To be terrified of having a general anesthetic?

[goatbame]

I need to have an endoscopy and they're giving me a general.

I've always been pretty hospital phobic and very needle phobic. I actually had a home birth because of it.

I'm terrified. I just burst in to tears when the nurse called me for my pre op phone call. Every time I think of it I start shaking and feel sick. I'm crying several times a day.

I know generals are very safe these days. My bil went in to the same place for one recently and said he woke up clear headed and felt fine.

I'm terrified I'll die. I know it's irrational and stupid. I'm going to be a blubbing mess and I'm so ashamed and embarrassed. I know a few people who work there and really don't want them to see me like that.

Someone please hand my ass to me and tell me to get a grip.

I can't reply to people anymore for some annoying reason.

Yes I have to fast completely for ages before and not even water for a few hours.

I had to have an emergency appendectomy in June - I was terrified as I'd never had a GA before and wasn't really keen on it. I said to the anaesthetist that my bigger fear was that I'd not be fully unconscious. He was very nice, very reassuring and I was out like a light and then nicely trippy on morphine afterwards.

I had another operation in December for my spine. This GA was even more chilled - really nice pre-op drugs, lovely sleep.

Adult DD had one this week for a tonsil removal and she was raving about it when she came round (posting very happy videos on instagram). We probably sounds like a family of junkies but honestly, enjoy the free drugs and the peace and quiet!

Ok the oral sedative wouldn’t work with the fasting but did you see my other suggestion about gas anaesthesia? It’s commonly available in the children’s hospital that looks after my DD to avoid stressing children with needles.

@Booboostwo yes I asked and they won't.

I was petrified for years until it came to a point where I was almost dead and I needed emergency surgery to save my life, then I really didn’t give a fuck about the GA. I had it another time after that too when I wasn’t on my death bed and it was honestly fine. It’s quite weird, you feel like you fall asleep for a minute then get woken up. Nothing to really be fearful of, I realised that once I’d had it.

She said they could use a numbing cream. I'm not bloody two, it's not the pain that's the issue, I had ds and pushed for 6 hours with nothing, no gas and air or even a paracetamol. It's not the feel of a little prick I'm scared of!

Are you hundred percent sure you are having a general? I have had 6 endoscipies and they usually just give you something to forget - they need to be able to move you so it’s unusual to have a general for this procedure unless you are a child.
I have also had about 6 generals. I love them - a chance to sleep! Good luck with your procedure.

@ittakes2 yes I've asked many times lol. I asked the nurse doing the pre op twice yesterday.

It's standard practice in the States I think now. I'm guessing it's partially because of liability and partially because they get to charge a fuck ton more. At least I'll hit my yearly deductible in January and can have the million other things I've been waiting to do for years done soon.

Also they're pretty sure they'll need to take a biopsy as my GERD is so bad and isn't responding to any treatment. I don't think anywhere will do that without a ga.

Has anyone had a sample taken? Is it sore afterwards?

I think the fear that it could be throat cancer (my brother is in the last stages of throat cancer that has spread everywhere ) isn't helping any.

I've had a couple of GAs. I know it's no use saying don't worry but you will be unconscious so quickly, no time to panic and I promise you, you will wake up!

The last one I had was a month ago and literally as soon as the canula went in, I was gone then woke up having had quite a nice dream!

You will likely wake up groggy and confused but I was up and walking around, completely back to normal within the hour.

I should also say that I have to go in for another GA in a month and I can't wait! I really enjoy the sensation of being knocked out

They said they keep you in for 30 minutes after the procedure but then you're discharged so it must be a very light ga if that's even a thing. My bil said he was up and out in ten minutes with the same one.

I don't think it can be like any GA I've ever had then. It's taken me hours to come round properly each time.
You also have to be with an adult or in hospital for 24 hours usually.

I have had a couple of general anaesthetics but over time I have developed a real fear of them. My last back operation was carried out with a spinal block. The consultant said no problem but the anaesthetist tried to persuade me to have a general. I said absolutely no way! When it was over he praised me and how unphased I was! I may need another operation of the same kind soon and I will be opting for a spinal again. Unless its an operation where a general is unavoidable then I'll always take the other options.

I had a GA for a gastroscopy and it was very light and quick. I left the hospital an hour after I woke up. It's quite different from a GA for a lengthy operation.

I'm another who loves them. I've had 3.

I've always come round right away and am immediately perky, even after a 3-hour op. The ol' 'you'll be groggy after' never applied to me. I've had 5 GA's, one was pretty light (for a missed miscarriage).

It's not the feel of a little prick I'm scared of!

What are you afraid of then? It might be helpful to talk to someone to work this out, I find that if I can pinpoint my fear exactly, it becomes a lot easier to deal with.

I've had lots of general anaesthetics. Best advice I'd give is to let them know you're nervous so they can comfort you and help you keep calm. Also ask for the hand numbing cream if you're needle-phonic, you won't feel a thing so might help?

*By not feeling a thing I mean you won't know when you're going under.

I had a biopsy taking during an endoscopy without a general anaesthetic (UK). I would rather have had the GA though but it wasn't offered, just sedation.
I have always found that the fasting and lack of water beforehand makes me feel spaced out and less anxious if that helps.
I am a very anxious person and have usually cried before anaesthetics and asked anaesthetists not to let me die.
You can ask for a premed which makes you feel lovely and relaxed.
Good luck, OP. You can do this. I would ask your doctor for some anti-anxiety meds in the run-up period though.

A few months ago I could have written this post. I was an absolute mess before hand and I honestly thought I was going to collapse with fear walking into the hospital. They gave me a pre-op medication to take because I was so petrified.

I promise you , you will be fine. I know it won't make you feel any better and the fear is so overbearing but I promise you're going to wake up and be so so relieved that it was fine.

I had a colonoscopy with sedation (uk), they took biposies (while i watched on a screen!) and nothing hurt at all, either while having them taken or afterwards :)

I just wanted to give you some moral support. About 5 years ago I had my first general and I was just like you, incredibly anxious and crying just thinking about it. When I was being booked in I burst into tears talking to the nurse! They are so used to it so please don't feel embarrassed. Everything went fine for me and it will for you too.
I had a second general a month ago, I was nervous but not as much as the first time. I nearly burst into tears when I was in the theatre but didn't because the staff were brilliant at making light conversation and calming me down.
I would suggest you tell them you are very anxious and I'm sure they will make you feel at ease.

How about you go for a reflexology treatment or something similar? It has worked wonders for my anxiety.
There are also lots of great meditation videos online.

I wish you the very best of luck. You will be fine and once its over you'll wonder why you were so anxious. xx

My mum was the same. 70 years old and never had a general aesthetic or anything done medically. She was terrified but was absolutely fine 🙂. Good luck.