Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

Has anyone had experience with nightmares/night terrors after surgery- specifically children?

Long story short- my 4yo DS had his tonsils/adenoids and turbinate surgery on 1/6. My husband went in with him as he went under- wasn't traumatic as far as we know.

Wed night he slept ehh- which is understandable as it was the day of surgery. Thursday he slept TERRIBLY. He awoke almost every hour, on the hour- shaking, whimpering, crying, "awake" and screaming... pretty much a night terror. It has been this way since the surgery. We are now on day 6. He isn't scared to go to sleep at night because he isn't aware of what's going on, so that's a plus- but for me, I am dreading bedtime. Its horrific. I don't believe it's pain either as we are on top of giving him meds (Tylenol only as per dr.)

I called the ENT and pediatrician and they are acting as if I have 15 heads. They seem as if they have never heard of this before. I put in another call this morning since his sleeping is not improving. I'm waiting on a call back.

I've googled and it doesn't seem all that rare but I have yet to find someone 'in real life' that has info on this. I figured I would try here.

Any info/advice would be great. Thank you!

Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

I had the most terrifyng nightmare of my life the night after I had my epidural when giving birth. To this day that dream still gives me chills. My mom claims the two are related when I told her. i think anything is possible.

Re: Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

I definitely see how it could be traumatic. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I'm not sure what you expect the ENT to do about it. I'd probably ask your ped for a recommendation for a therapist. Maybe your son just needs some help working through whatever he's feeling or dreaming about. I wouldn't let it go on too long, though. The sooner it's addressed, the better.

Re: Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

I can't speak for children
But every time I go under general anesthesia, I have nightmares for at least 2 nights and also have had that "wake up paralyzed thing" as well.

Regular anesthesia - like with endoscopy, no issues. But general - yup. Every time.

Re: Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

My DS was the same. He was just shy of 3. He was wakeful during the night, crying and talking in his sleep for almost 2 weeks after, I think. Hang in there. I think it's just the after effects of the anesthesia. It sucks.

Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

I finally heard back from the ENT that did the surgery. He was much more helpful than the on-call I spoke to this weekend. He said nightmares or terrors aren't common but do happen. He said give it about 10 days, if it doesn't improve- call again and they'll bump up his post op appt. Fingers crossed it begins to improve!

Re: Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

My daughter had her tonsils removed two weeks ago. I would say day 3 she started with the night terrors exactly how you described. She would wake up screaming and not wake up. It lasted a short time. Maybe five consecutive days. I read that the anesthesia can do that.

Re: Nightmares after surgery/anesthesia

Did they give steroids to decrease swelling?
They often do IV during surgery.
Steroids can cause bad dreams.
Good news is... It is normal & short term.