Anaesthesia - Strong Adverse Reaction

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hip replacement Mid August with spinal block.  Metod used was quite brutal and painful in contrast to my first hip replacement.  Two injections and pain.  I had to wait, still conscious, whilst the anaesthesia worked, and was catherterised whilst still conscious.  This again, was in complete contrast to op one, where the needle went in and I was out cold.  Anaesthetist, was very unpleasant and when I remarked on the different procedures, he asked if I wanted to feel the knife go in!

I aspirated during surgery, and the anaesthetist advised that he was able to "save" me.  Was unclear on the methods used, but I was on oxygen for three days and exrayed. He visited the following day, and advised that if I removed the oxygen from my nasal passages,it would be fatal.  This scared the life out of me, as I could have knocked the tubes going into my nose, whilst asleep.   Evening following surgery, I was violently sick four or five times, and I believe that I collapsed.  My stomach was distended, seen by a doctor, who prodded my stomach in three different locations, and then disappeared.

Discharged the morning of the fourth day, and very rapidly realised that I had a bad stomach.  Quite a lot of diarrhea mid week following discharge, and another bout last night.  I have put myself on a course of probiotics, but it is still early days - day three, today. 

I am feeling marginally better this morning, but still cowering in bed, although I do get up some days and take care of household chores.  My GP is not interested, and has referred me back to the surgeon, in another month or so!  

It is not impossible that I may have been starting a tummy bug upon admission, but I am not sure of this.  It feels more like an infection, and I have little or no appetite, and when I do eat, it is very light.  Energy levels are low, morale is low, and I am wondering if I will ever recover.  I look like hell.  Washed my hair over the kitchen sink a week ago, as I have been instructed not to shower for two weeks post op.  Opened the door to the en suite shower at the beginning of this week, and the tower that I use for shampoos, loofahs, etc., decided to pick that moment to collapse on top of me.  It had remained in situ for well over a year.

Am I having a rough time, or what....!  

Would very much appreciate some feedback on the anaesthesia used.  The hospital has it that it would have left my body within a matter of a couple days, I am not convinced, as I am still suffering from lower abdominal discomfort and a certain amount of bloating.  I am hooping that the introduction of the probiotics will counteract any bad bacteria that y be lurking around and making me feel unwell.

YELP!

2

i have not done the surgery... yet... but wow... hope you get better... all of that is why i hesitate having the surgery in the first place and concentrate on managing the pain to low levels.   

3

Firstly I think you need to consider putting forward a formal complaint about your surgery. You should not have suffered like this, and it was all very avoidable. I am shocked that they were drawing on you and asking whether you would like to feel the knife going in...this is misconduct. Your care should have been much better than it was.

I had a similar reaction, but mine I believe was due to the opoids (too many given) and my stomach bloated until I looked nine months pregnant. I was seriously ill. I think you need to find out what happened and why you had the reaction, as it will be important for any future surgeries you may have. I drank Diorlyte and felt immediately better. Eat gentle food only, melon, soups and avoid putting your tummy under any more strain. 

I am so sorry you have suffered like this, it is horrendous when it happens. You will definitely feel much better and stronger in the coming days. Take care and look after yourself.

4

Sounds like the hospital from hell to me - the attitude of your surgeon sucks.

Spinal block was a very easy procedure for me, I had it for my THR and my first revision. I wasn't able to have it for my most recent revision as my blood wasn't clotting well, and they didn't want a bleed in the spinal cavity which could have left me paralysed.

Spinal should be just one injection, and then totally pain free from there in.  When I had mine, I had no sedation with it, so was awake for the operations, but it is more usual to have sedation administered through the cannula in the back of the hand, and that knocks you out so you don't know what's happening.

When you are unconscious, they have to aspirate you and keep a very careful eye on your breathing, that is totally normal, and bringing you around from the anaesthetic is certainly not "saving you", it's just part of the procedure that has to be gone through to regain consciousness again.

I was told that the oxygen administered after the operation is due to having morphine to kill the pain.  I believe that the morphine makes your breathing a bit shallow, and so slightly starves you of oxygen. Having oxygen supplied to the nose counteracts this.  I certainly wasn't told any scare stories like "it'll kill you if you knock it out"

With low morale, a possible stomach bug, the trauma of an operation, and terrible manners from an anaethetist, I am not surprised that you are feeling low.  Energy levels are usually low after an operation like this, your body is using all your reserves to mend itself from what the surgeon has done to you. Your body just doesn't realise that he has done all this in order to help you.

I think you are right in having probiotics, sounds very sensible to me.

Best wishes

Graham

5

I had spinal block and had no problems except the assistant anaesthetist said I was not allowed to see my cut off hip after the surgery. I also had a catheter and was not even aware of it. I did not have sedation so was awake for the surgery as I wanted to know what was going on. The surgeon then showed my my hip lying in petri dish so ya boo to the anaesthetist assistant. 

I was violently Dick immediately after the op and for a few days after, I think it was from the opioids. 

6

Oh tallulah you are really going through it. Operations always carry a risk and anesthetic can cause problems sadly, you seem to have the short straw this time. I thought I was unlucky with getting the blood clot at 7/8 weeks. I really hope you pick up soon.

7

It is supposed to be one of the most successful surgeries in the world!

8

Hi Tallulah what hospital did you go too so we can be prepared for nasty/bad anaesthetist, I would sue his bottom off

Time now for resting and getting your energy levels back up.

