Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and ICU: Q&A

Scott Allen10 said:Hmm... maybe it’s just because I just woke up and my brain is still stuck in slow motion. I don't quite follow the question, though. What kind of problem are we talking about? What sort of anesthesia? Give me a little more context...

In my experience, local anesthesia didn't even kick in until two or three hours after a minor procedure—just a quick lipoma removal. Everything was finished, cleaned up, and stitched back together. They drove me home, I rested for a bit, and once I sat down with a cup of coffee to feel human again, that's when the numbness finally hit!

Taylor Mendoza10 said:The local anesthesia didn't even kick in until about 2 or 3 hours after I had this minor procedure done to remove a lipoma. Everything was already finished, cleaned up, stitched up, and they'd driven me home, and I was just sitting there resting and sipping on some coffee to feel human again when—bam—suddenly it starts working!!!

It’s totally possible the site wasn't quite numbed right, or maybe they just used a low dose, whatever... but honestly, none of that really connects back to what you mentioned about your spinal surgery. Since that sounds like a much bigger deal than just removing a lipoma, they definitely won't be doing that under local anesthesia, and regardless of how they decide to knock you out, I'm pretty sure you won't run into these same weird timing issues.

Definitely let your anesthesiologist know about what happened during your last little procedure so they have the full picture if they think it'll help.

Good luck!

Scott Allen10 said:It’s possible the infiltration wasn't ideal, or maybe the dosage was low—whatever the case. But none of that really changes your point about spinal surgery. I assume this is a more significant procedure than just removing a lipoma, which means they won't be doing it under local anesthesia. Regardless of how they decide to "knock you out," I am confident you won't run into those same issues again.

Of course, you should mention your previous experience to the anesthesiologist beforehand. It helps provide context if they feel it’s necessary to adjust their approach.

Good luck.

Thanks. I will definitely bring that up with the anesthesiologist. I'm not sure how much that specific detail will impact the scheduling or timing, but I'll take it as it comes.
I actually quite like your choice of words, "knock you out"...

First off, I want to give props to the creator of this thread and everyone posting here. Reading through these stories actually helps calm my nerves before my upcoming surgery.
I've been dealing with hernias since I was a kid. They used to stay tucked away, but they’ve started popping out again this year. At one point, I could see three or four distinct lumps just above the pubic bone in my groin area. I saw a surgeon who told me an operation is definitely necessary. However, about a month after that consultation, I started getting this weird pain in my left leg. It starts as this dull, sharp sensation in my groin—almost like someone is stabbing me—even though the lumps are currently pulled in and not visible. Then, the pain suddenly radiates all the way down my entire left leg. To make matters worse, I haven't been able to have a normal bowel movement for a month without taking a laxative; it's like I don't even have gas passing through. My grandfather passed away from colon cancer, so I'm naturally on edge. Between the hernia issues and this abdominal pain, I've been under massive stress, which sucks because I'm only 20. Is it possible that all these symptoms, including the constipation and hard stools, are linked to the hernia? Also, since I often have multiple lumps appearing at once, meaning I likely need a bilateral repair, what kind of anesthesia would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve got two things I’m wondering about:

1. (Just curious)
My dad has this crazy high tolerance for anesthesia. Like, whenever he goes in for a quick tooth extraction, the dentist gives him a shot, and the whole thing wears off in maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I tried digging around online for some kind of explanation, but I haven't found anything that makes sense.
Also, a weird little detail—even when they use those eye drops to dilate his pupils (the ones where everything gets blurry for a while), his pupils get huge, but his vision stays perfectly clear.
I know he isn't exaggerating; the guy is only 48. There's really no reason for him to lie about the numbing wearing off early or seeing clearly.

2. I have to go in soon to get some moles removed. Both of them have grown a bit, so it’s going to be a surgical thing involving two or three stitches. I was wondering if they usually use local anesthesia for that? And more importantly, am I okay to take my Xanax (half a 0.5 mg pill) beforehand? I deal with an anxiety disorder, and if I don't take my usual morning dose, I start having panic attacks, which would definitely make things awkward during the procedure.

