General anaesthetic next Wednesday :(

[iamtheblackwizards]

... and I'm terrified. Genuinely terrified. I have a polyp in my ear and it needs to be removed. This is my first operation and the whole process is making me feel sick. I'm scared of needles (I actually climbed out of a 2nd storey window at school to avoid having my TB jab), I'm scared of what may/may not happen, I'm scared of being in pain. It's actually got the point where I'm almost in tears at the thought of it all. What does it feel like when you go under? Does the injection hurt? I wish I was 5 again so I wouldn't sound so ridiculous

[Roystonv]

I had a general back in October, I am not scared of needles etc but can assure you I went out like a light during a chat with the staff. Tell them how you feel they will be well used to people being scared.

[champagneflute]

I've had 4 general anaesthetics. You don't really feel anything. They talk to you while they are administering the anaesthetic and the next thing you know you are waking up in the recovery room

[Buzzardbird]

I've had 2 generals in the last few months. Trust me, you won't feel a thing. They will put the cannula in the back of your hand (which just feels like you are being pinched) a while before you are put under. When you go into the room before the surgery they will inject the anaesthetic into the cannula and will start talking to you and you will not remember anything after that until you wake up full of painkillers and it will all be done. I was really upset at the first one because DD was distressed and the staff were lovely to me and calmed me down before I went to sleep.
They know you will be anxious, you will be fine. I promise.

[SurroMummy13]

Ask for gas. I'm scared shitless and when I needed to be put under (was imminent life or death situation) m I begged them for gas and they stuck the mask over me. Within 6 seconds I was out like a light.

Speak to them before hand though X

[Herschellmum]

You can ask for something to calm you.

I'm not bothered at all by injections so can't comment there but once the cannula is in, they put a mask on and use the cannula to administer the anaesthetic, you don't feel anything, it can sometimes feel a bit cold but other than that you just go to sleep.

[chelsbells]

I second what Surro says and ask for gas.

I went in in October for my wisdom teeth out, never had a GA before and was absolutely petrified. Was wheeled into the room, explained how nervous I was and then I couldn't control myself and I was shaking with fear, ended up having a panic attack and all I remember was them putting a mask over my mouth and asking me to count back from 5, I know I said 5, 4 and then I woke up in recovery.

Ask for the gas, it's not worth going through the above if you are terrified which it sounds like you are! (I also hate needles which didn't help the situation!) - when I did wake up I was freezing too! If I ever have to have GA again I will only be doing it under a gas sedation!

Good luck and try and relax beforehand

[Mishaps]

I can understand your anxieties if you have never had one before. I have had lots - it really is fine. Have you an iPod? - download a relaxation session on that, put your headphones on and drift away while it is all going on. The staff will be very happy for you to do that. Put the headphone in before you leave the ward.

[UnGoogleable]

I had my first GA last year. I hate needles.

I never ever look at the needles, so I just let the man faff around with my hand and let the other lovely Doctor distract me. He got me chatting, next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery.

It was A-Mazing.

[Roseanddagger]

I understand, I have to have my first ever GA in the coming months and being an HCP (but not anaesthetics) is probably not a help as sometimes a little bit of knowledge is a bad thing. Good luck I'm sure all will be fine.

[jezzamin]

I had GA on Friday just gone. Ask for the cold spray before they put the cannula in. I didn't feel a thing. As for the GA itself I was given something that they referred to as a strong gin and tonic and the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery. You will be fine and good luck x