Seizures Following Anesthetic Procedures
Yesterday, I (29-year-old male, 5 feet 8 inches, 200 pounds) underwent a planned outpatient procedure involving my abdomen. For sedation, Propofol was administered alongside an unspecified paralytic agent. The operation itself went smoothly; however, it took me approximately three hours to regain consciousness after the anesthesia wore off. I was later informed that during my stay in the recovery room, I experienced a number of seizures, although I have no memory of these events. Eventually, I was moved to a more extended recovery area where I regained consciousness more fully. When I was discharged early this morning, I didn't think to ask many questions due to lingering grogginess and discomfort. I have no prior history of seizures, which leads me to wonder whether this reaction is a common occurrence following anesthesia or if it might indicate a more significant issue.
Answers (1)
8/16/2025, 7:20:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing seizures after anesthesia can be concerning, especially if you have no previous seizure history. While seizures following anesthesia are rare, they can occur due to various factors such as the medications used, underlying medical conditions, or electrolyte imbalances during the surgery.
Explanation:
Anesthesia can affect the brain in complex ways, and different individuals may react differently to anesthetic agents like Propofol or paralytics. In some cases, seizures may occur as a result of:
- Reactions to anesthetic medications: Certain drugs can potentially lower the seizure threshold.
- Metabolic factors: Issues such as changes in blood electrolytes or low blood sugar during or after surgery.
- Underlying conditions: Sometimes, undiagnosed conditions may be unmasked during stressful events like surgery.
Since you do not have a history of seizures and they occurred during your recovery, it is essential to monitor how you feel in the coming days and to address any concerns.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Pay close attention to any recurring symptoms like confusion, unusual movements, or altered awareness. Write down anything you experience, including how you feel over the next week.
-
Immediate Care: Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any seizures after leaving the surgery, experience severe headaches, or notice neurological symptoms (e.g., weakness, trouble speaking).
-
Follow-Up Appointment: Schedule a follow-up appointment with your healthcare team where you can discuss the seizures you experienced. Bring a list of medications and the details of your procedure to help in their assessment.
-
Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure that you stay well-hydrated and have balanced meals to help replenish any nutrients that may be out of balance.
-
Rest and Recovery: Allow yourself time to recover. Rest is crucial after such procedures, especially when you’ve experienced something unusual like seizures.
Being proactive about your health after this experience can help put your mind at ease and address any potential concerns effectively. If you need further clarification or more information, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Seeking Insight on Complex Post-COVID Health Issues
Hello, Esteemed Medical Professionals, I find myself reaching out in earnest hope for guidance regarding my complex health situation. I am a 39-year-old female, weighing 190 lbs and standing at 5'8". I have a history of vaping and my current diagnoses include rheumatoid factor-negative rheumatoid arthritis, potential RS3PE, fibromyalgia (a label I contest), idiopathic intracranial hypertension following venous sinus stenting, ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and a suspected mixed connective tissue disease. In terms of medication, I am currently prescribed Adderall and Humira, the latter of which I haven't commenced yet due to my recent cessation of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and folic acid. To manage my chronic pain, I have turned to kratom since pain management prescriptions were not available to me, which previously led to suicidal thoughts stemming from incessant pain before I discovered kratom. **Addressing My Post-COVID Complications:** I'm experiencing symptoms that appear to suggest vascular or nerve compression issues. My challenge lies in eliciting curiosity and thorough investigation from healthcare providers rather than facing dismissal. **Historical Context:** - **Before COVID**: I was relatively fit and had no history of migraines. - **First COVID Encounter**: The initial infection was severe, marked by a high fever and a year-long loss of smell, subsequently leading to daily headaches that evolved into frequent migraines. - **Infections**: Total of three confirmed infections; I have been vaccinated twice alongside one booster. - **Neurological Treatment**: Various therapies were attempted including Maxalt (which provided temporary relief), Emgality (effective for about six months), and Botox, yet the migraines escalated to 20-25 days a month. - **CSF Considerations**: Given persistent drainage issues, I insisted on tests for IIH, despite resistance from providers due to my symptoms not aligning with typical presentations. After nine months, I finally secured an MRV that confirmed venous sinus stenosis, with a lumbar puncture indicating an opening pressure of 45, leading to a final diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension after the placement of a venous sinus stent, which alleviated the migraines and visual disturbances. **Current