Thanks in advance

Keith Garcia10 said:First off, I just want to say how much I love this thread and all the posts here; honestly, reading through everyone's experiences really helps calm my nerves before my upcoming surgery.
So, basically, I've been dealing with hernias since I was a little kid. They used to tuck themselves back in, but they've started popping out again this year. There were times when I could actually see three or four lumps sitting above my pubic bone right in the groin area. I went to see a surgeon, and he told me I definitely need to get this operated on. But then, about a month after that appointment, my left leg suddenly started hurting like crazy. It starts with this dull ache in my groin—almost like someone is stabbing me there, even though the lumps are tucked away right now—and then it just shoots pain down my entire left leg. And it’s not just that; for the last month, I haven't been able to use the bathroom normally unless I take a laxative, and it's like I can't even pass gas. My grandfather passed away from colon cancer, so I'm pretty spooked. I've been under massive stress lately because of the hernia and all this stomach pain, and I'm only 20 years old. Could all these symptoms, including the constipation and hard stools, be linked to the hernia? Also, what kind of anesthesia would you guys suggest, especially since I have multiple lumps that might pop out at once, meaning I probably need bilateral surgery?

Thanks so much in advance!

Hey, don't freak out. Just lay all those concerns out for your surgeon, but honestly, you almost certainly don't have anything to worry about in that regard.

Elizabeth Davis said:I've got two quick questions:

1. (Just curious)
My dad has this crazy high tolerance for anesthesia; like, whenever he goes to get a tooth pulled, the dentist gives him the local stuff and it wears off in like 10 or 15 minutes flat. I've been trying to dig up some answers online but haven't found much that makes sense.
Also, just a small thing—even when they use those eye drops that dilate your pupils and usually make things blurry for a bit, his pupils blow wide open but his vision stays perfectly clear.
I know he isn't exaggerating, and he's only 48, so there's no reason for him to lie about the anesthesia wearing off too fast or seeing clearly.

2. I have to go get some moles removed soon since they've grown a bit, so it’s going to be a minor surgical procedure with maybe two or three stitches. I was wondering if they use local anesthesia for that, and if it's okay for me to take my Xanax (half a 0.5 mg pill) beforehand? I deal with anxiety, and if I don't take my morning dose, I start having panic attacks, which would definitely make the whole mole removal process way more stressful.

Thanks in advance!

1. It’s honestly tough to pin down why local dental numbing works instantly for one person and barely touches someone else... In most cases, it’s either because the injection wasn't placed quite right or the dosage was too low... though it's also possible some people just have a unique biological predisposition where their body processes it super fast...
Those eye drops that dilate the pupils are atropine-based. They aren't really related to general anesthesia, so I'm not sure what you're linking them to. Dilated pupils don't automatically mean blurry vision; it's not a guaranteed side effect for everyone.

2. Yeah, they'll use local anesthesia (which the surgeon handles themselves, so it's separate from the anesthesiologist's job), and you'll get a few stitches. You should be totally fine taking that Xanax, but just make sure you run it by your doctor first and let them know what you're taking.

Scott Allen10 said:1. It’s hard to pin down why dental anesthesia hits some people instantly and takes forever for others... In most cases, it’s just a bad infiltration or they didn't use enough dosage... or maybe someone is just biologically predisposed to react that way...
Those eye drops that dilate your pupils? Those are atropine drops. They have zero connection to anesthesia, so I’m not sure what you're getting at. "Dilated pupils" doesn't automatically mean blurry vision; that's not a default side effect.

2. You're getting local anesthesia (which the surgeon handles, so it's not really on the anesthesiologist), you get a few stitches, and taking that Xanax isn't going to kill you—just make sure you clear it with the doctor first.

Alright, thanks for the info.

Just regarding the bolded part—whenever you go for an eye exam and they use those drops, the doctors always warn you that your vision will be blurry for an hour or two. And obviously, don't drive. But whatever, that's off-topic. I only mentioned it to point out his resistance to stuff. Not a big deal.

I was looking up some stuff online... specifically about those scans they did while I was under Propofol anesthesia...

When they were injecting some kind of IV contrast 🙂 right as it hit my vein, I actually tried to ask them what substance they were using...
But man, I blacked out almost instantly... so I completely blanked on the name... It started with a P... then maybe a T... or an F...!?
I seriously can't wrap my head around it now

So if anyone out there can tell me what it was... just enough to satisfy my curiosity, I'd appreciate it!

mistyseal11 said:I was getting some scans done the other day under general anesthesia...