9

Hi:  Can't name names as that could lead into legal issues.  That's the last thing I need, right now.  However,, I would suggest that anyone contemplating major surgery do a thorough search of not only the hospital, but the surgeon and the anaesthetist  I have since, tried to research him, and he is nowhere to be found, thus far.  I was informed that several other patients on the ward had adverse reactions to the anaesthesia, but this is not at all unusual.  It was his conduct that is in question, and there are questions about his methods.  Interestingly, my surgery have referred me back to the surgeon in this regard.  Closing ranks!

10

I think you are wrong saying that it's usual for their to be problems with anaesthesia, it most definitely shouldn't be the norm at all

As for not being able to find the surgeon/anaetheatist online then for me that would ring major alarm bells.

You can name the hospital you went to as that's not naming names and forwarns others in the same area

11

I read somewhere that the anaesthetist is the most important person in the operating theatre. I think I now see why.

12

That's absolutely correct, the surgeon is just the one that cuts etc, the aenethatist keeps you alive and they train longer than an ordinary doctor,

13

Wish we could edit LOL I pressed send grrr 12 years

14

Hi Rocketman:

In my own case, the aspiration referred to stomach contents coming up into the esophagus and into my lungs. This caused a need for immediate remedial action to remove fluid from my lungs, and then a quick dash to exray the lungs to see if they were clear.  The anaesthetist checked on me several times, the following and and the day after, and that was the end of it.  He stated that he had "saved" me, and that if I removed the oxygen that was implanted into my nose, it would be a fatality.  During the day, of course, I was able to control my movements, however, at night and asleep, I had no control over what my hands and arms were doing.  The nursing staff were checking on my vital signs pretty much every hour.

15

Was your stomach contents coming up in the operation? surely you should have been "Nil By Mouth" for several hours before?

16

I fasted exactly as directed.  I would not be foolish enough to eat a meal or drink fluids, other than what was given to me just prior to surgery,  Very little water and several pills.  In my case no solids after 2:30 a.m., and no fluids, other than water after 6 a..m  

I have undergone major surgery before, both in the UK and San Francisco, where I have spent most of my professional career.  My former partner was an orthopaedic surgeon - hands.  

What  I was advised had occurred, and what actually occurred, may be inaccurate.  I cannot obtain any further information from anyone as to what exactly occurred, and my medical practice are distancing themselves.  Interesting.

In addition, was the strong reaction to the anaesthesia which made me so ill, that I collapsed, and I am informed that several other patients on the same ward had similar reactions.

I am far from naiive, and my own intelligence and common sense alone, tell me that there was a major problem, and it was not just confined to myself.  

I suffer from GERDs, the Clinic was well aware of this.  So, no excuse.

Hope this settles any doubts you appear to have regarding my iQ - 153!

 

17

No offence meant .... it just sounds very odd, and the fact that your medical practice are distancing themselves, and that you're not the only one suffering all makes me suspicious that someone knows more than they are letting on to you.

Hope it all gets sorted for you as soon as possible.

Best wishes

18

Yes.  As I have said what they have told me, and what actually occurred, may differ.  All I know is that I have been very ill since release.  Obviously, they dose you up with "happy juice" and God know what else, but within a few days, you crash, and reality sets in,  Last thing they want is a ward full of miserable, sick looking patients - bad advertising!

The surgeon wrote to the referring GP the same day as the op, simply stating that I had aspirated.  I asked her to speak with him, and get more information,  She clammed up and referred me to the surgeon in about a month's time!  My guess is that it was down to the anaesthetist, a mistake, a possible cover up, panic stations, and an attempt to manipulate the patient into believing that they had not followed directions, and that it was their own fault.  That, plus the usual closing of ranks and evasive action.

With no co-operation from the surgery, I have had to embark on my own recovery program of using probiotics for the stomach, which appear to be doing their job, lermon juice and honey with plenty f warm water, and a ot of rest.  At least, I am up and about for short periods, but the fatigue the white face, and sunken eyes, tell their own story.. Eating now, but very lightly, and about half of what is on the plate.  Today, toasted seeded bread and marmalade, lunch a bag of spinach with a couple of  poached eggs.  and only half of that.  Evening meal, a light fruit salad.  More than I have been eating for the past three + weeks!

19

I had something similar after my hysterectomy & I was allergic to Demerol & it was absolutely horrible-I was throwing up, bloated for 12 days after surgery-8 of them at home! My THR anesthesiologist was horrible also, due to my past 2 back surgeries he couldn’t get the needle in for the spinal & I ended up having to hug a pillow & a male nurse while sitting on the gurney, while the anesthesiologist tried numerous times to get the needle in around the scar tissue, of course this delayed the surgery since it took an hour to get it done & I had a full blow panic attack during this. I remember being put under & the meds made me feel like I was suffocating, I complained to the recovery nurse, my surgeon & the hospital & no one gave a crap! I hope you feel better soon & I feel for you how they you at that hospital. 

20

Hi Tammy:

I sympathise!  Very similar to my own experience, an arrogant, anaesthetist who appears to view those in his care with contempt!

I am not sure which part of the word you live, but  have been trying to find a means of vetting these people before they even so much as touch me.  They close ranks, of course, which is why you cab;t touch them.  Contacting your own doctor;s surgery you are likely to be met with hostility, stone walling and no co-operation at any level.

All the best to you,

They wiil close ranks