Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/9/2008

Question
Hello Dr. Levy - I had a hernia operation on Monday and have since been
having trouble sleeping (except for the first day when I slept about 15 hours
pretty much on and off!). Also, I find myself rather depressed. Is this normal
and a result of anesthesia? I'm not really in physical pain,  and don't usually
have sleeping problems. I was given propofol, and after the OP  I only took a
few ibuprofin. Maybe you can shed light on this problem? Thanks very much.

Answer
It is possible that the anesthetics affected your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) although I have not heard this with relatively short procedures. It should go away in a few days. I cannot explain the depression. If it continues or gets worse, I would have it evaluated. I don't think it is related to the anesthesia.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston