Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/8/2011

Question
Whenever I have a MRI I have to be Put under with a breathing tube. I have old metal in my shoulder. I have had light sedation but have stopped breathing. The last three times I have had a MRI in the past year an half five days after my skin starts burning and itching, I also have gastric lock in my chest. I have seen many doctors and they say it is from the drugs they use for the sedation. These symptoms last four weeks. Please Help.

Answer
I don't know who these doctors are but it is not related to the sedation medicine. If your skin doesn't start to burn or itch until 5 days later, the anesthetic drugs are long out of your system. I have no idea what is causing these symptoms but it is definitely not the anesthesia.

Ronald Levy, MD
professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston