Posts by urbanscout50

Brenda Peterson29 said:Is it okay to have a drink before getting local anesthesia?

Sure thing! Just remember, the more you drink, the less local anesthetic you'll actually need. In fact, if you drink enough, you’re basically drifting toward general anesthesia anyway. I’ve seen plenty of folks roll into ERs after a long night out, needing stitches for all sorts of scrapes and cuts, and they didn't even need numbing agents—they were already plenty "anesthetized" from the booze.

Look, I know this sounds like a joke, but I'm being dead serious when I give you the real answer.
NEVER—and I mean absolutely never—should you be drinking alcohol before any kind of medical procedure. You never know when a minor little tweak might turn into something much bigger, or when the doctor might decide they need to switch from local to general anesthesia.
If you're feeling anxious about it, just be honest with your doctor and ask them to prescribe something to help you relax. It'll make things easier on everyone involved.

Cheers,

Brenda Foster said:When I was a little kid, I had my appendix taken out. Out of three different anesthetics used, they confirmed I had allergic reactions to two of them (fentanyl and nesdonal). All those side effects ended up causing extrasystoles, which I had to deal with for six years.
The real headache I face now is that as soon as I mention being allergic to those two drugs, people just panic. It means I can't get any numbing injections at the dentist, so I’ve actually had to endure root canals while feeling everything "live." Even an eye surgery went through using just adrenaline... I don't even want to talk about how much that hurt.
I always carry around a signed medical certificate stating my allergies to these anesthetics just in case some crazy situation pops up.
Is there any kind of test out there that could pinpoint exactly what I'm allergic to? I really want to avoid repeating these nightmares and hopefully make everyday medical stuff a lot easier to handle.
Thanks.

Best,
Regardless of how your allergy to those anesthetics was originally "proven," I really think you should sit down with your doctor and lay it all out. Ask them to refer you for specialized allergy testing that can specifically confirm or rule out reactions to particular drugs or anesthetics. If needed, you might want to re-test for thiopental (though an allergy there isn't the end of the world since there are plenty of alternatives) and definitely fentanyl—plus anything in that same family like sufentanil, pethidine, morphine, alfentanil, or tramadol. Those are used as opioid analgesics in almost every general anesthesia setup or for post-op pain management, so an allergy to that group can be a massive hurdle.
good luck.

lonefalcon41 said:I'm heading in for some general anesthesia soon. Just wondering, should I wear my contacts, or is it better to just leave them at home? 🤷

Definitely don't wear contacts during anesthesia!

Scott Allen10 said:If by "signing off on a procedure" you mean a tracheostomy... then yeah, go for it. A trach really needs to happen if someone’s been on mechanical ventilation for about 10 days and there’s no sign they’re weaning off anytime soon. Honestly, patients find it way easier to get weaned from a ventilator once they have a trach compared to having a tube down their throat.

You should definitely ask what the cardiac surgeon thinks about jumping into emergency surgery. There isn't really much point in trying to "stabilize" a patient if they're truly in this kind of condition. If there's a clear indication for urgent surgery, the patient is classified as critical and they head straight to the OR. Definitely try to hash this out with the surgeon. In my opinion, there's no catch-22 here. The core issue is the heart/the pump, and the lung issues are just a consequence of that weak pump.

Hey there!
Your husband is in really rough shape right now. He’s fighting for his life. The standard playbook would be to focus on hemodynamic stabilization first, getting his breathing stabilized so he can be weaned off the ventilator, moving him over to cardiology, doing a coronary angiogram and follow-up ultrasounds, and then having a cardiology/cardiac surgery consult to make a final call on whether surgery is the move.
Given how things look with him, the anesthesiologist and cardiologist need to assess whether he can even handle a coronary angiogram right now—which, let's be real, is a risky procedure with its own set of complications—and potentially stenting, or deciding if surgery is necessary. Usually, cardiac surgeons won't touch a case without an angiogram to see exactly what's going on with the vessels, and they tend to be pretty cautious about operating on patients this critically ill because the mortality risk is incredibly high.
Because of all that, I'd suggest talking to the anesthesiologists on duty in the ICU and making sure you insist on speaking with the cardiologist examining him. You need them to be crystal clear and give you a decisive plan regarding his next steps. The anesthesiologists will do everything in their power to help him given how critical he is, but at the end of the day, cardiologists are the ones who treat the heart.
Good luck!
Anyway,

jadelynx16 said:Alright... since it feels like everyone’s stopped listening to me anyway, let me throw one more question out there...

Is an anesthesiologist actually required to document any complications that pop up during anesthesia?

I guess there aren't any anesthesiologists hanging around here from the Rib area, huh?!

During anesthesia, they keep an anesthesia record where they jot down absolutely everything—what’s happening, what meds are being pumped in, vitals, any side effects, or weird incidents. Once you're fully awake—usually the next day once the drugs have worn off enough so you can actually think straight and remember things—the anesthesiologist who handled you (or sometimes the surgeon, though the anesthesiologist is the better bet) will talk to you about any hiccups or unexpected stuff that happened. This way, you know what to look out for and can tell your next anesthesiologist if anything comes up again. It helps both you and the doctor prepare for potential issues and ensures they can react fast if something does happen.
As for those arrhythmias? They happen pretty often! If they didn't give you a specific heads-up about them, they probably don't see them as a major red flag. Honestly, they can often just be a hemodynamic response to a certain anesthetic.
Since you're heading in for thyroid surgery, issues like that could also just be a result of the condition itself or how your thyroid reacts to the stress of surgery.
So, my best advice is to just lay all your fears out there for the anesthesiologists at the hospital. They’ll give you a full rundown, explain things clearly, and hopefully put your mind at ease. I really think you'll be in good hands, so try not to worry too much—don't go manifesting bad luck on yourself by stressing out!
Good luck.

Jessica Phillips58 said:About a month ago, they called off my surgery because my heart rate was way too slow. Since then, I’ve gone through all the cardiac testing and started on some medication.
Now I'm getting ready for the surgery again, and I can't help but wonder why it would be any different this time. It's still the same me—just taking meds now—and we already know my heart isn't exactly pumping at full throttle.
Will they be able to wake me up if something goes sideways? And is there any chance they'll skip general anesthesia? My cardiologist basically told me I have the same risks as anyone else.

The idea is that after a month of adjusting your cardiac meds—or cutting out the specific ones causing that bradycardia—your heart (which you mentioned is already a bit weak) should be in the best possible shape to handle the stress of surgery.
Basically, if someone is on meds that keep their heart rate low, they won't be able to naturally ramp up their pulse when the body needs it most to maintain blood flow. That lack of compensation leads to hemodynamic instability, which is where things can get really messy.
As for the anesthesiologist, they’re going to do everything in their power to make sure things go smoothly. Regarding the whole "waking up" thing, that actually depends on you—it's your body responding, not something the anesthesiologist controls.
The type of anesthesia used really comes down to the specific surgery, the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist's call. We've touched on that topic here on the forum before.
And regarding what the cardiologist said, 🙂?
Even Michael Jackson had cardiologists administering anesthesia, and well... we all know how that turned out. 🙂
Good luck.

Brenda Clark10 said:Hey there, I’ve got a question for any anesthesiologists hanging out here. I’m wondering if there can be lasting side effects after major anesthesia? Every once in a while, I get hit with this intense dizziness. It feels like my sense of balance is totally off—sometimes I end up stumbling around like I’ve had way too many cocktails. 😁

First off, you really need to rule out other potential causes for that feeling before you go blaming everything on the anesthesia.

Casey Rogers47 said:I'm looking into getting hemorrhoid surgery via the HAL-RAR method.
The anesthesiologist mentioned they'd likely use spinal anesthesia.
Because of some lingering back pain I've been dealing with, I went in for a CT scan of my lumbar spine, and it turns out I have disc protrusions at L4-L5 and L5-S1.
My Neurologist told me straight up that nobody is going to perform surgery on me using that kind of anesthesia given my condition. She said addressing the disc protrusion is actually the much more urgent priority, so she referred me to a neurosurgeon.
To all the anesthesiologists out there: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Thanks in advance.

Honestly, I think the Neurologist is spot on here. You really need to see the neurosurgeon first to deal with those disc protrusions—whether that’s through conservative management or surgery—before even worrying about the hemorrhoids.
As for the spinal anesthesia? It really depends on the direction and size of that protrusion, so it *might* be possible, but let's be real: most doctors aren't going to take that risk. They don't want to be the ones blamed if your back issues get worse afterward, even if there's absolutely no medical link between the two.
That's why they usually just go with general anesthesia. It keeps things simple so the physical therapists or neurosurgeons can't use any excuses if the treatment doesn't go perfectly. You know, avoiding that whole "Oh, we would have fixed your back if we hadn't used spinal anesthesia, but since we did, you can just blame the anesthesiologist for your ongoing pain" situation.
Good luck.

Raymond Mitchell2 said:Hey, The Crew! I'm honestly feeling pretty desperate here and really need some advice or insight from you guys. It’s about getting a wisdom tooth pulled under local anesthesia. The tooth is pressing against another one, so
the surgery is basically unavoidable. My biggest headache, though, is my long-term battle with vasomotor rhinitis. My left nostril is always blocked, which means both my nose and
my mouth feel super dry. Post-nasal drip is constantly draining down my throat, giving me that annoying "lump in the throat" sensation, and the muscles around my nose and eyes feel all tight. Since my nose is perpetually stuffed up,
breathing is a struggle too... The last time I had dental work done with local anesthesia about two years ago, I legit thought I was going to choke. I couldn't clear my throat or
spit out the mucus draining from my sinuses into my throat, plus my jaw was numb from the local, and my nose and upper face felt totally numb because of the rhinitis... Believe me, it was the absolute worst
four-hour stretch where I was stumbling around aimlessly like Balthazar—menthol up my nose, menthol candies in my mouth, just counting every single minute until the numbness finally wore off...
Now, I'm asking my dentist if they can just use a smaller dose of local anesthetic because I think I could manage for maybe an hour, but not much longer than that. But they won't budge. Living here in the US,
people can be so rigid; they don't want to deviate even a second from what's written in their manual. They stick blindly to the rulebook. So, I'm wondering, would
general anesthesia put me to sleep along with this whole drainage issue in my throat? Will I wake up with a dry throat after general anesthesia? What does it actually feel like
after being under, and how do dentists usually handle cases like mine??? I posted this on the dental thread too, but maybe it belongs here. Don't mean to nag, I'm just losing my mind over this...
Please help! Thanks.

I think in most places, dentists don't really deal with these kinds of complications in their own offices. Instead, they refer patients to a hospital for maxillofacial surgery where the procedure can be done under general anesthesia. I'm not sure what the standard practice is exactly where you live, but you really need to ask around and decide, in consultation with your dentist, what the best move is. Maybe they're hesitant to offer general anesthesia simply because there's no medical necessity, or more importantly, because it makes the whole thing way more expensive, and insurance likely won't cover it.
With general anesthesia, you could avoid most of those issues you mentioned. However, I wouldn't recommend general anesthesia—or any surgery for that matter—while you have active drainage/mucus buildup. You really need to get that sorted first. There’s a real risk of aspiration (inhaling that stuff) during general anesthesia, especially while you're being put under or right when you're waking up, before your reflexes and muscle strength have fully returned. They might try to prevent this with quick intubation and extubation, but that can lead to damage to the lining of your tongue, throat, or vocal cords, resulting in pain, burning, soreness, and that "lump in the throat" feeling that can last for days.
As for how the anesthesia might affect other organs, potential allergic reactions, or other side effects and complications during the procedure, I won't even go there. It's already a lot.
Bottom line: talk to your dentist and see what your actual options are.
Good luck.

Brenda Jones5 said:Thanks for getting back to me, and yeah, I totally agree—better to just forget about those old memories.🙂
Anyway, before this surgery, I made sure to be super clear, like, "hey, listen up," and brought my latest thyroid labs showing I’m on 125 mcg of Synthroid. My anesthesiologist pointed out how risky it is if you don't mention that medication.
My last surgery was five years ago, and then about four months later, I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
I think I was just so nervous during that last procedure that I completely blanked on mentioning it. Could someone give me the quick rundown on why Synthroid and anesthesia can be such a tricky combo?

Thanks.

It’s not even really about the pill itself, more about how your whole system handles the stress of something like surgery, and your thyroid hormone levels play a huge role in that.
If your levels are dialed in and you're properly supplemented, you should be fine. It’s mostly just important for the anesthesiologist to know so they can note your regular meds and make sure there isn't a gap in your treatment.
With hyperthyroidism—especially if it's untreated or if someone's overdoing it on hormones—you can run into some scary stuff during surgery, like crazy high blood pressure, a racing heart, or a fever. Those are all pretty serious, especially for anyone with existing heart issues. If the anesthesiologist doesn't realize thyroid hormones are part of the equation, they might waste precious time trying to figure out what's causing the "glitch" instead of treating it right away.
Hypothyroidism isn't quite as "wild" during the actual surgery and anesthesia; you might just see slightly lower blood pressure or a slower pulse. The real headache usually happens afterward when patients take longer to wake up or their overall recovery feels sluggish. That’s easily handled with a little Synthroid tablet, provided the patient actually told them they were taking it (or needed to).
Usually, doctors will just push the surgery back until your thyroid levels are stabilized, whether that means suppression or replacement.
Hope that helps clear things up!

