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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be terrified of having a general anasthetic next week?

45 replies

OneLittleChicken · 20/01/2012 21:01

I have to have an routine operation under general anesthetic and I am absolutely terrified... I have had three in the past and wasn't too worried but I am older now and have 3 young children.

I'm fit and healthy but feel sick with fear just thinking about it, am I over reacting?

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 20/01/2012 21:12

Totally overreacting.

I tell this story a lot on here...my son had his first GA when he was 11 months old. The anaesthesiologist told us 'I've been doing this for 30 years. I've not had a single person ever have a reaction to the GA.'

You'll be fine.

devonshiredumpling · 20/01/2012 21:13

yanbu but saying that i have had three generals and have been fine good luck and let us knoow how you get on

happydotcom · 20/01/2012 21:15

I can understand you being scared - it's the not being in control factor too plus the fact you have DCs.

Please don't worry, just think of it as an added, undisturbed sleep! You'll be monitored very closely throughout and if it's a routine op, the GA will be light and short acting ( so you'll be out for the count and have less of a hangover after!)

I'm a nurse and GAs often worry people more than an actual planned op.

You'll be fine. xxx

Chundle · 20/01/2012 21:15

I'm having one nxt Friday for wisdom teeth and am also petrified! We will be fine though I'm sure x

foglike · 20/01/2012 21:15

I'm not a medical person but i've known loads of people who have had GA and none have had problems.
You're naturally worried but you'll be fine,good luck and hope your op is a great success.

doinmummy · 20/01/2012 21:17

Just enjoy the lovely, woozy,drifting off to sleep feeling > I think GA's should be sold in pubs instead of alcohol!

hanaka88 · 20/01/2012 21:19

I was bloody terrified. When they started putting me under I started silently crying. They said 'it's ok we'll look after you' then I woke up :) you'll be fine x

OneLittleChicken · 20/01/2012 21:21

Thanks guys, I feel better now... I agree that it is not being in control and having young children.

DD had to have one a few months ago and I was a wreck then too (although obviously she did not see this)

OP posts:
RevoltingPeasant · 20/01/2012 21:22

YABU in a nice way Smile I had three this summer/ autumn and am still here!

I actually started rather enjoying them. Don't worry, you will be fine.

emsyj · 20/01/2012 21:30

It's understandable to be scared, YANBU. You'll be fine though. I've had 3 (tonsils out at age 17, wisdom teeth out aged 28, crash c-section aged 30!)

They had to put DH under last year as part of his snoring investigation. I was terrified and had nightmares worrying what would happen if he didn't wake up - especially as it wasn't a life or death issue. Totally understand where you're coming from. (He was fine too).

whoatethelastbiscuit · 20/01/2012 21:43

Feel for you, had a general few months back and was terrified, in the event I was so busy waffling to the doctor I didn't notice going off and woke up really cheerful singing 'What's love got to do with it' Blush They were playing music while sorting me out. I'm sure you'll be fine, good luck

DottyDot · 20/01/2012 21:47

Aww - you're not being unreasonable - I've got a bit of a GA phobia and lay sobbing on the table a couple of years ago when I had to have a minor op. the anaesthetist didn't quite know what to do with me, so just carried on and of course I was OK! The fear of not waking up is huge for me, but I always do and you will too! Good luck Smile

EdithWeston · 20/01/2012 21:50

I think being scared is an appropriate reaction. They are usually very safe, as others have pointed out, but you'll know from your previous consent forms that they are not risk free.

The important thing now I'd say is to acknowledge and then control your fear.have you ever learned relaxation techniques? If so, use them. Consciously direct your mind to think of other things. And do whatever you can to avoid displaying or transmitting your fears to your DCs.

I hope all goes well on the day, and that you recover swiftly.

OneLittleChicken · 20/01/2012 21:51

I'm worried I might cry and try to back out while being wheeled in! They might give me a pre-med, not sure how much it will help tho...

OP posts:
OneLittleChicken · 20/01/2012 21:53

I meant though, not tho, argh it's late!

OP posts:
Bewilderedmum · 20/01/2012 21:58

I think it's the mummy bit of you - since you've had kids - it's natures way of making you over-think things. anything seen as an immediate threat to you (and consequently your children) can become overblown, and seen through a mummy prism, to protect your children.

rationally, you know you will be fine. emotionally, somewhere deep down, you are thinking 'arrghhh!'

