1. < Depression & Anxiety

Anxiety Remission After General Anesthesia

Posted by kaseyjaynexo @kaseyjaynexo, Nov 12, 2018

4 weeks ago, I had a laprascopic appendectomy. I am healing normally physically, but I haven’t been taking my anxiety medication because I feel “normal”. I still have moments where I am anxious or my OCD kicks in, but nothing compared to before the surgery. Has anyone else noticed this? Or even heard of something like this? I keep waiting for the “other shoe to drop” but so far, I feel great anxiety/OCD wise, things that would have bothered/triggered me, no longer do. Any help would be appreciated!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

dannybee | @dannybee | Oct 18, 2021
In reply to @sprinsse "I know I’m a bit late to this conversation, but I’ve just had a similar reaction..." + (show)
@sprinsse

I know I’m a bit late to this conversation, but I’ve just had a similar reaction to a general as the OP. I had a repair to a hiatal hernia 2 weeks ago. Before the surgery, I had severe anxiety, which was affecting my quality of life.
Right after the surgery and for the following week, I was super relaxed.
My anxiety levels have increased, but not to an unmanageable extent.
I have had anxiety for over 45 years (I’m on the autism spectrum, undiagnosed, but it explains a lot. I suffer from PTSD & depression. Strangely, I self medicate (that old chestnut).
I live in a fairly conservative country, so I don’t have access to a lot of medication. But I do get antidepressants etc. they have never really worked. I mean, they do something, but life was still pretty intolerable.
My main form of self medication was alcohol. I haven’t had a drink since the surgery. Yes, I know, alcohol make anxiety worse, but when my brain won’t shutdown for 1 minute in a day, I reach for that bottle.
I’ve lived with depression and anxiety for around 90% of my life, so I know this might only be temporary. But a 2 week break from the intense anxiety has been like a holiday.
I started thinking about this because I have heard there are some initial positive results with ketamine injections. I was wondering if this could be having a similar effect.
My psychologist wants to send me for a general anytime I get overwrought, over stimulated and generally can’t cope. 🤪🤪
Anyway, I just thought I’d add my story as anecdotal evidence.

Jump to this post

@sprinsse Ive been depressed off and on since my mom passed in 1988. I couldn't tell you how many antidepressants I've tried. My psychiatrist asked me a few weeks ago if ID like to try ECT or ketamine. I thought briefly about ECT then dismissed it. I dont need to have my brains scrambled anymore than they already are. Then I started looking at ketamine and looking at videos on YouTube. It really looked like it could work. I also discovered that the injections had to be done every day and were pretty expensive, and I don't think my insurance pays for it. But, it looked so promising. I would like to be rid of the fatigue and constant loneliness. If you find out any info could you put out a little post? I want to try this. 😋
Thanks, @dannybee

REPLY
1 reply
suz55 | @suz55 | Oct 18, 2021
In reply to @dannybee "@sprinsse Ive been depressed off and on since my mom passed in 1988. I couldn't tell..." + (show)
@dannybee

@sprinsse Ive been depressed off and on since my mom passed in 1988. I couldn't tell you how many antidepressants I've tried. My psychiatrist asked me a few weeks ago if ID like to try ECT or ketamine. I thought briefly about ECT then dismissed it. I dont need to have my brains scrambled anymore than they already are. Then I started looking at ketamine and looking at videos on YouTube. It really looked like it could work. I also discovered that the injections had to be done every day and were pretty expensive, and I don't think my insurance pays for it. But, it looked so promising. I would like to be rid of the fatigue and constant loneliness. If you find out any info could you put out a little post? I want to try this. 😋
Thanks, @dannybee

Jump to this post

I have had depression and anxiety since I was in high school if not earlier. I am in my 60’s now and been on an anti-depressant for a very long time. I still struggle quite a bit so someone suggested ketamine treatments. I took them for over two months starting with twice a week for four weeks and then once a week. They were a very strange experience for about 20 minutes each time. They told me everyone’s reaction is different so I gave it a really good try. Unfortunately, for me, it did not work. I am told it works for some people, but there are no guarantees. That is my experience with ketamine, another person’s may be different.

REPLY
jolene1974 | @jolene1974 | Jun 5, 2022

I had an endoscopy on Friday and was put under a general anesthetic. I have had thousands of these procedures due to a birth defect with my esophagus. I was born with an esophageal tresia without a fistula in 1974. I was born at 26 weeks gestation. That being said I also have borderline personality disorder and severe ptsd and agoraphobia and anxiety. Since my scope on Friday, I feel a sense of calmness. My anxiety so far is in complete remission. I came across this post as I was curious myself. I am also not on any medications and haven’t been in years. I keep wondering hmm wonder why this is so calm all of a sudden but when I typically get into the what if it’s interesting my thought process is not going all the way. So I am very interested to see if maybe this scope and the anesthesia fixed this. It’s different and I hope it lasts.

REPLY
2 replies
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jun 24, 2022
In reply to @jolene1974 "I had an endoscopy on Friday and was put under a general anesthetic. I have had..." + (show)
@jolene1974

I had an endoscopy on Friday and was put under a general anesthetic. I have had thousands of these procedures due to a birth defect with my esophagus. I was born with an esophageal tresia without a fistula in 1974. I was born at 26 weeks gestation. That being said I also have borderline personality disorder and severe ptsd and agoraphobia and anxiety. Since my scope on Friday, I feel a sense of calmness. My anxiety so far is in complete remission. I came across this post as I was curious myself. I am also not on any medications and haven’t been in years. I keep wondering hmm wonder why this is so calm all of a sudden but when I typically get into the what if it’s interesting my thought process is not going all the way. So I am very interested to see if maybe this scope and the anesthesia fixed this. It’s different and I hope it lasts.

Jump to this post

Hi @jolene1974 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. This topic is really interesting. I don't think I have ever heard of it prior to working on Connect. I hope it lasts for you. I wonder if it just suppresses the neuron inhibitors and so long that you don't take medication, it may stay dormant?

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 25, 2022
In reply to @jolene1974 "I had an endoscopy on Friday and was put under a general anesthetic. I have had..." + (show)
@jolene1974

I had an endoscopy on Friday and was put under a general anesthetic. I have had thousands of these procedures due to a birth defect with my esophagus. I was born with an esophageal tresia without a fistula in 1974. I was born at 26 weeks gestation. That being said I also have borderline personality disorder and severe ptsd and agoraphobia and anxiety. Since my scope on Friday, I feel a sense of calmness. My anxiety so far is in complete remission. I came across this post as I was curious myself. I am also not on any medications and haven’t been in years. I keep wondering hmm wonder why this is so calm all of a sudden but when I typically get into the what if it’s interesting my thought process is not going all the way. So I am very interested to see if maybe this scope and the anesthesia fixed this. It’s different and I hope it lasts.

Jump to this post

Hello @jolene1974

Your example of being more relaxed after the anesthesia used for your endoscopy resonates with me as well. While I don't have a major anxiety disorder, I do deal with anxiety (more or less)🤗.

That being said, I also have had many endoscopies because of previous surgeries for carcinoid cancer in the upper digestive tract. I too have noticed that for several days afterward, I am much more calm and relaxed.

All hospitals keep a record of the anesthesia you are given. It is probably included in the endoscopy report itself. If you want to know more about what you were given and the amounts, ask for the report or print it off your patient portal. Perhaps you can request this same medication prior to your next procedure.

I would be interested in knowing how long the effects of the anesthesia last for you. Will you post again?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.