Is it possible to be aware of the surroundings during a general anesthesia?
Hello doctor,
My first attempt for gallbladder surgery failed because they could not intube me. As a result, I had a bad experience where I remember after they injected me, I had a pleasant dream, but after some time it was just pitch black. I could hear everything but I could not breathe or move, I was desperate and tried to breathe and I counted till the tenth till I could breathe and woke up. I am afraid to redo the procedure now. Is this normal? What should I do? Please help.
Thank you.
14 Feb 2024 - 1 min read
I have been suffering from muscle tightness, pain and knots everywhere. Please help.
Hi doctor,
For the past four years, I have been suffering from debilitating muscle tightness and pain. I have muscle knots or taut bands everywhere in my body. They can be felt with the fingers. I have tried all conventional therapy without success. As a last resort, I want to try a 1 to 2 week trial on neuromuscular relaxants to try and relax my muscle. The problem started after I had an allergic reaction to a pill. After that, my muscle started spasming, and they remained that way ever since. I did multiple CT scans and MRIs and lots of blood work, all came negative.
Please help.
05 Dec 2023 - 1 min read
Hi doctor,
My father is 75 years old. He will be undergoing cataract surgery in both eyes. There will be about two weeks gap between the procedure for each eye. He will be given an anesthesia injection instead of topical anesthesia. He is anxious about the needle prick. Will he be benefitted if topical anesthesia cream is applied on the injection site below the lower eyelid one to two hours before the procedure? Also, will any oral medicine like the tablet Alprazolam 0.25 mg given before one to two hours help him? He is taking medicine for blood pressure at a very small dosage.
10 Jul 2023 - 1 min read
Is it necessary to shave beard before a general anesthesia?
Hello doctor,
I am scheduled next week for out-patient surgery to have a malignant tumor removed from my bladder via a catheter inserted into my urethra. Before that, the anesthesiologist will administer a general anesthetic as well as a muscle-relaxant to keep me from kicking when under. The procedure also involves administration of something. I am not clear whether it is anesthetic or just oxygen via face mask. Here is my question. I have invested the past couple of years in growing a full, bushy beard. The RN assigned by my HMO told me I would have to shave, or trim down (way down), my beard in order to get a good seal for the mask. Is this really necessary? Is it possible that the nurse was speaking on the basis of a hygienic or even aesthetic concern about my beard rather than on the basis of a sincere concern about the possibility of a little gas (be it anesthetic or oxygen) escaping out the side of the mask? I mean, if the concern is really a hygienic one, I will be happy to shampoo the beard the night before as I had planned to do anyway.
24 Mar 2023 - 1 min read
I have a phobia of vomiting. What can be done to prevent vomiting due to general anesthesia?
Hello doctor,
I am a 50-year-old female who would like to have a breast reduction. However, I am at high risk for vomiting from the anesthesia as I have a phobia of vomiting, and I am susceptible to motion sickness. I am a non-smoker. I had general anesthesia once before, and I vomited several times. I am so scared that I have rescheduled the surgery three times. Is there anything else that can be used instead of general anesthesia? What can be done to prevent vomiting? Currently, I am on medication for Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Compounding cream for menopause.
07 Mar 2023 - 1 min read
Anesthesiology