Ketamine for Anesthesia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ale...
• May 25, 2016

"Ketamine was used as an anesthetic a few times whilst I was having surgery, and I had very bad hallucinations afterwards. Each time, I'd have sworn these were real. I don't think it should be used as an anesthetic."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2021

"Worst experience ever. I was flagged for propofol incorrectly, so they used ketamine. It was used to put me to sleep while removing a kidney stone through my male part. When I woke up, it was as if I was in a scene from the Matrix, all digitized. I never felt so horrified and dreaded, but I do not know why. The nurses said I was hallucinating badly. When I did become conscious and recognized someone, I apparently said, 'you're real. Don't leave me,' and kept repeating it. I still remember the recovery as terrifying, but why, I cannot recall."

• Ces...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2021

"I was having a lot of anxiety prior to having a c-section. I had already been given an epidural. The anesthesiologist gave me something that he said would “calm my nerves,” and everything instantly went black. I remember it all. It felt like I was falling down a pitch-black hole, and I can remember fighting to get back to my c-section. I thought I had died. I remember having stopped breathing and fighting to get a breath. When I finally came to, I was being stitched up from my tubal and c-section, so I have no idea how long I was actually out. I kept trying to ask the nurse if I was alive and okay and where my baby was, but I kept going right back out. My fiancé said my eyes were open the whole time, but I was unresponsive and just kept saying ahh. He said the baby came out blue and had to be put on oxygen. It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced. It’s 16 months later and I’m just now finding out that that’s what I was put on because it’s in my child’s doctor notes."

• zeb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2015

"I was psychotic and aggressive and restrained and given ketamine IM in each leg. I went into deep relaxation and lost sense of time, self. I don't remember it all, but it was a positive experience, and it resulted in me going home instead of a psych ward."

• Gra...
• May 2, 2021

"Cardioversion. Dr. said this was the only drug they could give me because my blood pressure was low! When administered, immediately went out. There was a loud siren to begin with, no wailing. Then there was siren wailing. I saw pictures, like a TV screen, the picture would begin at the bottom and explode at the top, and I would begin again at the bottom. I felt as if I died with the explosion (the end of the picture) and was born at the beginning of the new photo. The screen/photo and the sound would crescendo at the explosion. The explosion was a bright light. Screen after screen, sometimes a plant or building or person, siren after siren, life to death, over and over. I tried to stop myself from waking up! Depressed for 3 weeks now. The worst experience of my life!"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2022

"Went to the ER for a rectal abscess. Was given ketamine 50 mg as anesthesia. My wife was wearing glasses and a mask, and all of a sudden, she looked cartoon-like. Like a picture, one dimensional. The room was white with a beautiful mural of a lake and forest. It bled out to white. Intense white. My wife staring at me with a mask was so intense. Couldn't tell any facial features because of the mask. Felt helpless and dramatic and so intense. Feeling of gloom and doom. I knew I was dying. Was waiting for the moment of severe pain and then death. Came down ok. But have PTSD now, been 6 days. Can't get rid of thoughts. Will not ever take this drug again."

• Ahu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2022

"I had an emergency C-section at 29 weeks of pregnancy. My spinal failed. I screamed and cried when the surgeon cut me. I was not given general anesthesia because a nurse who knew my son was not moving/kicking anymore thought making me eat something right before my emergency ultrasound was a good idea. My water had been broken for a few days, and I had been on hospital bed rest. They gave me ketamine. I still felt them burning my flesh, and at one point, it felt like the surgeon grabbed my organs right under my lower ribs and was trying to yank them out of my body. I felt like I was being disemboweled, and my baby was being stolen from my body. I tried to scream a lot. I heard whooshing sounds in my ears. I believe I felt the entire surgery while paralyzed, thinking I was dying from the extreme pain. I was told by family that my eyes were open, and I was drooling. As my pain got more intense, I began to forget my name, who I am, and what I am. I suffered tremendously. My postpartum pain was severe."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

"This is for Shabby_chick. I also was administered ketamine as an anesthetic with the same results. You described what I went through to a capital T. Problem is I had another surgery on my foot with a different anesthetic and experienced the same horror. I was awake and aware of everything going on in the O.R. I even tried concentrating on moving one finger to let them know I wasn't 'under.' The worst thing for me both times is being intubated and having a respirator breathing for me when I probably would have been hyperventilating. During that surgery, I finally passed out from fright when the surgeon called for the bone saw and I heard it whirring. Yes, haunted for life, you bet."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2021