Concerns Post-Stenting:** - I am now enduring considerable joint and total body pain. - Raynaud’s phenomenon has developed since my COVID infection. - There’s a suspicion of an underlying connective tissue disorder based on my family history, positive antibody tests, and elevated inflammatory markers. - **Primary Symptoms**: These include numbness and tingling in my extremities based on position, persistent numbness in my toes for the past six months, pressure and fullness in my neck, dizziness with head movement or in certain positions, significant head pressure with minimal tactile pressure over the right jugular vein, a sensation of heaviness in my head, neck discomfort, and joint crepitus. I’ve noticed these issues worsen with certain positions, like chin tuck, rotation, or lying flat to watch television, yet improve when looking directly upward. - Other symptoms include POTS-like manifestations (heat sensitivity, fluctuations in blood pressure, and difficulty with physical activity), exacerbated pain when standing for more than thirty minutes, severe cognitive fog, and swollen, reddened hands, alongside rising inflammation markers with ANA and Lyme tests returning negative results. A new diagnosis of RF-negative rheumatoid arthritis has also been established. **Challenges in My Medical Journey:** - The neurosurgery nurse practitioner merely suggested a flexion-extension X-ray to check for cranio-cervical instability. - I inquired about the possibility of an upright MRI with flexion/rotation, or at the very least dynamic venous Doppler studies for jugular assessment, but those requests were denied. - My concern is that focusing solely on bony issues might overlook potential soft tissue or vascular compressions. A request for a referral was met with resistance, leaving me feeling imprisoned in a cycle of inadequate evaluation. **Seeking Your Expertise:** 1. Considering the information provided, do my symptoms align more with a potential obstruction in venous outflow (such as jugular vein compression), cranio-cervical instability, or some other positional neurovascular phenomenon? What tests should I advocate for? 2. What strategies can I employ to engage healthcare professionals regarding this intricate and uncommon health presentation in a manner that fosters curiosity rather than defensiveness? As a seasoned RN with over a decade of experience, I previously identified my IIH correctly, yet I fear being perceived as just another overly-inquisitive patient. While I understand that online research is not a substitute for professional expertise, I cannot afford to spend additional years feeling overlooked. Any advice you could offer would be immensely appreciated.
Struggling with Sleep Post Forearm Surgery
Two years ago, I experienced a fracture in my forearm, which ultimately healed quite well, aside from one section that mended improperly. This misalignment has posed challenges for me, particularly in boxing and during workouts, as I find it difficult to fully rotate my arm. Additionally, I’ve been unable to perform bench press exercises effectively. On August 13th, I underwent surgery to address this issue, involving the placement of a plate and several screws. Despite making efforts to elevate my arm using pillows to prevent any movement or discomfort, I still face difficulties in achieving restful sleep. I can rarely manage to sleep for more than two hours at a time before waking up due to a dull pain, which I would rate as a 2 out of 10. Each time I wake, I have to reposition my arm, and this cycle continues throughout the night. I feel uneasy about rotating my arm or keeping it fully extended upward. If anyone has insights or solutions to my situation, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you! 🙏 *For context, I am a 15-year-old male, measuring 180 cm in height and weighing 57 kg. I do not smoke and have no known health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.*
Understanding Toenail Concerns: Is It Melanoma?
For the past 12 to 14 days, I’ve noticed a small dark spot centrally located beneath my toenail, roughly the size of a BB. Curiously, it hasn't appeared to grow along with my nail, raising concerns about the possibility of melanoma. As a 32-year-old man of Caucasian descent, weighing 130 pounds and standing at 5 feet 8 inches, with blonde hair and blue eyes, I don't have any known family history of skin cancer from either side of my family. I currently do not take any daily medications or prescriptions, although I do use nicotine pouches regularly; apart from that, I have no other habits involving substances. Unfortunately, I lack insurance until January of next year, which prevents me from easily consulting a dermatologist. That’s why I’m turning to this platform for guidance and information. The spot in question is unlike the black or brown streaks commonly associated with melanoma cases; it’s simply a single dot. Besides this, I haven’t noticed any other unusual moles or skin discolorations on my feet, between my toes, or on the soles. My remaining toenails and fingernails appear perfectly normal and healthy. I cannot recall any incident of having stubbed my toe or subjected it to trauma severe enough to cause a blood bruise beneath the nail. I first spotted the dot after a shower about two weeks ago. There's no pain associated with it, and my toe doesn’t exhibit any signs of inflammation, redness, infection, or fungal issues. These factors add to my anxiety over the potential for it being cancerous. I would greatly appreciate any insights you might provide regarding this matter. Thank you!
