Question about Conscious Sedation...

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

I had a lumpectomy last week at an outpt surgi-center. All went well. I didn't want to be a pain-in-the-A, so I did not pester the AO w questions about what meds I would have. He had explained to me, my procedure would be done under local, and I would have CS and would not be aware of the local. I trusted my doctor and the facility implicitly, so I left myself in their hands. All went well, still awaiting official path report.

Anyway, I remember I had only nasal O2, and not much else, thankfully! I do recall at one point I felt something and moaned, and I remember my surgeon saying something about more local, and I suppose the AO gave me more happy juice too, because I don't remember anything else until they woke me up, and assisted me into a recliner-type chair. I was on my way home an hour later.

My D/C instructions said I'd feel very fatigued for a few weeks, and I really didn't expect that, since I only had CS, but I really AM exhausted!! Is that from the CS? Have any of you guys also experienced this?

I never had any pain that I can honestly say was over a 5 on a 0-10 scale, and that was only the first 2 days. Then after that I only took the Darvocet at HS so I could be sure to sleep.

So, why would such a small amount of medication have such a lingering effect? Or do you think it is more emotional exhaustion? I don't feel nervous about the results, my gut says negative.

Anyway, is that something you teach your patient's about CS? I have monitored during CS in the ICU several times during procedures, but it isn't really the same thing, they were already so sick, etc...( we had to take a course in CS to be able to do that.)

On the good side, they all complimented me and said I didn't "act like a typical nurse," as a pt. I guess that was a compliment, but it irked me a tad. To think you get labeled like that just walking in the door.

Is this post making any sense? I hope so. All in all I have no complaints about my anesthesia!

[sparkyRN]

It probably depends on what they gave you. Last week I had fentanyl and versed before an endoscopy. I was wiped out for about 8 hours then tired the next day. By the second day, the effects were gone.

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

I would think the physical trauma of surgery and recovery would take a lot out of you. I'm glad your surgery went smoothly and here's hoping for a clean path report!

[Kyriaka]

I think a whole lot depends on the person.

I had a tubal under local.

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

I guess it does depend on the person. I am usually pretty sensitive to meds, tylenol wipes me out. (Cheap date.)

I guess it is more the surgery than the CS. That has to be gone by now.

I need to eat some spinach or something!

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

I guess it does depend on the person. I am usually pretty sensitive to meds, tylenol wipes me out. (Cheap date.)

I guess it is more the surgery than the CS. That has to be gone by now.

I need to eat some spinach or something!

:chuckle There ya go !!! :chuckle

Glad all went well. Rest up. Why NOT ?