The second they pushed some IV contrast 🙂 into my line, I actually asked the nurse what the substance was...
but I blacked out almost instantly... so I totally blanked on the name... it started with a P... then maybe T... or F...!?
I honestly can't wrap my head around it right now

If anyone could help me out with the name... just so I can satisfy my curiosity...

Propofol.

Hey everyone, quick question—does anyone know if there’s any way to get a colonoscopy done with some kind of anesthesia? Honestly, I've heard such horror stories about how much it hurts... I'm kinda freaking out a little bit!

wiredmarlin18 said:I was wondering if anyone knew if there's any way to get a colonoscopy done under anesthesia, because honestly, I've heard it's pretty brutal..

You can totally do it anywhere if you really push for it. It’s just that at some hospitals, they act like it's such a huge hassle or impossible to coordinate, so they give you all that "it's too much work" talk... but it's definitely an option if you insist.

So, if we're talking about cosmetic surgery, and the urine test comes back loaded with bacteria, is that enough for the anesthesiologist to pull the plug on the whole procedure?

Scott Allen10 said:🙂.....

I certainly remember—and I'm genuinely glad to hear this story has such a happy ending. Please, don't feel like you have to thank me; honestly. It’s just nice that we could clarify a few things and offer a little help along the way. But really, this is just a small thing compared to the ocean of nightmares you're currently navigating toward safe harbor—so please know that you, and any family facing something similar, have my full respect.
I wish your father all the best—please pass along my regards to your sister and mother as well.

Regarding the ischemia... if I'm going by gut feeling—and let's be honest, my gut isn't always reliable—I’d say it’s just a byproduct of this current hospital stay, basically all the drama that's been unfolding lately. On a slightly dark note—if you can call it that—if someone actually had the luxury of choosing where to experience an insult or ischemia, the frontal region would be the smartest pick. It might not be the most glamorous option, but compared to any other location, the risks involved are generally much lower. Just a little perspective, I guess.

Best of luck!🙂

It’s been a while—time flies! I have a few questions to toss out there. First off, I wanted to say a huge thank you for all the info shared here, and especially for being such an incredible support system during that whole mess with my spouse about a year ago. Truly appreciated.
In short—he was discharged to go home on February 29th.
IBM
Ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Status post inferior-posterior STEMI.
Had three PCI procedures—LAD and Cx—this morning. I'm hanging in there.
Post-pneumonia complications—bilateral pneumonia, pulmonary edema leading to ARDS, and Stage II cardiogenic shock.
Morning update—post-cardiorespiratory resuscitation. All seems steady so far.
Severe mitral regurgitation—essentially when the heart's mitral valve doesn't close properly, letting blood leak backward—is quite a significant diagnosis. It’s definitely something that requires careful management and a steady plan from your cardiology team.
Type 2 diabetes—it’s quite the diagnosis to process. It really forces you to rethink your relationship with food and daily habits—all at once. Still, staying proactive is everything!
It looks like there might have been a typo in your message—it's a bit hard to make sense of that string of characters. If you were trying to ask something about cataracts or perhaps a specific medical concern, please feel free to clarify. I’m happy to help once I know what you need!

