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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be bloody terrified..

39 replies

MrsPatrickDempsey · 25/03/2014 21:42

.. of having surgery under GA in a couple of weeks? I have been waiting for just over 18 weeks for septoplasty (straightening of the nasal cartilage) and endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitus and blocked drainage. I had a GA 7 years ago but it was for a very quick surgery (d&c) and I wasn't intubated; I will need to be this time. I am really scared - mainly about how I will feel afterwards. I know I will have pain in my nose/sinuses but it's the after effects of the GA that worry me. Would welcome a realistic view.

OP posts:
Octopirate · 25/03/2014 21:47

Sorry I have no practical advice for you but I'm sure someone who does will be along soon. Hope all goes well and you feel better soon

Original poster
MrsPatrickDempsey · 25/03/2014 21:48

Thanks.

OP posts:
TheWoollybacksWife · 25/03/2014 21:48

I have had GA twice but a long time ago. I do remember that after the first op I had a sore throat and a bad taste in my mouth so took mints in with me the next time. The only other after effect I can remember was being really tired while the GA worked its way out of my system.

Hopefully someone with more recent experience has some advice for you.

SallyMcgally · 25/03/2014 21:49

I didn't feel anything after GA. just a little sleepy. It was really nothing to be frightened of, and everyone was so kind. Thanks hope it goes well for you. They're really v good these days.

RandomMess · 25/03/2014 21:49

The risk of anything going wrong is very small but I have to admit I don't react well to GA and it's unpleasant feeling unwell afterwards. Have you got a plan of how you are going to get peace & quiet to recover? Most of all you feel tired and worn out tbh.

londonrach · 25/03/2014 21:50

No advice just giving you an un mn hug. Xx

jojane · 25/03/2014 21:51

Ds2 age 3 is having GA on Monday, I'm terrified even though it's only for a quick grommets operation. I can't even begin to work out how to explain it to him!

treaclesoda · 25/03/2014 21:52

I think GAs have improved a lot in recent years. I've had a few over the past 20 years or so and each one has been a bit easier than the one before. So hopefully you'll find it easier than last time. It's always daunting though.

spongebobmum · 25/03/2014 21:53

A friend of mine had ga a few days ago and like you was worried about it. It was fine, she didn't have any problems at all. She said today she doesn't know what she was so worried for, that it was absolutely fine.
Hth, and good luck with the surgery.

Original poster
MrsPatrickDempsey · 25/03/2014 21:55

Thanks.

OP posts:
TwixTime · 25/03/2014 21:55

I felt a bit disorientated and weepy but it soon passes. It will be well worth it Flowers

fluffyraggies · 25/03/2014 21:58

I had GA for the first time 2 years ago OP. i was terrified too.

It honestly is like going to sleep really really fast. After the meds went in a nurse was asking me if i felt sleepy. i remember saying no. then nothing else! DH says i went out like a light.

i came round feeling cold. i was aware of someone tucking an extra blanket round me. i felt so sleepy i let myself drift off again. Took 2 hours to come out fully. Didnt feel sick, stayed laying down for ages. Just chatting to DH. Went home 5/6 hours later. Felt tired, but nothing more.

Don't worry Flowers

trappedinsuburbia · 25/03/2014 21:58

I had one maybe 20 years ago and felt bleugh for a couple of weeks, had one 6 years ago and fine straightaway, like treaclesoda said they must have improved.
Are you worried about something going wrong? I think thats natural.

littledrummergirl · 25/03/2014 22:00

I had a sore throat and a funny taste for days afterwards, I kept falling asleep for a day or two. I remember sitting bolt upright when I came back around having dreamt that I was late taking dcs to school!
I was terrified before but it was all ok in the end. I hope your op goes well.

Original poster
MrsPatrickDempsey · 25/03/2014 22:01

Yes - bit worried about something going wrong and leaving the children. Daft really but the reality is sinking in.

OP posts:
RevoltingPeasant · 25/03/2014 22:01

OP I've had a bunch and people react differently I believe. A man across from me got quite weepy and I shivered a lot after my last one.

However they normally pump you full of analgesics during it, at least they did me, so you don't really have any pain when you wake up. They put you facing a clock when you go under and when you wake up, which is nice as it orients you. They also say immediately "you've had the surgery" and mostly you just lie there feeling a bit bemused whilst the drugs which wake you up do their thing.

