To scared to have surgery

[nothingevergoesright]

I'm due to have surgery in a couple of days. I am totally terrified, mainly because last time I had surgery, was when my youngest was born. My womb ruptured and it was a crash caesarean (but I was awake as I had an epidural). It went horrifically wrong, where they couldn't stop the bleeding, my blood pressure was on the floor, I felt very woozy and thirsty. It was early hours of the morning and they needed to get the consultant from home to stem the blood loss (3.5 litres).

As well as the trauma of the surgery I had a dead baby.

I've had general anaesthetics in the past and not been scared, but now I am terrified.

It is for ankle fusion and it was already bone on bone, but has got significantly worse since the surgeon gave me a steroid shot in March, now it has pieces of bone floating around and is crumbling, so he had said it needed to be done asap.

I had problems when I had the injection. It was in theatre as they needed to use an x-ray to do it, but my blood pressure plummeted after, so I think I have trauma from before.

I have lots of 'weird' antibodies, probably from the previous transfusion and have put on weight from not being able to walk.

I have asthma and have a popping in my throat when lying down (although a chest x-ray last week was clear).

I keep shouting at 12 year old DD and DH, as I'm so on edge...I just want to run away (if I could run).

I forgot to mention, DD has had a cold, I've been taking Covid tests that were given to me, but what if I get a chest infection and don't know? I'm mostly scared of the anaesthetic, but then I will have to worry about blood clots, especially as the surgeon said I will not be able to do anything and will have a backslab plaster.

If you don’t have it done then you lose your mobility and have already mentioned weight gain and that will only increase through lack of mobility and then you will have more and more health problems.

Whilst I completely understand your fear and reluctance to have the op, I think you have to focus on the positive outcome of having it done and how it will benefit you.

Thank you, it's really hard though, I'm literally hyperventilating thinking of things that can go wrong.

This type of surgery is a world away from an emergency CS and major haemorrhage. I'm so sorry you lost your baby and had such an awful time. But this is a very different, much safer scenario, and if you tell the anaesthetist all your worries they'll be able to take it all into account when looking after you. You know you need this done, so be brave and stick with it!

Could you ask for a spinal block and a good dose of a powerful tranquilliser?

This is a pretty big deal given what you have been through in the past. Have you spoken to any about your past traumas? Have you had counselling?

What is it about the anaesthetic that is worrying you? Is it triggering flashbacks? Have you had your pre op assessment yet and have you highlighted your concerns? Do you know you are having this under general or spinal?

The surgery can wait a bit whilst you sort out your feelings but if you do go ahead make sure you get a really good physio and counsellor to aid with your recovery.

I'm so sorry about everything that happened to you.

I was booked for orthopaedic surgery last winter and was recovering from a chest infection. The anaesthetist wasn't happy to do a general anaesthetic in case the chest infection hadn't completely cleared. Instead they did a nerve block (you literally cannot feel a thing through these) and very heavy sedation to the extent I was in a deep sleep throughout and don't remember a thing.

And I'd look into EMDR therapy for your past trauma.

Oh god sorry wrong thread

This my MIL had her hips done this way. Spinal block and what I call lala juice. Lovely stuff

My sons scheduled for his third foot operation like you he isn't looking forward to it. But there no choice he's crumbling and in so much pain

The first time I had a general anaesthetic was to have very badly impacted wisdom teeth removed (too difficult for a dental practice). My children were young and I was petrified that I would die during the operation. The anaesthetist came to chat - gave me a sedative and explained that there was no way he'd let me die as (twinkling eyes and cheery smile) 'the paperwork would be a nightmare'! I laughed hard and the operation was a breeze. I've had one more recently for knee surgery (to delay the need for a total replacement) and remembered the words of years before and enjoyed the best sleep I'd had for ages!

I'm also having surgery in a couple of days, I'm getting anxious now, I know chances are everything will be fine but still it's nerve wracking and I haven't been through anything near to your experience.

