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DFW_Andy · 11-08-2012, 12:31 PM

I have really been grappling telling this part of my story here but...perhaps it needs to be repeated.

My trial was, as I stated, a breeze. Getting it out wasn't too fun but the discomfort of having the 2 leads pulled out was pretty short-lived.

My pain doc is an anesthesiologist by trade (I believe most of them are) and for the trial she actually did this in-office and had a nurse anesthetist - and she TOLD the NA how much 'knock-me-out' to give me...I remember the familiar feeling of the slight burning sensation going up my arm from my IV and - then I was out...till being wakened for the placement part...then I was back to sleep.

However!!! The implant surgery was QUITE a different story.

I had to choose a surgery center that was 'in network' with my insurance - glad I did, I had hit max-out and it didn't cost me. Had I gone where my doc wanted me to I would have had a HUGE co-insurance bill to deal with. One main problem is this center is not as 'friendly' to my doctor as the preferred one where she has a tremendous pull, even to the point of directing them on such things as anesthesia for her patients. So, I ended up with an anesthesiologist that she, as I found out later, didn't like very much. This schmuck pretty much kept me awake for the entire first part of the procedure instead of putting me into a MUCH deeper sleep where I wouldn't "wiggle" (again, my doc later said she didn't care for this guy and she KNEW I was too awake because I was moving too much).

I felt EVERY SINGLE THING they were doing to me during implant and he didn't have to 'wake' me at all for final placement. I remember everything so vividly and I rehearsed some of what my doctor was saying during the surgery, back to my doctor and she just sat and nodded her head - I should NOT remember all that.
"Turn, turn .. turn ... okay STOP
Turn...turn...STOP"

At one point I said to her,
"I sure wish I could watch you - wish I had a big mirror"

Oh, but the PAIN - that was rough. Now, once placement was secure, before she actually cut me open (incisions) the guy did finally put me into that deep 'twilight' where you don't remember a thing but you're not under general.

I don't tell this story to scare anyone...bottom line, ASK QUESTIONS. Ask your doc if he/she KNOWS the person that'll be tending to your comfort. If the anesthesiologist calls you the night before (like he did me) ask HIM/HER pointed questions. I did ask and he told me, "Oh, you'll feel some discomfort" and I didn't realize this meant I would feel AND remember EVERYTHING. And - it's 100% within your right to say, "I'm sorry, I want a different anesthesiologist" ... rest assured, they may have to reschedule it and that's not good but....you don't want to go through what I went through!