Really really nothing to worry about. You will get a scratchy throat but it went in about an hour for me.

jojane I had a GA when I was about 3.5 and they just said I would have some medicine to help me go to sleep for a bit. My mum was with me and I remember going under. For some reason they didn't let her in recovery so I came to with only staff there and was scared so see if you can be there when he wakes up. It will be fine though actually much less traumatic than other med procedures as he will only be aware of going under and waking up!

RevoltingPeasant · 25/03/2014 22:04

Mrs P you will be fine, the chances of something going wrong are literally about 1 in a million. If it helps, you can help your own chances by obeying all the instructions about fasting etc scrupulously. But you will be fine :)

Badvoc · 25/03/2014 22:04

I have only had a GA twice, most recently in nov last year.
Fine both times, no issues with sore throat, sickness or discomfort.
Just a bit thirsty.
Good luck x

euq8820 · 25/03/2014 22:09

I've had a couple of ga's and alls been fine, they always got me to count backwards from 10 as they were giving the medicine into the vein in my hand and I never made it to 1. When you wake in recovery you'll probably wake and doze for a good while before you come round, I get quite weepy but that's just how it effects me. I've never been sick after. Im a nurse on a surgical ward and complications from ga are few and far between. Best of luck, try not to stress too much!

happydazed · 25/03/2014 22:12

I had one last summer was so so terrified going in, honestly, never been so scared, almost irrational really. I was shaking, crying, trying to think of any excuse not to have it, I really didn't have an option though. my worst fear was them counting me down till I was asleep.

well I shouldn't have worried, honestly if I had to have one tomorrow I would not be scared. It was fine. Last thing I remember I was putting a cap type thing on next thing I woke up in recovery. I was out for over an hour and after I felt sleepy and a bit of a sore throat but not as bad as the sore throat you get after a mild cough even. don't worry you will be fine.

PansOnFire · 25/03/2014 22:13

GA made me thirsty and quite groggy for a day or so afterwards but I felt fine with it. One of the things they explained to me was that there will be someone constantly monitoring the anaesthetic as it is administered, adjusting it when necessary and according to how your body responds. It's very safe and I know that nothing is guaranteed but it's so unlikely that anything would go wrong.

As wrong as this sounds, the feeling as you're drifting of is unreal! Honestly, when I need to relax I try to remember that feeling. And the sleep afterwards is also amazing. When you take the surgery aspect out of it its the most relaxed I've ever felt! I has surgery on my throat and I felt very sick afterwards, I don't think it was the GA but it could have been, they gave me anti-sickness which worked in minutes and I didn't need a further dose.

I hope everything goes well, you'll be home and sorted before you know it.

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 25/03/2014 22:13

I've had several GA and never remembered any after effects. I only recall going under once and the memory is that it was in an absolute flash, here one moment, under the next.

My DD has had two in the last 8 months and not complained about the effects only the aftermath of the surgeries. She's an adult btw.

Try not to overthink or worry too much, it'll all be worth it.
FWIW the pain from the straightening of the cartilage is likely to be your worst obstacle, but that info is based on DH's reactions and he's never given birth (Obv)

Good Luck.

Pumpkinpositive · 25/03/2014 22:18

Last time I had it, 3.5 years ago, I asked for a numbing agent before insertion of the cannula into the back of my hand as I had been informed this is worse than childbirth.

GA itself was totally unproblematic, can't even remember the start of the countdown. But I got a bit disinhibited Victor Meldrewish in recovery and threw my oxygen mask across the room. Blush

The way I try to look at it is, however much I dislike the prospect of GA, I suspect I'd enjoy the surgery even less without GA.

Pipbin · 25/03/2014 22:27

I had a GA about a year ago. It was fine. I find the thought of it is worse than the actual thing. Like the cannula. I hate the thought of that but I find it doesn't hurt at all.

treaclesoda · 25/03/2014 22:36

Last couple of times I had one, I remember shivering uncontrollably when I came round. They tucked me up in this sort of heated inflatable blanket thing, it was light as air and so so cosy, I just wanted to lie there all night. It was almost worth it just for that blanket, it was like a huge hug.