Expert: Jennifer Evans, MSN, CRNA - 12/10/2011

Question
I had general anesthesia for an EGD. Immediately following and for the next 24 hours I was a totally different person. We left the office, I wanted something to eat and when my husband went to get it i cried like a baby because he didn't get something i could eat immediately, i asked for a salad but was mad at him. I cried on the way home, I argued on purpose I was miserable and depressed. The next day I argued with my doctors office, and the pharmacy. I was rude to my doctors staff telling them I waited seven minutes on hold and then apologized . I told them I wanted my doctor to give me an amphetamine because I was exhausted and needed a boost, I told them I was at my wits end. The actually asked if I was considering hurting myself , I sounded like such a nut case. I said thanks for nothing and I can get better drugs on the street than wait for help from them. I cried on the phone to them. And almost 24 hours exact from when I received the anesthesia it stopped. The depression the rudeness the hysteria, gone. Please tell me I am not losing my mind, lol.I never ever never act that way and was horrified that i did. I blame the anesthesia, please let me know what you think. Anne

Answer
Hi Anne,

 I'm sorry you had such an experience where you felt like a completely different person.  It's quite possible that the combination of mind-altering drugs you received for anesthesia reacted that way in your system.  It's also possible that you may be allergic to one of them causing hallucinations, but that would be hard to determine which one if you you received several drugs.  Have you ever behaved that way while intoxicated?  Are you on any current medication for depression/anxiety or mental illness?  Sometimes the drug interactions with prescription psych meds can cause this reaction.

Good luck with future surgeries.  You might want a list of medications you received to further investigate any allergies or drug interactions.  I would never use amphetamines for a boost as it is terrible for your heart/body and not intended to be used as a boost.

Hope this helps,
Jennifer, CRNA