Back in June, things were being prepped for a cataract surgery—just routine stuff—but during the ECG, they caught an arrhythmia. I didn't even feel a thing, honestly! But the doctors took it seriously and kept me in the hospital right then and there. My discharge papers noted that I was admitted due to VT detected on the ECG. Following that, they ran an echocardiogram, a Holter monitor, and a stress test—which all pointed toward needing more invasive work. They decided on a coronary angiogram, where they performed balloon angioplasty and placed stents for stenoses in the OM1 and LAD after checking them with the FDA. They also successfully tackled stenosis in the CX and LAD via balloon angioplasty and stenting, with the OM1 confirmed by the FDA as well.
He’s finally been taken off his meds—Advil, Aspirin, Prilosec, Carvedilol, Lasix, Spironolactone, Zestril, and Trigard.
It would be a bit much to list everything from my three discharge summaries—honestly, I'd probably lose you in the details—but the gist is that my EF is sitting at 54%, and my left atrium is dilated at 52mm. I did an exercise stress test that lasted about 6.5 minutes; no rhythm issues popped up, but they did catch some 1mm horizontal ST-segment depression in V3 and V5. So, yeah—the ischemia test came back positive. Now for the follow-up—Dr. House wants me to go back in for another stress test, a Holter, and an echo. I’ll be knocking those three out this coming Monday and Tuesday—fingers crossed it goes smoothly—and then I have the myocardial perfusion imaging scheduled for next month.
So, this is all pretty new territory for me—I’m still wrapping my head around the terminology. I just received the instructions for the upcoming procedure, which involve pausing beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and long-acting nitrates for a day or two beforehand. Since the cardiologist is supposed to make the final call on how to adjust those medications, I wanted to double-check: am I right in assuming I need to consult with my cardiologist before making any changes?
I was wondering—what exactly is VT? My sister's doing a stress test, and her technician specifically flagged it as something to watch out for. Also, since cold and flu season is officially upon us, how risky are fever reducers regarding this condition? Lastly, is there anything specific we should tell the dentist to avoid when they’re administering injections?
Apologies for drifting away from the thread—I feel like I’ve stepped right into my family doctor's waiting room lately.😉Feel free to move my post if it's in the wrong spot—I'm happy to let you decide. Thanks in advance, and sending a huge thank you to everyone who has been standing by us through this! Warm wishes to all.

Hey there, sorry I’ve been a bit MIA lately—between being super busy and this forum acting up constantly, it’s been tough to jump on here...

Regarding that myocardial scintigraphy, they actually did a pretty solid job explaining the prep and how it's performed over here. So, you definitely made the right call deciding to touch base with his cardiologist a day or two before the test to go over his meds.

Honestly though... that isn't just a good idea, it's absolutely vital... because your husband is dealing with some really heavy cardiac issues. I don't mean to sound like I'm dropping a bombshell or telling you anything you haven't already realized, but I think it's important to stay grounded in that reality. Thank God the PCI and stent procedure went well... but even then, there's always that lingering risk of the stent re-occluding. Between the threatening VT (that dangerous ventricular tachycardia that can spiral into fibrillation), the mitral insufficiency, surviving cardiogenic shock, ARDS, and all those other medical nightmares that can take someone out in a heartbeat... all those diagnoses are just reminders that he's still in the thick of this fight, even if things feel a little more stable right now. His EF number looks pretty decent, so let's just pray it stays that way.

What I'm trying to get at with all that is, if there's any talk about cataract surgery or any of those other little procedures, try to push them to the back burner as much as possible. Any kind of anesthesia is incredibly risky for him... honestly, everything is risky, but even if someone thinks it can be done as an outpatient or just with local numbing, it's a gamble. If his vision is truly tanking his quality of life and he decides he has to do it, please, for heaven's sake, don't do it at some small clinic or walk-in center. It has to be at a major hospital where a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist are right there on standby.
The same goes for the dentist. For a patient in his condition, if dental work is actually necessary, I'd say it's totally justified to insist that any procedure happens at a hospital's oral surgery department, where that same "dream team" of specialists is close by. Using local anesthesia with epinephrine is extremely dangerous—stay far away from those Lidocaine vials with adrenaline, and even plain Lidocaine needs to be handled with extreme caution. As for fever reducers, that shouldn't be a huge issue, but definitely run it by his cardiologist first.

Wishing you guys the best of luck through all of this!

Scott Allen10, thanks for the explanations—as I mentioned earlier, listing the IBM meds from the discharge papers, I didn't highlight that his cataract surgery back in June went perfectly, followed by a quick laser touch-up about 20 days later. They were incredibly thorough with the prep work—the anesthesiologists even requested extra tests and had a direct consultation with the ophthalmologist. Honestly, the surgery was long overdue; he could barely see his own fingers unless they were a foot away from his face. We practically had to shadow him everywhere—"watch the stairs," "mind the curb," "careful, there are five steps here"—you name it. He couldn't go anywhere without help, and since the rest of us have to head out for work, he was essentially stuck at home being nearly blind. It was also a logistical nightmare managing his medication and making sure lunch was left in the exact right spot—we really needed to get this surgery done ASAP for his recovery. Now, he isn't just seeing again—he’s actually busy with little DIY repairs around the house 🙂—and when the weather is nice, we can take strolls for 2-1.9 miles miles without any trouble at all. Most recently, his stress test clocked in at 7 minutes, and the cardiologist says everything looks solid—both the ECG and the ultrasound showed an EF of 65%!! What specifically should we be looking out for at the dentist? That part is really important to me. Thanks, and I'm hoping everything stays smooth leading up to the scintigraphy. Best!

