Talk some sense into me... terrified of upcoming General Anaesthetic. Panic and sleepness nights

[TheNewVillageIdiot]

Having a reasonably straightforward procedure in two weeks time (hysteroscopy with biopsy and polypectomy) under general anaesthetic.
I am terrified.
I know, rationally, that GA is very safe, but I'm convinced I just won't wake up from it. It's occupying my thoughts constantly and I'm struggling to sleep.
I have my pre-op assessment on Tuesday, so no doubt they'll explain stuff and may be able to reassure me, but I don't know...

I'm 56, BMI 31, slightly high blood pressure, but otherwise healthy.

Thanks for any advice/ figurative face slaps.

Bump

It is very, very safe. Let them know that you are frightened and they will reassure you.

My son has had anaesthetic 10+ times and he's absolutely fine. You will be too.

I had a minor op recently under GA. All very straightforward. I was chatting to the anaesethist before she put me under. Came round and taken back to ward after op. No real impact on sleep. I do think you’re more tired after an op and need to take it easy.

You’ll be fine!

I have had this procedure twice under GA. Absolutely fine, you aren't under for very long, it's quite a straightforward procedure. I had a GA as a child which was unpleasant, but science has moved on a lot since I gather - I felt fine afterwards. Do tell them you're nervous at your pre op though.

I’ve had four GAs and no problems at all. All the anaesthetists I’ve had have been super nice and reassuring.

You don't have to have GA. I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy with a spinal anaesthetic. It was planned with a GA but on the day the anaesthetist wasn't happy that I had a slightly runny nose in case I had a cold.

I'd been looking forward to my big sleep so it was disappointing 😆I was also quite nervous of the spinal anaesthetic but actually that was fine. It was easy to have and I definitely didn't feel a thing.

So.. you can talk to them about options although you might prefer to push thru your fears.

GA is an extremely safe procedure and you are monitored throughout.

I've had many and never an issue.

I empathise with you - I too hate having to have a GA even though I know they are very safe and you will be well looked after.
Why not ask for a spinal anaesthetic- most lower half of the body ops can be done via this method and I find them very easy to recover from. You can usually ask for light sedation in addition if you feel you’d need it but I never have.

Hope all goes well.

I had the same procedure a few months ago - I’m 55 and have slightly high BP and it was absolutely fine x it’s such a quick op try not to worry and ask questions at the pre op if you need reassurance.

Thanks everyone.

I'm a very anxious person. I know GA is very safe but can't get over thinking I'll be the one who unexpectedly dies. Stupid, I know.

Ha, I was hoping they might suggest a spinal/ epidural @DisplayPurposesOnly ... not losing control or consciousness seems much safer to me!

Ask your doc for a couple of Valium ? It’s a random attack of the jitters perfectly understandable , are you concerned they will find something more concerning ?

be sure to let them know how you are feeling it’s v v v common to feel scared

to what extent do you think these intrusive thoughts are prophetic?

@poppysqueak OK, Ill not wait to be offered, I'll be proactive and ask for spinal and sedation!

I didn't have a GA until I was 45 for a mastectomy I was more worried about the GA then the mastectomy. When it came to the day I told them I was nervous they were all great. After I didn't know why I worried so much.

I had the same procedure done under GA and was also terrified as I'd never been put out before, but honestly I needn't have worried so much, and I didn't even know they'd knocked me out, as it was like blinking and opening my eyes to find myself in a different room .
I remember firstly they gave me something to make me feel completely chilled out, which really worked.

Seriously don't worry!

Good question s @pimplebum , no I'm not super concerned they'll find anything... I had a pelvic ultrasound and was told womb lining was thicker than it should be, but didn't look bad.
This procedure is just to rule out anything worse.
It's the GA itself I'm panicking about.

No, I don't think these feelings are prophetic, I'm just a catastrophiser, but it can be so debilitating to be convinced the worst is going to happen all the time.

GA is the best. I remember waking up feeling super rested.

My 9yo had an op recently and came round asking if they were going to do the operation now. He hasn't even realised he was under. It's that quick & easy.

Good luck with your OP.

I’ve had GA a few times, including for fertility treatment. BEST SLEEP EVER. Honestly, sometimes I wish I could get a dose of it when I’m super stressed (joking, sort of). You’ll be fine - just let them know you’re nervous.x

I had this procedure and felt exactly the same as you. I was so scared. I’m fact I pulled out I was so scared. I didn’t consent. I was crying. They were so lovely. I then phoned my dh and he told me, in no uncertain terms, to get the fuck on with it. I asked if they could still squeeze me in and they did. I asked to just be put straight under asap-no feeling woozy or counting. They did just that. I came to, in exactly the same position as when I was taken in. And I was so, so relieved to have had it done. I had a mirena put in at same time and it has transformed my life. Tell them you are nervous-they might be able to put you first on the list.

I an seriously phobic about medical procedures, including GA, but when the time came for a hysterectomy I was told I didn’t have a choice about anaesthesia.
All I could do was to have a frank discussion with the anaesthetist, where he gave me lots of information and tried to reassure me.
I whinged and nearly wept about being nervous and they did put me first on the list. The sedation was absolutely marvellous, all my worries went away, and my only complaint was that I could have done with it a couple of hours earlier.
I had followed the pre op advice to the letter, about making sure that I was hydrated, up to whatever time in the early hours when drinking water was no longer advised.
I also got hold of some of the pre surgery carbohydrate drinks recommended for those undergoing GA, and followed the instructions to the letter. I recovered surprisingly quickly from the GA (it usually knocks me out for a couple of days).

I hope it all goes well for you, as it did for me.

Hello.

1. They monitor you continuously before, during and after the procedure. They use all sorts of sophisticated gadgets to do this that are super sensitive to even the minutest change in any aspect of “you”. (Blood pressure, pulse, etc etc etc)

2. You are surrounded by numerous highly trained, highly qualified very experienced health care professionals who do this job day in, day out numerous times every day. They kind of know what they are doing.

3. you are surrounded by individuals who actually care about you, care about doing the best and right thing for you while you are under their care. They will not allow anything to happen to you that should not.

4. They have very robust risk plans in place. Whatever happens they have a plan, back up plans and then more plans after that. This mitigates risk massively.

5. It’s something that you clearly need doing. It wouldn’t be going ahead if it didn’t. Get it done, get the answers you need, get the thing sorted and then crack on with what’s next. Just get it done.

6. It’s a matter of hours out of your day/week/month/life. Done and dusted in such a short time. Perspective.

You WILL be fine. I promise xxxxxxxx

Thanks for your reassurances and sharing your positive experiences, everyone. It has helped so much.
@Haggisfish3 That’ll be me, too! 😅 I’m also having a mirena coil put in… hopefully the end of post menopausal bleeding!

Ha, yes, I honestly don’t doubt the expertise or experience of any of the staff @ThomasShelbysfagend for some daft reason I think it will be something about me that will be a problem! Thanks for your no nonsense list, it’s very very helpful.

anaesthetist here - as PPs have said it can be done with either GA or spinal. There are occasionally things that make one or the other the safer option, but usually there's not much in it. You might go home a bit quicker if it's done under GA, but should still easily be a day case with spinal. Chat to the anaesthetist and see what they suggest given the rest of your medical history/what the surgeons are expecting to need to do.

Snap - I have gel as well and it’s working so far! No more bleeding!

Thanks @Greybeardy
I know the anaesthetists will know what’s best and will be used to choosing the best method… as well as reassuring big crybabies like me!

I'm sure I’ll feel a lot better after my pre op meeting. Hopefully.