Please share positive broken ankle or general anaesthetic stories

[Saladmakesmesad]

Yesterday I had a nasty fall on a steep path in a gust of wind and instantly broke my ankle. The pain was and still is horrendous and my foot was dangling at an angle. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and they x rayed it, plastered it, x rayed again and said it’s badly broken and will need an operation. I’ve an appointment at the fracture clinic on Tuesday and I assume they’ll tell me what happens next and when. Oh and I had a bad reaction to the morphine they gave me (BP dropped).

Thing is, I’m petrified and in a lot of pain. I’ve never had a GA or any kind of surgery before. Everything I read on the internet (I know I know) seems to be horror stories of ankle surgery gone wrong or GA gone wrong. Please tell me positive stories to counteract them.

In case it’s relevant, I’m currently in a different part of the UK for the week (we live at my husband’s work and come up north to our house in the holidays) so my have to go back for the op. Also, I changer my name about a week ago on here but am an old-ish timer. And I have anxiety! There - that’s my whole very outing back story but please do be kind as I’m a big traumatised and v scared.

I've had at least 6 GAs in my life and never reacted badly. You'll wake up feeling like you've had a wonderful nights sleep.

Hi I feel in June and dislocated and fractured my ankle and my leg. I had to get a plate and 12 screws put in. I didn't get a GA for the op and got it done under a spinal, is that an option for you? I had a second op in November under GA and I was fine just like a good sleep. Good luck I hope it all goes well for you.

The GA is the best part. Out like a light with a lovely anaesthetic team to soothe you and you wake up in recovery. In my experience the recovery team are caring, thoughtful and funny. And your op will be over with. So sorry you’re anxious and try and take heart that so many people come through this, and you will, too.

I don’t know if that’s an option @needasleep because I haven’t had my fracture appt yet. Half the problem I think is that I’m currently in the dark and only on OTC painkillers. Was it ok under a spinal? If you could choose again would you choose spinal or GA?

Thanks @LuvMyBoyz that made me cry (in a good way) and is exactly the kind of thing I needed to read.

I had a GA last week and it was totally fine, I was stressing about nothing.

The anaesthetic team were amazing at keeping me calm and I didn't even notice it really.

You may well be able to have it done under spinal/epidural, which is also nothing to worry about.

It's the unknown that is scary, but it honestly was so easy.

Just let them know you reacted to morphine and they'll give you something else for pain relief.

Xx

Broken both ankles and feet - not needed surgery thought

GA - was petrified, tried to pack my bags, cried on everyone and wailed I was phobic of being sick. They promised me I wouldn't be sick and I wouldn't wake up with a tube in my throat. Then persuaded me to have a pre med to calm me down (midazolam) which made me laugh a lot and feel happy drunk, not dizzy or anything. Next thing I woke up hungry. I don't get tired after GA but some people do (I just don't sleep for 24hrs!)
The anaesthetist said it was the safest I would be as i would be the most monitored in my entire life!
They're used to people being frightened so tell them, I point blank refused a GA and was about to self discharge, that's how scared I was

The brew and food after is worth it because you'll be hungry! And they were right, I wasn't sick

I would do the spinal again, as well as the spinal you also get a light sedation and I wore headphones so I didnt hear what was going on. If you are anxious though I would say the GA might be the best option for you. Please don't worry the Dr's and nurses do this every day and if you worried tell them and they will talk you through the process and will hold your hand the whole way.

My DD had an accident recently and dislocated her finger so badly that it had to be mended under GA . She was very anxious about it, but she was absolutely fine afterwards. Please try not to worry, you will be fine as well!

I had a general a few weeks ago and was a really chilled aneasthetic. I was more worried about the canula going in.
Had the gas, started feeling a bit sleepy then i was awake, and it was all done, just like that!

Last time I had a GA I was told ‘You’ll be feeling sleepy now’, next second I was waking up to my name and the Recovery nurse saying ‘You do know she works here, don’t you?’. My tip is if it’s sore afterwards, ask for pain relief as soon as it starts. The sooner they get on top of it the better.

I've had 10 GAs: two on each broken leg plus the gas and air field reductions, three knee ops and the right foot reposition. Each time I woke up relaxed and cheerful.

I badly broke my ankle falling on black ice around 4 years ago. I had an operation to pin and plate it all back together under GA the next day. Once I was off the lovely morphine the pain was excruciating (even maxed out on OTC painkillers). Recovery was long and difficult, not helped by my previous GP refusing to refer me on for physio. You absolutely MUST get physio once the cast comes off. Even if you have to pay for it privately.

GA is nothing to worry about. I’ve been under 4 times in my life so far with no ill effects. You’ll be fine

I've had 4 GAs in my life, been fine for all of them - and I am the world's biggest wimp about feeling sick. I was a bit ropey (very weak and queasy, not sick though ) after one for gallbladder removal, but that was due to fentanyl I believe, plus they were rummaging about in my innards for an hour after all.

But I had an orthopaedic procedure under GA 6 weeks ago and it just felt like the best sleep ever - came to in recovery very chilled, I was trying out my crutches within 3 hours of waking up.

The anaesthetist will come and talk to you, they are very reassuring - tell them everything that is worrying you, they will sort it.

You'll be fine. Good luck!

You’re all so kind, thank you. I’m going to try to just read this thread and not google anymore.

Just remembered it's actually 11 I've had, forgot about the appendix.

When my life flashes in front of my eyes, it's going to take a while

It sounds like you’ve been through / going through the worst part, the rest will be a lot easier.

I broke my ankle very messily back in the mid-90s and needed a GA to have it pinned back together. GA was fine, recovery was a bit irksome but basically fine — I sleep curled up on my side and had to learn to sleep on my back while wearing a heavy cast, that kind of thing — and had a brutal but brilliant physio who got me right back on my feet. Agree that’s key. Have never had a problem with it since.

Try not to worry.

I had extensive foot surgery two weeks ago and am now recuperating on the sofa. Lots of people say how nice the ga is. I don't do well with it and felt groggy and nauseous for 24 hours afterwards in spite of anti sick meds. So, while I hope the ga is nice and easy, be prepared that you might feel rubbish but it will pass. Apart from that it hasn't been bad. I highly recommend a knee scooter instead of crutches. The difference in mobility is massive. Also, proper wedge cushions for elevating the foot and keeping your back comfy.

I've had one GA, just to remove a fibroid. I remember the anaesthetist being so kind, asking me all sorts to keep me chatting and distracted. Then waking up like I'd had the best sleep of my life!

It sounds like you’ve been through / going through the worst part, the rest will be a lot easier.

Thank you @OnceUponAFairyTime - I really hope so but I’m scared surgery will reset it to day 1 (or worse!) again.

Can anyone who’s had a bone repair tell me what was worse - the initial break and period after or the but after surgery?

*BIT after surgery

Get well soon @Hemskis that sounds really tough.

I broke my upper arm in 5 places and had to have a plate and 14 screes fitted to hold it back together.

I was worried about the GA but honestly it was fine. Last thing I remember was talking to the doctor's and then nothing. It took me longer than usual to come around in the post op room apparently. All I remember was drifting in and out of sleep occasionally hearing the door go or have my blood pressure checked.

Woke up the next morning and honestly felt completely normal (other than the arm) and like I had had an excellent sleep! I had been awake for 36hrs before my op so I probably had!

Oh gosh @Wingingitsince2018 that sounds like a horrible injury.

Do you think the pain is worst at initial break or post surgery? I’m struggling very much with the idea that this agony I’m in may not be the worst of it.