or advice are from personal experiences or opinion

only, and should not be a substitute for consultation with a medical

professional.

[Guest guest]

Kim,

yes, I have come to during an ERCP. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell them

I was awake because I couldn't move. Eventually they dosed me some more

and I went back under but afterwards I went into shock (body temp

dropped drastically) and they ended up keeping me an additional 4 days.

I also have been scared to death about ERCP's since then. What I did was

talk with the anesthesiologist before hand and made sure they'd dose me

a little more than usual so that I wouldn't wake up and they also had to

knock me out before they could even bring out the endoscopic tube

because if I saw it before hand, I'd go into hysterics. So yes, you

should definitely tell both the doctor AND the anesthesiologist about

your past experience of waking up and how terrified you are of doing it

again and also that you take pain meds on a regular basis for the

pancreas pain.

As for the depression, yes, many chronically ill people do have problems

with depression. I am on an antidepressant, though on a very low dosage

and I don't know what I would be like without it. It doesn't stop the

low feelings, just makes sure that you don't STAY there for any

prolonged period so it doesn't have a chance to get bad. However, going

back on anti-depressants is something only you can do. I would suggest

you talk to your doctor or a psychologist if you don't already have one.

They should be able to help you decide on whether you should go back on

anti-depressants.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.