General Anaesthetic

[mrsblakey]

Am having surgery in a few weeks.
I haven't had a GA since I was young & can't really remember much about the procedure.
I am feeling more apprehensive about that rather than the surgery itself!
I have been told I won't be able to meet the anaesthetist until the day of my surgery so am bottling up more nerves.
I think my main fear is not waking up afterwards - I feel really silly admitting that!
Anyone had a similar anxiety?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

What the hell is my ipad doing to my typing? Was supposed to say with my!

[georgedawes]

I too was worried about waking up,but it was over very quickly, one minute going into theatre the next waking up.

I did need a bit of oxygen for a few hours after as my sats kept dropping, due to have another op soon is that worth mentioning to the anaesthetist?

[Wednesbury]

I have a question that I have wondered about ever since I had an epidural for my first CS five years or so ago.

After the birth the anaesthetist, who was lovely and totally reassured me throughout the whole procedure, said to me 'Now I need to give you an injection which might make you feel like your heart is racing' and I said 'What? What is it, what is it for?' and he did reply but I can't remember what he said.

Do you have any idea what it was and what it was for?

Also, is is true that for a c section under GA you have more anaesthetic than for some other procedures? My second CS was under GA and it took me a very long time to come round properly and be able to sit up and look around, it was 36 hours after the operation before I made it into a wheelchair to see my DD in the NICU and I have always felt terrible about this.

Thank you for answering on this thread InPursuit

[SusanC5]

The only exception to this is if it were absolutely necessary and the patient were not able to consent themselves. (If they were in a coma for example)

I was involved in a road accident. When I came round from my GA, I was horrified to find out that I had a catheter and my operation was witnessed by student doctors. I only find out because one of them thanked me for alllowing him to take part in my operation.

I was unable to consent as I was unconscious. I had no problems with the GA and the whole experience didn't put me off having more surgery.

Good luck OP.

[ChestyNut]

inpursuit looks like I may have to have sinus surgery soon. Anything that will stop the wheezey can't breathe thing before it starts?

[ChestyNut]

And can I request no propofol.....it hurt ?

[PseudoBadger]

1944 - there's no way that any generals are given in high street dentists any more! I had all 4 wisdom teeth out under general at the hospital. What an awful experience for you :(

[LineRunner]

I had a GA last week. It really did feel like seconds, and I recovered quickly.

I had an IV and face mask. The anaesthetist was so gentle and reassuring that I felt really safe.

I was scoffing tea and toast within an hour.

[shouldnthavesaid]

When I was having surgery a couple of years ago an anaesthetist came to see me in the morning, and discussed a general. I said I was worried about the intubation. He said it's the most risky part (he wasn't a reassuring chap) and did an assessment to see how likely it was to go wrong with me.

Within minutes he had a senior person through, and they both said I needed special care. They said they'd place a tube down my windpipe, and a separate one down my stomach, whilst under conscious sedation. Both said I would remember it and I would feel considerable pain. They demonstrated by pulling my oesphagus forward, which hurt like hell.

They said I'd need this for all future anaesthetics due to the alignment of my jaws and teeth.

Understandably since then the idea has terrified me and both surgeries (that one and the next) I pushed for, and got, a spinal instead. This still I frightened me but not as much - I felt more in control.

I've never heard of that since, is it a normal procedure?

Also - when they give you a spinal, do they add some sort of sedative or morphine? First time I had continual infusions of midazolam but the second time I was assured no sedatives (as midaz sent me into a psychotic type state) but I did feel very odd. Told the anaesthetist things I wouldn't normally dream of, and felt very cuddly/snuggly? I wouldn't dream of taking sedation again - I was shaved and all sorts under that stuff, and watched by half a dozen students through a view panel. Awful.

[mrsblakey]

Wow seems like my thread has triggered some interesting questions.
Thanks Inoblivion for offering to answer any queries I think most of mine have been covered by everyone else!
I am still apprehensive but can now see that for most it's nothing to worry about.
Thanks again to all of you for responding I will continue to watch with interest!

[mrsblakey]

Sorry should read Inpursuit!!!

[behindthetimes]

I had to have a GA in order to have the 'products of conception' removed following a miscarriage. I was really nervous as I'd had GA as a teenager and it made me feel sick and also depressed. I mentioned this to the nurse that wheeled me down to the operating theatre and she told me to make sure I was thinking happy thoughts as the GA was happening and I would wake up in a similar state. So I thought of DS1 , and woke up feeling completely fine, just a bit out of it in a nice way. I felt a little sick a bit later on, but told a nurse and a well timesd sandwich sorted that out.
Hope you are reassured by the posts on here at that the surgery goes well OP.

[InPursuitOfOblivion]

Hi ladies,
Kids, husband, dog and neighbours are conspiring against me having any free time today! I promise I will get round to answering your questions but you'll have to bear with me!

If anyone else from team anaesthetics is reading please feel free to jump in! I'll send one of the ODOs to fetch us coffee!

[ChestyNut]

Never heard of that shouldnt sounds awful

Think anaesthetics have moved on.

[mrsminiverscharlady]

What's an ODO?

[ChestyNut]

Operating Department.......

Practitioner or assistant are only ones I've heard of.

[PseudoBadger]

Operative? Erm... Operator? :o

[redspottydress]

Thank you for answering. I asked because I was unable to pee after surgery and I was told by a friend who works in hospital it was because they give you a catheter in surgery! I was in for hours so I believed her.

[redspottydress]

Thank you for answering. I asked because I was unable to pee after surgery and I was told by a friend who works in hospital it was because they give you a catheter in surgery! I was in for hours so I believed her.

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

fairy - post-operative nausea and vomiting is generally worse with inhaled anaesthetics than iv anaesthetics. ENT, squint, gynae & abdominal operations also cause more nausea & vomiting. It's more common in women, non-smokers and people who suffer with travel sickness.
It's likely that the anti-emetics and different surgery reduced your post-op nausea rather than having inhaled anaesthetic.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I had the best most technicolor dream when I had gas at the dentist as a kid. I still remember it vividly. I also quite liked the wobbly bit after. Wouldn't have liked to have been my Mum though.

[fairykissesforyou]

StillNo
Thanks for your answer, I'll ask for plenty of anti emetics next time then!

[WhispersOfWickedness]

Ooo, I have a question, someone (can't remember who, sorry ) said earlier that everyone who has a GA is intubated but it be in different ways. I didn't ask about that when I had a GA, but am intrigued now, as I had my wisdom teeth out, so surely that wouldn't have worked with a bog standard intubation as the tube would have got in the way of the surgery? Someone please enlighten me as to how it was done, then?!

Oh, also I think this came up earlier, I had a GA to have my wisdom teeth out because I am a very nervous patient with the dentist and basically couldn't be trusted to keep my mouth open and stay calm if it was done at the dentists while I was awake