I need urgent help because I am losing my mind.🙂

I gave birth six weeks ago via C-section under spinal anesthesia.
Everything seemed fine in the OR, though I do recall the anesthesiologist commenting that the block wasn't taking quite as expected initially; however, after a little while, it kicked in and the procedure concluded without issue...

But my nightmare truly began about 36 hours later. My arms and legs were terribly swollen, but I figured that was just standard postpartum stuff, so I didn't worry too much at first...
Then the tingling started in my limbs. Worst of all, whenever I touched anything—like picking up my phone—it felt like electric shocks were jolting through my arms and legs. I don't even know how to describe it properly, but it was like actual electrical strikes.
I went into a total panic. During the doctor's rounds, I explained the situation, and he concluded it was just a reaction to the spinal block. He told me it should subside within 40 days, and if it doesn't, I should see a neurologist...

Three days later, after returning home, those electric shock sensations stopped, but the tingling in my legs has become unbearable. The moment I sit down or lie down, it starts constantly, and it’s driving me crazy. My hands feel slightly better, but the sensation has changed; for instance, coarse fabrics feel much more intense against my skin than they used to...

I saw a neurologist who performed an EMG. It turns out I have chronic L5-S1 radiculopathy, which he suggested might be the cause of the tingling in my legs. As for my arms, his conclusion was simply that I am anxious.🙄
I have an appointment with a second neurologist in a few days,but I am asking anyone with experience: What went wrong here?

I found an old post by Dr. House where he mentions something similar, so I'm pasting it here:

The risks associated with the aforementioned blocks primarily include:
1) An allergic reaction to the local anesthetic (if you have received local anesthesia before, there is no cause for concern; if not, you will certainly notice it),
2) Accidental intravascular injection of the anesthetic (given the large volume used, this can lead to serious reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias, loss of consciousness, dizziness, limb tingling, or even seizures, depending on the specific agent. Most of these reactions can be halted or mitigated with medication, but they are extremely distressing for the patient, especially while trying to endure surgery),
3) Accidental injection into or injury of a nerve by the needle (this can leave lasting consequences in the form of paresthesia or numbness, discomfort, or a complete loss of sensation in the nerve's distribution area. This is avoided by performing the block under ultrasound guidance and nerve stimulation, and depends partially on your anatomy and, most importantly, the skill and experience of the anesthesiologist),

Is it possible that I damaged a nerve, and will this ever stop?

So, I was back under the knife again today, though this one was just some cosmetic stuff.

I got hit with a local anesthetic injection—you know, the kind they use at the dentist—but man, I totally blanked on the name... ugh, it was mixed with epinephrine too.

Does anyone actually remember what that substance is called?

===

I really want to dig into this because every single time I get these local shots, my head starts spinning and I feel super lightheaded... almost like I’m about to pass out... but it only happens after the procedure is already over... honestly, it's probably just a reaction to the stress, the whole vibe of the clinic, or the procedure itself.

... It usually takes me about an hour just to feel normal again.

I was wondering if anyone could help me out here. I have surgery coming up soon to remove a thyroglossal cyst from my neck, and they’re planning on using general anesthesia. Honestly? I’m terrified. Every single time I’ve been under anesthesia in the past, I feel absolutely terrible—it takes me the entire day just to feel human again. Can I actually talk to the anesthesiologist about trying a different approach? Also, does it matter that I'm currently taking epilepsy medication? I know this might be off-topic, but does anyone know what the recovery process is actually like for this specific procedure? I can't seem to find much helpful info online about thyroglossal cysts. Thanks so much for any insight you can share.

I had liver tumor surgery about 15 days ago, and I felt absolutely terrible—couldn't pull myself together all day. My stomach was a mess and I was nauseous as hell, until they gave me some Prilosec, then things finally leveled out. Just have a real talk with your anesthesiologist and the surgeon beforehand. You'll be fine.