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?

In fact the only thing I've been given after a GA was a ferocious telling-off by the anaesthetist, saying I had coughed all through the operation and should give up smoking.

(I have.)

@user1471536766 I’ve always assumed I’m a real pain for anaesthetists as I’m relatively small and I fight the drugs the whole time. I’m undergoing lots of GA’s at the moment for infertility treatment. I won’t have DH in with me next time as I think it upset him to watch me like that but is there anything I could do, or ask for, to help? (I’d be happy to do the procedures under local, but I’ve no idea if that would be any better).

I had one a couple of years ago.

Walked to the theatre, got up on he bed, I didn't even feel any needles going in. I remember being asked how I felt, I said 'fuzzy', was told that was good and the next thing I woke up 3 hours later. It was meant to be 45 mins (ovarian cyst) but they found endometriosis and dealt with all that. Had a short chat with someone - I remember asking if they cut me open as I was scheduled for keyhole.

Was wheeled through to recovery where I had tea, toast and about 6 glasses of water. Surgeon came to speak to me about what they'd found, further treatment, if I was in pain etc. and give me sick note/meds. Nurse asked if I wanted to try getting dressed, which was fine. Was asked if I wanted to try going to the loo, no problems with that so was discharged.

Woke up from surgery at about 2:30pm and was sitting on my couch at home by about 5:30pm. I did get tired more easily for the next few days.

The worst part about the day was the boredom! Had to be there for 7:30am but wasn't taken into surgery until 11:30am.

I’ve had two, absolutely nothing to worry about. Enjoy it OP! :)

I had my first GA a few months ago and was absolutely shitting myself. I walked into the anaesthetic room and burst into tears. I was terrified of a) not waking up and b) being really aware that I was going under and wanting to fight it.

The anaesthetist was so nice and talked me through everything.

In the end I actually quite enjoyed it!

I had one last year and I'm terrified!
I asked for as much anti sickness drugs as they could give me and a pre med
They took me to the theatre, and gave me the pre med by my cannula. I said "this isn't working as well as last...."

That was it 5hr op, was so hungry after and ate a massive meal about 2hrs after waking up. Sore throat but had a McDonald's milkshake
No sickness, but I can never sleep for a few days after as I feel really wired
I HATE being sick and I'm petrified of operations but I honestly was absolutely fine, and it was a huge spinal surgery

I don't have any problems with GA, I had 4 ops in 9 months a few years ago, my only problem is I'm hyper once I come round & can't sleep for about 48 hours afterwards, I can't sit still, I'd love to feel dopey & relaxed but I never do.

When you are under a GA it is the safest time in your whole life as you have a whole team of folk monitoring your life supporting functions! Brilliant!

I know it is a bit scary as you are putting your life in the hands of others, but truly they know what they are doing.

They have everything sussed - I always come round shivering cold and wrapped in foil blanket and with a sort of hairdryer blanket warming me up. They are monitoring everything and have the means to keep you well. Please try not to worry.

and yes everyone is different. My dad just wanted to sleep after his
I wake up wide awake, hungry and want to get going

I am not at all frightened of the dentist but when ever I have an injection for a filling, I shake and shiver for about ten minutes. It's really strange and I'm not sure why that happens.

Ask if you can go to theatre with your headphones on and iPod and music or whatever playing so you can absorb yourself in that while it's all going on.

I've had GA 13 times. It's a walk in the park. You'll be just fine.

I've had two and both were fine. The going under is very quick, the nurse was holding my hand, the doctor was chatting to me, it was quite pleasant.

Waking up I felt emotional and disoriented. I didn't feel like I'd been asleep, when you wake up if after a short nap, you know you've been asleep. With this it felt like I was counting back from 10 and then I was in a different place seconds later. I was a little bit tearful and shivering with cold. it was very short-lived though, I was fine a few minutes later. It's apparently quite a common reaction, or so the nurse told me anyway!

My second one was exactly the same.

If you wear glasses, ask them if they can make sure they'll be there when you're in the recovery room. Not being able to see properly probably didn't help feeling a bit confused.

The worst bit is sitting on the ward waiting beforehand.

I'm panicking just reading this thread. Another one here who is terrified at the thought of a GA, so much so I've been putting back an op, currently booked in for January.
The thought of one makes my heart beat faster and I want to cry

when ever I have an injection for a filling, I shake and shiver for about ten minutes.

Me too. It's a reaction to a component of the injection, something that reduces bleeding (adrenaline?).

I learned this when I had to have dental treatment while pregnant, and the dentist said she could not give me that component of the injection, and for the first time ever I wasn't shaking with fear. Only, of course, it had never been fear in the first place - just how my brain had interpreted that my racing heart and trembling meant that I was terrified.

Gazebo that's interesting. I shake so much even though I'm not frightened or in pain.

Another who is scared.... had one earlier this year and another next month. Quite enjoy the experience of the anaesthetic but hate the idea of having no idea what happens when you’re under. Who does what etc.

It was one of my biggest fears. I was absolutely terrified, although I didn't let them know. When the anesthesist said he was about to inject the anesthetic, I remember everyone suddenly looking at the machines, as my heart rate had suddenly escalated. He said that people had told him they got a taste of onions in their mouth, and the last thing I remember was thinking "Hey, it does taste like onions." Then suddenly, it was all over and someone was putting socks on me. Which was weird.

It was fine. I was scared of feeling myself drift off and not being able to pull myself out of it (but I get sleep paralysis, so that might be why). It was nothing like that though - it was awake to asleep in a second. It was honestly one of my greatest fears, but I wouldn't be worried if I had to do it again. It was absolutely fine.

Time in Recovery should be short then move you back to ward. But occasionally I’ve been there for a few hours if no bed to go to. I was sat reading my notes as I was so bored. I even managed to get discharged straight from recovery - no beds I was on the board as a ‘lodger’ in Recovery. No food until back on ward but they will usually give you a sandwich if no meal time due.

You can ask the dentist to give you injections without epi (epinephrine aka adrenalin) if you find you react to it. They won't mind.

Regarding GA's bear in mind that you are significantly safer under GA than you are at almost any other time. Every single part of you (heart, breathing, blood pressure etc) is being monitored very closely while you're asleep....during your normal day-to-day life none of these things are being monitored. If they were, people would survive medical catastrophes far more frequently!

Having a GA is a bit like bungee jumping, OP. Beforehand you're terrified and wondering how the hell you'll survive, afterwards you're all..."Piece of cake! I want to do it again".

It's incredibly safe these days. Reactions to the anaesthetic are almost unheard of, but when they occur it's generally nothing worse than a bit of a headache afterwards.

You will be fine. Guaranteed.

YANBU because any procedure you’ve not had before means you have no idea what to expect or anything to compare it to.

Anaesthetics now are a different ball game to how they used to be. They come with less side effects and grogginess.

I hadn’t had one for about 15 years and was amazed how ok I felt when I had one last winter. Adult DD had 4 in nearly as many months a few years ago and each time she was wide awake and chatty when she was returned to her bed.

Tell the staff you’ve not had a GA and are nervous. They will explain what they’re doing and what to expect. It’s all very calm and you just sort of drift off once they’ve injected the stuff into the canula. If you’ve ever had a sleeping tablet it’s sort of like that feeling of knowing your drifting off to sleep. Good luck. I hope you come back to update and say it was nothing like you feared.

Also my friends DH is an anaesthetist and says they are incredibly safe if that’s any help.

I had one for the first time ever about 2 years ago.

I was terrified.

As it turns out I had nothing to be afraid of. It was super easy, everyone was so kind and thoughtful and I recovered really quickly.

It felt like a lovely big sleep - best one since before I had children!

I've been under a few times - my recollection of the last time was the aenesthetist saying it was coming, him counting down from 7, a feeling like warm, gentle pins and needles in my arm and I was 'out' before he got to '6' I think!

Coming round was OK too.

I am not looking forward to the wait time between me arriving at the hospital at 11.30 and my procedure. Knowing my luck I will be last on the list.