Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 10/29/2010

Question
I recently had a hernia repair in a surgical center.  I noticed when I was put under I felt my heart starting to race.  After coming to and returning home I had a horrible headache and was sick to my stomach.  That passed but the feeling of dizziness and passing out didn't.  I was told by my surgeon I could drive as long as I wasn't taking any pain killers.  Four days after my surgery I started to take a trip to the pharmacy when I almost passed out behind the wheel.  Also the following four days I have felt like that and just found out over a week after my surgery blood pressure is 100/50, which it has never been before.  I take medicine for palpitations and also to keep my blood pressure stable.  I hear it is possible that these after effects are quite normal and can last up to a month after surgery. Is that true? and if so, why did I not have any of these problems on my other three surgeries?

Answer
First of all, this is not related to anesthesia. Your hypotension, etc. is also probably not related to your surgery. The effects that oyu mention lasting a month is probably realted to someone having major surgery but that is also not your case. My first guess (and it is a guess) is that the dosage of your blood pressure pills needs to be adjusted. I would recommend seeing your primary care doctor and have him evaluate you. Another things that could cause a low blood pressure (which explains all of your symptoms) is a low blood count. In any case, it should be evaluated.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston