To be shaking in my boots at the thought of having a GA

[idream]

I'm booked to have a procedure done under general anaesthetic. I've never had one before. Is it unreasonable to be this frightened?

Not unreasonable no, but... I bloody love a GA, I live the feeling of drifting off, and I feel refreshed afterwards. The tea and biscuits you get afterwards taste like the best things ever created and (aside from the reasons for the op) I enjoy the whole experience.

Maybe I’m weird though 🤷🏻‍♀️

Of course it's ok to feel frightened but you will be looked after by experts. An anaethatist will come and see you on the ward and you can ask any questions. You won't remember it afterwards, they make me feel cold afterwards so I always wake up covered in a silver space blanket. What is it you are worried about.

I do have a slight needle phobia though, so I do apply my own emla cream, and they do use the smallest size needle. I generally cry at that bit.. but even when I’m freaking out I know I’m being irrational. Once the cannula is in I’m fine..

Yanbu
But I've had 5 GA and same number of spinal. 2 of my kids have had also and we've all been absolutely fine. Its exceptionally safe. Good luck

I'm an anaesthetist. It's very normal to feel apprehensive and anxious before a procedure that needs a GA. Is there anything in particular you're worried about? Loss of control? The unknown?

I love them. Just drift off and when you wake up, people bring you toast and all the crappy stuff is over.

I'm with you NotAs, I love a GA too for the reasons you described. Glad I'm not the only one

I'm worrying about everything I guess but mainly how bad I will feel when I wake up.

You go under really quickly and it's actually quite nice. Take it easy for a few days afterwards though.

Some people do feel a bit dodgy when they come round... but I bet it won’t be as bad as you are imagining even if you do. I’ve always felt fine, and I’ve never heard any horror stories. Try not to overthink it...

I was nervous the first time I had one, but it was actually fine - as pps have said, in a way it's quite pleasant. There's a bit just before you lose consciousness where all your aches and pains go away and you feel super-relaxed. Then, you know nothing more until you come round.

Thanks everyone, I've still got another two weeks of worrying before the procedure.

I'm one of the weird ones too!! I'm absolutely terrified of hospitals and scared of the recovery. But I LOVE a GA. There's something about it that I absolutely love. Just so relaxed! Good luck

Please don't assume you will feel bad afterwards! If it's a day case procedure you are likely to feel very well - most people in my experience are surprised by just how well they do feel. I know it's easy to say but really do try not to get worked up about it, you will be in very safe hands all the time. Go with the flow.

I've always felt fine. A bit tired and light headed but it wears off quickly.

My dh had a GA a few years ago and he said it was like having a really good sleep and he felt refreshed afterwards

Had at least 25 general anaesthetics in the last 13 years. I always imagine I am on holiday in the pool (think of something nice) it’s not scary you just go dozy like going to sleep fast. Then when you wake up you have a nurse with you in recovery making sure you are ok and monitoring you. Occasionally you may feel sick or very cold and they deal with that. If you are in pain they will give you more pain relief. Then after I tend to sleep well.

Yanbu to be frightened, I think that's a fairly normal feeling. You will be fine though.
My toddler will be having one for a major operation soon. The GA is one of many things I am absolutely terrified about.

How bad you feel will be 95% to do with the procedure and 5% the GA - in fact the GA and the pain relief during the op will mean you won't feel bad when you wake up.

When I've had a GA (5 so far as far as I remember), they've asked me to count to 10 out loud, which I've concentrated hard on and done slowly and clearly (to make sure they know I'm still awake). I've got to 4 or 5, then the next thing I'm aware of is distant voices getting clearer and someone annoyingly and insistently calling my name.

Once I respond, they tend to leave me alone, and everything's fine, no pain, no expectations.

It's natural to be scared once they suggest you try sitting up, walking to the loo, etc, but best advice I can give is to be brave at that point and do your damnedest because it makes recovery quicker and, best of all, it gets you home quicker.

Oyster I am sorry to hear that your toddler is having surgery. That has put things into perspective for me. Good luck.

I do sympathise and I worried like you did (and I had even worked with anaesthetists and know how brilliant they are; highly skilled and extremely professional) I think for me, it was a fear of not being aware of anything / lack of control, worrying about not waking up. Both times I've had a GA, I had to ask 'Oh has the op happened then?' as I felt that I woke up immediately after I'd drifted off to sleep, as if no time had passed at all! Do take the advice to take it very easy afterwards though. It's easy to think you're back to normal and can rush back into work and family life, but after a gall bladder op, I ended up hurting my back really badly which meant more time off work. I'd only tried to move some desks, but clearly my body was still recovering from all the meds.

I had GA twice about 10 years ago. I was a bit nervous about it not working. They asked me to count down from 10 whilst they put a mask on me (main anaesthetic was through a cannula). I'm not sure I even got to 8! I had an appointment with an anesthesist beforehand and they asked me if I wanted (mild) tranquillisers beforehand. I took those while I was still on the ward, which meant I was already slightly woozy when I got to theatre, and definitely very calm. On both occasions I slept for absolute ages afterwards. I did find I was quite weepy in the days following, which I've heard is quite common, but it might also have been because my surgery was quite traumatic.

I love them - the drugs! such a fantadtic feeling and i always look so well and rested afterwards.

It is a wory though and i ask for the drip to be put in the crook of my elbow not my hand as i bruise like a peach. Ive also had teeth knocked out in the past too.

My huge wory more than anything is WHAT THE HELL GOES ON WHILE IM IN THERE? How many people are around me? Do they mess about? Ive come out with bruises in strange places and a tiny scorch mark once too. Ive had over ten GAs though so perhaps its just bad luck.

You’ll be fine. Drink lots to make you pee otherwise you wont be discharged.

YANBU - when I had one I was so frightened. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I would lose that time and have no knowledge of what happened.

The reality of it was so much less awful than I was expecting. The nurses are so reassuring and kind and talk you through everything that is happening to you at every stage. I started crying a bit when they put me under and the nurse held my hand and talked to me and was so kind. The anaesthetist also laughed and joked with me and put me much more at ease.

You may feel quite sick when you wake up and you'll be very groggy but you don't have to do anything except sleep.

It is so much calmer and less scary than you think - you will be ok! Good luck with the procedure, I hope you make a speedy recovery

It's weird as you have absolutely zero control over what happens to you in that time you are under. You are literally leaving your life in the hands of the anaesthetist. And they are amazing at what they do so trust you will be taken care of but yes I get what you mean and feel it whenever me or someone I love goes under