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AIBU?

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Original poster

Feeling very weird after general anaesthetic

102 replies

scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:36

I've had a laparoscopy this morning under a general. I've been feeling very drowsy and also dizzy on standing, feel like I will faint when I stand and try to walk. I've had cup of tea and biscuits but just feel so strange and unsteady when I walked to the toilet. Is this normal? I've been hours but still not right to be able to walk out of the hospital. I just want to go
Home. They've advised me to lie back down and more fluids and rest etc.

It feels like a sensation of falling, a bit like I'm drunk, when I tried to walk slowly to the toilet. I
The lady in the bed opposite me had her op after me and has already gone home, she walked out fine and seemed really steady on her feet. What's wrong with me?

Nurses are so kind, telling me to take my time and just rest, no rush etc, but I had my op at 9am, surely I should be able to get out of here by now? It's only meant to be a day case procedure, I feel bad I'm taking up a bed.

Why can't I just walk out of here? Is this normal? I feel so pathetic. 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:37

Just to add I'm 39 and in good health, fit and healthy, exercise a lot etc, so this has totally thrown me! It's so frustrating I can't just get up and go home.

OP posts:
BlaiseBaileyFinneganiii · 09/10/2024 14:38

Give yourself a break. You've just been given a shit load of really strong medication. You missed a few meals before this too, I'm sure?

I found a general made me quite emotional afterwards too. Be gentle with yourself.

Original poster
scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:39

Yeah I've had nothing to eat since 7pm yesterday, except 2 biscuits and a cup of tea

OP posts:
mrssunshinexxx · 09/10/2024 14:40

I react really badly to it like cannot come round / be alert think it's v common

Original poster
scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:40

I feel like crying when that other lady got up and just went home, and I'm struggling to even stand with the room spinning

OP posts:
Motomum23 · 09/10/2024 14:40

General anesthetic affects everyone differently so don't judge yourself on the lady who has already gone home. You have medication in your system, probably pain killers too - Any sort of cocodamol (which is usually hospital's first choice) makes me feel drunk. And I always vomit after a GA too, every single time without fail.

Aussieland · 09/10/2024 14:44

Your blood pressure might be a bit low. Drink more, eat something and wait it out. You will be fine tomorrow. If you get dizzy standing up then don’t!

BlaiseBaileyFinneganiii · 09/10/2024 14:46

That would make you feel shaky by itself.

Is there anything you can munch on? You might have cottonmouth but is there a yogurt or something like that you could manage?

I'm sure you'll be feeling better in a few hours x

Original poster
scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:46

I had morphine too. My blood pressure was low, they said when I was under it went really low so the anaesthetist gave me medication to bring my heart rate up? I didn't fully understand what they meant. My blood pressue is low as a baseline anyway, sort of 90/55

OP posts:
UprootedSunflower · 09/10/2024 14:49

Sounds like me. Same age, same effects.
I nearly had to stay overnight and saw everyone go home and embarrassingly nearly cried.
It stopped thankfully just before the cut off time for that and the next day I was totally normal.
I also came round with huge stomach pain too, unrelated to the op. That passed in 5 min

Couchpotato3 · 09/10/2024 14:50

It's not a race. The other lady had a different op, different meds and has a different body to you. Just relax and rest. You'll be ready when you're ready. It's totally normal to feel weird after a general anaesthetic and it will all wear off eventually. Listen to the nurses - they know what they're talking about!

Bearpawk · 09/10/2024 14:51

General anaesthetic is a big deal. I'm surprised you thought you'd feel back to normal so soon ! I was woozy for a couple of days but quite liked it

Original poster
scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:51

Just broke down crying with the nurse and she was so lovely, brought me another cup of tea and more biscuits. She said to take my time and that it affects everyone differently.

It's just so frustrating when I'm usually fit and healthy to not be able to get up. I'm desperate to be in my own bed resting properly.

Also haven't passed urine yet so can't go until I do.

OP posts:
Bearpawk · 09/10/2024 14:52

I also remember crying for no reason on the way home and getting confused about where I lived the first time I had GA - must have only been about 25

Jaehee · 09/10/2024 14:53

The combination of low BP and morphine alone will do it, and on top of that you might be sensitive to the anaesthetic. Take it easy and let them look after you, there's no rush.

IrisTea · 09/10/2024 14:54

You've been through so much this morning. Be kind to yourself. Have you got an iPad / tv anything to distract yourself - you'll metabolise it soon. Honestly - that sweet old lady probably has a secret morphine addiction and has the tolerance of an ox 😉

Jaehee · 09/10/2024 14:55

scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:51

Just broke down crying with the nurse and she was so lovely, brought me another cup of tea and more biscuits. She said to take my time and that it affects everyone differently.

It's just so frustrating when I'm usually fit and healthy to not be able to get up. I'm desperate to be in my own bed resting properly.

Also haven't passed urine yet so can't go until I do.

I woke up from my laparoscopy sobbing my heart out. I was trying to tell the nurse I had no idea why I was crying in between sobs but I couldn't get the words out. It's quite common. Some people also feel depressed for several days following GA, so don't be alarmed if this happens to you.

RocketPanda · 09/10/2024 14:56

I've trouble coming round from anesthesia and funnily enough also lowish blood pressure.
A tip I was given a few Ops ago was to suck Love Hearts sweets as soon as I can after I wake up. I can't explain how it helps but it really does.

JaneJeffer · 09/10/2024 14:58

Drink some orange juice to get your BP regulated but be prepared to feel awful for a couple of days and try to sleep it off!

Original poster
scaredofhospital · 09/10/2024 14:58

@RocketPanda
Ah I wish I had some! I've got biscuits and hot tea with sugar in, that's helping a little, it's a much needed comfort.

OP posts:
BeMintBee · 09/10/2024 14:58

I woke up from GA crying although have no recollection that’s just what I was told. To be honest I was tearful when I went under so think I just started where I had left off!

10storeylovesong · 09/10/2024 14:59

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

steppingin · 09/10/2024 15:00

34 and also fit and healthy.
Had a similar procedure to you under general a couple of weeks ago and felt similar for a couple of days afterwards.
Actually felt fine the day of the op, so panicked when I felt weird the next day!

RocketPanda · 09/10/2024 15:01

Be kind to yourself @scaredofhospital . Have you ever had an anesthetic before? They can give you some mad dreams for a week or so after.
I'll give you a laugh. I gave out hell to a surgeon once because I was convinced he was Peter Barlow from Coronation Street. It was about 20 years ago and if I recall correctly Peter Barlow was being a right shit.

spiritowl · 09/10/2024 15:02

It really does affect everyone differently. I also had a laparoscopy and it was supposed to be a day case, but stayed overnight. Sometimes due to what they find it can take longer and so you're under for longer which can affect how you recover. Regardless of the length of the op though, you've been through a huge thing and your body needs time to get over it. I woke up freezing cold and it took me hours to feel that I was a normal temperature again! And that's not to mention the emotional effects of the medication. Take care, and take your time.