Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and ICU: Q&A

here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLSnX...eature=related

I hope you find this satisfactory 😁

I mean, I get where they're coming from...😁...but honestly, it just doesn't track for me. Like, despite trying to wrap my head around it, I can't think of a single scenario where you'd want someone to relax while their hand is totally tense. Imagine being fully awake, dealing with the muscle spasms caused by a relaxant, and then having to endure a scalpel slicing through your skin and tissue...
The only thing he could probably do with a hand that isn't relaxed is try to signal that he's in pain...😁...maybe by twitching his middle finger...😁...

The relaxation techniques mentioned in the link aren't intended as clinical recommendations; they're simply meant to illustrate how relaxants function by reconstructing methods used roughly 200 years ago. It serves to demonstrate the powerful tools available to anesthesiologists today. While these principles could theoretically be applied in practice, modern monitoring methods for assessing consciousness during anesthesia are far more advanced...

Does anyone know what the typical cost is for dental anesthesia?

Scott Hall47 said:how much does dental anesthesia usually run?

Honestly, any decent dentist's office should have a price list hanging up somewhere on the wall that breaks down all their services, including what they charge for numbing up.

So, I just went under general anesthesia for a laparoscopic gallbladder removal—had the whole thing done this past Tuesday—and I’ve been wondering... why on earth did my shoulders hurt more than the actual surgical sites? It was wild. I couldn't even sit up straight without feeling it. Honestly, the pain didn't finally let up until today. I've been living on Advil and trying to manage. Has anyone else dealt with this? 🙂))))

hollownomad482 said:So, I just came out from under general anesthesia after having my gallbladder removed laparoscopically—and honestly, I’m baffled. Why did my shoulders hurt more than the actual surgical incisions? I couldn't even sit up straight. The pain finally started letting up today, but I've been living on Tylenol since my surgery on Tuesday... thanks anyway! 🙂))))

It's entirely possible it was due to how you were positioned on the table during the procedure.
When dealing with a patient who is completely relaxed—which, mind you, is mandatory for all abdominal surgeries—proper positioning while under anesthesia is absolutely critical to prevent nerve injuries caused by compression or stretching.

Also, one has to wonder if the discomfort is truly centered in the shoulders or if it's actually radiating from the neck... it's possible the intubation was a bit tricky, leading them to use significant cervical extension just to get a clear view and successfully manage the airway.

Alexander Wright said:it’s entirely possible the positioning during the procedure played a role.
When you have an abdominal patient who is completely relaxed—which, let’s face it, they all have to be—getting that positioning right while they're under anesthesia is everything. You don't want any nerve damage from compression or stretching.

Then there’s the question of whether we're actually looking at shoulder issues or if it's more about the neck... maybe the intubation was a bit tricky? If they had to use heavy cervical extension just to get a clear view and get the tube in, that could definitely cause some trouble.

Yeah... it's definitely my shoulders and back. Before the surgery, they assured me it wouldn't be an issue. I'm 25, I'm not overweight, and they checked my mouth to make sure everything looked fine for the tube, saying it would be smooth sailing. The surgery itself went fine, but this intense pain in my shoulders? It's brutal. Honestly, I could barely handle it.😢

I can't recall the exact physiological mechanism right now, but I'll look into it. It's quite common for patients to report discomfort following laparoscopic surgery, likely due to the pneumoperitoneum... Anyway, it should pass... no worries

Alright, I’ll just throw this out there and see if anyone can actually give me an answer... when am I officially allowed to get back behind the wheel? I had my surgery this past Tuesday, and honestly, being without a car is becoming a massive headache—I basically can't do anything without one. But at the same time, I'm sitting here wondering if it's even safe to drive yet. I've got this nagging fear that if I push it too soon, I might end up getting a ticket or something.

hollownomad482 said:Can someone please just tell me... when am I actually allowed to get back behind the wheel after my surgery this past Tuesday? I'm totally stranded without a car, but I have no idea if it's safe to drive yet—I'm honestly terrified I might end up getting a ticket or something.

Honestly, you really need to check in with the surgeon who performed the procedure. If you can't get a hold of them, maybe give a local general surgeon a quick call just to be safe.

I've got no way to get a hold of my surgeon since the hospital is so far out in 19 miles... I have to head in this Tuesday to get my stitches pulled, and I'll be driving myself because there isn't anyone available to give me a lift—that's why I'm asking...

I’m looking for anyone who has personally experienced—or even just heard stories about—people feeling pain and being fully aware of the agony during surgery, even when they were supposedly under anesthesia. I went through this myself, and for a long time after, I’d wake up in the middle of the night paralyzed by the fear that it would all happen again...

I haven't been lucky enough to witness it firsthand, but I've heard stories. Not about the pain itself, but about those conversations—like when a nurse tells a doctor, "Just let him go, Doc, he’s done," only for the patient to somehow pull through. In one case I heard, the guy actually survived, though he ended up passing away eight years later.

Anyone know if you can actually go under general anesthesia with myasthenia gravis? I was reading up on it and apparently they use Lorsilan for muscle relaxation—which could totally trigger or make MG symptoms way worse. Any advice? Thanks!

There is a possibility that patients may take longer to wake up from anesthesia, essentially meaning the neuromuscular blockade lasts a bit longer. However, muscle relaxant antagonists work effectively even in patients with myasthenia, so there really isn't anything to fear. Depending on the specific procedure, an anesthesiologist might choose to proceed without any relaxation at all, which would reduce the risk to zero. I am speaking specifically regarding any direct negative impact on myasthenia...

Thanks for the reply! 🙂

electricpanther82: ""The general setup for long, intense surgeries usually involves three components: pain management, sedation, and memory suppression plus the anesthesia itself, which acts as a muscle relaxant to paralyze everything so the surgeon can actually work."
I’ve noticed my memory getting worse lately, especially after that thyroid surgery I had last year.
If it's true that they pump you full of stuff during surgery that messes with your brain, there's a real chance it leaves lasting effects. I honestly think that’s what happened to me, considering I've gone under the knife four times now.
My own experience lines up with some things I've heard from people I know who claim they've read that anesthesia can damage your memory. 🙄
I'd love to hear from medical professionals or anyone else with an opinion on this.

The medications used during anesthesia are short-acting and don't leave lasting effects, so you shouldn't link your memory issues to the procedure. They are simply meant to ensure you don't remember the initial anxiety of going under. What kind of thyroid surgery was it? A removal? And how is your hormone level looking now?

neontrucker39, man, I feel for you. I haven't gone through it myself, but I've heard enough stories to know it's rough. How long did you have to deal with being in that state? Did it happen right when they started the procedure, or what? I wonder if they even caught on to what was happening—maybe they noticed your blood pressure spiking or your heart rate acting up?😢😢😢