I am writing this article simply to share my experiences with others in hopes that it might give comfort to others that are experiencing similar things that I have had after surgeries. I am the first to admit that I am not an expert on this topic, but I do have first hand experience from surgeries that I have been through. I know that anesthesia is needed for most surgical procedures, but as with any drug that is administered the risk of side effects is always there.
Possible Side Effects of Anesthesia
Most doctors seem to focus on the short term side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, weakness, blurred vision, sore throat, dizziness, mood swings and unusual dreams. What about long term effects? I feel that the long term damage to the brain is a real problem that few doctors care to admit. Makes sense to me that shutting the brain down for a long period of time (say 2-6 hours just for example) cannot be good for overall brain function. I believe that an adverse effect as a result can come in the form of depression, mood swings, loss of memory and overall changes in the ability to think clearly.
The Effects of Anesthesia From Multiple Surgeries
I have worked in construction all of my life, and I have had numerous injuries which have required surgery. The first major one was a knee surgery in 1986 which lasted 6 hours and I had the hick-ups for 3 days after the surgery, (which was called a side effect). I was hospitalized for those 3 days and was given what they said was anti- psychotic medications to relieve this problem! I also had memory lapses and depression issues, which I blamed on the fact that I was out of work for so long to recover.
I have had four other surgeries since then:
1.right elbow repair from an old injury. (3 hour surgery) Oct.1990
2.left arm bicep repair. (2 hour surgery) June 1991
3 Right rotator cuff repair (4 hour surgery) Oct. 2004
4. Left rotator cuff repair (4hour surgery) July 2009
I have had many questions for years about the long term side effects of general anesthesia... which are based on my own experiences. This last surgery has me feeling worse than any of the others. Maybe it is due to the fact that I have been off of work so long, but I don't think that is all of it! I think the long term effects are stacking up from all of the surgeries.
General Anesthesia... the Necessary Medicine?
I know that all of my surgeries did require anesthesia. I know I would not have been to comfortable without the help of anesthesia. I am just hoping to bring to light by sharing some of my own experiences a need to do more research on helping others cope with these after effects. I have thought of myself as just not being strong enough to cope. After reading in forums on this topic I now realize I am not alone. After my surgeries in 1990 and 1991. I sought psychiatric help for this problem, and was prescribed Zoloft to help with the depression I was feeling. The cost for this drug was $100.00 per month at that time, and it made me feel like a zombie! The extra monthly expense was depressing me also... a no win situation! You need a drug to offset the after effect of the previous drug! Craziness in my opinion!
I am Choosing to Take a Different Path this Time!
I will be 57 years old next month. This last surgery in July of 2009 has been a blessing for me. It has opened my mind to all kinds of new ways of thinking. I am learning new computer skills and starting my own online business so that I can quit working construction. I am doing quite well, but my thought processes just aren't as sharp as they need to be when I talk to people. I know what I want to say, but it just won't come out of my mouth correctly! Not a good thing when trying to make a new business contact... people seem to be waiting on me to explain my thoughts! People are to busy to wait for me to talk.
I am battling depression big time, but I don't want to lean on prescription medications to get over that. I just started a vitamin and natural supplement program which I hope will help me to win this battle! I just don't trust the drug companies any more. I think they do more damage than good for people.
I have found some natural supplements that I believe will help me. I've been on them for one month now and it may be the "placebo effect" going on, but I do feel better. My mood swings aren't as severe. My bouts with depression are less frequent. I have never been a person to take vitamins in the past, but this time I just want to feel better. What have I got to lose? I hope now that I will be able to share some positive results with you in the months to come. Thanks for reading my article! I sure hope it helps someone else feel as though they aren't alone or crazy. Blessings to you!
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