After anaesthesia - Is this normal?

[Ruby0707]

My partner had a 'fairly' routine procedure on Thursday under a general anaesthetic.

He has been incredibly tired ever since, taking nap after nap during the day. When he is awake, he doesn't seem himself, it's like he can't think properly and is forgetting things we've discussed previously.

Is this normal or should I be worried? He's had this procedure a couple of times before and recovered well.

I've never had GA so don't know what to expect

Are you able to say what the procedure was? GA is quite harsh on the body, people get weepy, exhausted. Older people can become confused.

Sounds normal for me for how I react to GA. I sleep a lot for days and days afterwards.

However because your DP normally reacts well and this time is different he should probably contact a doctor for a check up. Is there a post op follow up appointment with the surgeon? If possible I’d even consider contacting the anaesthetist to let them know and find out if they used a different medication or dose to normal and have this reaction noted down so it’s avoided in future.

is he on any medication after the operation? For example oramorph?

It was a heart ablation, not the first time he's had it. He's not old though so fit and healthy.

Is he on any new medication?

No follow up for 3-6 months. Perhaps if he's still this way tomorrow, we can call the nurses for advice

Nope, he's not on any meds.

I’m always mega tired after and need to sleep a lot of the day but the forgetting things hasn’t happened to me
my last GA was a full day and it took me about 4 weeks to feel ok again

Does he recognise that his behaviour is ‘off’ or not normal for him, or is it from your observations?

I recently had a G A and was shocked at how long it took me to recover properly: tired, brain fog etc. for about ten days.

I was the same. Despite staying religiously hydrated (I've had post-surgery DVT/emboli in the past) I had low blood pressure for quite a few days - as did pretty much everyone else on my ward. I was also tired and giddy.

GA is hard on the body and it can take some time to recover, but if you're in any way unsure I'd seek medical advice. MN can't answer this one.

Yes I think he does but he just brushes it off in his typical way.

I am a bit more of a worrier but sometimes you need to be I think!

Ring the ward and ask.

Thanks everyone, sounds like it could be fairly normal but a call to the ward when they open tomorrow can't hurt.

I had a GA recently; have had them before, but this was quite long. Memory around it shot to sh*t & then sooo flat for about 5 days afterwards, including exhausted. So I’d say, pretty much to be expected.

its may be worth taking medical advice. Cognitive changes after that sort of procedure aren’t unheard of but they’ll know more about what they’re expecting based on his history/rhythm/how the procedure went/how long it took/etc. MN always blames ‘the anaesthetic’ but sometimes there’s more to it than that.

I get quite badly affected by GA and will be tired, depressed and tearful for at least a week afterwards. I’ve not been forgetful afterwards, though. I think it’s worth talking to a medical professional about that.

Maybe you have already looked at this, but the BHF says that post ablation tiredness for days and weeks is not uncommon. But do check with the hospital anyway.

I'm a veteran of these and sometimes I sailed through them and was fine within a week, other times I was floored for a month! I think it depends on how much they have to do when in there. Mine were for Afib, over several years mind!

His was for Afib too and not his first one. It's helpful that you say there was a difference in how you felt after each one.

I hope it helped resolve the issue for you!

He is feeling much better now but I'm still keeping an eye on him. Thanks for all your replies.

AHH, OH had this, and it wiped him out.

Hope things improve a lot for DH. I just wanted to say, in case you didn't know that post ablation there is something called the "blanking period". This is where the heart is recovering and healing from having been a bit battered by the procedure and is settling down.

The arrythmia that happens during this period can hit with a vengeance leading to tiredness, shortness of breath and general malaise. However, when fully healed all is well again, and the procedure is worth it. Although there were times when I thought "what the heck have they done to me"!

Thank you! Fingers crossed it works!

Thank you for the information which has actually reassured me quite a lot! His heart rate has been a bit up and down since which he is taking in his stride but has me worried a bit.

How are things for you now if you don't mind me asking?

@Ruby0707 I'm doing fine thanks. I still get the occasional blip of Afib and keep an eye on my heart rate. If it goes over 140 for more than four hours or if I feel odd I'll go to A+E but that only happened once and I converted back to sinus rhythm in the hospital without interventions. It can be quite scary, but it is not life threatening apart from stroke risk of course.

I don't take any blood thinners (like Eliquis), since I got something called the Watchman device inserted during one of the ablations. I do take low dose aspirin daily though to prevent clots in the Watchman device.

Day to day I hardly notice anything, even if my HR goes up a lot. It usually settles after a while. The biggest issue I have is travelling as I'm a bit scared of getting an attack on a long haul flight!. So I just go to Europe now and hope for the best. The health card + travel insurance is reassuring. Wishing you and DH all the best for the future. He will be absolutely fine, things are just settling down.

On a sample of 1 - never had a GA before - yes. I felt much better immediately after it than I expected, but have been at home a week and don't feel reliable to go very far yet. Because of how I felt straight away, I thought it would be quick, but am coming to the conclusion that was too optimistic and rest and a lot of water - more than I thought physically possible - is going to be what I need to keep doing.
The prior illness and possibly medication itself will also contribute to feeling like you're not up to par, and perhaps some things that could prey on your mind if they seem new.
Do see if you can ask the ward or a nurse from the area of medicine about things you have queries about, though - it takes a bit of persistence but they may call back. I haven't really felt up to trying to get through to my surgery for the equivalent even though, for me, it's probably a test they could very easily sort out.
Hope all is well for you and you are reassured.