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.

Soinal fusion as an emergency under GA. The calmer you go in the easier it is out.

I remember getting wheeled through, seeing the lights above and that was it.
Going to sleep was fast and not on a count down.

I remember the vivid dream I dreamt to this day and being woken up from it. I hope I didn’t groan I just watched a programme few months ago, saving lives in Leeds and remember someone groaning loudly. I remember being silly in recovery but I had the function of my hands back and kept lifting them up and down in amazement. I give the nurses the biggest laugh when I arrived back on the ward looking like a red Indian.

Wasn’t even until next day I realised I had a drain in my neck. I was more anxious going to the toilet in the following days to come (but what I know now is chewing gum may have helped).

I got a full shower on day of discharge.

Best wishes to you.

It’s such a weird feeling, not in a bad way though!

I think I made it to 8 before conking out, but then when I woke up it was like no time had passed.

In regards to the GA I really wouldn’t worry. They’ll make sure you’re fully out before starting and an anaesthesiologist will continuously monitor you to ensure you stay asleep, adjust meds as required and so on.

In regards to the OP itself, I really hope it works and provides the relief you need.

Thanks for unlocking a new fear 👀

Fucks sake. Just had phone call. Op might not be going ahead Wednesday. Need to have a heart scan first and don't know when that will be, so it's looking like I won't get my operation but i still can't take my anti inflammatories just in case it is going ahead but no one knows for sure yet.

Well. Can't have my operation this week as I need an echo to double check there's nothing structurally wrong with my heart (I have POTS) before they put me under. So that's fun. Apparently I'm 4-6 weeks away from an appointment for cardiology and I've got to get them to email neurosurgery the results so I can be put back on the list. At least I can take my meds now

I was fine with my first as I felt that the alternative was death. I was sick after my 2nd. By the 3rd I was really pissed off & in so much pain that even morphine didn’t help. But those were 3 different procedures. The 4th was the same procedure as the 3rd ….. & I never wanted any more, but again the alternative was death. I eventually sort of settled into it, & as I got to know everyone I felt more comfortable with it. It helps that I see the same people all the time now seeing as it’s the same procedure that I have. I’ve met a few Cunt nurses, but most have been very nice to me. Tell them you are nervous & they’ll do everything that they can to help. Start singing, the worse your voice is the quicker they’ll put you out, I only managed a count of 2 last time. You’re just having normal feelings, you’ll be fine. The best bit is the toast & tea when you come round. I’m quite lively for a few days, then I’m as relaxed as I’ll ever be for a person who’s never relaxed. It’s wonderful just sitting about watching crap TV without a care in the world.

I remember having a GA for a tooth extraction as a young teen. When I came around the sense of no time having passed was so strong that I immediately got very upset with the dentist for not doing the procedure! It took the nurses and my dad and eventually the dentist showing me the tooth before I would believe them.

I don't agree with it being a lovely sleep- you're unconscious, but it isn't unpleasant.

Same here! Had all 4 wisdom teeth out under GA when I was 18, and woke up weeping, certain they hadn’t done anything in the split second (or so it seemed) I was asleep.

I always go in determined to count down all the numbers. Like a grim determination.

My eyes go fuzzy about 7. Think l might have made it to 6 once through sheer determination.

I’ve had a couple of GAs as an adult.
You’ll def be out by 6! It’s very quick
My first adult GA my right arm felt weird going under (heavy) & I had prepared myself for it the 2nd time, but it was fine. Prob was the anaesthetic going through the vein.
Then you’re awake and you may have an oxygen mask on and they’ll ask you some questions and if you feel ok. You’ll go to recovery and back to ward when they’re happy with your obs. Last time I had a catheter as was a longer surgery.

I've had several GAs and the best one was when I needed an appendectomy. One minute I was screaming in pain, the next I was walking up to my name being called and in a lovely floating pain free euphoria.
I have to smile though at some of the mainly female patients who ask if they can keep their dentures in, or can they keep their make up on when they're being assessed and prepped for it.
What's surprising is that no patient yet has ever asked us that how come they went to, and returned from theatre in a theatre gown, yet woke up in their own hospital bed back in their own nightwear.
Nor how come they have no recollection of leaving the recovery area and waking up in bed.
You will be absolutely fine op, you will be monitored closely every minute, don't worry.
Good luck.

Hi everyone
I’m new here . I’ve been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer that has also spread to lymph nodes and doctors recommend surgery which is removal of thyroid fully and neck dissection . I’m very worried from the surgery and the general anesthesia as well. Would love to hear if anyone has experienced this and assure me that I will be ok .

thank you

@Wali1985 you might get more responses if you start a thread on the health board.

I remember the first GA I had about 10y/old - like the weight of life lifting from my shoulders. Utterly beautiful sensation.

Recently had one for tonsillectomy and it was the same.

I agree with @AntonFeckoff Best to start your own thread

I hate it. I panic when I wake up- cry and say really weird things and have once asked for the nurses to hug me while crying 🙈 It takes me ages to recover too I feel weak and exhausted for days and my mood drops completely takes me about a week to be back to normal.

Also sleep for most of two days afterwards.

It's kind of nice. It's noblesse exactly bits like nothing. It's weird but quite pleasing. Made me fear death less.

Crap typing. It's like sleeping but not. More like nothingness. It's lovely

Love a GA. My last one was in a private hospital for a tummy tuck and I was under for about 5 hours. My anaesthetist was so lovely, very adept at chatting casually while doing very clever things with the hard drugs, out of sight. He helpfully pointed out that he was actually the most medically qualified person in theatre (even the surgeon) and all he would be doing during surgery was concentrating on me 100%.

He told me to count back from 10. I don't think I even got to 7? Then there was the recovery nurse holding my hand and asking how I felt and if I fancied a nice morphine cocktail 😊

But to be fair, I've had equally good experiences on the NHS.

Hi antonfeckoff I am new here and have no idea how to use the app. How to start my own thread .

thank you

Love a GA, wish i could have one every night 🤣 i wake up quickly and feel lime i've been to paradise

OP, I metabolise local anaesthetic very quickly so I need more than average and it doesn’t last as long, but I’ve never had a problem with GA. As others have said one moment you are counting back from 10 and the next they are waking you up, it feels like only a second could have gone by!

Sorry I don't have the app so do not know.

Try via browser