Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 1/20/2012

Question
I had lumbar fusion in June 2011. The surgery took about six hours. An hour after being in my room, my spirometer reading went from 2500 to barely 500. I could not draw a deep breath. My O2 on 6 liters went to 76, pulse to 180, bp to 75/40. They gave me lasix after ruling out pulmonary embolism.  I spent the next four days sleeping, could not stay awake even to eat meals or visit with dr. This was my 34th surgery. (Mostly ortho, I had shoulder reconstruction in March 2011.) I have never been like that. I am always awake and anxious to get up and walk after any procedure. Since this one, all I want to do is sleep. All my blood tests are normal. Could this be some left over effect from the overload? I do have lupus and pulmonary fibrosis.  I am desperate to find some way of getting my normal self back. Thank you!

Answer
Without knowing the rest of your history, it is hard to determine why you went into fluid overload. Reagardless, six hours is a long surgery and it is not unusual to feel weak and tired for several weeks, but this is not due to the anesthetic. Your body needs time to heal. It could be residual from the overload but you really should be seen by your primary care physician to make sure nothing else is going on.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston