Post-op recovery: What to expect after anesthesia?

Good evening.
My boyfriend had knee surgery recently and received a spinal block. It’s been nothing but trouble ever since. Horrible dizziness, headaches, nausea... it’s been going on for 10 days straight. He can barely even get out of bed. 😢 How is it even possible for this to last this long? Has anyone else dealt with this? I’ve searched everywhere online and seen that these side effects happen, but never for this many days. It’s unbelievable—you go in for a routine procedure and ten days later you're bedridden because of head issues. Please, if anyone has advice or an opinion, let me know. Thanks.

Maria Edwards3 said:Good evening!
My boyfriend just had knee surgery, and they administered spinal anesthesia. Since then, it’s been nothing but trouble. Terrible dizziness, headaches, nausea... and this has been going on for 10 days straight! He can barely even get out of bed. 😢 How is it even possible for this to last this long? Has anyone else dealt with this? I've spent hours scouring the internet, and while I see these symptoms listed as common side effects, they aren't supposed to drag on like this!! It feels surreal that someone undergoes a routine procedure and ten days later is still bedridden because of head issues... Please, if you have any advice or insight, let me know. Thank you!

He should probably see a doctor just to be safe, though I suspect it might not be anything serious.

It’s much like what happens with women undergoing labor and requesting an epidural—which, similarly, involves an injection into the spine—where prolonged headaches are a known possibility. Given that he received spinal anesthesia, I suspect his situation follows a similar pattern. I can't recall the exact statistics regarding how long these episodes can persist following an epidural, but I know they can last a very long time, certainly more than ten days. It stands to reason that the medication he was given could produce a comparable reaction.

Every once in a while after spinal anesthesia, you get these absolutely brutal headaches that just won't budge, no matter what kind of meds or therapy you throw at them. It’ll pass eventually, though—I don't think anyone ends up with permanent damage from it. Sometimes doctors try that "patch" method to help out, but honestly, that's becoming pretty rare these days.

From what I've seen on the floor, the real culprit behind these headaches is almost always patients just not following the post-op rules. To prevent these exact kinds of complications, we tell everyone they need to stay lying flat on their backs for the next 24 hours... but nope, it never works out that way. Suddenly they're thirsty and can't drink while lying down, so they have to call someone, but their phone is tucked away in a locker, so they end up trying to yell to a neighbor in the next room... and then, when those headaches finally hit, they're looking for help.

Much appreciated, everyone. 🙂

Scott Allen10 said:From my own experience in the field, it seems pretty clear that these headaches are almost always triggered by patients not following post-op instructions. For instance, after receiving spinal anesthesia, we tell patients they absolutely have to stay lying flat on their backs for the next 24 hours just to prevent these exact kinds of complications... but that rarely happens.

🙈

I just stepped away to use the restroom. 😳

Well, here is the situation: I am dealing with these absolutely dreadful headaches that won't budge, no matter what kind of pills or injections I take. The nausea is constant, too—I feel like I'm being sick all day long.

But honestly, what is really starting to worry me are these intense cramps in my shoulders and neck. 😕
The anesthesiologist at the hospital told me it has nothing to do with the anesthesia and suggested it's just psychosomatic. But I've never dealt with anything like this before, especially not spasms so severe that my shoulders and neck lock up and I can barely move. It is such a miserable feeling.

What are the odds that this is also a side effect of the anesthesia versus it being two totally separate issues? And if it is related, how long do the consequences of that "lack of cooperation" usually last? 😢

My boyfriend is dealing with those exact same symptoms. Maybe there’s some comfort in knowing he isn't alone 🙂 For the last two weeks, massage therapy was useless—his neck just kept seizing up. He’s doing a bit better now, though; a session yesterday actually helped. It seems like this is just another side effect doctors completely overlook 😠

Well, you aren't exactly making me feel any better. 😬

I checked my temperature yesterday, and it was sitting at 99.5 degrees.
It’s been staying right around that same mark all through today, too. I’m feeling a tiny bit less nauseous than before, but this headache is just a constant, nagging presence. At this point, I’ve stopped trying to hide from loud noises because, honestly, it doesn't seem to make a difference whether I'm listening to music or sitting in a pitch-black room. The pain is just... there. It’s always there. 🙂

Does anyone know if there’s anything that actually helps? 😢

edit: regarding that "patch" we discussed—how much of a percentage are we talking about here? Is it risky? 😕