"I was given this along with Versed for surgery on my eye. Never have I felt this good in my life. I’ve got anxiety, and it’s hard for me to relax, so most of the stuff they usually give doesn’t work well."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2022

"I had ketamine when I had my first cataract surgery in 2020. I did not like it at all. I woke during surgery not knowing where I was or what was happening to me. I could hear voices and knew something was happening to my eye, but did not know what it was, only that I either couldn’t or shouldn’t move. I could see vivid colors, pinks and greens were the ones I remember the most. I could feel a liquid washing over my eye. I tried to move my hands slightly, which I think I did. Then I heard a voice say, 'OK, you are finished, you can sit up now.' They asked me to stand and sat me in a wheelchair and took me to recovery. I said I did not like that at all, I felt like I was tripping, a very odd experience I didn’t want to repeat. Next week, I had the other eye done and asked for a different anesthetic. I had another younger anesthetist this time, and he said, 'Yes, we won’t give you ketamine, there are better anesthetics than that. We’ll put you out this time.'"

• Mar...
• July 18, 2020

"Suffered an acute pneumothorax and was rushed into the OR to have a tube inserted into the side of my chest. Was told I'd be receiving ketamine to put me under. Reading the experiences here by others appears to be in stark contrast to mine as I rather enjoyed the technicolor dream state I was in. After coming out from the effect, I noted to myself that this would make for a rather entertaining recreational drug. Lol."

• Jes...
• April 26, 2021

"First, I want to say I am so sorry to anyone that has posted a traumatic experience from this drug and that are still living in fear. Please seek a trauma therapist so that you can process what happened and get some normal back in your life. There is hope, and it is possible. I had a similar experience with Zoloft that left me traumatized and gave me PTSD. After a year of therapy, I am doing much better. As far as my experience with ketamine, it was good. Surgery went well, and I have no memory of it. However, I know I was given propranolol and versed first... maybe that makes a difference. I am unsure if any of you had just straight ketamine. This is something I would recommend asking before any surgery is what types will be given and possible side effects so you can be in control of an informed decision. Good luck to all of you out there with trauma!"

• Gol...
• August 23, 2022

"So I have read some of these posts, and to Shabby Chick, my experience was very much like yours. I displaced and fractured my wrist. I was promised I would not feel or remember anything. Well, that didn't happen, I felt, heard, and screamed the entire time. I am so traumatized. So, after the doctor put my wrist in place and took an X-ray, he came back to tell me he had to redo it. Again, I screamed, but they gave me propofol, which worked great. Why did they not give that to me the first time, and why would he not have stopped when I started screaming? It was the worst experience I have ever been through, and after several days from the procedure being done, I continue to have flashbacks and burst into tears when I think of the pain I endured."

• Ove...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2019

"I had ketamine used in conjunction with propofol after a failed procedure with just propofol where I woke up midway through it. It was the best anesthetic I have ever had. I stayed asleep throughout the whole procedure, had no hangover after, and it also kept my pain at bay. The only side effect was that it burned like fire going in, but it works so quickly that only lasts maybe 5 seconds."

• pia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2022

"Just had the same experience that many have reported here. I was expecting the same effect when having an endoscopy and drifting off to sleep under Propofol. Instead, I got drowsy, then the bright lights and kaleidoscope effect took place. I was moaning, but not sure if anyone could hear me. I heard all sorts of sounds but could not focus on anything. I felt like this was it, and I was going to die and separate from my physical body. Worst ever experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2022

"Same experience as others. I was in the ER with a dislocated foot. Given ketamine while they reset my foot. I was not warned. I immediately felt warm and remember feeling dizzy and saying I don’t like this. Then I was in a kaleidoscope of white and white shapes, almost like sheets of cloth were being laid across me, and I was slipping further and further down. I knew I was dying. I felt I was dying. I was praying that I was not ready and I couldn’t go further under these sheets into the ground. This couldn’t be it. It was so terrifying. I then began to come to and the doctors and nurses I could sense but couldn’t make them out. Finally, I knew where I was, and I was so relieved even though everyone was still blurry. It took several hours for it to all wear off. I was told they had to give me Ativan because my heart rate skyrocketed and I started yelling and yelling F-bombs. This drug is now on my list of allergies because I never want that fear again."