Like when ds1 (he was 11 at the time) needed a general anaesthetic for plastic surgery on his finger - I was very cheery, took him into the anaesthetic room, joked and stroked him whilst he was going under - then the tears ran down my face. The theatre staff were brill, and I walked back to the ward sobbing to the ward nurse. I knew rationally that he would be absolutely fine. I absolutely knew it. I am a nurse FGS! didn't stop me crying though.

I've also had general anaesthetics myself since children, and each time, I've felt more uneasy than what I did pre-children - rationally, I know things will be fine... But I did feel slightly more anxious...

BTW- I've been a nurse for 24 years, and have never come across a 'bad' reaction to an anaesthetic.

I think what you have to tell yourself is that 'This is very very safe - I am going to be fine. I feel anxious, because I will feel out of control and I have the kids to think about - It's normal to feel anxious when I have kids - it's natures way of making sure I don't parachute without a parachute, hence the anxiety. But am not going parachuting - am having a very safe procedure under a very safe anaesthetic, so instead, am going to focus on feeling well.."

You will be fine!! honestly!! but when you go in - do let the staff know you are feeling anxious - a friendly face, and some emotional support goes a long way...

happygilmore · 20/01/2012 22:02

I had one last year and was scared too - you'll be fine. In a way it's worse for those worrying while you're under when it takes place, as next thing you'll know is you're awake, whilst they're thinking about you.

Good luck, not that you'll need it :)

AmazingBouncingFerret · 20/01/2012 22:09

YANBU, having surgery is a scary thing. I hope everything goes well for you.

GA is such an odd thing, I was told after my surgery that I was woken up during the procedure because monitors let them know i'd lost feeling in my legs. I was able to react and follow instructions yet don't remember anything about it (thank fuck!) Grin

KateUnrulyBush · 20/01/2012 22:10

I had my first last year for an erpc post-mc. I was completely terrified of not waking up and leaving ds without his mum, and as soon as they separated me from dh and wheeled me to theatre I did the crying thing Blush

Someone was with me the entire time I was waiting to go in, and the anaesthetist came to talk to me and reassure me.

When it came to it, I remember it feeling cold as it went into the vein and just chatting to the staff then... waking up to find the anaesthetist waiting with me, all changed into a smart suit, ready to go off shift.

He said 'you look like you needed that sleep' and smiled.

I bloody love the NHS.

You'll be fine op. Enjoy the sleep :)

AmazingBouncingFerret · 20/01/2012 22:12

Forgot to add, the nurses and others before you go in are wonderful and if they can put up with me whining and sobbing about having the lines put in without numbing cream with good grace and big smiles then they'll be able to put your mind at ease. Smile

OneLittleChicken · 20/01/2012 22:15

I'm having to go private, I'm really worried it won't be as good as the NHS!

OP posts:
mareish · 20/01/2012 22:18

I'm normally a lurker but felt compelled to contribute.
I honestly cannot remember how many GA's I've had since 4yrs old due to squint ops, broken bones, dental work, & endoSad
I've had no problems apart from being a bit cold when I wake up. The nurses are so experienced they deal with GA's several times a day in some cases.
Tell them you're nervous they will talk you through what is happening or I find it's best to have a nurse asking me about family, holiday, hobbies & it is quite surreal but not unpleasant as you drift off......
then you wake up as if from a heavy sleep & you will probably keep drifting off for an hour or so but go with it, the nurse will keep waking you to check you're recovering & will reassure you if you're upset. Make sure you tell the nurse if you feel sick (normal reaction for some people) the sooner you say something the quicker it goes away.
It won't be long before you're allowed a brew & to see your nearest & dearest.Smile

OldBagWantsNewBag · 20/01/2012 22:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

emsyj · 20/01/2012 22:34

I had my wisdom teeth out privately, why do you think it won't be as good? Mine was a totally private hospital so it was a bit hotel-like which was odd - but the prawn baguette I had afterwards was first-class, much nicer than the corned beef butties I got served in an NHS hospital after having DD!

KateShmate · 20/01/2012 22:35

Seriously stop worrying!

My DD actually had a GA yesterday, was under for a few hours - half hour after coming round, she'd had lunch and was darting around childrens ward! Shes had quite a few GA's and usually goes pretty crazy afterwards - just being really funny, is hilarious!
She went to bed quite early last night (refused to sleep after GA) and woke up this morning begging to go to school...

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