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Cannot wake from drug induced coma after brain surgery

By May 2, 2011 - 11:56am
 
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My mother in law had a Brain surgery last Monday for some frontal lobe tumor that lasted for 3 hours. When finished the doctors said it went very well and they excised the tumor and sent it to pathology.
After few hours she waked up and all of her functions were normal and she was stable. But few hours later she had heart complications (maybe arrhythmia) and hypotension, and they had to put her under anesthesia again (for 3 days), after that when she waked up she had some sort of convulsions and they had to induce coma for another 3 days. But now they just can't wake her up !!!! all of her vitals and ICP are stable.

Why did that happen? how often dose it happen? how long is she gona be asleep? what are her options? what can we do?

Add a Comment17 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My cousin was in a car accident and was put into a medically induced coma, she ended up passing away. What could of caused this?

February 17, 2015 - 2:02pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

Only the attending physician knows the cause of your cousin's death.

Regards,
Maryann

February 18, 2015 - 10:34am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My uncle had two brain hemorrages (one on each side of his head). He had fallen weeks ago, but didn't realize he'd hit his head. They did surgery, then 2 days later, had to go in again to remove a large clot that had formed. He has not awakened from either surgery. He is moving some, and has opened his eyes a few times, but that's it. It has been 8 days since the first surgery. Will he ever wake up? I realize that if and when he does, he will have affects. We just want him to wake up. What are the chances at this point that he will?

January 22, 2013 - 7:14pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

I can appreciate your concern about your uncle's condition and your family's eagerness for his condition to improve.

What has his surgeon told you and your family?

Depending upon the degree of brain edema or swelling, actual location of the hemorrhage and brain area involved, and extent of damage, it can take an unknown amount of time for him to regain full consciousness. I am basing my answer upon my own post-operative experience - a craniotomy for the removal of a frontal lobe tumor and my years of experience as a critical care nurse. In my case, the swelling became worse before it got better. It was about 3 weeks postoperatively before I became aware of my surroundings. I have no memory of those first three weeks.

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers,

Maryann

January 23, 2013 - 5:49pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My brother came in after having heart attack. He had pacemaker. But recent heart attacks caused by blockage of blood to heart. Blood had backed up and flooded lungs. Did triple bypass surgery. When he came out of anesthesia, he was coherent and knew who we were. But that samem day he began to have very agitated heart His pacemaker went off twice. They put him into medically induced coma. Drained his lungs. had him on heart pump and ventilator. His heart stabilized, they took him off heart pump. Heart worked well for 24 hours. They took him off all meds 35 hours ago. He will not wake up. His heart is now back up to 116 . Is he going to wake up and is his heart going to stabilize?

July 18, 2011 - 11:32pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hi,
I am sorry to hear about the ordeal that your brother and your family are enduring. Whether he will come out of the coma and whether his heart rhythm will stabilize to a normal cardiac rhythm are two questions best answered by the physicians who are responsible for his care. Even then, there is uncertainty. Do not be surprised if you are told that they don't know and must take this as a hour by hour and day by day wait and watch. I have had 10 years of experience as a critical care nurse and I offer this advice from witnessing many similar situation. I will keep your brother and your family in my prayers. Keep up your strength and hope:)
July 20, 2011 - 5:18am

January 23, 2013 - 5:50pm
Guide

I am deeply sorry to hear about the ordeal that your mother-in-law and your family has been through.
The physicians involved in this case are your best resource for specific information such as what caused the convulsions, why a coma was induced and her prognosis of coming out of the coma. It is possible that the cardiac arrhythmia could have caused a blood clot to travel to her brain thus causing damage. It is also possible that hypoxia or diminished oxygen to the brain was caused by hypotension.
The doctors will guide your family as the days progress with daily medical updates and treatment options that are available to your mother-in-law.

May 2, 2011 - 5:52pm
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