It's 25 years since I last had an anaesthetic and I seemed to remember being told that it took 6 months to get over the effects. I had assumed that things would be better after my ablation but it does not seem to be the case. I am tired and wooly-headed. I keep losing my words and forgetting what I want to say. And it seems that others are similarly affected.
To-day I was helping in the tea bar at our local hospital and had the opportunity to ask two senior nurses how long I could expect the anaesthetic effects to last. They both answered " 6 months at the very least."
Can anyone advise about how to minimise the symptoms? Is Vit B6 supplementation relevant?
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jennydog
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Sorry Jenny it's about 15 year since I had one but that was when I was fit and a short op for my knee, I seem to remember going back to work 2 days later and having no ill effects. I think it depends on your health before you go under, the length of the procedure and therefor how long you were under for and the type of procedure as well as how you personally respond to the drugs.
I had sedation for both ablations because I thought the effects of a GA would be worse than the effects of the procedure.
Jenny I have to agree. I had three ablations, all at least four hours, then three years ago I had radical prostatectomy-- four hours again followed about six months later by a hernia repair (1 hour) and I don't think I have ever been right since. lol I do feel that six months is about right. I used to put the kettle on the AGA and then go to the other end of the house and forget all about it. Only when thirst drove me back to the kitchen would I find the remains of the kettle. (never actually killed one but came close).
One problem I have is that I am now nearly ten years older than when I started ,my AF journey so I may have got like this anyway. I am terrible with names, my fingers are syslexic on teh sumputer and thank goodesns we have underline in red when it is splet wrongly . It takes me twice as long as it should to do a post as I have to go back and correct everything.
Seriously I do think it takes far longer than we expect to fully get rid of the affects of the GA but frankly I would rather put up with that than have a sedation only for ablation. But then I am only a mere male. ha ha.
Technically the GAS interferes with the synapses in the brain so what you take to improve things is difficult to understand. I take CoQ10 anyway along with zinc and magnesium . The Q10 does help with energy levels for sure.
I didn't have a GA for my ablation and am now only on warfarin, so I can't blame anaesthetic or drugs for often forgetting names (not uncommon from 50+) and having cotton wool for a brain. I have found it is when I have done too much. Feet up more and couple of early nights usually does the trick. Worth a try!
Good question and help comments. My ablation was a week ago and I foolishly expected to be up and dancing around in a few days. I hear that is true for some. I plan on using this excuse for at least 6 months., especially at work.
I have been using my fuzzy brain to do some thinking :-
If someone were to burn your hand, extensively, with a laser, you would have it bandaged up and you would not use it. But someone has burnt your heart, extensively, with a laser, but you can't bandage it up and you have to keep on using it.
It puts the whole thing into perspective, doesn't it?
Hi there. I am over 4 weeks post ablation (which took over 6 hours under GA). I have been very tired, and keep trying to do more than I can cope with. It's very frustrating for me and my family as having promised to do something, I then find that I simply can't do it. I had to cancel taking my son to Taekwondo last night.... I think we generally expect too much of ourselves and need to be a little kinder. Take it easy!
I had G.A. for a major op. 18 months ago, and it didn`t seem to affect me that much - although my family do tell me I am more forgetful now and inclined to repeat myself......................now what was I saying? Oh yes, I had G.A. for a major op..............................!!
I didn't have GA, but with the little they used I did the following after all three and it helped!
After the groin had healed (1 week wait) I took nearly daily baths in epsom salts to drain out the drugs and I'm told it helps for radiation.
I requested the names of the drugs they used and procured the homeopathic remedies to drain the drugs out of my body. Take the night of the procedure and the morning after.
Dear Jennydog. You have had 3 ablations and I assume that they have all been done within a reasonably short period of time and that you have been under GA for about 6 hours each ablation. You and your heart must be exhausted so be kind to yourself and give it at least a year before your brain functions as it once did. You have been through some physical and emotional trauma.... Things will fall back into shape in time. Take care and be gentle with yourself. Anne
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