AIBU to be petrified of getting a general anaesthetic?

[FineAlrightThen]

I have an ENT procedure on the 30th to remove an obstructing polyp from my sinus. It is only day surgery but I am absolutely petrified of getting the general anesthetic to the point where I'm having serious thoughts of cancelling the surgery! Believe it or not I'm a 30 year old woman not a 6 year old girl

My anxiety is generally out of control but I'm afraid of dying while I'm under or not coming out of it. Or waking up with the tube down my throat unable to breathe. I have a lot to live for as I now have a precious DD!

I'm even afraid of coming out of it and not being able to breathe due to the nature of the surgery. If I do manage to make it through, am I going to wake up thinking I can breathe through my nose when I can't because it's all swollen/packed/bloody etc, am I going to be gasping and freaking out as I regain my bearings. I used to suffer terrible panic attacks as well as my generalised anxiety, it's a horrible feeling thinking something physical is terribly wrong and I'm in danger.

Another thing, I think I'm going to panic as I've heard you can feel the propofol going in to the vein and travelling up your arm?? That will properly terrify me before I lose consciousness. It sounds very scary.

Aaaaahhhhhhh.

I have only had one other anaesthetic when I got teeth extracted as a teen. I actually don't know if it was a general or just sedation, I remember having a mask over my face, 3 seconds later I hear the assistant saying "she's waking up" and I was pissed that they hadn't put me under yet after all that anxiety and bother, in fact it had already been done! I don't remember an IV or anything like that but it was long ago, and I remember immediately feeling awake and well enough to get out of the chair and walk to recovery where I spent 5 minutes then off to go home with my mum like nothing happened. I don't think I ever had a breathing tube or at least I was not aware of it. From what I know a proper general anaesthetic makes you quite out of it for a while in recovery?

Anyway sorry for the novel, it would be helpful to hear others' experiences, good or bad, so I know what to honestly expect. Also if you've had an ENT procedure what was it like? Also if you were sedated beforehand due to anxiety would you recommend it and what's it like? Wondering if I can have a bit of gas and air or something like that to relax me so I don't care about the scary sensations before I'm out.

When l broke my ankle badly 20 years ago, l was absolutely terrified. l was scared to death at the thought of needles into veins, and when they took me down to theatre l was shaking so much a nurse held my hand cuddled me as they wheeled the trolley.
l was sobbing and shaking in the pre-theatre room. But once they get the canula in and ask you to count back from 10 - nothing. l didn't feel anything going 'up my arm'.
l've had several GA's since then and trust me, they're fine. You don't know anything until you wake up.
Ten years ago l had to have a bronchoscopy (similar to what you're having with the tube) with twilight anaesthesia. l was more worried about that, but the anaesthetist comes to see you beforehand and you can tell them you're scared. This is routine for them, they will reassure you and answer any questions you have. l was so pleased when the nurse came to take me to theatre, she was one of the ladies from my slimming club, so that was a bit of a distraction.
l didn't sleep well the night before my hip replacement, and l remember thinking "at least l'll get a good sleep today" and l did.
l've always thought as soon as l've woken up, "l'm starving! Bring me my toast!"
Honestly, reactions to GA's are very, very rare and the hospital staff are incredible. They've done this hundreds, if not thousands, of times. You'll be fine, trust us. The anticipation is much worse than the reality.

Actually, when l was having my pre-op assessment before l had my hip replacement, the nurse said "and you're having a spinal anaesthetic...."
Whoah - what?! Nope. Not a chance. l insisted on being put out.

DaveMinion, that’s true, but the vast majority are!
It makes for an unwieldy post to add all the possibilities - in these days of “700 genders” I’d be here all night writing all the options of person who could be staffing the recovery room!
The important point was to reassure OP - my post was for her, not all about you, or other recovery staff, competent as as you all are.

The first time I had a general anaesthetic as an adult I was crapping myself, shaking & having panic attacks while I was waiting to go down to theatre. But honestly I don't know why I worried, they put you at ease, you lay on a trolley, they put stickers for monitors on your chest, then a cannula in the back of your hand, two syringes of drugs, one clear & then one that looks like milk & it is like going backwards on a rollercoaster, a big rush & then next thing you know you are in recovery & it is all over. Tell them if you are in pain or feel sick, they sort it in seconds. 20 minutes after I am back on the ward & I'm hyper, can't sit still.

The propofol feels cold going up your arm, that's all. You can ask for midazolam, however, I've found propofol much easier to recover from. If your anaesthetist is willing to push the boat out, you could ask for special k but be prepared for questions about your induction agent of choice!

I was very nervous of GA for cancer surgery. Really nervous.

Everyone was SO KIND. A nurse walked with me into theatre, I linked my arm in hers and we walked in. They were all unbelievably kind and introduced themselves.

The next thing I was waking up and it was BLISS. The best sleep ever.

They're so bloody clever these days. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. If have that experience any day!

*I'd have that experience any day

It will be cancelled.

All non emergency and even some Emergency ops for things like cancer are being cancelled

Please tell the anaesthetist your worries, they do this every day, so won’t laugh, anaesthesia is very safe these days, I’ve had 3 in the last year. they give you drugs to help with the propofol going up your arm, but by then your usually going under. I always chat about medical history for mine, my biggest hobby and hold someone’s hand,.

I had a GA years ago. I woke up very briefly in the recovery room (where they put you afterwards) and I vividly remember a blissful feeling of wanting to go back to sleep and being able to. And then waking up later feeling very rested.

I had one more recently that wasn't quite as blissful, but still not a bad experience.

Hi. So 1:100,000 death is solely due to anaesthesia alone. That is failed airway management, or anaphylaxis to our drugs, or extremely rare drug reaction to our drugs. That is across all ages. Deaths perioperatively are more frequent, but still exceptionally rare in the young, and the fit. And when I say fit, I mean fit like you mean fit - able to exercise or in physiological terms increase your cardiac output. Honestly, it is unlikely to be you. And, there is evidence that catastrophisers do worse with health care intervention, so get on with some positive visualisation or exercises!!

It normal to feel scared. You will be well looked after. I agree that the drugs they give you make you feel amazing when you wake up. It’s the most relaxed I have ever felt. You’ve got this 😊

Had general anaesthetic last week for surgical removal of remains of pregnancy, and only found out I needed it the day before, so was definitely worried (and didn't really sleep), but it was absolutely fine. Everyone was lovely. Got cannula put in my hand, given anaesthetic, last thing I remember was ceiling going a bit fuzzy and feeling quite relaxed. Woke up in recovery. Still felt a bit out of it but it didn't take long to get back to normal, was able to walk and eat again. Felt a bit dopey for the rest of the day and had a nap but not too bad. Good luck OP!