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Original poster

Anyone had a General Anaesthetic?

26 replies

bengal38 · 09/09/2012 22:38

I'm due to have a General Anaesthetic on Thursday for a Hysteroscopy. Has anyone had one? I'm scared that I will have an out of body experiece or wake up and feel the pain. I have never had one before so feel really nervous.

OP posts:

ethelb · 09/09/2012 22:40

If you really need one they are great. You literally black out and then wake up with no sense if time passing. Many people wake up completely calm as it's like someone pressed a 'reset button it's fine.

cocolepew · 09/09/2012 22:40

You wont feel or remember a thing. I've had a few and never had an out of body experience

out2lunch · 09/09/2012 22:41

i've had two years ago as a child it was fine

Original poster

bengal38 · 09/09/2012 22:43

How is it done then?

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 09/09/2012 22:43

I've had two, and don't remember a thing, certainly no out of body experiences - although there was a baby after the last one.

DoMeDon · 09/09/2012 22:43

Had 5 and they are OK. You drift off to sleep then you wake up when it's all over. I felt tired for a few days after. If you are concerned just chat it over with the anesthetist when you meet them.

GlesgaRocket · 09/09/2012 22:43

I had one on Tuesday. It was fine. Anaesthetists were lovely, put me totally at ease beforehand, and i went out like a light. Didn't remember or feel a thing during it. Woke up and felt fine afterwards - no side effects from the anaesthetic at all.

tazzle22 · 09/09/2012 22:44

I have had quite a few and not had any problems....... there are precautions taken to guard against your fear of "waking up" . One of them is you heart rate will be monitored.... if it went up because you were waking up they would deepen the aneasthesia. Cant speak about out of body experiences cos I aint had one but reports I have read of them ..... you don't feel pain just see things.

its a short op you are having...... hope it all goes well.

DoMeDon · 09/09/2012 22:45

They put needle into back of your hand and put the drugs in via that needle, it felt cold going in and they spoke to me the whole time until I fell asleep.

drcrab · 09/09/2012 22:46

You shouldn't have any food for a few hours. My son who's 4 had it done. I freaked out way more than he did (well he struggled but more because he didn't know why we were doing this and he was really hungry too so wasn't impressed).

And when you come round you shouldn't eat too much or too fast. You'll vomit it out.

Other than that. It's really all ok. Good luck.

HairyPotter · 09/09/2012 22:46

I have had a couple. They tell you to count back from 10 and im out by 6. I have vivid dreams that I insist in describing to the poor nurses in great detail when I come round. I can't help the crap that spews forth. It usually only lasts for a minute or two though. the damage is done by then, they must think I am deranged

You will be absolutely fine. The worst part was waiting to go into theatre. Good luck.

showtunesgirl · 09/09/2012 22:47

What ethelb said. I had no sense of time passing. When I woke up, it was Ooh, is that it?

Also the second time I had one the anaesthetist was seriously gorgeous. I was thinking if anyone has to put me under, thank goodness it's you.

MirandaGoshawk · 09/09/2012 22:48

I had a hernia op last year. I suffer from claustrophobia so was dreading the 'going under', of not bein gin control.

What happened was that I had a chat with the surgeon beforehand & he explained everything. Later that morning I got on the trolley in a little room (next to the theatre). The anaesthetist was a very competent-seeming young Japanese woman & I really felt that I could trust her. There were three nurses all together, very friendly. Someone stuck a needle in my arm -didn't hurt, they are experienced - while her colleague distracted me by asking what I do for a living, and while I was explaining I noticed that the wall behind her was starting to go fuzzy.

The next thing I was waking up in the recovery room. Absolutely no probs at all. I was worried about an out-of-body experience and was a bit disappointed that I didn't get one!

So don't worry. They know what they are doing. Talk to them & they will settle your fears. One thing I wasn't expecting was to feel a bit emotional afterwards - DH came to pick me up but I wasn't expecting DS (aged 17) to come with him, and when I saw him I burst into tears! The other thing that was unexpected is that I slept fantastically well for about a fortnight
So it was a positive experience.