Olivia Howard45 said:I was wondering if surgeries under general anesthesia are actually done during pregnancy? I know general anesthesia is usually a huge no-no when you're pregnant, but what happens if waiting until after the baby is born would actually be bad for the mother's health?

Look, if a surgery and anesthesia are absolutely necessary, then they just go ahead and do it. It’s not like doctors just wing it; they carefully pick specific anesthetics and techniques designed to have the smallest possible impact on the baby.
The real danger zone is during those first three months—what we call embryogenesis, when all the organs are basically being built from scratch—so doctors always try their best to push any non-emergency procedures to a later stage in the pregnancy.
If someone is in the late stages, getting close to their due date, and a surgery is decided upon, you wouldn't just have a standard surgical team in there. You'd definitely need an OB/GYN on standby with a fetal monitor to keep a super close eye on the baby, just in case they need to jump straight into an emergency C-section if things look dicey.

Emily Sanchez90 said:I haven't really followed that whole thread, but honestly, from what I've seen, the good meds usually get saved for patients who have the best connections. I'll probably have to Google those pain management services since they're news to me.

That’s just not how things work in the ICU!
Patients get whatever they need, period.
It's a different story if certain drugs aren't available because they're either used up or the hospital couldn't afford to stock them due to budget cuts. But you can count on analgesics being in every single ICU, and in plenty of supply, too!

Brenda Jones5 said:Regarding that question about when the breathing tube comes out—I’ve had two surgeries myself, and I honestly don't remember the actual extubation part. Both times, I just started hearing voices while I was being wheeled back to the recovery room.
That said, I’ve heard stories from others who actually *do* remember the tube being pulled, or even doctors calling out their names to check if they're awake.
Is that just down to the individual? Like, does consciousness return right on the operating table, or is it more like my experience where it happens a little later?🤷

It's totally individual!
It really boils down to which anesthetic is chosen, the dosage used, and just how your specific body reacts to those drugs.
If you ask me, you actually had the better deal. Waking up from anesthesia can be pretty gnarly and disorienting, so honestly, it's probably for the best that you don't remember that part.
So, don't sweat it. You're doing just fine.

Emily Sanchez90 said:Totally. From what I’ve seen working in the ICU, some of the best care is just the little things—like bathing patients while they’re lying there or applying lotion. It really goes a long way.

But those patients can't even talk, right? And they're in the ICU because they're in massive pain—so how does a doctor actually track if their pain levels are spiking and if they need more meds?

If they aren't awake, we mostly look at things like pulse, blood pressure, and their breathing depth and rate (assuming they're breathing on their own).
If they *are* awake and the staff picks up on signs that they're hurting, we just ask them. Even if they can't speak, they can nod, blink, or move their lips.
Plus, most people in the ICU are on some kind of analgesic (usually an opioid or a cocktail of them) or a sedative, so they aren't feeling nearly as much pain as you might think. And honestly, once they get moved out of the ICU—if they're lucky—most of them don't remember a single thing. Just a total blank.
In my opinion, the real issue is on the regular hospital floors. You have patients who aren't intubated, who *can* talk, and who tell you they're in pain, yet they aren't getting proper pain management. Why is that? I think we've touched on this topic here before.
That’s basically why "acute pain services" exist—to have a specialized team roaming the wards to ensure patients get one of their basic human rights: living without pain, especially when it's acute pain that we definitely have the tools to manage.

Emily Sanchez90 said:Thanks for breaking that down for me. Honestly, the discomfort isn't even the worst part—what really matters is making sure they aren't in massive pain. When people are in that state, they can't even vocalize how much they're hurting, which is pretty heavy when you think about it.

