AIBU to be petrified of general anaesthesia?

[keabby]

Hello all I'm scheduled to go in for a sinus op in two weeks time. I need a large polyp removed that originates from the cheek sinus as it is affecting my ability to breathe thru my nostril.

The closer this gets the more terrified I am! I hate the thought of losing consciousness and being on a ventilator during the op. It needs done under complete general as it is of the image guided variety and I need to remain perfectly still.

I feel a bit of an idiot because I know how much this is going to improve my life i.e. no nighttime woes like mouth breathing, congestion, snoring anymore but at the same time I think is it really worth the risk? I think well during the day I can breathe fine out of my other nostril etc.

I'm an anxious type and that certainly doesn't help. It all seems so serious as I need to go in for a pre-op appointment to make sure I can tolerate the GA (the need to do this makes me a bit uneasy)

I am petrified. Rationally I know many MANY very ill people go in to GA and surgery and they're fine but I keep thinking my heart will stop or I'll go braindead (more than I already am :D ) during the op. Or that I'll regain consciousness before my body is able to move again. Etc...

Any anesthesiologists on the board by chance? Or those who have gone in for an op?

I think one of the primary things is actually after the drugs are administered and before I go under, what is that like? People say the room starts spinning, I think I'm going to have a proper meltdown if that's the case.

I heard you can get some premedication for anxiety. Can anyone recommend that?

Thanks for letting me have a ramble xx

[LockdownLemon]

Another one here who just loves a good GA! I like going under - no room spinning or nausea just a few seconds of snuggly sleepiness. It really is easy. Please don't worry.

[Doingtheboxerbeat]

I'm so relieved it's not just me that loves going under and the feeling that accompanies it but then I like drinking and being slightly inebriated and I know lots of people who hate it so I do get you op.

[Doingtheboxerbeat]

I have been teary coming round, but happy, loved up tears like I wanted to tell everyone I loved them - and I did .

[wonderstuff]

I found GA like a good sleep, I suffer from awful insomnia so it was particularly appreciated! I was very nervous about my dd having GA, she was only small, but speaking to the anesthetist and the nurse put me at ease quite a bit, the Drs are so well trained and literally spend the operation keeping you safe, I was told they are very, very risk averse. Focus on how much better things will be after.

[Chesneyhawkes1]

@PiggyPlumPie I've had that sensation. I like it. It feels cold and like it's almost going to hurt a little bit as its moving up higher, but it doesn't as you're out by then.

I've had 4 GA's and I like them!

[KillingOksana]

I went under a couple of weeks.

The surgical team were really lovely. And the anesthesiologists were calm and chatty. Everything was double checked and if they weren't 100 per cent happy I.e canula placement they re did it. They will always tell you what they are doing. Double check if they are hurting you.

Falling asleep is very fast and lovely. Like a warm fussy feeling. The next thing you know you're in recovery.

[Paintedmaypole]

General anaesthesia has improved so much. I had an unpleasant experience with it as 5 year old so when I needed operations as an adult I was aprhensive the first time. I had 5 operations over a 10 year period and had no problems at all with the anaesthetic. I just dropped gently off to sleep with no dizziness and woke up feeling great. The theatre staff realise people are nervous and are very reassuring.

[Iwantcollarbones]

I had my first, and only, GA in November last year for for relatively minor heart operation. It was fine. I remember the mask before hand and feeling sick and the next was being woken by the anaesthetist telling me not to touch something. I had, what I would describe as, a metal wire in my mouth. I don’t think this was routine though as it turns out I have a ‘difficult airway’ and they wanted to keep the bougie (if that’s what it was) in place until they were sure I didn’t need to be re-intubated.
In any event, it fell out and I didn’t need to go back into theatre so I spent the rest of the afternoon drifting in and out of sleep waking only to drink tea before I went home later that day.
Speak to the anaesthetist. They are brilliant. This is what they do all day everyday and they concentrate solely on you throughout.

[Lemonmaid]

I was extremely anxious before having my first ever GA, to the point I nearly pulled out. I explained to the consultant on the day of the operation my fear of not waking up, and they were very reassuring.

I was given a sedative shortly before being taken to theatre, once there the Anaesthetist was standing next to me chatting away and put the needle in while doing so. There was an immediate 'heavy' sensation and I was under.

I think I was dreaming when I came too in the recovery room! I was also quite disoriented and drowsy.

A few hours later I inadvertently drank too much water and was sick, which is a common thing after a GA as it can remain in your system for a while.

The next day I felt great before being extremely tired the following few days.

I know it's easier said than done @keabby but try not to worry - you will be fine! The worst part is not being able to eat or drink the day of the operation!

[Davros]

I've found that, since having a number of GAs I sleep like a log all the time. Maybe I've let go of any anxiety and, if you can learn to sleep through the goings on in hospital on a plastic mattress you can sleep anywhere anytime.

[DisobedientHamster]

@Davros

I've found that, since having a number of GAs I sleep like a log all the time. Maybe I've let go of any anxiety and, if you can learn to sleep through the goings on in hospital on a plastic mattress you can sleep anywhere anytime.

I wish! Despite being in a similar environment for months, I have PTSD and my insomnia is astonishing. Nothing but zopiclone works and now I can't get that anymore.