How long do you have to stay in for?

savemefromrickets · 09/09/2012 22:49

I thought I was the Emperor Nero when I came round (bloody Classics degree), the nurses were most amused at me claiming to sleep with my mother.

No side effects other than embarrassment...!!

YouBrokeMySmoulder · 09/09/2012 22:51

Have had more than I can count and it's not a thing, once the scratch goes in you won't even count to 5. Once when I woke up I felt sick but at all other times it has been fine. I get through the anaesthetic very quickly and wake up when I am being wheeled out but you'll probably wake up in recovery.

MirandaGoshawk · 09/09/2012 22:51

Yeah, needle was in hand - I'd forgotten!

ThistleWhistle · 09/09/2012 22:56

I had my first GA last year. I was so nervous and tbh the nurses made me worse! They were so sympathetic that they made me cry. I had met the anesthetist (sp?) earlier and she was horrid so I was really nervous. I had a cannula put on my hand and when wheeled to the room to have the anesthetic the anesthetist was actually very kind. The nurse said "Mrs ThistleWhistle hasn't had a GA before and is very nervous", and the anaesthetist said "Oh don't worry. I'll just give you something to relax you before we put you under". Then I woke up and it was all over. I was convinced I was going to be awake but paralysed for the whole procedure and would feel everything. It was fine. Please don't worry.

Allalonenow · 09/09/2012 23:18

Don't be worried Bengal, you will be monitored throughout.
I left off alcohol for about two weeks before hand, and drank plenty of water to keep my system running smoothly!!

Ate light meals for a few days beforehand too, as well as following the instructions about when to eat that I was given prior to admission.
Afterwards, I drank water regularly to help clear my body, and did the deep breathing as advised by hospital.

You will meet several members of the surgical team and have blood tests etc.
all the people I met were lovely and kind and informative.

My op turned out to be more complex than expected, so I was under for some hours, but I still recoverd quickly due to the wonders of modern anaesthetics, and was having tea with toast and jam in the early hours of the morning.

I'm sure everything will go well for you, good luck.

numbertaker · 09/09/2012 23:20

I have had four, never had a problem with it, did not feel any after effects except a little chest tightness, but I think thats from the breathing machine rather than the GA.

numbertaker · 09/09/2012 23:20

No OOBEs you dont dream at all.

ExitPursuedByABear · 09/09/2012 23:21

I've had loads - in the old days I used to feel a bit crap when I came round, but things have improved and no ill effects these days.

And to a man (or woman), every anaesthetist I have ever had has been absolutely lovely, and usually very funny to boot.

SheelaNeGoldGig · 09/09/2012 23:22

I've had a few. Last one i was scared shitless and freaking out so the anaestetist gave me some excellent drugs. I then told him i loved him. In graphic detail.

melliebobs · 09/09/2012 23:26

I had one for an emergency section 6 month ago

I went into theatre. Told to take some deep breaths counted as far as 5 and woke up in recovery and a baby was next to me. It felt like I'd been asleep for a couple of minutes but it was more like a couple of hours apparently!!!!!!! No major pain afterwards cos I was doped up with pain killers for the next week!

Aftereightsaremine · 09/09/2012 23:27

I've had several GA & apart from one when i was nauseous I've felt fine & usually very hungry. One anaesthetist looked like George Clooney I kept asking him to hold my hand & that was pre GA. I hate to think what I said to him afterwards, thankfully I've no memory of that!

PookiePops · 09/09/2012 23:29

I've had a Hysteroscopy without GA and would pay good money to have it under a general. Can't imagine you'll be under for more than a few minutes so you probably won't get much in the way of after effects, but everyone's different.

I've had three generals - yes, scary the first time, but actually in the end a strangely pleasant experience. You'll be fine!

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