I got "locked in the box"

[Harbringer]

Well, I had heard the horror stories of the very very very very few people while anesthetized got the "locked in a box" phenomenon, and I never thought it would happen to me, and god almighty it did about two hours ago. I got my wisdom teeth pulled with an IV in, and I felt everything but I couldn't do anything about it. Its by far the worst pain Ive ever felt in my life(granted im only sixteen), rite now it still hurts like hell, they numbed me but it seems like everything but where it hurts is numbed on my face.

So, anybody had a similar experience they would like to share with Locked in a box anonymous?

 

[DNK]

I got a colonoscopy and felt it all. Granted, they didn't even try to anesthetize or numb me, but still. Remember the worst cramps of your life, then multiply that by 10 and you're in the area, now do that for an hour. Good times.

Yours was probably worse. I'd talk to someone about that. Someone that works in the legal profession.

 

[Harbringer]

Thats the deal, they tell you about it and you have to sign a consent form that you understand that theres something like a .002% chance that that can happen. I wasn't completely surprised though, anesthesia has failed on me before, but it was before I passed out, so they just increased the dosage and knocked me out. But it was a long time ago, but it was dumb on my part not to mention that. But yes, it was incredibly painful, they cut your gums in two, drill into the bone and then literally shovel it out with this flat little metal thing. It was horrible, when I came to I was crying. But no, legal action isn't an option, and besides, I don't blame them, they did exactly what they were supposed to do, but regardless theres always that tiny chance that you have to accept.

 

[LucyDuke]

But it was a long time ago, but it was dumb on my part not to mention that.

Yup. I have a (very annoying) tendency to pass out during mundane medical or dental procedures. I make it clear to the nurses beforehand, and I make it clear to the doctor when she gets there. Because of that, they're always prepared, and after the first time (which was unexpected), there's never been a problem.

There's a reason they ask you about your medical history.

 

[Hakim]

Christ, that sounds awful!

Usually when I hear about nasty medical procedures I think "if I need to undergo that, I want to be put to sleep". The small risk of this happening would be a reason to stay awake, I guess.

@Harbringer: why didn't you get local anesthesia instead?

 

[Masquerouge]

Yup. I have a (very annoying) tendency to pass out during mundane medical or dental procedures. I make it clear to the nurses beforehand, and I make it clear to the doctor when she gets there. Because of that, they're always prepared, and after the first time (which was unexpected), there's never been a problem.

There's a reason they ask you about your medical history.

My dad passes out every time he has a needle inserted into his body, be it for vaccines or blood tests.
Every time he tells the nurse "I am going to faint", and the nurses are "noooo don't worry, silly" followed by "OH CRAP"

 

[Thorbal]

Well, I had heard the horror stories of the very very very very few people while anesthetized got the "locked in a box" phenomenon, and I never thought it would happen to me, and god almighty it did about two hours ago. I got my wisdom teeth pulled with an IV in, and I felt everything but I couldn't do anything about it. Its by far the worst pain Ive ever felt in my life(granted im only sixteen), rite now it still hurts like hell, they numbed me but it seems like everything but where it hurts is numbed on my face.

So, anybody had a similar experience they would like to share with Locked in a box anonymous?

That´s one of the few things that can really scare the . .. .. .. . out of me. I have been afraid of undergoing serious operations or even simpler, ambulatory measures ever since I´ve heard that such things can happen, so I always tell the doc to give me the hardest stuff he´s got, and then double the dosage if appropriate . Must have been absolutely horrible. I´ve had a gastroscopy once where the dosage of sedative was a bit on the uncomfortable side and that was already enough for me. Don´t want to think about how you must have felt. *shudders*

 

[DNK]

My dad passes out every time he has a needle inserted into his body, be it for vaccines or blood tests.
Every time he tells the nurse "I am going to faint", and the nurses are "noooo don't worry, silly" followed by "OH CRAP"

I almost faint myself when I get needles in me (although IV ones, not vaccine ones). That was the funny thing about the colonoscopy: they had to IV me just in case. I was more worried about the IV than the procedure. After I nearly fainted from the IV, they insisted on medicating me, and it took a bit of arguing to prevent that.

For the record, take the medication. It makes the procedure easier as well.

Anyway, that sounds terrible, but that's the fun of owning a nice, shiny human body. Physical change requires extreme amounts of pain - in nature it prevents the organism from making unnecessary changes by requiring a huge amount of desire to complete the act and overcome the pain barrier. I mean, animals gnaw off their limbs, and that's an instance that hurts just as much and DOES leave the animal permanently damaged. Just remember that as bad as it felt, you weren't in serious danger, and it was all to improve your body, not permanently damage it. When pain loses its fear/psychological component it becomes far less potent. Still, I'm sure it was hell, but a hell with a purpose at least.

That colonoscopy, however, was just an unnecessary procedure that served to teach me a valuable lesson about medicating during operations And despite all the pain I went through, I received no actual physical damage. Funny how you can hurt a lot without actually being injured. What I did learn, though, was that when I relaxed and stopped fighting the pain, it diminished a lot and the procedure went better because I was going along with the change/pain. A lesson to remember for my entire life. I actually sort of want to go back and do it again. Practice makes perfect, you know (I'm nuts!).

