To wonder why I still feel terrible, 3 weeks after a general anesthetic

[SpoilsburyToastGirl]

To be fair, it was a 12 hour operation (had some lymph nodes removed and microsurgery) and I was and am still on painkillers but I feel terrible still. I'm so exhausted that I feel jet lagged even first thing in the morning after a good night's sleep.

I've been back at work a few days because I'm self employed and can't afford to take any more time off. On my day off I went back to bed after the school run, slept until 2.45, did the pick up and went back to bed at the same time as my children at 7.30. It made no difference whatsoever. I expected to feel a tiny bit better, day by day, but that doesn't seem to be happening

I'm starting to get really worried, AIBU to think this isn't normal?

I was always like that with GA, was eventually diagnosed with B12 deficiency. B12 is depleted with GA. Might be worth getting tested.

It might not be the GA itself, a 12 hour operation is a huge thing to go through as well. Some major ops take 6-8 weeks to recover from. Try and give yourself a break. Nap when you need to and eat well. Don't push yourself too hard.

I was going to suggest b12 deficiency. Worth getting it checked but don't take any supplements before getting it checked.

I've had a few GAs and haven't felt bad from them but minor ops. It's probably the surgery. Take some time to recover.

I got told that it takes a week to get over each hour of GA.
Which makes sense really, you've had a major operation.

Probably your body recovering from what you had put right. We expect to be back up and running straight away...three weeks is nothing rest and take it slow

It sounds like maybe my expectations are a bit unrealistic but it's hard when you habe kids, a business and a house to run and everyone expects you to get right back to it. I honestly feel like I could hibernate for a month!

Thanks for all your responses by the way, I'm a bit less worried now!

I had a 5hr spinal op and basically slept for 3 weeks after! I was so tired. It did improve but at one point it was an episode of a box set, nap, eat, little walk, nap, box set, nap...

I was told 6 weeks for an operation and took 8 ! 3 weeks is nothing Op . Listen to your body and be patient and rest . Don’t panic and remember if someone stabbed you would you expect to feel better so fast ? Having surgery is like having a knife taken to you ! I remember feeling the same x

12 hours

I agree with PPs, I have had a couple of GAs for relatively minor OP's (keyhole surgery for an ovarian cyst eg) so prob only out for an hour and I felt rotten for about a week afterwards.

A 12-hour op is going to take some recovering. I can see it's hard if you're self employed but maybe you need to take more time. The b12 thing is worth checking out too.

I was terrible after having a GA, took weeks. I actually fell asleep standing up at one point.
Was only out for just over 2 hours.

I had a 7 hour op and didn’t feel right for about 8/9 weeks after it. Luckily I was on maternity leave so was already off work. You need to give yourself more time OP

I agree with others, 3 weeks is no time. I've had two ga in the last 18 months. They make me sick and my temp plummets so.its hard to bring me round. Even 2 hours under knocked me for six. It took a good 3 weeks to feel partially human again. 12 hours under is going to take a while to recover from.

There are some people who bounce back from ga. Sadly I suspect you, me and several others here are not amongst them. Be kind to yourself as much as you can be.

For a 12 hour surgery you probably would have been given Scoline (Suxmethonium Choride a depolarising muscle relaxant ) to intubate , and a long acting Muscle relaxant so you could be ventilated most likleyTubocurarine ( made from Curare ) both are quite toxic but the effects of the Scoline are short acting

you may have had issues with some of the Anaesthesia but most likley its your body healing and or side effects of the subsequent pain relief post operatively ,*which if generic can cause issues see your family GP have a blood test see if you are deficient in anything

Definitely early days. Is there anyone who could give you a hand with the children or the business so you have a bit more time to rest?

@EverlastingLove I sincerely hope you’re not an anaesthetist, you’re talking bollocks. Sux is used very rarely (with defined clinical indications) and tubocurarine hasn’t been used for decades. While OP will have been intubated, it’s quite possible to do without any muscle relaxation and if you must use it, vecuronium is the agent of choice.

@SpoilsburyToastGirl surgery lasting 12h will take a lot longer than 3 weeks to recover from. The anaesthetic agents in your system will have long gone, but the effect they have on your sleep cycles (deep, light, REM) can persist much longer. This interruption to natural sleep is why you feel jet lagged. You also will be feeling the effects of the body’s stress response to surgery - you will be in a state of muscle breakdown as your body tries to generate easy sources of glucose to heal, hence feeling weak. General anaesthetics are also immunosuppressant, so you’ll be susceptible to any virus going which normally you’d fight off without even noticing.

Best way to get over it - eat little and often, a mix of complex carbs, proteins, fruit & veg to give your body some sugar while it needs it. Drink lots of fluids, minimise the caffeine and alcohol. Rest when you need to. If you’re having trouble sleeping, ask your GP for some melatonin tablets for a few nights to help restore your usual patterns, or you could try taking tart cherry extract if you prefer herbal supplements.

Definitely get your vitamin B intake up, plus vitamin C for free radical scavenging.

I like the concept of a week per hour of surgery as a good rule of thumb. I tell patients they’ll need at least a week before they are back to strength after a day case procedure; 6-12 months after something more invasive (like gall bladder removal - back at work in 10 days but fully back to strength in 6-12 months); 12-24 months after serious intracavity surgery (hysterectomy, long excision of endo, bowel resections).

hic you must definitely be an anaesthetist!

Dh had a 3 hour op 2 weeks ago. He is still.feeling weird and tired and can't understand why, and he was sedated rather than had a GA. He went back to work after a week off but then went to bed really early every night for the last week and is relishing the thought of a 4 day weekend

If you had a 12 hour op and a GA then I would expect you to take several weeks to recover. (Disclaimer - no medical knowledge here!).

I agree 3 weeks is nothing. As well as the GA your body also has to repair itself from the surgery itself. Along with that you're also trying to work, look after kids and live day to day life while recovering. I had 3 hour surgery on my hand a year or so ago and was totally one handed for 12 weeks. It was exhausting. Accept all the help you can and give it time.

Luna what gave it away?!

(yes. Consultant anaesthetist with special interests in cancer anaesthesia and obstetrics)

Hic I like your post. Lots of good advice there.

Can I just say though, it may not be helpful to create the expectation that the GP will prescribe melatonin. In our area at least, it's non formulary (so specialist initiation only) and I think is still unlicensed in under 55's. Not saying it wouldn't work, just that GP might not be happy to prescribe.

You may have lost a lot of blood during the operation. Get your iron checked & take iron supplements.

cheescrackers really? I’m in NZ so different drugs on our formulary - but melatonin is a staple! Tart cherry extract will work just as well though - and no need for a script :)