On a side note, I feel like anesthesiologists should totally start a database of all the hilarious things patients say when they’re waking up and get asked their names.🤣
A buddy of mine once blurted out "Madonna" like he was answering a question in class.😁

Usually, those kinds of patients are tucked away in the ICU, where they're looked after by highly trained, specialized teams—doctors and nurses who live and breathe monitoring vitals. They're constantly on top of everything, ready to jump into action the second something looks off.
People in the ICU are basically in the safest, most capable hands our healthcare system has to offer. The only real heartbreak is that most of them are dealing with such critical situations that even the best doctors and the smartest tech in the world can't always pull them back.

crimsongull20 said:Hey everyone 🙂

I'm wondering about the risks of local anesthesia (specifically genitofemoral and ilioinguinal nerve blocks) for a bilateral inguinal hernia repair? I'm getting ready for a procedure soon (outside of the US) where they're trying to convince me that this type of anesthesia is the lowest risk option for the patient, but I'm not totally sold that the dangers are negligible. What's the actual risk of permanent nerve damage (chronic pain) with this kind of thing, and are there any other possible complications with lasting effects?

Thanks in advance. 🙂

Look, in anesthesia, there’s no such thing as "negligible" risk! Things always seem to happen right when you least expect them.
The main risks associated with those specific blocks would be:
1) An allergic reaction to the local anesthetic (have you ever had local stuff before? If yes, no biggie—if not, you'll find out),
2) Accidentally injecting the anesthetic into a blood vessel (since they use a fair amount of it, you could have serious reactions like heart arrhythmias, loss of consciousness, dizziness, tingling in your hands, or even seizures depending on the drug used. Most of these can be managed or calmed down with medication, but they are incredibly unpleasant for the patient, especially since you still have to endure the surgery itself),
3) Accidental nerve injury from the needle (this can leave some lasting issues like paresthesia or numbness—basically weird tingling or losing sensation in the area covered by that nerve. This is usually avoided by performing the block under ultrasound guidance and using a nerve stimulator, though it also depends somewhat on your unique anatomy and, honestly, how skilled and experienced your anesthesiologist is),
4) A partial or failed block (meaning the surgery goes ahead, everything looks fine, and then suddenly it starts hurting because the block didn't take or only worked partially. You've got two options there: either go full general anesthesia and get to experience all the "joys" of being knocked out, which isn't exactly fun, or the surgeons just add more anesthetic as needed while you're still awake and praying it won't hurt—which, spoiler alert, usually means it will, making things even less pleasant),
5) The chance of infection during the injection, which is super rare and usually only happens if someone is being sloppy or using non-sterile techniques.

And since it sounds like you have to deal with bilateral hernias, all of this basically doubles because they have to perform the block on both sides.

Sorry, that was a bit heavy on the worry side. :-(

Let me lighten the mood a little. :-)
Peripheral blocks might actually be the best choice for a patient because they only numb the specific part of the body being operated on, and the numbing lasts for a good while after the surgery.
You aren't pumping drugs into your system that beat up your liver, lungs, brain, or kidneys (which is what happens with general anesthesia). You don't wake up feeling like a zombie, either. Plus, you don't deal with that post-op nausea and vomiting, which hernia surgeries can sometimes trigger. When people wake up from general anesthesia, they often tense up or try to cough against the breathing tube; they strain their abs, which can actually jeopardize the surgery if the stitches pop. It doesn't happen constantly, but it's a real thing, and it means the hernia could come back and you'd be heading back into surgery.
You could also go the route of regional anesthesia like a spinal or epidural block, which would essentially numb your legs and lower abdomen for a few hours. If it's a spinal, they usually tell you not to get up for 24 hours. With an epidural, you wouldn't necessarily need to stay bedridden for a whole day unless they accidentally hit the spinal space. You'd use a smaller amount of anesthetic compared to the blocks mentioned above, and they could handle both sides. I think the potential complications for those are listed somewhere else on this forum.

I think I’ve covered just about everything you asked me:

But honestly, the big thing is this—during your pre-op screening and when you actually sit down with the anesthesiologist right before the surgery, just lay it all out there. Talk through every single fear, every "what if," and even your hopes. Make them explain exactly why they believe a specific type of anesthesia is the best call for your body.
At the end of the day, it really boils down to how much experience the anesthesiology team has and how often they perform that specific technique. If you're at a major medical center where they do this kind of procedure routinely—especially if they're using ultrasound guidance—you can probably feel pretty confident following their lead.
Since we're talking about a bilateral hernia, though, don't be afraid to ask their opinion on spinal or epidural options too.

