Did Anesthesia Cause My Stomach Issues?

We all know that we are living in unprecedented times. I guess if there was a silver lining to this pandemic it would be that we all learned how to be careful. We all have gotten better at personal hygiene, and I have to say, became more adaptive to change. 

Cavities from IBD-related dry mouth

Because of my low immune system, I really had tried to stay away from doctor's appointments as much as possible. I had put off going to the dentist for over a year because the risk of infection from doctor’s offices are just way too high. I finally had to go to the dentist to get a cavity filled.

The reason why I needed a cavity filled was that my IBD medications cause dry mouth. "So what?" you could be thinking, right? Dry mouth can cause more bacteria build up. This causes me to get some cavities, despite my impeccable oral hygiene. Nonetheless, I was due for a filling.

As many of you know, I have had my share of surgeries that require a lot of anesthesia. Even my largest stomach surgery went great in terms of tolerating the anesthesia. I didn't think that this local anesthesia in my gum would be a big deal. I guess I was wrong.

Feeling sick after anesthesia

My stomach has been good lately, and I haven't had any distensions, flare-ups, or blockages. Even when I walked into the dentist's office, I felt great. 

They gave me anesthesia to make my gums numb to fill the cavity. After the procedure, as I was waiting for the doctor to check what the dental hygienist had done, I started to get really cold. I was so cold that I was shivering. Also my stomach started to rumble badly. 

I really didn't feel good. I didn't know what was going on, but I had to get home quickly.

Fever and GI problems... Is this an IBD flare?

By the time I got home, I was running to the bathroom non-stop and had a fever of 101.5F. My GI tract was also really off as well. Did I have COVID? Did I have an infection? Was it just a flare-up?

I contacted my doctor and he was very puzzled. Of course he asked me to do a COVID test (rapid), and had me come to the office the next day. 

A coincidental gastrointestinal infection

After calling out of work, I went in and he sent a message to my GI. I thought maybe it was a reaction to the anesthesia. My GI got back to me and said that he thinks it was a coincidence that I got a fever right after the anesthesia wore off.

He thinks I had a small gastrointestinal infection, maybe in my J-pouch that has been brewing for a few days. Thus the stomach issues. I had to do a stool sample and we are waiting for the results. He put me on a week's worth of antibiotics, and I feel so much better. 

I am very relieved that I was able to see the doctor so quickly. I am even more relieved that the situation with my GI tract did not get worse. I don’t envy those days!