Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 12/16/2011

Question
I just recently went to have my tonsils taken out and when they put me under the anethesia my heart rate increased and my blood pressure increased. The anesthesiologist said that he thinks I had an anxiety attack while I was under but wasn't sure because he said that, that shouldn't happen. My body turned bright red and I became all sweaty, of course I don't remember any of it but, I am hoping you could help me out since they don't really know what caused the reaction. I am due to go back into surgery to try again after a blood test before christmas. Thanks

Answer
It is not likely that you had an anxiety attack after he gave you the anesthetic because the anesthesia puts you to sleep. Without knowing what medicines he gave you, I can't even guess at what happened. Your skin turniing bright red is often seen in "Red man" syndrome which is caused by receiving the antibiotic Vancomycin too quickly, but Vancomycin is not typically give for tonsils so I don't know if you received that. The increased HR and sweating is usually associated with hypotension which can be a result of the Vancomycin (if you got it) or too much anesthetic. Whatever the case, it doesn't sound like anything too serious (e.g. an allergic reaction), but I would definitely tell the next anesthesiologist what happened so that he can check your previous records to figure out what happened.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston