Question:
Trouble in the past waking and with extreme nausea...

I've had a lot of problems with anesthesia in the past. When I had my first knee surgery in the mid 80's I had a horrible time waking up, when I did wake up I was very very sick and vomitting, even though I had followed the directions exactly and hadn't eaten after the time they had stated. When I had my breast reduction surgery in 2001, again, I had a horrible time waking up, they forced me into a chair hoping that it would make it easier for me to wake up. When I finally did wake up I was very very nauseous, phenergen (spelling?) didn't help at all (I'm not sure what the other injection was, I had a total of 3 injections to help with the nausea). Eventually I felt like I needed to vomit, and when I did it was like I was throwing up air, nothing at all came up but I felt a lot better. (I apologize for the descriptions here) Anyway, I'm wondering if there's something I can do to help make anesthesia more tolerable? Or should I just hope that the anesthesiologist understands that when I say I get very sick and have a difficult time waking up from surgery that it's not just a mild thing. Thanks for any help you can share on this :)    — Kimberly J. (posted on May 28, 2003)

May 28, 2003
Boy do I remember that! I had my gallbladder out in 99, and threw up 5 or 6 times before it finaly stopped. Just tell the anestetheiologost (sp?) about the problems you have had. I did, and the entire time I was in the hospital with my rny, I never got the least bit nauseated. As for the problems wakeing up, it is normal to be hard to wake up. Just tell the anestethist your history, and he/she can take steps to prevent a repeat.
   — mellyhudel

May 28, 2003
Every surgery I've had, I have been very ill waking up. Vomiting and having to have N/G tubes so I wouldn't aspirate on the vomit.Except the last two. They gave me instead of phenergan, (which doesn't work for us) ZOFRAN. I am almost sure that is the name. It is put i your iv before surgery or maybe during. I.m not sure. I asked for it the last time. I awakened very easily with no vomiting. I also asked for it for my wt. loss . When the anestesist come to talk to you right before you get wheeled into surgery,this is the time to ask for it or at least tell him you are violently ill when you wake up. Good luck
   — Delores S.

May 28, 2003
Definitely let the anesthesiologist and surgeon know of this problem. Also if you have medical records from your previous surgeries, that should tell them what was used during your surgeries. My surgeon said they give anti-nauseua medication during surgery.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 28, 2003
Oh my, I can SOOO relate to this. I've had more than a fair share of surgeries in the past and ALWAYS had severe nausea afterwards. That is, until 2 years ago when I had a hysterectomy. They used a combination of things and unfortunately, it isn't used any longer because of the potential side effects. Pre-op I was absolutely terrified that I was going to get sick again. I mean..I was not sleeping and a complete basket case with worry. It turned out, they used something else and I was fine. I did get the nausea feeling and threw up once (sorry) but it was because there was blood inside my pouch and it just needed to get out. After that I was perfect. I could not believe it. Email me and I'll find out what the drug was. They give it right before surgery, during surgery & for a while after the surgery.
   — Diane S.

May 29, 2003
Kimberly, get ahold of your medical records to find out which drugs were used in the past that did not work and make sure the anesthesiologist has them. There are a variety of things they can use to prevent nausea. I had the same reaction after surgeries until the last few..whatever they used on me worked, so there are drugs out there that will help.
   — Cindy R.