75 year old man, anesthetic and reaction (surgery, doctor, recover, reactions)

[gouligann]

A (75 year old) friend of ours ended up with a blockage of his intestines. They had to remove part of it.

This morning, (two days after his surgery) I wrote his wife and asked how he was doing.

This was her answer in an email a few minutes ago...

"He is agitated, confused they had to call the Doc in at 4;30 this morning, He said it’s from the anesthetic, it happens with people over 70..It will be a rough time, lasts 72 hours in the system. They had to give him anti psychotic drug, and Debbie (their daughter) said he maybe slept 2 hours last night..."

Is this a common thing with people over 70? This is what his doctor told his wife. Are there ever lasting effects from anesthetic?

In other words, is there a chance that he may never be back to his old self? (a very smart, funny man who has always had his wits about him)


He's such a nice man and his wife is a lovely person. I hope it all ends well for them. Worried.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by gouligann

Is this a common thing with people over 70? This is what his doctor told his wife. Are there ever lasting effects from anesthetic?

Is it common? Don't know I would say that, but yes, geriatric patients are more sensitive to anesthetic agents, particularly post op delirium and cognitive interruptions, and there are increased risks to their use in the elderly population.

[germaine2626]

Originally Posted by Texas Ag 93

Is it common? Don't know I would say that, but yes, geriatric patients are more sensitive to anesthetic agents, particularly post op delirium and cognitive interruptions, and there are increased risks to their use in the elderly population.

Yes, it is common to have a greater difficulty recovering from anesthetics when you are elderly. But, the individual reactions vary. In some people it may just be for a few hours or a few days, in others a few weeks of problems and in a small percentage of elderly patients there may be a permanent decline in cognitive functioning (especially if they already had shown signs of dementia).

[Mikala43]

I know there is an increased potential of this happening with the elderly.

[Spottednikes]

It can also increase the likelyhood of Lewy Body Dementia.

[Trekker99]

^^^^ This.

Seen it with my father after bypass surgery.

It's a crap shoot - and the odds are not good.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by Spottednikes

It can also increase the likelyhood of Lewy Body Dementia.

Please cite your source for this.

Thanks.

[Nov3]

Have them check his Co2 count.

Usually that is a cause for the dilerium days after surgery.
Anything under 89% will create that effect.

I personally do not fair well from anesthesia , loopy for days. So it can happen.

[Coloradomom22]

You never hear this but it is common.

In fact, for someone with the beginnings of dementia anesthesia can trigger a rapid downhill slide. No, there's no exact study you can point to, but it makes sense. When you put the brain (and other organs) technically "to sleep", if anything is already compromised you can understand how it could exacerbate regaining full function. This happened to my mother. Before knee surgery she was doing bookkeeping for a business, fully taking care of her physical needs, and was able to have normal conversations. After surgery she declined rapidly.

[lvmensch]

I am a bit older than OP's friend. But I have little trouble with anesthesia. In fact I like coming out of Jackson juice. On one recent occasion they had to entubate me which I do not like but I pretty much slept through it. In that case I think the problem is they did one of these inspection from the esophagus and annoyed a lung which then got even by filling with fluid.

I shake off the anesthetic in a couple of hours and feel fine. I am actually pretty much awake before they can get me from the lab to a room.

Note also the response may vary depending on the anesthetic. So a good idea to keep track. Particularly if one gives you trouble.