To want to experience a general anaesthetic again?

[slightlyovertiredalways]

Or something like it?!

I had a general anaesthetic for the first time a few months ago, and as someone who struggles with sleeping the feeling was unreal. One second I felt a bit drunk, the next I was waking up from the deepest sleep of my life with a warm blanket on me and someone bringing me tea and toast 😂 some nights when I’m extra tired and struggling to sleep I think about that feeling and crave it in a weird way.

Is there anything I can do to help me sleep in that way?!

I found this interesting about anaesthetics. There was an anaesthetist talking about them.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hwwq

Gosh yes it’s bliss isn’t it?

I bought some Kirkland sleep aid tablets after reading posts on here. They’re American Costco tablets. Omg they are great. Not quite GA but lovely

I SO would if it were available, affordable and, well, safer! I've enjoyed many substances in this life and hospital morphine wins, no contest 😍

I suppose that's how heroin feels when you first start using it. I'm sympathetic.

I remember the drunk feeling right before I became unconscious. I then remember waking to a horrible noise and someone telling me to breathe. I had no idea what they meant as I was so calm and relaxed and felt out of my body, I now realise the horrible sound was me snoring and possibly I was that relaxed I was forgetting to breathe. I just wanted to sleep but they annoyingly kept waking me up because they wanted me to go home! Bloody cheek. I would definitely like to try a GA again but without the operation and to be left undisturbed. Highly unlikely

Crikey — I react really badly to GA and wake up vomiting and shaking badly with the rigors. Last time I had one I vomited constantly for three days straight, and no anti-emetics worked — they had to inject me with something in the end to make it stop! Morphine gives me the same. I had literally NO idea that anyone could actually enjoy GAs. Mind blown 🤯

The last time I came around from a GA, I couldn’t catch my breath. Was scary.

I’ve never had any of the feelings people are describing in this thread post-GA but my sleep isn’t too bad in general.

My mum has tried to get sleeping tablets from her GP and did for a while (insomnia from night duty) but not any more. Think the GP suggested she get someone to hit her over the head to knock her out! The issue with sleeping tablets is that they can get you to sleep but can’t keep you asleep and you develop tolerance to them quite quickly.

I don’t think any pharma company has managed to develop anything recently that is an improvement on existing sleeping tablets ie. gets you to sleep, keeps you asleep, do not develop tolerance to them etc.

I bought melatonin in the US in the summer; did nothing to help my sleep when I had a period of difficulty falling asleep.

I don't find it relaxing and I've had multiple GAs but 2 days in ICU off my head on pain killers,yes please !

I’ve had I think seven GAs and I hate them.

I wish I could agree! I’ve had quite a few GAs over the years and I always wake up from them distressed and crying, and am as sick as a dog for a week. I hate them.

Same here - and I’m also super sensitive to morphine and other opioids. I’m a (ex now) redhead and this is a known trait in us gingers!

I wake up crying too,last one full on screaming as the pain was so bad,was really awful.

Buy Nytol.

I had two generals but that was when I was a child. I found the experience fascinating. First I was going down to the theatre, and then I was on the ward, but it was like changing scenes in a film, as if time just jumped.

I regularly get fentanyl as a sedative during procedures. It's very nice.

I've woken up crying, panicking, unable to breathe properly after all of my GAs except the one time I had a private operation at a swanky Harley Street hospital.

That one time was magical. Probably also because I was appropriately cared for and medicated for the pain.

I do get it though, I've had sleeping pills and its lush feeling yourself fall asleep.

I was given that to calm the pain when I woke from a GA, bloody hell I didn't move for about 12 hours straight , didn't sleep but was just totally relaxed.

I’ve had 7 GAs and 6 times I threw up the tea and toast I was given!

I've always thought I was weird for liking GA, so this thread is very interesting and reassuring to me.

You think that's weird? I look forward to my regular gastroscopies! I find the whole thing fascinating. I love scans or anything like that, but I hate MRI machines because I get claustrophobic.

I know how you feel! Only a short one though; I had a 2-3hour op once and coming round from that involved vomit and grogginess.

The short one, though, was like distilled rest.

Have you ever tried going for long walks to exhaust yourself. It's not the same as an anaesthetic but it does give you a really good sleep.

Please tell me the names of these wonderful drugs,

I’m jealous. And want it.

I just love the wonderful cold feeling going up your arm as you count down from 10 - and then the total under-a-warm-dark-heavy-blanket nothingness until you wake up somewhere else, minus some bits and pieces, halfway through a surreal conversation with nobody.

I always think if I don’t wake up then I’ll have had the most peaceful death a person could hope for.

It’s kind of magical that you can have your body sliced open and mucked about without having to be there when it happens. Like dropping your body off at a garage and picking it up later.

I wish every visit to the dental hygienist could be like that. 🤣

I love your post.