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Anesthesia

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: Anesthesia users admin

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Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 7:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I'm going to have outpatient surgery -- probably on Tuesday morning. Have been told anesthesia will be twilight sleep. What's that? I've have four surgeries so far. All were general anesthesia -- totally out. It's an experience. Don't enjoy coming out of it. I get nauseous. Just want to sleep and feel like I get pushed around. "Leave me alone. ZZZZZZZZ." What is twilight? How does twilight compare to total?

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 7:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lucy a private message Print Post    
My experience with "twilight" sleep was wonderful. I agree, general anesthesia always makes me feel sick afterwards, too. I don't know how twilight sleep works, but for me I woke up much faster post surgery and didn't feel crappy.

I'll be sending good thoughts to you on Tuesday.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 7:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Lucy. It's a biopsy. Need good thoughts.

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 7:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lucy a private message Print Post    
((((Color))))

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 8:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ketchuplover a private message Print Post    
(((Color))) :-)

Jmm
Moderator

08-16-2002

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 12:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jmm a private message Print Post    
Color, The best description that I found was from Dental Fear Central:

"A lot of dental offices use terms such as "sleep dentistry" or "twilight sleep" when talking about IV sedation. This is confusing, because it suggests that IV sedation involves being put to sleep. In reality, you remain conscious during IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist.

However, you may not remember much about what went on because of two factors: firstly, in most people, IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what's going on. Secondly, the drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. So it may, indeed, appear as if you were "asleep" during the procedure."

I hope this helps answer some of your questions.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 6:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Color, I have had "twilight sleep" twice for colonoscopies. The mere thought of not being fully out for a colonoscopy terrified me, but it was just fine. The doctor described it as "you will know what is going on, but you just won't care." That was exactly the case. I could hear him. I knew the procedure was occurring, but I just didn't care. You don't have that horrifying waking up experience where you want to fight everybody who is trying to wake you up.

They most likely won't let you drive yourself home, and you probably shouldn't plan on doing anything of importance for the rest of the day. I just went home and slept all day and then slept all night too. No ill aftereffects.

Don't worry too much. This is the 21st century. They have good drugs for this kind of stuff in first world countries nowadays.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 7:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Juju. Good to hear. I'm having a breast biopsy -- no. 5. Three of the past four were needle biopsies. For various reasons, this one can't. I too don't like coming out of general anesthesia. The last time was for out-patient surgery, so they wanted me to get up and get dressed just few hours after. "Leave me alone. I just want to sleep." I ended up spending the night in the hospital.

I'm not worried about the surgery tomorrow. Neighbor is driving me to and from. I'm a little anxious about the results. No. 3 biopsy was not the best results, but also far from being the worst. DCIS was easy physically, but mentally / emotionally -- that's a whole other story. I don't want to do that again or worse.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 3:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
That twilight sleep is amazing. I don't remember a thing. I was eating juice and crackers immediately after. Dressed 30 minutes later. Now three hours later, I'm home standing at my computer!

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 3:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lucy a private message Print Post    
Glad you're home and feeling well. Yay, glad the twilight sleep worked out ok. Sending good thoughts that everything comes back clear.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 11:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Told ya so! Yay 21st century drugs!

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 10:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Still thinking about it, Juju. Was I aware but didn't care during the surgery. Yet after I don't remember a thing? Or could I have been totally "gone" like with general?

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 11:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yeah, but when they talked to you, you understood, right? And when they told you it was over, you heard them? But, I know what you mean. You don't remember any details, so you must have been out. :-)

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 4:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Just heard something interesting on local "news". Researchers say less than an ounce of ginger is good during the first 24 hours for post-surgery anesthesia nausea. Anything to relieve that!

Luvmykitties
Member

01-02-2004

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 10:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Luvmykitties a private message Print Post    
I just had a procedure done today with general anesthesia. First time ever going under, so I was extremely nervous and expressed my concerns with the anesthesialogist (sp?). I talked about them giving me anti-nausea medicine at the end to help aleviate potential nausea. They said no problem and did it, and I didn't have any nausea. (of course I don't know how I would have felt if I didn't have the med) I requested Compazine because I've taken that for moderate to severe nausea and it works like a charm. They said they use something else, but it's as effective.
And they said they would not give me nitrous-oxide (sp?) because that increases the nausea. And I heard them discussing other things to use or not to use, but I didn't catch the names of it.

Mint Tea (I use decaffinated) helps me with mild nausea, and sometimes Ginger Ale does as well. I was even offered Ginger Ale in the recovery room.
I've also heard how great fresh Ginger is, but I can't stand the taste.
Maybe you can ask your doctor/surgeon about Compazine. Perhaps even just for future reference.

Actually, I guess I was pretty lucky. I came out of general anesthesia pretty well. Only really groggy/hazy for maybe 10 minutes. And in like 15 - 20 minutes, I was alert and feeling fine. Just a bit silly. I was chatting and laughing with the staff in recovery to pass time until they would release me. So no bad experience for me - thank goodness!


I had the "IV sedation" many years ago when I had my impacted wisdom teeth taken out via oral surgery.
I was out like a light, and was not alert or hearing anything that went on. Also, they gave me Valium twice via IV beforehand because my anxiety was too high, so that could have affected how "out" I was. But I felt fine afterwards. No side effects. Just groggy for awhile after I woke up. But I didn't have to stay in recovery for long.

My cousin also hates the general, and gets the "IV sedation" and she explained it EXACTLY like what Jmm (and others) have said here. (my doctor also explained it as described here).
You are "awake", but you don't care what's going on. It's easier and quicker to come out of. And it's very common not to remember anything that transpired during the procedure.
My cousin loves it and swears by it (I mean for when you HAVE to have a procedure ;-) ). She said they give her a kind that wears off very quickly afterwards, so she's not down for long at all. And no side effects.


