To ask what it's like to go under GA

[HerRoyalStressHead]

I've never been under general anaesthetic and I'm due to have an operation on a herniated disc in my neck on Wednesday.
I know I always need more local anaesthetic than they think. Does that mean I'll need more general or is it completely different? In case you haven't gathered yet I'm absolutely clueless.

I had my preop and they said I'll be out for the count before I even count back from 10 to 6. But I've got this fear I'll get to one and still be awake.

What happens if I am still awake?
What if it doesn't work for me?
What if I wake up during surgery?
I'm panicking.

It's a big deal as its the forst time ill have ever been under.

They've said the op is an easy one
They've said that it'll be quick and over with before I know it. But what if there's complications? What if I don't get my grip strength in my hand back? What if I'm still in pain with my neck after? I know I should have asked the preop nurse all this but we were worried I wouldn't even be able to have the op as I'm waiting on an echo to confirm there's nothing structurally wrong with my heart and confirm doctors diagnosis of POTS. She said she'd phone me if things were not going ahead and I've not heard anything yet so I have to go under the assumption it is still going ahead and now all these fears have surfaced. Argh.

I’ve had a couple and always loved that drifting off experience. One time when I woke up they’d tucked the blanket right up under my chin and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so warm, and relaxed and contented.

You should be able to talk to your consultant or someone about the risks of the surgery not working or any potential side effects.

This thread is timely. I’ve got a GA procedure in a couple of weeks & Im feeling weirdly terrified. I’ve had ops under GA in the past and didn’t give it a seconds thought… so I’ve no idea why I’m so panicky this time 😔

To mention, I was terrified of GA too, to the extent that a few years before when I broke my hand and had to get it screwed back together I begged to not be put under, they let me get a nerve block and stay awake throughout (they even showed me the inside of my hand, that was weird).

When I needed my gallbladder out they stayed firm that it had to be under GA and the pain meant even though I was scared I knew I had to do it.

It really was absolutely fine.

This is better written than what I came on here to say. You will have someone with you at all times during your GA. There will be at least 6 other people in the room with you but probably more, only looking after you.

We get so many nervous people come into an anaesthetic room so we're well versed in keeping things as calm and relaxed as possible (and the drugs help too). I always think that it's routine for us, we do it day in and day out, but absolutely not routine for our patients so it's totally understandable that people are nervous!
It'll probably be a hand holding ODP rather than a nurse though

Best thing ever. Like leaning back into a fluffy cloud. Seriously, OP, if you're a worrier you're going to love it. Waking up safe and warm in Recovery teaches you that you can let go.

I've had a fair few GAs. My next one is Thursday and had one end of August. I have problems with local too but GA is totally different. I do get sick but I tell them that and they give me anti sickness meds and I'm fine.

They will put a cananula in your arm, and then mask with oxygen and one second youre there thinking nothing is happening and the next you're asleep.

Usually your put to sleep in one room which is connected to the theatre and then when you're out taken to theatre. Last time I walked into theatre and was put under there. There will be lots going on but try not to worry. They are all there for you.

They put something on your head which measures how asleep you are and there is a anaesthetist and assistant and they stay and watch your vitals the entire time to make sure you're ok and asleep.

I've had several ops, one was massive - 7 hrs - and all were exactly the same from my point of view. Like I've been turned off and on again. No sense of time passing and no feeling of having had a rest or sleep. Just like blinking really.

The process of going under has been something through iv that made me feel the good kind of drunk, then a mask on and talking to someone, asked to take deep breaths, not all of them have asked me to count, one asked me to list things, and another just held my hand and asked me to breathe in and out. Gradually feeling drowsy, then nothing.

I was absolutely terrified before the big one (it was life changing, and potentially not in a good way) and I lay on the table and just absolutely sobbed. They just held my hand and let me get it out, they were so lovely. Please tell them you're scared, they'll understand.

I am jealous of people being allowed to wake up in their own time though - I always have someone repeatedly saying my name and wanting me to stay awake! It's most annoying!

Ooh, slipped disc - total sympathy from me!

I had one for my wisdom teeth. They explained that I'd have a pre med, then after a few minutes, the actual GA. They told me I might think I could smell something funny and not to worry.

They gave me the pre med and I said, "I can smell garlic..." and the next thing I knew, I was coming round.

As others have said, speak to the medics and tell them you're worried, they hear it regularly and will want to put you at ease.

I’ve had 3 or 4, like everyone else, it’s always been a positive experience and no sleep like it! I do tend to wake up shivering after them so I get tucked up in a blanket and one of those foil sheets which does the trick!

I had a pre med so I don’t remember anything after being wheeled out of the room I was in into corridor to theatre, then a big big sleep and woke in itu - planned that was hazy then hdu but I was looked after very well.

I hope all goes well op, I’m also a nurse so tell them you’re anxious the anaesthetist will come to see you prior so tell them your anxieties about this and see what they suggest or give you some reassurance too. Take care and hope it’s all over soon

I have had GA about three or four times. I am surprised at posters saying it was best sleep, to me it is more lost time. I go under when I reach about 7 and next thing I am hearing my name after being brought round. I wasn’t asleep inbetween. I have never found it pleasant afterwards either, one time was after a major operation and I was no doubt uncomfortable because of that, but on the other occasions, I still felt sick and dizzy.