Anyway, that’s my two cents. Phew.
Best of luck with the anesthesia and the whole surgery!

coppernomad7 said:Fortral is an opioid analgesic. I think that might be the one...
For those who know their stuff, is it stronger than Voltaren?
I’m going to try to fight for sedation because I feel like trying to get it for my mom beforehand is basically a losing battle, and local anesthesia probably won't do much anyway. If they won't even give me sedation, then I'll try to get some Fortral through my private OB-GYN. Can a private gynecologist actually write a prescription for Fortral?
Basically, I was thinking of combining 100 mg of Fortral and about 0.25 mg of Helex roughly an hour before the puncture. Would that be okay?

I don't think so. Fortral is a heavy-duty opioid, and because of that, there's a real risk of respiratory insufficiency—or, in plain English, you could stop breathing, which carries some pretty scary consequences. Especially if you mix it with a sedative. Plus, Fortral can have another annoying side effect where some people end up wheezing, which is super uncomfortable (though luckily it passes). That’s why it’s always recommended that these kinds of meds be handled by doctors who actually have experience with them. (To me, Michael Jackson is the ultimate example of how a great medicine can become fatal if it ends up in the wrong hands).
So, just forget about the Fortral.

If you absolutely have to play your own anesthesiologist—which, man, what a bummer!—maybe try this instead. Take something to take the edge off, whatever you normally use or are used to taking at your usual doses (that Helex could work). Then take 1 or 2 Zaldiar (which is a tramadol and acetaminophen combo) about 45 minutes to an hour before the procedure. After it's over, if it still hurts, move on to something else like Voltaren, Tylenol, Advil, or Ibuprofen—or if those don't cut it, take another Zaldiar.
Just please keep in mind that this isn't actual anesthesia; it's only going to take the sting out a little bit. And most importantly, if you're DIY-ing your pain management, make sure you have someone to drive you to the hospital and pick you up. Under no circumstances should YOU be the one driving. Personally, I’d suggest just taking those meds once you're actually at the hospital (show up a little early and wait for the procedure). Just to be safe.

coppernomad7 said:I’m not entirely sure if this is the right spot for my questions, but I couldn't find anything else that really fit the bill...
I’ve been wondering lately why some hospitals here in the States will just go ahead and give you anesthesia for certain procedures or exams, while other places—like the big medical center over in Seattle—won't even budge or talk about it. It feels pretty inconsistent if you ask me.
Is it because they’re short on anesthesiologists? Is it just that anesthesia costs an arm and a leg these days? Or maybe they actually think they're doing the patient a favor by skipping it? I don't know, could be something else entirely.
If money is the main issue here, is there any way I could just cover the cost of the anesthesia and the anesthesiologist myself? It still feels like it would be cheaper than trying to go fully private for everything.
Look, if the whole debate boils down to whether something is "good" or "bad" for me personally, shouldn't I, as a consenting adult, have the right to choose a specific risk over dealing with constant pain? I mean, I'm more than happy to sign a waiver and put that in writing for them.
I'm honestly so frustrated right now, and I have absolutely no clue how to fix this mess.😢
I had my colonoscopy back in December, and man, I practically had to beg them to let me have sedation. It ended up being pretty painful. They had a valid reason for pushing back on it, though—basically, if I don't give them honest feedback about the pain, they might end up perforating my bowel. So, yeah... definitely not exactly a walk in the park.
So, I'm gearing up for a different procedure now. It’s nothing nearly as intense as the last one, so the risks are way lower, but they're still being stubborn about the anesthesia. They won't budge on it. It's kind of frustrating because, in a lot of hospitals here in the States, if you specifically ask for general or even just local anesthesia, they usually just go along with it. But apparently, that's not how things work in this neck of the woods.
Alright, let’s demystify this whole thing. I’m currently in the middle of an IVF cycle, and I've got the egg retrieval—or follicle aspiration, if you want to get technical—coming up. This is my first time going through it, and honestly? I am absolutely terrified. It's gotten to the point where I'm questioning the entire process. I've been a total wreck for weeks now, and I’m genuinely scared that in the final few days leading up to it, I won't even be able to sleep because of the anxiety. I mean, seriously, do women going through something this delicate and physically demanding really need to deal with extra layers of stress and pain on top of everything else? We’re living in the 2000s, for crying out loud. Anesthesia isn't some experimental, avant-garde concept, thank God... yet somehow, things can still change so much.
I might have gone a little overboard here, but if anyone has ideas on how to actually handle this situation, I’d really appreciate the help. I was thinking about maybe hiring a private anesthesiologist to come meet me at the hospital on the day of my biopsy, but honestly, I have no clue if that’s even doable or where I’d even start looking to find out.
I was also hoping someone could clear something up for me—what does "local anesthesia" actually look like when you're talking about procedures involving internal organs?
If you ask me, for something like a colonoscopy or an egg retrieval, you really should only be looking at general anesthesia or maybe an epidural. I honestly don't get why I keep seeing places—even on the websites of reputable clinics like CITO over in Split—offering local anesthesia for egg retrievals. Can someone walk me through how that kind of local anesthesia actually works? Like, where exactly on the body is it applied?
Is there any kind of mild anesthetic available at pharmacies that won't trigger a massive interrogation about my medical history or previous tests? Honestly, if I can't track down actual anesthesia, what would you guys recommend as a "cocktail" to help me relax and take the edge off the pain? My plan was to take 10 mg of normabel and a Voltaren rapid about half an hour to an hour beforehand, but I'm not sure if that’s a smart move. Would something like Praxitan be better than the normabel, or maybe even Apaurin? I know they use that stuff for sedation, so I'm just wondering what the best bet is.
Hey, I'm here. What's going on? Just let me know what you need help with and we'll figure it out together.

Seriously, just insist on getting anesthesia. If you're dealing with the hospital in Seattle, it really makes you wonder who’s actually trying to dodge the job—is it the anesthesiologists or the OB-GYNs?
It honestly feels like OB-GYNs just refuse to do it for reasons I can't quite wrap my head around. Seriously though, don't let them off the hook—insist on getting anesthesia. If they try to brush you off, demand a specific reason why they're choosing not to provide it. For a procedure like this, I really can't see any legitimate excuse to skip out on anesthesia.
If you were looking for a private anesthesiologist, who would you actually bring in? Honestly, I wouldn't even consider it!
Getting anesthetics from a pharmacy? Not a chance!
For egg retrieval, they usually go with local anesthesia. I haven't personally been through those specific procedures, but typically they inject a local anesthetic right into the vaginal vault—basically where the needle passes through the vaginal wall—so that big needle poke doesn't hurt nearly as much. Gynecologists can handle this themselves without needing a full anesthesiologist on standby, so it’s definitely doable.
As for you taking any meds on your own before the procedure, I really wouldn't recommend that. Especially things like normabel or other anti-anxiety meds. You have to be upfront with your doctors about everything you take, otherwise, they might actually kick you off the program because you took something they didn't authorize.
Seriously though, don't be afraid to insist on anesthesia. It's your right as a patient. If there's a way to do something just as effectively but with less invasion, less pain, and fewer side effects, that's the route we should be taking. A patient has every right to refuse a procedure if a less painful alternative exists and the doctor chooses the rougher way instead. So, if they don't give you a solid, logical reason why they won't use anesthesia, keep pushing for it.
It's 2011; people shouldn't have to be in pain! They can take their "house policies" and shove them.
Best of luck! Please, just let us know how it goes and what they end up saying. Fingers crossed for you!

urbangull25 said:Hey everyone... I've got a quick question (well, 😁 )... looking back through some of the older posts here, I noticed people mentioning that acetaminophen gets used during anesthesia (or maybe it's just for the recovery period?). Why is that?

To help with the pain!

Elizabeth Hernandez4 said:sent to all the on-call doctors 🙂

I'm thinking about getting nose surgery just for the looks, but before I start hitting up different outpatient clinics, I wanted to get some thoughts here regarding my diagnosis and anesthesia. Back when I was pregnant (2009-10), I was diagnosed with pregnancy-related thrombophilia based on these labs: aCL IgG and IgM 13, and PAI-1 heterozygote. I was on Fraxiparine 0.3 through the whole pregnancy, though my blood counts and platelets stayed totally normal the entire time. Does any of that actually link back to the thrombophilia? (My doctor mentioned that if I weren't pregnant, he'd probably just read those results as perfectly normal.) Also, would I be taking any extra risks with anesthesia given my history?

Honestly, just sit down and talk it out with your hematologist or transfusion specialist along with your surgeon. As far as the anesthesia goes, that's usually the least of your worries in this situation.