[Ladybirdbookworm]

I thought it was just me that loved a GA .
I love that feeling of the medication going up my arm and then that lovely woozy feeling as you start to go under.
Honestly I try to prolong it as much as possible to get the most enjoyment out of it that I can.
I remember working in the Anaesthetic room when I was a Student Nurse - I loved it , it was so interesting. I was amazed that patients would start to count backwards and then literally just flop with their eyes still open ....out for the count literally.

[2littleboyzmum]

You'll be fine. I've had two in my 20's I'm in my late 20's currently. Both I survived, one if they didn't take control of the situation I could have lost my womb and/or life. The second went textbook and no issues.

I have a heart condition, one op before I knew about it and one op after. I came out them alive, I can't say well because the first was during horrible circumstances that caused me to be rushed into theatre to be put under.

During the time the drugs are administered but before you go under is bizarre. I remember it more with my 2nd as it was only a few months ago, I got the drugs in my arm and the mask over my face, all I thought was are my eyes being weird and shortly afterward I was asleep. I would just close your eyes and talk until you go under if your worried about what you'll see. If you have any conditions that could affect you during the procedure they should have already or will talk to you about it. Afterwards is when I find the room spins but I've always had morphine post op so not sure if it's that or a combination of the drugs leaving my system and the morphine kicking in

[FirstClassFlightHome]

I was so scared on having a general anaesthetic, that I had breast augmentation under a local. However, when I had my daughter, I haemorraghed badly and had emergency surgery to save my life. I had in total four surgeries under general anesthetic over a 24 hour period. I survived and am not scared anymore. It is so safe nowadays, unless you're obese or have a pre-existing condition. In which case, I am sure they would not be recommending the surgery.

[ExShield]

I dearly wish that spa places would offer a GA or sedation as a treatment. You could just go and have a lovely kip and then emerge rejuvenated.

I’ve had 5 GAs, and never had any trouble. I get a sort of whooshing in my ears, feel like I’ve done a million tequila shots and then it’s all over.

[Yeahnahmum]

It's the fact of the possiblity of never waking up that frightens me the most. The onconcious bit nah....It's like falling asleep and being asleep. The waking up was prob the weirdest. Trying to claw your way back to awakeness whilst being groggy af....

But op. Its not an uncomment fear. Most of us have it. Plus it is going to benifit you in the long run. Do some meditation beforehand. Or visualise something calming like a beach. No matter if you are into those things or not. It can def help :)

[maddiemookins16mum]

I was the same. I had to have a lump (benign) removed.
I was shitting myself.
They put the canula thing in my hand ready when I got there (day surgery) and came and got me a few hours later. Strolled down to the theatre. In the pre-room they gave me a pre-med, then wafted a mask in front of my face and asked me to count backwards from 10, I never made it past 8. Two seconds later (actually it was over an hour) I was beIng gently awoken by the nurse saying my name. It was like time had stood still. It was soooooo much better than I’d imagined.

[Poetryinaction]

I was scared but it was great.
I counted backwards from 10, got to 0, still awake and thought it wouldn't work. Did it again and got to 9, then woke up a few hours later, feeling like I'd had the best sleep of my life. I felt high and chatty, and so well rested.

[Bargainhuntbore]

I also love GA. always a bit apprehensive about any operation but the GA is amazing. I love that bit when your eyes close, but when you’re forced to wake up and you just want to tell the nurse to bore off😂 and let you sleep. Then you look at the clock and realise you’ve had less than an hour under😏

[Whatisthisfuckery]

I had a GA nearly two years ago now when I had my eye out. I was more nervous about the aftermath tbh. The GA is easy. They put a cannula in your hand I think it was, you feel the cold going in, it makes your wrist ache for a second then you’re gone.

I had a bit of a sore throat from the intubation the when I woke up but apart from that I was perfectly fine. The nurse made me a cupper when I got back on the ward and it was heaven.

My mum had the same operations as you’re going to have a few years ago OP. She was fine, and it made a huge difference to her quality of life. She could finally smell the dog’s manky breath we’d all been moaning about for ages and the dog got all her rotten teeth removed as well.

[Whatisthisfuckery]

Well, I say my mum had the op a few years ago, actually it was 21 years ago.

[Toomboom]

I had one beginning of March. I told everyone dealing with me how scared I was and they were fantastic. The nurse held my hand the whole time until I was under. Going under is so quick you really have no idea it is happening.
The next thing you know you are in recovery. It does take me a while to come round after a GA, but you are looked after really well.
Be aware it can takes days for the anesthetic to get out of your system. It took about 5 days for me. I just felt tired and wiped out.

[ImAncient]

Anyone else now wanting a GA? Rubbish nights sleep & I could so so do with that lovely Cosy feeling & being looked after.

[Deux]

Oh my goodness, I’ve had some great GA. I love it, especially the feeling of cold running up my arm and then bliss.

I must share one experience though. The anaesthetist asked me just before he injected the cannula to tell him about the most beautiful place I’d ever been, maybe a beach. So I started to describe a beach I’d been to. He asked me what I could see, hear, feel. Senses really.

Then I felt the cold run up the cannula and I was out. But I spent the whole time I was out on a beach in Zanzibar! It was absolutely bloody amazing. It seemed so real. I swam and everything.

[HappydaysArehere]

The first ga I had I remember saying “I won’t go to sleep”. The reply was “Oh! You won’t eh!”. 123 gone. Nurse back on the ward said I woke up laughing.