Signs of Distress: Red Belly Button, Nausea, Constipation, and Abdominal Discomfort
I’m a 27-year-old female, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. I maintain a fitness routine, working out around five days a week, and I focus primarily on eating organic foods. Before making any assumptions, I want to note that I spent time in the heat while wearing a bathing suit today, so I’ll give it a full day before diving into conclusions—although I didn’t swim. Here’s what I’ve been experiencing: - The interior of my belly button has developed a noticeable bright red color. - I woke up on Friday with a wave of nausea, along with aching in my shoulders, back, neck, and a migraine. Thankfully, most of these symptoms faded or became less intense after I indulged in some ice cream around midday—I must admit, I used the sugar boost to get me through the day. - I’ve been constipated since around Thursday or Friday, with my stools being quite pellet-like. - Recently, I increased my intake of vegetables and greens significantly after indulging in too much restaurant food in the previous weeks. My meals lately have consisted mainly of vegetables, turkey bacon, and eggs. - When I mention stomach discomfort, I mean that I can feel movement in my stomach, but no gas seems to be escaping. I’m a bit uneasy because I have been in contact with people who were diagnosed with meningitis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, chickenpox, strep throat, and the flu. While I am up to date with all my vaccinations, I still feel some worry since I don’t believe I’ve had prior exposure to the first three conditions. As for my health history, I have never undergone an appendectomy and generally consider myself to be in good health overall.
Reflections on My Baby’s Birth Experience
As a 36-year-old woman standing 5’6” tall and weighing 155 pounds, I underwent an urgent cesarean section due to a stalling second stage of labor and an unsuccessful vacuum-assisted delivery, resulting in the birth of my 9-pound son. The initial days following his arrival were a whirlwind, and although I did have the chance to inquire about details, my memories of that time are quite vague. Now, several months later, I'm eager to learn more about those precious first moments. My midwife kindly provided me with a copy of the surgeon's notes upon my discharge, but since I’m no longer under their care, an appointment to discuss this further isn’t feasible. While I could reach out to my general practitioner, my concern is minimal—mostly just curiosity. Key Insights from the Birth Notes: - Surgeon's Notes: "A healthy baby was delivered. Initially, the baby displayed some signs of distress but had a flat tone. The umbilical cord was clamped after 30 seconds, and resuscitation was performed by Dr. [Name]." - Resuscitation Team Notes: "Fetal heart rate was consistently normal throughout labor. The cord was clamped after 30 seconds due to the absence of respiratory effort. The baby showed good tone and color with a heart rate maintained above 100. Positive pressure ventilation commenced in the warmer. We followed the MRSOPPA protocol and called a code pink. Pressure peaked at 30, with oxygen levels increased to 70 to stabilize vitals, then rapidly reduced to 21 as the baby began to breathe. The baby received positive pressure ventilation for 9 minutes and CPAP for 5 minutes, with respiratory therapy available at the bedside. The baby maintained good tone and color, and heart rate remained above 100 throughout. After 15 minutes, I was able to hold my baby skin-to-skin." Questions I’m contemplating: 1. Could the initial absence of breathing impact my child as he grows? It appears he didn’t go without oxygen long enough to cause harm, as he seems perfectly healthy and has been developing on track. 2. A friend mentioned her baby waited 45 seconds to take a first breath during a vaginal delivery. How does my baby's 30 seconds compare? Is there a chance he would have begun breathing without intervention? 3. The medical staff remained very calm and reassuring, which helped ease my worry. Is a code pink typically called in such scenarios, or does it suggest there was a concern for deterioration? A considerable number of staff entered the room. 4. Although the notes don’t explicitly clarify, is it usual for newborns to require such extensive support post-delivery? What are the reasons some infants might need resuscitation? I believe I asked the doctor about it previously, but I can’t recall the response. These questions linger in my mind as I reflect on the daunting yet miraculous experience of bringing my son into the world.