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.

Ok so I went to my lovely doctors. I completely bawled my eyes out so she went off and rang the hospital and consultant and spoke to them. I am having Propofol as MissConduct said. It's not a proper ga. I'm prettt cross. I had lots of different staff tell me it WAS a ga. I think it's actually ketamine . One of the few drugs I've not gone near ever.

She spoke to the or team and the doctor doing it and they said it would be ok for me to have a Valium 45 minutes before. She's asked for me to go down walking rather than being taken on a trolley.

She was absolutely wonderful, I'm blown away by how kind she was. She rang me tonight to see how I'm feeling about it and has given me enough doses of Valium to have a little each morning and night until the procedure.

And I'm so grateful for everyone's comments. I think people being sympathetic and not telling me I'm being ridiculous has weirdly helped, a huge part of the anxiety (my doctor realised) could be a vicious circle of the embarrassment.

So I will have the anesthesiologist with me but not be intubated which is a HUGE relief.

What a lovely GP and just what you needed. I am so pleased for you.
Best of luck with the procedure.

Your GP sounds like a rare diamond! If they were all like that life would be so much nicer.

Please don't worry. I have a lot of health issues and have had well into double figures general anaesthetic requiring surgeries. I can guarantee you will be absolutely fine, it's simply like having a deep sleep and you'll wake up & they'll have done what they need to in order to make you better. Xx

this is lovely to read- what a great GP!

If it’s any comfort, I’ve had it four times. All in NHS hospitals. All I remember was a feeling of a needle scratching for about 2-3 seconds and then waking up feeling like I’d had the best, deepest, most refreshing sleep. I didn’t have even the mildest negative side effects. Every time I felt a bit scared of something going wrong and once I cried because I was having really major life threatening surgery and it was all a bit stressful but the anaesthetic itself was done with such carefully monitored control with high-tech equipment that it was very very safe.

^^obviously for a time when you do actually have it’

I just sat in the hospital toilets sobbing for half an hour. The Valium hasn't touched the fucking sides. I'm so close to getting up and leaving. It was meant to be a 10 o clock procedure but looks like they're running an hour and a half late. Fuck fuck fuck. I also got THE heaviest period ever last night so am panicking about flooding during.

Oh pet... have just read the whole thread & was feeling all relieved that you’d had such a reassuring chat with your GP.

Hospitals are prone to running late. Which is horrible when you’re feeling stressed about what you’ve to have done. Do you have a Netflix/Prime account? If the latter, check out what’s loaded into your On Deck & see if you can distract yourself watching it: something mindless can help. Or if you’ve anything with you to help with managing stress (like colouring or crochet) use it. Or if you can send someone to get you something or you can escape to get something (it’s ok to ask) absolutely do.

Please don’t leave: the endoscopy needs doing; doubtless you’ll still be charged for a load of stuff; & you’ll have to reschedule (& be charged again). I know you said you’re going to meet your deductible by the end of the month, but no need to race to it, right?

If you’re worried about flooding can you double-up & change right before you go in? (You can explain situation to nursing staff - honestly, they’ll have seen it umpteen times before & their only concern will be your being comfortable.)

I hope that you go in soon & that it all goes well. TBH thing I find worst about endoscopies = the numbing spray: in what twisted world is that flavour banana?! (Probably in the States you have a choice of flavours. Most people don’t seem to remember it [I have “A Special Brain”] so REALLY don’t worry about it!!!)

Be gentle with yourself @goatbame

I had a panic attack when they were trying to put the IV in and my heart rate and blood pressure went through the roof so they gave me an intravenous sedative before the propfol. I passed out pretty much straight away.

Dh said there were 7 people in there when I was out. The gastro doctor, two anesthesia guys, the anesthesia nurse, two nurses and the head of the OR (who's a friend and saw me bawling in the corridor so stayed with me.) I'm pissed we pay so much for healthcare but they really do look after you.

So googling it they basically have me a rohypnl iv. May be why i can't hold a conversation longer than 2 minutes

Hi OP, How are you feeling?
I'm so sorry to hear it was such as stressful experience. I totally understand your feelings of anxiety. I am just the same. I hope you are doing okay now x

Oh gosh poor you, its been rotten for you. You must be glad it's over, how are you feeling now?

I've had to have two in the last 2 years and I'm very scared too, but I'm just scared of feeling or being sick! I beg the anaesthetist not to give me ANYTHING "sicky" and to load me up with max anti-sickness. But there are no guarantees, I felt absolutely shite after a gallbladder op and that was a full GA, under for 90 minutes I believe.

But I had one like yours two days ago for a 30 min procedure on my leg, more like very heavy sedation (I was intubated though) - just propofol, alfentanyl and anti-emetic. No anaesthetic gases. Felt awesome when I woke up, just deeply sleepy and not a hint of nausea - brilliant.

I hope you're doing OK.

Just had a 3 hour nap. I think it all would have left me feeling fine and it's the rohypnol that's making me feel wretched.

But most importantly - there's absolutely NO sign of Barrett's esophagus which is what they were really worried about. And if I was going to develop it ever I probably would have by now. So very very relieved.

Well that's brilliant news Goat - well done you. Worth it for that eh!

DH said he had the funniest conversation in the restaurant after with me (had to get food as hadn't eaten in nearly 24 hours and long rode home).

I stop mid sentence and just start the same sentence again. I have completely blanked on large parts of the day, no wonder rohypnol is used as a date rape drug, scary.

Well done OP!

Hi OP, I'm so glad to hear your good news.

Ive had 4 generals. First time I was exactly like you and then did some research and the chance of dying is less than dying giving birth in the western world. Dunno somehow that made me feel better.

By the 3rd and 4th I was loving the feeling of disappearing into the abyss as the meds go in, I think it feels wonderful ! Lol

Oh and glad to read you are through it x