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Original poster

Feeling so embarrassed after anaesthesia. Please tell me this has happened to others?

420 replies

ShortFlighted · 18/08/2023 17:18

A week ago, I had a surgery. I was extremely nervous before being put to sleep.

When I came round, I was in a lot of pain but my throat was so dry I couldn’t say “hey, I’m in pain” , so I just started whining “ouch “ “ouch “.

Then I kept taking off the oxygen mask because it was annoying me. I also asked multiple times where my car was and had to be reminded I was in hospital at least twice. I also kept waving to thin air. The nurse was nice enough but I could tell I wasn’t her favourite patient 😳.

Now I remember it, I’m so embarrassed and feel like I was probably a real pain in the arse. Coincidentally, I had to be kept in post op because I was groggier and woozier than expected.

Reassure me please!

OP posts:
cherryassam · 18/08/2023 17:20

I cried uncontrollably and kept asking them where my mummy was. I’m 30 and married.

I’m sure they see all sorts! Don’t worry too much

Davidsdaughter · 18/08/2023 17:20

I was told by one nurse " whatever you do, don't text your boss and tell them what you think of them" and I thought "wow! excellent idea..........."

CarPour · 18/08/2023 17:20

I think this is everyone OP. Don't worry about it.

Ichabodandme · 18/08/2023 17:21

I remember the nurse kept telling me to put my clothes back on and cover up after I came round from sedation into the recovery area where there were other patients 😁 So I wouldn’t worry too much - they have seen and heard it all before!

CMOTDibbler · 18/08/2023 17:22

If it makes you feel any better, I once had to be given something to knock me out in recovery as I was just screaming. On at least 2 occasions I have vomited on staff as well (tbf I did tell them before the GA that I am a vomiter but it took me a number of operations to really know what to say to convince them that I wasn't joking about the severity of it)
Don't worry about it is the moral of my story, everyone is a bit loopy after GA and the staff are well used to it.

suitcasecoveredincathair · 18/08/2023 17:25

Agree I would really try not to worry about it too much. Look at it this way: you were drugged, and when you came around you were not totally with it right away. This is completely normal. It’s not the same as having a glass of prosecco at a party and being completely off your face 😉

RabbitsRock · 18/08/2023 17:25

Don’t worry OP - I got really aggressive & kept telling everyone they were supposed to be on “ I’m A Celebrity”!!

HelenaJustina · 18/08/2023 17:27

My DD pretended to still be asleep until they brought me down, at which point she started screaming and crying her pain control was poor to say the least

Original poster
ShortFlighted · 18/08/2023 17:27

@cherryassam <smile> that is quite sweet

@Davidsdaughter did you text your boss?

@CarPour thank you, it appears so by the comments.

@Ichabodandme <smile> an exhibitionist at heart !

@CMOTDibbler this actually makes me feel so much better!

OP posts:
Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 18/08/2023 17:28

One of my friends was loudly very irritated with the nurses when he came round from an anaesthetic, because he had wanted his dog to do the operation apparently 😁

Don't worry OP it happens to everyone! And those who think it doesn't, just don't remember!

Iclyn · 18/08/2023 17:29

To put your mind at rest . I was called down to recovery for my dd ( aged about 6 at the time ) who was throwing herself about and screaming and they couldn't calm her

IHeartGeneHunt · 18/08/2023 17:30

I told a nurse I was a werewolf, and then told her all about my holiday.

Delia123 · 18/08/2023 17:30

I've had two
1 - complex dental work. I kicked the dentist in the balls.
2- hospital. Projectile vomited over a nurse.

90yomakeuproom · 18/08/2023 17:30

I honestly assure you they've seen much much worse

Davidsdaughter · 18/08/2023 17:30

ShortFlighted · 18/08/2023 17:27

@cherryassam <smile> that is quite sweet

@Davidsdaughter did you text your boss?

@CarPour thank you, it appears so by the comments.

@Ichabodandme <smile> an exhibitionist at heart !

@CMOTDibbler this actually makes me feel so much better!

yes, and I work in a MAT school, so I texted the CEO, the head the deputy heads, my head of faculty and my head of department.

I had myself a little text fest.......

and then I had a lot of explaining to do.......

And I also robbed Sainsbury's on the way home.... luckily they were very understanding

So when you are told don't go home unaccompanied, this is why!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 18/08/2023 17:30

Totally normal!

I was on v strong painkillers and meds once and kept getting up in the middle of the night and telling the nurses I was going home. They must have been very tired of having to re-insert multiple cannulas every night!

I was mortified at the time, but long since over it.

Window82 · 18/08/2023 17:31

Yes me!!! Lol I shouted and screamed saying I want my husband and that they’d promised me he’d be here etc and I was pulling everything off

KaySararSarar · 18/08/2023 17:32

Crying like a baby and being sick. Oddly I never cry or complain in normal life so I was embarrassed too OP, don’t sweat it!

TheIsaacs · 18/08/2023 17:32

It’s fine OP. When I had a general last year, I woke up to a nurse asking “what are you crying for?!” I had no idea I was crying, I don’t remember crying. But I do know the three times I had GA as a child I also woke up inconsolably crying, so I reckon it’s just what I do! They’ll have seen all sorts of reactions, don’t worry!

RoaryMouth · 18/08/2023 17:32

No worries. I was crying when I came round and then just generally pissed off in recovery. Then caused a bit of a fuss as the nurse helped me into my pyjamas. Also kept in recovery overnight unexpectedly as couldn't pee. But I also wanted to stay for some reason. Some of us just react quite strongly I suppose.

soupmaker · 18/08/2023 17:33

All sounds very mild OP.

DD1 came out of recovery following an operation yelling like Father Jack, demanding painkillers and shouting at nursing staff to hurry up and get said painkillers. The staff all thought she was hilarious. Me, not so much.

EggOverEasy · 18/08/2023 17:34

cherryassam · 18/08/2023 17:20

I cried uncontrollably and kept asking them where my mummy was. I’m 30 and married.

I’m sure they see all sorts! Don’t worry too much

I kept asking for my mom too and I'm well over 30. ;) I was in far more pain than I thought I would be and just wanted my mom.

I also kept questioning then about my blood pressure, etc which I'm sure they found annoying!

SchoolBlazers · 18/08/2023 17:34

I vomited copiously over two theatre nurses in the recovery room after my hysterectomy. Turns out general anaesthetic and I don't get on.

Yorkshiredolls · 18/08/2023 17:37

Hi OP - ex recovery room nurse- please don’t worry about it we heard all sorts and we know that people act in all sorts of ways under anaesthesia. Many people tey and take their mask off its very common, trust me youre on the very very mild end of the spectrum, Id probably chuckle about it and completely forget by the time the next patient came through. I bet your nurse has no recollection

ive had violent patients who thought I was trying to kill them with the oxygen, patients trying to dance with me “in a nightclub”, marriage proposals, people ordering me around to move imaginary pallets “at work in the yard”- all sorts!

Underthelightofthefullmoon · 18/08/2023 17:38

I worked in theatres for years. Honestly OP it's very common to be disorientated after anaesthetic. Please don't be embarrassed, the staff won't have given it another thought. Hope you're doing ok now.

If it's any consolation, I vomited straight after my last operation and my colleagues in Recovery had to wipe vomit out of my hair. I didn't give it another thought, everyone was so used to caring for post op patients that I knew they wouldn't mind.