Good luck on your procedure! (((Color)))

Luvmykitties
Member

01-02-2004

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 10:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Luvmykitties a private message Print Post    
oops - I just noticed the dates on the early posts. Sorry hj

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 11:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Last time I went under for my neck surgery two years ago I puked after I came out of the anesthesia. Happened really fast and I didn't feel sick beforehand. One minute I'm sitting there, the next, bleh. And fine afterward.

I don't recall getting any anti-nausea drugs; I'll make sure to ask next time though.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Friday, January 20, 2006 - 6:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
I get nauseous every single time I come out of general anesthesia.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Me too, Ginger. I just want to be left alone to sleep it off.

You are "awake", but you don't care what's going on. It's easier and quicker to come out of. And it's very common not to remember anything that transpired during the procedure.

It still amazes me. I don't remember a thing. Neat experience -- if / when you have to have it.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
I get nauseous after they give me a little "freezing" in my jaw at the dentist.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Thanks for the advice, Luvmykitties.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 11:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I still think about the twilight. (Course there's not much to think about. I don't remember.) But how did I get from the table into the recovery lounge chair down the hall and around the corner? Did I pretty much get off the table and into a wheelchair and out of the wheel chair and into lounge chair (if that's how it's done) with just a little help? (In other words, not lifted from table to....) First thing I remember after is sitting in the recovery chair and immediately being offered food and drink.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 11:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Same here, Color. Isn't that just bizarre?

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
It's a mystery?!?!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
It's a mystery to me, that's for sure.

Coco
Member

07-13-2000

Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 12:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Coco a private message Print Post    
Hi Color. I'm just looking through different threads and came across your experience with "twilight sleep".

I think you should ask you doctor or his office staff what medications were used in "twilight sleep". You do have the right to know your personal health information (PHI) and they may ask you to come into the office in order to give you the information (due to HIPAA), but then again, they may just tell you over the phone.

I'm suspecting you were put under Conscious Sedation which is usually an IV combo of Versed and Demerol.

I recently had a procedure with Conscious Sedation and although I wasn't allowed to sit up for about an hour afterwards due to the procedure, I do recall a nurse talking to me and asking questions in general just to get me to respond. After that, I was feeling kind of loopy but very much awake and didn't remember a thing from when the doctor said "we'll take good........".


Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 5:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
I believe Versed is a Hypnotic and makes you forget what is happening.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 1:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
After I woke up in the recovery chair, I was immediately "there" -- no loopiness at all. I had crackers and juice right away. Then got dressed and walked to the pharmacy in the building to fill my prescription -- all by myself. No problems with anything. No fuzzy thinking.

Luvmykitties
Member

01-02-2004

Monday, February 13, 2006 - 4:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Luvmykitties a private message Print Post    
Color - that sounds like what my cousin gets! She said she loves it because once it's over, she's fine and has no 'haze' or grogginess (sp?). She doesn't like that feeling. And she doesn't remember anything from the procedure.

She was going to try to get me the name of what they used, but I personally don't mind the grogginess (at least the kind I've experienced in the past). I'd rather just sleep for awhile after a procedure. ;-)

It's funny because when I went under general anesthesia about a month ago - I don't remember anything after talking to the anesthesialogists. I can't remember being rolled into the OR or anything! So I don't know what they gave me before they even brought me into the OR.

In a couple of weeks I'll be getting the "sedation", so I'll see it goes.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Luv, I've had general anesthesia four times. Generally, I did remember going into the OR, getting strapped down, then the moment before I was "gone". Only one of those times I knew I'd be in the hospital for a few days, so getting the anesthesia out of my system was not so bad. I didn't have to get up and get dressed. I could just sleep it off. Not so bad. In that case, didn't mind the grogginess. Kind of interesting coming out of it. But three of those times, it was for out-patient surgery. Eventually had to get dressed and get out. Ugh! Felt nauseous. Just wanted to sleep. "Don't bother me." One of those times I did unexpectedly spend the night in the hospital. Aaaaaah. Get into a bed and sleep.

So this last time was for a breast biopsy. Procedure took just 25 minutes in the OR. Twilight was enough. And as I said, I was totally "there" and didn't feel nauseous when I did come to. I like that for out-patient surgery.

Bigd
Member

09-13-2001

Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 7:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Bigd a private message Print Post    
I always have problems with nausea and vomiting after anesthesia, but I made sure the anesthesiologist knew my history and he assured me he would take steps to prevent it during my last surgery and sure enough, no problem. He gave me a patch I had to put on 6 hours before the scheduled surgery and then he did something extra during. It was great! I think improvements have been made and you just need to always make sure the anesthesiologist knows your history. :>)

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Friday, April 07, 2006 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Bigd, after my first experience with anesthesia, I've always talked to the anesthesiologist shortly before the surgery. Told him my past experiences. The last time I had general was the surgery that was supposed to be out-patient, but ended up overnight in the hospital -- mostly cuz of the anesthesia I think. Hope there's never a "next time" for me -- at least with general.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Friday, April 07, 2006 - 6:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
Well this should scare you a little bit, but I was under general anesthesia and woke up during my surgery. My greatest fear. Of course, I was paralyzed and could not tell anybody. Thank God it only lasted about 30 seconds, but I felt everything. I told them when I woke up, and very strangely it happened to my sister, same hospital 4 months later, but she was aware much longer than I was. They pooh poohed us. Made like we were crazy, but this is a very real issue that happens. There is even a group called Anesthesia Awareness.