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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what it's like to go under GA

199 replies

HerRoyalStressHead · 04/11/2023 08:46

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.

OP posts:
GettingStuffed · 04/11/2023 22:38

They just talk to you and the next thing you know someone says to you Thank God I thought you were never going to wake up 😂

Ffsebok · 04/11/2023 22:42

I find them terrifying. I feel like I'm drowning and panic. Coming round is horrendous too. Disorientating and I'm usually sick too. It's nothing like a lovely deep sleep either. You're not asleep. I've got a big op coming up too and am already in a state about the GA.

ThatWhiteElephant · 04/11/2023 22:44

I've had several over the years.
I need more anaesthetic than normal. I always get told that I should feel really sleepy/drunk, nope!
I just take a bit longer.
But always feel safe in their hands, they know what they are doing.
Good luck for Wednesday Flowers

Starmoonsu · 04/11/2023 22:46

They will be chatting to you, possibly asking you a question and that’s the last thing you will remember before waking up. You will know nothing about it :)

Starmoonsu · 04/11/2023 22:47

If you’re nervous, ask for something to ease your anxiety while you’re waiting.

Dramatic · 04/11/2023 22:49

I've had a fair few, as others have said it's the best sleep ever. I once had the sensation of being moved sideways (which I assume was on to the recovery bed after surgery) but it was like the sleep was over in a few seconds even though it had been hours. Waking up was lovely and peaceful too.

literalviolence · 04/11/2023 22:59

I don't remember counting. I remember feeling suddenly very sick and trying to tell them that but I think that's when I went under. I woke up in pain and desperate for the loo. Definitely not a nice feeling at all but I was so anxious before about waking up on the table that these things were just a pain really - I had been out through all the painful stuff!

YesSirMam · 04/11/2023 23:02

Aww you will be fine. I’ve had a few now, your out pretty fast. Then the next you know you are waking up. I was terrified but it wasn’t bad at all. As for recovery if it’s a simple procedure I’m sure you’ll be absolutely fine. Good luck Op it really is nothing to worry about, let them know you’re anxious & they’ll give you a pre med. it’s beautiful

Lorrymum · 04/11/2023 23:03

I had my gall bladder removed a few years ago.
I was terrified of having a GA and was so nervous I could barely speak. I walked to a side room with a lovely nurse who chatted to me constantly. The anaesthetist was very reassuring and explained what would happen. I remember him saying you will feel a slight scratch and I was gone. I woke up after what seemed a few seconds and so happy that my wretched gall bladder was gone. You will be absolutely fine.

Original poster
HerRoyalStressHead · 05/11/2023 10:58

Thank you so much everyone. Its so nice to read that the vast majority of the time people have a good experience, certainly helps put my mind at ease.

OP posts:
Cranberriesandtea · 05/11/2023 11:18

@MrShady

Yes definitely your dad should be asking about their experience with red heads. I usually pass it off as a joke, but I'm also searching for reassurance and that they are aware.. I have a hard time at the dentist. My record is 8 numbing jabs. Bald or not he is still a true ginger at heart 🥰. It's in the gene, it does something for pain tolerance and apparently gingers also have a higher pain threshold (not me 😂) but also excrete anaesthetic quickly aswell so we don't usually get the post surgery knock out that others do in recovery.

When I was a teen and about 7 stone I was in ITU for a week. When I was okay, the anaesthetist who was responsible for my sedation exclaimed to me that I was a challenge to keep sedated! He said he'd given me enough to knock out a full grown man and he was suprised I was awake and ready to leave ITU so quickly. So it's been something that's followed me all my life with anaesthesia, same for your dad I'm sure.

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 05/11/2023 11:45

Interesting about the hyper-mobility thing. I'm not a red head but do have some hyper-mobile joints and some of my toes curl up both ways, if that makes sense. After GA I'm on the ceiling manic and raring to go.

Original poster
HerRoyalStressHead · 05/11/2023 15:18

Oh gosh the last thing I need is a manic episode. I'm schizophrenic 😬

OP posts:
MavisMcMinty · 05/11/2023 15:29

HerRoyalStressHead · 05/11/2023 15:18

Oh gosh the last thing I need is a manic episode. I'm schizophrenic 😬

You must tell your anaesthetist about your schizophrenia, as if you are on anti-psychotic medication it can affect the amount/type of anaesthetic you receive.

Original poster
HerRoyalStressHead · 05/11/2023 15:45

Yeah, I've told the preop nurse but I'll be sure to tell the anesthesiologist too

OP posts:
Original poster
HerRoyalStressHead · 05/11/2023 15:48

I'm in a ridiculous amount of pain as I've had to stop my anti inflammatories before my op.

OP posts:
Bearpawk · 05/11/2023 16:45

It's lovely, I'd have it every week if I could.

Thriving30 · 05/11/2023 17:29

I had GA recently, you just feel drunk (the pleasant tipsy drunk) and you feel your eyes closing.. then it's all over and you wake up in the recovery room.

NeunundneunzigHorseBallonz · 05/11/2023 21:49

Hi @HerRoyalStressHead - I’m sure you’re all over it, but it’s a great idea to take in a list of the meds you take and their dosages to show the anesthetist just in case things are not communicated. Sorry you’re in pain. The reason you can’t take anti-inflammatories is because they increase your risk of bleeding during the surgery.

Huntre · 05/11/2023 22:27

I have had it about 5 times. Lovely feeling ! They talk to you whilst it takes effect and then whoosh, you are out for the count.

Notfeelinghunkydory · 05/11/2023 22:31

I love a GA! Recovery room is hilarious 😂

Densol57 · 05/11/2023 22:31

I had some cosmetic surgery. Private obviously. Had a top UK anaesthetist. He knew how to put me "just" under so I came out without any side effects at all.

Had him 3 times. Oh god it was addictive !! 😂🤣

Papergirl1968 · 05/11/2023 22:37

Might be a good idea to take some of your own meds to hospital with you. I'm on blood pressure meds, diabetes meds and anti depressants and the nurses were glad I had because they didn't have them easily available.
One thing I forgot to mention was that I had awful constipation for a few days afterwards. I think this is because I had a catheter in so didn't need to go to the bathroom and really only moved from.the bed to the chair for the first three days. No way was I going to ask for a bedpan or commode to do a poo behind a flimsy curtain. I'd been home several days before things returned to normal. Possibly the painkillers were a factor too.

ZaphodBeeblebroxArthurDent · 05/11/2023 22:41

OP I've had 14 GAs between the ages of 6 and 40, and there's nothing like the amazing feeling of being put to sleep under GA!! It's honestly nothing to worry about.

Waking up is worse, tbh - they have to wait until they're sure you're coming round to withdraw the last pieces of equipment from your throat, and you may feel that. I can't pretend that bit is great, but the actual 'being put to sleep' bit is great 😀

AegonT · 05/11/2023 22:51

I need a lot of local anaesthetic, the dentist is always surprised and my dermatologist said he's never had to use as much! However I had no problem with my general anaesthetic - I fell asleep mid-sentence and next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room.

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