But nothing to be worried about, the anaesthetist will be monitoring you the whole way through. Just before my last operation before they put me under, I asked my anaesthetist if he was there the whole operation and he said “for every breath” it was very reassuring.

I only had a pre med once, now that was very pleasant.

I am that 1 person in a million who is never out cold by 0.
When you go in to the prep room its a sedative that you are given which usually knocks you out (when counting down). If you don't all that happens is they give you another dose of the sedative which usually works (haven't needed a 3rd for years).
When you are in surgery it's a gas based anaesthetic that is used and the anaesthetist will monitor you for any small signs of you even partially waking or any other reaction and adjust the amount of anaesthetic that you are getting.
The fact is you probably won't even remember being in the recovery room afterwards, that's where they take you after surgery to come round and sometimes give meds to counteract the anaesthetic before taking you back to the ward to sleep it off.

There really isn't anything to worry about the anaesthetists are experts at what they do and the drugs that they use are different and much more powerful than those in a local anaesthetic, so you really shouldn't have any problems.

It's lovely- you wake up as if you've had a deep sleep and feel rested!

OP I've had exactly the surgery you're having and also worked in theatres for years. I hope it reassures you to know that any time I've had surgery, I've not been remotely nervous as I knew how well I'd be looked after whilst sleep.

Going off to sleep is a breeze, you'll have an anaesthetist and probably an ODP looking after you. Once the cannula is in, they'll tell you when you're about to go off to sleep. The next thing you know, you'll be waking up, being cared for in the recovery area until you're ready to go back to the ward. I had hardly any pain really, but had been given morphine which made me sick, so was given an anti emetic to stop the nausea. After that I just need paracetamol and ibuprofen.

My arm pain had gone when I woke (hurrah!) and strength came back swiftly. I do still have some neck pain years later, but I was warned that would happen in my case (severe spinal cord compression) and it's nothing like the pre-op pain. So ask your surgeon about what to expect on that front. Do talk through your worries about anaesthesia with the anaesthetist. They'll come and see you beforehand.

The strange thing about a GA is that you feel as if you've been switched off and then back on again. There's no sense that time has passed. Do be reassured though that you will have been so well looked after during your surgery. Everyone is there to care for you.

One other thing, you're likely to be really tired for a few days afterwards so don't make any plans. Best of luck.

Also just to add, the fact you need lots of local wont make any difference.

Like most others it seems, I found it not just something you shouldn't fear but actually really really pleasant. It only took a matter of seconds but I felt the most wonderful sense of relaxation spreading up my arm, then I don't remember anything. Wish I'd known beforehand because I was terrified.

If its reassuring op. I'm also not very sensitive to local. Always need extra injections at the dentist and it wares off faster then they tell me it will. I've done GA twice and both times it was a pleasant experience. First time they didn't even tell me what was happening and I just woke up lovely and warm and fuzzy.

Second time I was more aware of what they were doing and they just chatted to me about where I wanted to be that was the most relaxing a sunny field with Highland cow) and drifted off.

I'm so pleased to read it's not just me that thinks GA is a lovely experience! Only had one op with GA but it was lovely. Did feel very sleepy for about a week after, struggled to stay awake in the ward after and stayed overnight instead of going home same day, but the experience of the anaesthesia was lovely

These people are professionals who have trained for years. Please have faith in them, if you aren't asleep they won't start the operation. You are closely monitored throughout the procedure and whist waking up in recovery. Good luck, you'll be ok

I had one for an op a few weeks ago. One minute the anaesthesiologist was saying you may feel yourself drifting, and the next moment the nurse was asking how I was feeling. Nothing to worry about at all

Do you have EDS as locals don't work well on me and always need topping up. Been under GA three times and never had an issue. They work really quickly and would echo that the more recent one didn't leave me feeling as groggy as they did much longer ago. They can give you something to relax you before if you are feeling anxious.

Out of interest, OP... are you a red head?
People with ginger hair often need more anaesthetic for the effects to work which could be why you need a bit more local anaesthetic.

Sorry I also love a bit of general anesthetic too. I also thought it was my guilty secret.
My daughter has PoTS - its not diagnosed by an echo its diagnosed by a tilt test. An echo will check the structure of your heart is OK. The tilt test checks how your autonomic system responds to you lying down / standing up ie what happens to your blood pressure and heart rate.

Should mention I’ve always needed extra local, rheumatologist said it’s to do with being hyper mobile.

I'm glad this thread is on here...I've got to have keyhole surgery, under GA, on 13th.

I've had big ops, years ago, but for some reason, this minor op has been stressing me out.🙄

Thanks to everyone that has relayed their positive experiences.👍

I've only had one general anaesthetic and I was absolutely dreading it before it. I even asked to have my op awake and they refused (rightly). It ended up being an absolute non event. It was absolutely fine. They put the GA in and I was out within a second - 2 seconds max. Woke up, completely fine afterwards, had toast, went to loo and went home.