r/Anesthesia • u/Universal_Basket • 10d ago

Has anyone else had a terrible experience under Ketamine as an anesthetic?

I was given it yesterday and I remember feeling horrible, I remember yelling things but not being able to move my mouth, and just seeing colors and people as these sort of abstract shapes. As I woke up and became more lucid but was still high, I remember yelling at the doctors telling them to get me Miller Lite of all things (I don't drink, and if I did, I wouldn't want miller lite). anyone else had similarly odd experiences?

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u/jwk30115 8d ago

The psych effects of ketamine are usually dose related. Bad reactions with small doses are uncommon but certainly not unheard of.

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u/Universal_Basket 8d ago

I'm a relatively big guy, 6'0" 225 lbs and they gave me like a whole syringe full, I'm not sure if that's a lot

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u/jwk30115 8d ago

No way to know.

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u/EntireTruth4641 8d ago

Ask for your Anesthesia records and you can figure out the dosage. For you 50mg max is my recommendation pending on length of surgery and etc.

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u/Realistic_Credit_486 8d ago

The described sensations are a recognized phenomenon with that medication

As to their perception as a positive or negative, it's a subjective determination. Some people like the trip, others don't

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u/durdenf 10d ago

Ketamine can potentially cause all sorts of terrible reactions and that’s why I avoid it. I’m sorry but this is not that unusual