Fell 3m, induced coma, brain swelling, felt pain still.?

Question

This is the 2nd time Ive posted this, but only got one answer the last, wld like more. Actually back in hospital now. In October (4th I think) my mates and I were mucking around in a tree and I slipped and fell three metres or so out onto the hard concrete ground. I was unconscious and my mate called an ambo. It came and I woke up in it, screaming in pain, thrashing around, was given something and then was in and out of it for the next few minutes. Woke up like a week later, was told I had been in an induced coma, had had brain swelling/minor bleeding and had my skull drilled to relive pressure, and had 13 pins and a rod in my foot as it was smashed. Had amnesia from the day of the accident and barely remember the trip. 2 nights ago I remembered a night there and 'felt' the doctor put a tube in throat & the doctor pinning my foot. Would they have used anaesthetic for my 2 operations, or being in a coma was enough?

Back in hospital now, got MRI results back, need to have another op to drain the fluids in my brain, doctor said I may need to be awake WTF! Apparently its all near the speech part of my brain. How would this happen, my doctor isn't in today! How do these operations work anyway! Thanks

I'm asking would they have used anaesthetic for my 2 operations, or being in a coma was enough and how would they do a brain fluid blodd swelling draingage operation with me awake!

Answer 1

Hello I too was in a coma at one time. During my coma I delivered a breech still born I know where you are coming from when asking about the pain and how this works. First explaining the situation of pain coma and anesthesia.... they cant give you anesthesia as while you are in a coma it could do more harm then good, coma is a way of the body naturally applying anesthesia even if it is induced chemically. the amnesia you suffer is normal but you would be amazed to know you really do not have amnesia your brain remembers everything that happened just in a different way. Now the pain you remember now is simply the fact that your body allowed you to remember the procedures and your brain knows that certain things are associated with pain such as cuts, pricks, things being pushed into your body so therefore it is making you "remember" the pain when actually you are not. According to my family I talked the complete time i was in a coma answering questions making a couple phone calls and responding to people talking to me I even have a picture of myself that I remember nothing of in the hospital.

Now for your next procedure. I have no experience in this department but have read and seen many shows with this procedure in it. They need you awake so they can make sure they are not interrupting your speech ability. I assume there is some anestesia used just not enough to knock you out ... something simular to open heart surgery which is not painful. I fully understand the fear of such a procedure and will be thinking of you and praying for comfort. If you can have someone in the room with you it would be a great support for you. I wish you a speedy and safe recovery and look forward to seeing you post something later saying you are good and that it was a breeze after all.

Good luck and seasons greetings from my family to you and yours.

Answer 2

Let me address the second part first. The brain itself cannot feel pain. You won't be fully awake but you will be medicated. It is called conscious sedation. It is very commonly used when the problem is near something important, like your speech center. You may or may not even remember anything about the procedure, depending on the drug used, and during the procedure you certainly won't care what they are doing.
As to the first part, your "memories" may not be memories at all but may be your brain trying to fill in the gaps. Or it is possible that you did feel something. As far as whether they used anesthetic or not (I would bet by next paycheck that they did), it is easy enough to find out. Ask your surgeon or other doctor to show you the medication record for the surgeries. The doctor doing the anesthesia is required to list the medication, the amount given, the dosages, and the time given. It's all in you chart, you just have to ask to see it.

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure Anesthesiology would be working their magic on the other side of the operating table. The tube you were referring to is most likely the intubation (more information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intubation). This was probably done during surgery, but could have been done outside of surgery if they had reason to believe that you could not protect your own airways (due to loss of consciousnesses). The reason why you would have to be awake during the next surgery I presume is so that they can see if they are near the speech center of your brain (they'll probably have you say stuff to test where on your brain they are operating....if you have trouble speaking, they know they are near your speach area and will not continue in that area). But I am a little confused about what you are asking....

Answer 4

You could say to your co-worker: "Would you mind if I stab myself in the eye with you pencil? It's the only way I can avoid becoming comatose from having to listen to you drone on and on." Then just reach for their pencil. They'll run before you have to stab yourself. If, however, they don't run away, you'll have to go through with it and stab yourself in the eye anyway. Or else they'll just keep trying to start conversations with you. You KNOW I'm right.