• syd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

"I was given ketamine in conjunction with a spinal block for knee replacement surgery. I did have the experience of 'waking.' I could hear the muffled sounds of the doctors and equipment and experienced very vivid colors and images. I did not, however, feel panicked or feel any physical sensation or pain and simply decided to remove the finger monitor to let them know! I think because I had discussed this possibility with the anesthetist beforehand, I felt very comfortable with the event and therefore did not have an adverse reaction. I was back to unawareness soon enough and woke in a much better state than I had with any of my previous surgeries, of which there are a few: no confusion, no nausea, and no shivering. My experience was good, and I would definitely use this option in the future if it were available."

• Nee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2022

"Honestly, best time of my life. I went into the hospital with a dislocated and fractured shoulder, also brachial plexus palsy in the arm, so couldn’t move it at all. They took me in, gave me ketamine to try to relocate the joint, and I went into the most profound trip of my life. I melted into the bed, went through what I can only describe as multiple eternities with the five doctors that were in the room with me, felt such colorful, cartoon-like moments like I was in a show, and after what felt like years, I finally woke up. I thought I was back in high school, being told off by my teacher for being high in class, but it was just the doctor telling me that the shoulder was at least back in place. 10/10 would recommend, especially over the other medication they used to put me to sleep for the fracture operation the next day. Ketamine is a gem."

• Kev...
• October 3, 2024

"I had a primary pneumothorax, and they were about to insert a tube in my chest. The doctor explained he was giving me ketamine for sedation and then Ativan to avoid a possible bad trip and anxiety as I come out of it. I think I overheard 50 mg of ketamine. Once it hit, I pushed out an 'OMG, whoaa' to let them know I was going under. Within seconds, my world folded over and dissolved into an absolute high-speed ride through changing colored dimensions, which looked like broad, morphing ribbons of yarn passing in front of me. Not much for detail, but I felt like I was gradually tumbling and changing random directions every few seconds. Quickly, I forgot what I was there for and could hear their voices but couldn't understand most of it. I was awake but felt nothing. It felt like a long few minutes, and I was happy to finally come back out and see the room. I muttered, 'That was crazy,' and was trying to shrug off the effect. I feel this doctor's strategy made it bearable."

• Gal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2022

"I had a gallbladder attack that had me stuck in hot showers for most of 15 hours in an attempt to manage the nausea that started and would intensify from multiple abdominal cramps and would go from 4-9 of pain consistently without stopping over a week without help. At the ER, 2 doses of morphine, 2 doses of ketamine, many different nausea meds. Surgery 15 hours after admitting for GB removal. No problem staying under. Woke from surgery and tried to fight the medical staff as I tried to get up, 75% blind. They were trying to settle me when I asked why do I feel like I’m tripping. Anesthesiologist across the room calmly tells me he gave me ketamine. That calmed me for some reason. After the initial 5-6 hours of post-op pain, I rode a 14-day wave of euphoria and mostly neutral accounting of my issues dampening my self-esteem. Now writing a book I started during it, also had 2-72 hour creative insomnia episodes, 3rd: 49-hour CIE concluding it all. I miss that positivity high but not the tweaky amping up."

• Ang...
• February 2, 2025

"This medicine caused me to have the strangest experience. I was having a procedure done where they put a camera down your throat. I was supposed to be asleep, but instead, I was wide awake and I couldn’t move. I don’t know how long I was awake before the nurse said she’s awake and the doctor gave me more. I can remember looking at the monitor but not being scared or anything. Luckily, this stuff does give you a sense of calm. When I was done with my procedure, the doctor told me he gave me enough of that ketamine to knock out an elephant and he put in my chart I have a high tolerance."

• Sty...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2020

"Absolute horror. It is barbaric to use this dirty drug for regular general anesthesia induction."

• Mik...
• September 5, 2019

"Woke up during the procedure with major hallucinations."

• Snd...
• November 14, 2017

"Horrible. Disconnected from my body. I thought I was looking down at the world and the ED room from a deceased state."

• Sco...
• October 27, 2010

Ketamine "Spinal cord injury - Paraplegic: may help manage neuropathic pain. A great medicine when used properly."