I have no advice tbh but just wanted to empathize/hand hold.

We will both be fine OP.

@FishBowlSwimmer glad I'm not the only one.

Hi OP

I’m really sorry for all you’ve been through.

I also have a scheduled surgery next week ( hysterectomy) and am terrified of the anaesthetic . Mine stems from a major trauma I had late teens and resurfaced when I had an emergency c section with my DC. I have no memory at all of the first 4 days after DC was born as a result.

What I would say is if you can flag to the hospital and ask to chat to the anaesthetist, if you get a good one it can help. For my next c section I did this, as a result I felt total trust on her and had an amazing birth ( I was obviously awake so slightly different). It really did make a difference.

Having said that it obviously hasn’t helped me long term as I now find myself terrified of the GA for this operation!

Aww thank you for all your experiences and advice.

I've got the cough back now and I wonder if it's a nervous cough, as I've had two lots of antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Azithromycin) in the last few weeks and have a clear chest. It's definitely not the same as the cough I get with a chest infection or asthma attack, it's more like a constant need to clear my throat and the more nervous I get, the more I do it. And the more I try to stop, the more I feel as if I will choke if I don't clear it.

My peak flow is just under 700, so I know that my lungs aren't congested.

My DS has just come to see me and hugged me several times, which has made me more nervous (he's 31 - yep a huge age gap between him and DD, and 20 years between him and my youngest who died).

My mum wants to come to see me, but I keep thinking of everything I need to get ready, the cleaning I need to do, hoovering, exercise (not weight bearing).

I've been reading about aspiration pneumonia, which scares me, as it is what my brother died of two years ago.

I'm scared that the oxygen supply will be disrupted and no one will notice in time.

The most stupid thing is, if it is cancelled, then I don't think I can go through this again, although I'm shit scared, the thought of waiting again, is even worse.

to all those awaiting surgery.

Hi OP I know what you mean- I too have had emergency surgery (open surgery) and it was very stressful- middle of the night, had sepsis, was told it was life saving...still nervous after this

I went on to have a planned surgery for something else and it did help it being planned, was much easier to deal with

Hope this helps a little. I just tried to focus on the end result. Hope it all goes ok

Had it this afternoon, groggy and in bloody agony, but I did it! Thanks for the reassurances x

Well done! Wishing you a swift recovery

Thank you.

Really confused as surgeon said this morning I would be in plaster 6 weeks and I have a bandage on.

Ah, so glad to get to the end of this thread and hear that you’d done it. Bravo.

Maybe the bandage until swelling goes down and maybe stitches removed, then plaster.

@DGay yes, it's a backslab plaster at the moment, I didn't realise.

Had a wobble last night, when a random BP was 51/90, given a drip and kept awake until it was higher. Then the pressure cuff on my good leg kept me awake by being noisy every few minutes.

Have a sore throat. Everyone seems obsessed with my leg being numb (the anaethetist told me they were putting in a nerve block that would last 24 hours, which isn't up for hours).

I was on the list for PM and advised to have breakfast, as may not eat that day. I never eat breakfast, but had a few bites out of a slice of dry, white bread, and glass of apple juice (too scared of my usual tea, due to milk).

That was a fortunate decision as the other patients cancelled and I was the only one on the list, so they waited till 6 hours after I'd eaten and 2 hours after last water to operate. Not going to lie - my fear showed. The anesthetist never told he was putting me to sleep, instead he just said that he was giving me oxygen, then I woke up in recover.

The nerve block in my leg hasn't worn off yet, so they've only given me paracetamol. The overnight nurse and my surgeon, said I'd be given stronger painkillers, as paracetamol wouldn't suffice, yet the day nurse said paracetamol is the painkiller they're giving me take home. I'm having a little cry, I want to go home, have had a little play on crutches, but am well aware that when the block wears off it will be agony at first.