It is not unusual to have a unwell or anxious feeling during the ablation procedure this sometimes a side effect of the epinephrine that is used in the anesthesia, which can make people feel dizzy and or lightheaded. The symptoms generally last a couple hours. When the some laser which target hemoglobin are fired they can create a " burning " smell.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It may be that anxiety played in a little here but it isn't unusual to get a "smoky" taste. It seems like a smell. We give our patients chocolate before the laser and this takes care of it. I also have techniques which reduce this happening. Dizziness can be caused by hyperventilating if you are anxious and you may be unaware you were doing so.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This is quite normal. The laser will "cook" the blood and very often patients can not only smell the char but also taste the char. I suspect the dizziness was from sedation you received.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes. This is likely a vasovagal reaction. This is relatively common during procedures or times of stress or anxiety.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

As far as the taste is concerned that's actually being able to smell the by-products of the laser firing. You exhale those from the lungs and gives the sensation of taste. Did you have this procedure with anesthesia?Sometimes it takes a little while for that effects of the anesthetics to wear off- making you feel "off."As far as the dizziness is concerned, you may have experience a vasovagal episode in response to a pain trigger. Sometimes this is also triggered by Prolonged standing or upright sitting
Standing up very quickly (orthostatic hypotension)
During or post-biopsy procedures.
Stress
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) Multiple chronic episodes are experienced daily by many patients diagnosed with this syndrome. Episodes are most commonly manifested upon standing up.
Any painful or unpleasant stimuli, such as:
Trauma (such as hitting one's funny bone)
Watching or experiencing medical procedures and
Sensitivity to pain. You should have definitely brought this to the doctors attention during the procedure as well as been given a post operative appt.
Hope your feeling better now.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You may have been given a premedication that lingered after the procedure and made you feel off. Yes, its normal to sense a burning smell during the procedure, depending on the laser type used.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It is not uncommon to have some vasovagal reaction to the EVLT procedure. Typically the patients will feel dizzy, sweaty and cold for a few minutes and then it would get better. Two hours of dizziness does seem a little excessive. Allergic reaction to some of the local anesthetics or any other medicines if used during the procedure will also need to be considered.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I have had patients describe tasting or smelling unusual things during a laser closure procedure. They have described burnt, garlic, barbecue, iron and commonly cigarette smoke. Although this does not occur often, I have noticed that it occurs in healthy individuals with excellent cardiac output especially runners. Most likely these symptoms are due to rapid transit of the blood. I have not had anyone describe dizziness associated with this. Your symptoms seem to be a variation of this and anxiety may have contributed to the dizziness.

Published on Jul 11, 2012