Another Professional Gets Hammered With Versed

Here is the piece I got today in my email.  I have omitted this individuals name,and job, but this person is a professional type.  As we are all aware, wrist surgery can be done easily with a Bier block, without Versed.  There was absolutely no reason not to discuss the anesthesia plan with her, especially in light of the fact that she has had previous problems.  I am hoping she gets a copy of her anesthesia from the hospital or anesthesia group so we can all see how well the "anesthesiologist" (probably a crna, not a doctor) followed her instructions and kept their word to use "barely anything."
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 Hi there,

I found your blog while investigating the drugs I was given. Here is my story:

On March 24, 2016 I went in for carpal tunnel release (endoscopic) surgery on my right wrist.

Pre-op, a number of staff members prepped me for surgery, the intake nurse, the phlebotomist, the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and another nurse. Repeatedly I was asked about my medical record that stated I am allergic to narcotics (this is because I have extreme long lasting vomiting/nausea for hours/days with no relief except medical intervention). When asked, I confirmed it and was told "well then I will barely give you anything then."

That's it, no disclosure of what or if no sedation was an option, which I preferred.

Keep in mind I have had two c-sections with no sedations and had weekly aspirations of my thyroid gland (large needle repeatedly inserted into front of neck and fluid drawn out) during pregnancy with no drugs or even an anxious refrain to the doctor.

On the way being rolled into the surgery room, I felt dizzy and saw the room start to sway.  I heard the Anesthesiologist say "I see the cocktail I have you is taking effect."

Shortly after that began what I can only describe as tripping out of my mind into complete and total psychosis. I fragmented. Was transported out of the room, split into pieces of myself and traveled around fragments of my brain. I didn't know I was a person or what a person was. I was a collection of memories, fears, intentions, images, etc.  In the simplest terms, I was gone. In one moment I remembered Jesus was and is. I thought His name. Then I "saw" in my mind's eye a figure that looked like His form in the midst of the chaos. I feel Him say "focus on Me." So I did. I realized I was human and that I was having surgery. I opened my left eye (the other eye couldn't move.). I saw I was on the table and felt cool air I was breathing through a tunnel of sorts. (oxygen mask I guess) I could hear the staff chatting away happily.

I said to whoever would listen "I had a bad trip."

I heard a man say he wanted a corned beef sandwich and a woman talk about a girl she knew who "tripped" from anesthesia, but it wasn't bad.

When I came out of surgery I was ridiculously sick, heaving violently. 

I spent the rest of the day horribly I'll.

Since then, I feel like I am on a ship. Often nauseous (but burp instead of vomit thank God!) I am dizzy, off balance, and hallucinate (I will remember doing something and circumstances will show me I hadn't done the thing I fully remembered doing.) I've also seen a few things that weren't there. A man in my house, bugs, etc.

Today was my pre-op appt (I waited to make it out of fear and also to see if my troubles would pass).

I asked if no anesthesia was an option becasue if it wasn't, I didn't want to get my left wrist done. I told them why and just about the nausea and feeling like I'm on a ship.

The surgeon came back into the exam room to tell me they did a bier block so they didn't give me any anesthesia. I said "yes they did." Then he said "well they probably only gave you a little versed and that wouldn't cause that." So I said "well I'm allergic to narcotics so for me I'm extremely sensitive to that." He said well we will have to look at your chart and see what you were given and give you something else. I asked "can't I just have nothing? I've had two c-sections." He said "well just talk to them during the surgery and if you need something just tell them."

So..... I expected maybe....this type of response:

How long have you been experiencing the dizziness/nausea?

Are you having any other symptoms since the surgery?

Have you been eating and sleeping normally?

I'm so sorry to hear this.... we will have to figure out what's causing it and get you feeling better.

NOPE!

The response was directly aimed at two objectives:

1.  Deny any relation between the symptoms and the surgery/anesthesia 

2.  Set things up to get me in place for the next surgery with anesthesia. 

Now I am looking into switching into a different network and discussing my options with my insurance carrier. I may ask them if they have any interest in my experience being given a drug in a class I repeatedly confirmed I was allergic to and being charged for drugs that are not needed or specifically declined by the patient.

(why would they want to pay for drugs like this?)

Reform is needed!!! Feel free to share my story where ever you see fit!