Sedation

I am really worried being on the Operating table and being able to feel everything. Did anyone have this problem?

11 Comments

Just had surgery on Tuesday 5/17/16

by Xjx - 2016-05-30 01:05:17

I was sedated during my procedure. However, I asked the anesthesiologist if he could start sedation on the way to the operating room..I recall sliding onto the operating table...two hours later..I was waking up after the procedure

Location

by PacingUnicorn - 2016-05-30 01:05:27

I live in Alabama (U.S).

Sedation does not...

by donr - 2016-05-30 02:05:17

...keep you from feeling pain. It only puts you into some level of La-La-Land. To kill pain takes other meds that specifically kill pain. Depends on where you you live as to what pain killers they use, so every one of us is likely to have had a different experience.

I've been to the OR three times for PM jobs of some kind. All three times I've been asked to climb up onto the table myself. For the third job - a "battery replacement" - I even had to walk to the OR!

First time - the original implant - they didn't ask - they just sedated me w/Propofol enough to make me totally unaware of just about anything - except that they kept waking me to ask questions. Also got several shots of local anesthetic at the actual site, name unknown. On top was a shot of Fentynal for general pain management. That also induces some sleep. About halfway through I sensed a woman talking to me under the sheet they had over my head. She asked a few dumb questions & told me she was just checking to make sure I was still there & doing OK - kinda a health & welfare check.

Second time I asked that they NOT use the Fentynal because it made me feel like crap post-op. The surgeon said OK - but under one condition - that if the going got rough I would tell him & he would be prepared to use it. Same Doc as implant; same meds: Propofol, local & about a minute into the cutting I asked for the Fentynal. Don't recall anything else.

Third time, the "Battery Change," I don't recall a thing after the Propofol - except waking up some 7 hours later & saying to my wife "I want a sandwich!".

Others will tell you that they had no sedation, just local anesthesia.

You did not tell us where you live, so I can give you not the faintest hint as to what they will do for you. Except that if they are rational humans, you should feel nothing unbearable. Good luck to you on the big day!

Donr

my easiest surgery yet

by techiej - 2016-05-30 04:05:45

I've had 7 surgical procedures over the past 2 years, the PM being the latest this past December...it was certainly the easiest on the body before (no prep other than not eating that day) or after (70 minutes, don't recall a thing and they gave me a box lunch as I left the OR on the way to X-Ray).

Since they didn't use a general to knock me out there were no side-effects breathing wise or with the digestive system.

They didn't knock me out until after I was on the table and all of the leads/paddles were attached - I found it interesting.

The next AM after the tech came by to check and the floor Dr did their thing they let me walk out of the hospital instead of requiring a wheelchair.

Didn't feel a thing

by LondonAndy - 2016-05-30 08:05:05

When I had mine (about a week after open heart surgery, 20 months ago), I was expecting only a local anesthetic but I think I had more than that, as I don't remember a thing until waking up towards the end and feeling some pushing as the device was put into place. But no pain.

Of course you're worried....

by Shaun - 2016-05-30 09:05:53

... it's only natural, but once it's over you'll realise that it was nowhere near as bad as you thought. I was shaking when I climbed onto the operating table, but then as soon as they gave me the pre-med I bacame so relaxed it was incredible. There was a screen so I couldn't see what was going on and the local anaesthetic meant I didn't feel any pain. There was a bit of pushing and tugging along with a few images in my own mind about what might be going on, but that was it. The surgeon chatted with me throughout much of the procedure, he was a keen jogger and myself a keen cyclist. Then it was all finished and I was wheeled back to the ward a hero for a bit of sympathy from my lovely wife.

...

by PacingUnicorn - 2016-05-31 06:05:27

No Donr I am having mine done in Florence/ Shoals area. I will have to ask her about it. I have to be there at 5:30 in the morning. I have told myself I am not going to read anymore horror stories or watch anymore YouTube videos because I am making my anxiety high. I don't know what bothers me more. Actually having surgery or the fact that I'm 28 and having to get a pacemaker. This site has helped trying to deal with that though.

Thanks

by PacingUnicorn - 2016-05-31 10:05:18

Thanks everyone for helping me relax. My procedure is tomorrow and I'm going to try my best to keep my mind off it.

Hey, Uni!

by donr - 2016-05-31 12:05:00

I just checked out a thread above yours by a member named Artist. She just finished an ablation at Univ of AL med center - probably in Tuscaloosa. Ask her what it was like - she had her implant there, also. Is that where you are going by any chance?

Donr

Time to go into your "Bat Act"...

by donr - 2016-05-31 12:05:33

... you know, just hang in there! You will make it after all! Just like MTM.

I know Alabamans - they are pretty much like Georgians & Mississippians - pretty rational. We split our time between GA & MS, so travel I-20 between the two places about once per month. After all - AL is the Heart of Dixie. With a sobriquet like that, how could you do anything to cause a PM patient intentional pain.

Look fwd to hearing your results.

Donr

Pacemaker Experience

by GoldenGirl - 2016-06-01 10:06:40

I debated on not posting this because my experience with getting my pacemaker implanted was so bad. Worst wake up from surgery experience I have ever had and I've had numerous surgeries.
Mine was done with versed and propofol. Awoke rapidly after they finished in SEVERE pain. My left arm was twisted in back half way across my body. Left shoulder hurt too. Anesthesiologist thought my pain was at least "partly psychological." Of course that didn't help. Waited over half an hour to get a pain pill. Had a miserable night in the hospital, couldn't sleep due to pain.
Told my primary care Dr. about the pacemaker experience and he though that I obviouslywasn't numb at all from the local anesthetic or perhaps they didn't give me any local at all.
Gradually pain went away but it took 4 to 6 weeks until I felt comfortable.

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