Why am I so shakey post-surgery?

Last Wednesday I had minor back surgery–a laminotomy, microdiscectomy, and foraminotomy, for what it’s worth. A small piece of bone was removed to give the pinched nerve more space, and the diseased portion of the disc (notably the herniation pressing on the nerve) was removed. Anywho, I’m already quite mobile and feeling much better, but any extended length of time on my feet, and I get wobbly and shakey. I’m just curious–is this my body’s continued reaction to anesthesia, or did the surgery itself actually knock my body this much of its feet (so to speak)? It seems like a relatively minor thing to make me wobbly 4 days later.

Just curious.

I’ve always had the same experience after general anaesthesia, and I wish I knew the underlying mechanism. For really major stuff, I’d have blamed loss of blood, but some of my surgeries have been of the type to cause less bleeding than, say, blood donation, which AFAIK has no such effect.

Educated guess: You’re now in a catabolic state of metabolism, rather than your usual anabolic state. Your reserves are depleted, your body is breaking down muscle protein and other stored components to repair the surgical trauma, and minimal activities sap your remaining reserves of energy quickly.

This is normal after significant surgery. It takes days to weeks, even with proper rest and nutrition, for your body to revert to its previous anabolic state.

(Disclaimer: Please see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. This is informational only.)
There are several factors that could be at play.
Even though you had a minimally invasive procedure (I’m assuming) It still involves a lot of trauma.
Your body produces catecholamines when stressed. Among other things, they increase your metabolism as much as ten fold. You become catabolic, breaking down your own muscle and fat tissue to nourish your cells. It can take a few days to return to an anabolic metabolism. Anabolism vs Catobolism

Other possibile reasons:
Did you have a general anesthetic? Some effects can hang around for a day or so. Even the sedative medications given during awake procedures, can hang around awhile.
Are you still on perscription pain medication? Many perscription pain meds have neurologic side effects including shakiness.
Do you have chills associated with the shakiness? Do you have a fever? If you do, notify your surgeon ASAP. That would be a sign of infection.

If it persists call your doctor, for, if nothing else, peace of mind. Keep in mind, he/she wants to know if you have unusual symptoms, and won’t mind if you call.

Or what QmT said. :smiley:

Huh! Interesting stuff. Might explain why I’m starving ALL the time (I thought it was just a breastfeeding thing–considering the demands of BFing and then healing from the surgical trauma, I must have a crazy metabolism right now. Sweeeeeeeeeeet…bring on the double-cheeseburgers…)

Don’t worry–this is such a minor side effect, I’m “just curious” as my OP states, not concerned. The moment I am concerned I’ll give my neurosurgeon a call, I promise. :wink:

Yes, I did…that’s actually been the main thing I’ve been wondering–if the anesthetic had some sort of lingering after-effect.

No, I didn’t bother with any prescription pain meds. I haven’t really needed them, and since I’m still breastfeeding my infant son, don’t want them in my system. Ibuprofen is all I’ve needed, and today I’ve not even bothered with it.

I’d be on the phone with my surgeon lickity-split if there was ANYthing like that–I know the dangers of infection. Eek.

But of course. :cool:

Glad I could help. :slight_smile: