My main worry about Monday was never the procedure; it was the after effects of the anaesthetic. The last time I had one, it didn’t end well for me. So this time, I wanted it to be different.
This time, I made sure to tell the anaesthetist how important it is for me to have LOTS of IV fluids with electrolytes due to the association between POTS & ME and low blood volume.
He listened to everything I said about my POTS, the effect it has on my heart rate and blood pressure, and agreed with my request for extra fluids and to not give me any adrenaline in the anaesthetic as that would exacerbate my symptoms.
True to his word, he had a big 2 litre bag of IV fluids with electrolytes ready when I went in for my procedure; he hooked me up straight away and started fast loading it in. The bag was almost empty when I woke up 30mins later. The nurse then hooked me up to another litre as I was trying to recover from the anaesthetic enough to be able to gradually sit my bed up in stages without aggravating my POTS.
Gradually sitting me upright in 10-20min stages went fine. Those IV fluids REALLY did the trick. I mean yeah, I was pretty lightheaded and not exactly bouncing off the walls … but honestly, I felt bloomin fantastic compared to last time I had an anaesthetic.
And amazingly, I didn’t feel fatigued. Tired, yes. But not fatigued. I didn’t even feel like I needed to spend the rest of the evening in bed. I could manage the sofa this time.
In fact, I felt like if I’d just had the IV fluids and no anaesthetic, then I probably WOULD be bouncing off the walls with energy. I felt like I could probably conquer the WORLD if I could just get a hit of regular IV fluids.
I know, I’m getting a little over-excited.
I imagine this must be the sort of feeling that drives addicts to beg borrow and steal for their next fix. I never would have thought that IV hydrating fluids would be my drug of choice. Especially considering my great love of Rioja. Yet, here I am. Craving more of that lovely intravenous saline delight.
Sadly, my energy began steadily declining about 30 mins after unhooking me from the IV, as a wholly expected level of exhaustion crept back in.
But fuck me, it was good while it lasted 😆
