Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/17/2009

Question
Hello. I am 37 Yrs old and have severe asthma. I have been intubated 9 times...4 times in the past 2 years.my last intubation was 02/2009. It seems that every intubation gets worse and I become more aware DURING the intubation...The last time, I woke up and knew everything they were doing but couldn't call out for help. It was like I was paralized.I could hear them,see them but i couldn't move or speak..and this happened before they were able to intubate.It seems like the meds they use to sedate don't work on me anymore. Is this something that happens with a history of multiple intubations? It was a very bad experience. thank you.

Answer
It sounds like you got succinylcholine to paralyze you but they gave it too soon after you got the anesthetic (or they never gave you an anesthetic). The paralysis is necessary to open your vocal cords to place the tube, but they should put you to sleep before getting the muscle relaxant. There is nothing that happens with multiple intubations. I just think this particular event was not done ideally.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston