Scottsburg, IN
A 38-year-old female asked:
is it normal for a parkinson's patient to be abnormally agitated in recovery after surgery?
4 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Hicks answered
Family Medicine 43 years experience
Can be: If the patient has parkinsons i woiuld ask if there may be other CNS demtia issues but after anesthesia everything from post lung and oxygen problem to medication reactions can be the problem as well. The posssibility of secondary dementia and awakening in a strange place may be part of this as well, breif post op psycosis can occur as well.
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Dr. Karen Sibert commented
Anesthesiology 39 years experience
Be very suspicious of antiemetics that the patient may have received postop. Most have antidopaminergic qualities that can put Parkinson's patients over the edge.
Feb 5, 2012
Dr. Karen Sibert answered
Anesthesiology 39 years experience
It's possible: After an 8-hour surgery, it's possible for anyone to feel confused and disoriented on waking up. You've received a lot of medications, most of which alter your thinking, and it takes time to recover. Parkinson's patients are especially sensitive to many of the anti-nausea drugs, such as Phenergan (promethazine) or compazine, which can actually make symptoms worse.
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Dr. Oswald Jules answered
Anesthesiology 33 years experience
Yes: Agitation during the post anesthesia or recovery period is not uncommon in patients with parkinson. The incidence of post op exacerbation of parkinsonian symptoms as well as delirium can be reduced by avoidance of certain drugs ( antidopaminergics) in the anesthetic mix.
6034 views
Dr. David Sherer answered
Anesthesiology 37 years experience
Yes: Anesthesia can cause confusion and even agitation in the postoerative period. Patients with Parkinson's disease can especially have cognitive problems at this time. So, this is not particularly unusual to occur, and can be treated with reassurance, a quiet environment and medication.
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Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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