My point is, at least try to use the experience as a lesson on the nature of pain. You'll get something out of it at least.

 

[Gabryel Karolin]

So you were paralyzed but still felt pain?

You should make an official complaint, someone must have messed up.

I hope you're ok, must have been aweful.

 

[DNK]

P.S. Go watch movies where pain and injury are central themes, especially those where protagonists put themselves through pain voluntarily without breaking down. I've found that really helps in the mental healing phase and with the pain itself. When I dislocated my clavicle it did wonders to soothe the pain, even if it took years to fully physically heal. And while it was healing, the pain wasn't as bad since I had come to terms with it and accepted it as a minor nuisance rather than the "oh s--- my lung is collapsing and I'm dying" pain it was when the event happened.

I can think of Three Kings, Lawrence of Arabia, and Ronin off the top of my head. The more graphic or painful, the better actually. Try to find movies where the camera doesn't ignore the painful action, but dwells on it. The point is to prevent repression and helplessness and instead focus on acceptance and embracing the pain and damage in a sense in the most physical and direct way possible, as well as to incorporate an identity that is capable of withstanding the pain in the future, so as to not fear it and to effectively lessen its impact, or the impact of the fear of future pain.

Even if you haven't been significantly scarred by the event, it wouldn't hurt to deal with it. That was just my way, find your own if it becomes an issue.

If you do have issues with this, it wouldn't hurt to talk to a professional about it, rather than a bunch of random web opinions. I'm assuming it wasn't a hugely traumatic ordeal for you, but I could likely be wrong about that (probably am, were it me in the chair).

 

[Harbringer]

So you were paralyzed but still felt pain?

You should make an official complaint, someone must have messed up.

I hope you're ok, must have been aweful.

Its the nature of anesthesia, did you not read my previous post? Theres always been a very tiny tiny chance that it will happen.

 

[Gabryel Karolin]

Well, I still think something went wrong, but if you signed away I guess theres not much to do about it. Especially if you already have had this problem before it should be in your journal.

Do you have red hair by the way?

 

[Gooblah]

That really sucks. Hope you feel better!

On the subject of fainting during blood tests, my sister does it every time. Something like a blood test creates abnormal sugar levels or something, causing her to faint. Last time we got a blood test together:

Nurse: Okay, please step into this area while your sister is in here...
Me: Okay. (Nurse draws blood)
Nurse: There, all done. Here's the cotton puff (puts cotton wad thing)... and the band-aid (adds bandage). You're all-
Doctor (in other area): OH MY GOD! Nurse, I need a [some medical object. Don't remember exact dialogue)
Dad: What's wrong?
Doctor: Sir, please step away. I'm a trained medical professional, and I'm handling-
Dad: I'm her father.
Doctor: Oh.
Dad: yeah, she has a history of this.
Doctor: oh. heh. Well-oh, wait she's comin' round.

Man, i was laughing and feeling bad for my sister the whole ride home...

 

[Masquerouge]

I can think of Three Kings, Lawrence of Arabia, and Ronin off the top of my head. The more graphic or painful, the better actually. Try to find movies where the camera doesn't ignore the painful action, but dwells on it. The point is to prevent repression and helplessness and instead focus on acceptance and embracing the pain and damage in a sense in the most physical and direct way possible, as well as to incorporate an identity that is capable of withstanding the pain in the future, so as to not fear it and to effectively lessen its impact, or the impact of the fear of future pain.

Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over and through me.
And when it has gone past me, I will turn to see fear’s path.
Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
-Frank Herbert, Dune

 

[Bamspeedy]

There is a possible way to prevent this if the hospital has the equipment. They check your brainwave activity during the operation, and when the 'locked in the box' phenomenon (Anesthesia Awareness) happens your brainwave activity goes off the charts so that alerts the doctors to end the operation or give you more anesthesia.

Might be something to consider for any future operations, especially since you know you that this happens to you. you could check around at other hospitals and see if they have this option available to you.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=85547

 

[Harbringer]

It wasn't a traumatizing event, but I am now very very afraid to go under again. I just remember the excruciating pain when they split my gums with a scalpel, and then drilled into the bone, the heat from the drilling is killer. But ya, I should probably mention that to the next guy who puts me under the knife.

 

[emzie]

I got a colonoscopy and felt it all. Granted, they didn't even try to anesthetize or numb me, but still. Remember the worst cramps of your life, then multiply that by 10 and you're in the area, now do that for an hour. Good times.

Yours was probably worse. I'd talk to someone about that. Someone that works in the legal profession.

To quote Dr House, I have a lot of respect for the basketball player you dated in collage.

 

[LightFang]

When I got my wisdom teeth pulled, I was knocked out the whole time. Thank goodness.

 

[pau17]

When I got my wisdom teeth removed, they said I had a 1 in 300 chance of getting permanent nerve damage. I won the lottery I guess...

(although it's quite minor.)

Anyway, they say that every time you go under general anesthesia, you lose 2-3 IQ points. Scary.

 

[Sharwood]

I've had my tonsils removed, an operation on my testicles, and numerous stitches, all without anaestesia. One of the benefits of meditation my friends. I guess I don't have to worry about losing brain cells. The truly hard part was getting around after my testicle surgery. Can't meditate every waking moment.