Anesthesia May Produce Long Term Side Effects

Doctors seem to warn of the short term side effects such as vomiting, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, sore throat, unusual dreams and mood swings. What about long term effects? I feel that the long term damage to the brain is a real problem that few doctors care to admit. Shutting the brain down for long periods of time can't be a good thing. I believe that an adverse effect as a result can come in the form of depression, mood swings, loss of memory and overall changes in the ability to think clearly.

Over Time Does Having Multiple Surgeries Increase The Risk?

I have worked in construction all of my life, and I have had numerous injuries which have required surgery. The first major one was a knee surgery in 1986 which lasted 6 hours and I had the hick-ups for 3 days after the surgery, (which was called a side effect). During my stay in the hospital I was given anti psycotic medicine to take away the hickups. I also had memory lapses and depression issues, which I blamed on the fact that I was out of work for so long to recover.

I have had four other surgeries since then:

1.right elbow repair from an old injury. (3 hour surgery) Oct.1990

2.left arm bicep repair. (2 hour surgery) June 1991

3 Right rotator cuff repair (4 hour surgery) Oct. 2004

4. Left rotator cuff repair (4hour surgery) July 2009.

I have wondered many times about the long term effects of general anesthesia which are based on my own experiences. This last surgery has me feeling worse than any of the others. Maybe it is due to the fact that I have been off of work so long, but I don't think that is all of it! I think the long term effects are stacking up from all of the surgeries.

General Anesthesia... the Necessary Medicine?

I would not want to go through surgery without anesthesia. Anesthesia does make the surgery more comfortable, that'a a fact. I believe sharing your own experience with others will help them cope with problems they might be having, and stimulate more research to help others. I have thought of myself as just not being strong enough to cope. After reading in forums on this topic I now realize I am not alone. After my surgeries in 1990 and 1991. I sought psychiatric help for this problem, and was prescribed Zoloft to help with the depression I was feeling. The cost for this drug was $100.00 per month at that time, and it made me feel like a zombie! The extra monthly expense was depressing me also... a no win situation! You need a drug to offset the after effect of the previous drug! Doesn't make much sense to me!

I am Finding an Alternative To Solve My Depression!

I will be 57 years old next month. This shoulder surgery this past year has given me time to reflect. I am learning new skills and options for my life. I plan to be able to work online with my new computer skills for many years to come. I am doing quite well, but my thought processes just aren't as sharp as they need to be when I talk to people. I am frustrated by not being able to communicate my thoughts! Not a good thing when trying to make a new business contact... my speech seems to be so slow at times! People are to busy to wait for me to talk.

I refuse to take prescription medications in spite of the bouts of depression I have been going through. I am quite excited to give the natural supplements and vitamins a shot to win this battle. I just don't trust the drug companies any more. People need to seek other alternatives than prescription drugs.

I am happy to have found some vitamins and natural supplements to help me. I have been taking them for a short time, and I know I am feeling much better already. My mood swings are less frequent. I am not as depressed as i used to be. Natural supplements and Vitamins have not been a part of my life before, but I want to feel better. I'm giving it a go! i plan on sharing some positive results with you in the future. I hope you have enjoyed my article! If this article makes sense to someone and helps them to not feel alone it will be well worth it to me. Healthy thoughts to you!