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Original poster

What was good/bad about your anaesthetic?

58 replies

TheBigWhiteSyringe · 26/03/2014 22:08

I work in the area of anaesthesia in a busy city hospital. Im always looking to improve my practice and bedside manner.
Unfortunately I rarely get the chance to follow up on patients and receive feedback on how they found their time in theatre.
Would you mind telling me what was good/bad about your anaesthetics or any suggestions you might have? Im hoping this will help me treat patients more effectively.

The rules on social media are pretty strict so in order to protect myself I've had to name change. I also may not be able to answer questions specifically relating to your care or treatment. But if I can answer I will.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
soaccidentprone · 05/04/2014 23:54

I have had gas both in hospital and for dental work.

Never really had a problem.

But they always make me throw up quite violently, and I man every given any anti emetics until after I have thrown up (which always makes me feel really crap). In addition I am usually completely out of it for a minimum of 24 hours.

In fact last time I had a ga about 3 years ago, I signed ds1 new passport paperwork about 24 hrs after surgery, but his new passport turned up I was really surprised as I had no recollection of signing it!

I don't get a sore throat, or maybe I do and it's just the fact it has gone by the time I come round fully.

MrsCakesPremonition · 06/04/2014 00:10

I have enjoyed every GA that I've had, except for one where I really struggled to come round comfortably. I kept waking up in the recovery room, then feeling like I was panicking and unable to breathe and getting distressed and then slipping back into sleep only for it all to be repeated again and again feeling scarier each time.

When I came round properly back on the ward, I asked what had happened but everyone shrugged and said that there wasn't any record of any problems. So I have no idea what made it so hard to breathe.
I wish someone had explained as I was frightened it would happen next time I had to have a GA, but luckily the next time was fine.

NotCitrus · 06/04/2014 00:11

Ive had a couple GAs and two epidurals, all administered by pleasant and efficient staff, especially my first epidural where the anaesthetist was very patient about reassuring me as I was terrified.

Would have been good if I had been provided with something to throw up in after the GAs, and for the epis, for staff to be aware I couldn't sit up myself and to assist faster in getting me into a position where I could puke not choke. Second time MrNC was given a dozen of those cardboard bowls to shut us up and the team were clearly shocked I filled the lot, but puking at least once is surely common.

duchesse · 06/04/2014 00:16

I've had a fair few GAs (4 I think) in the last 8 years- for obstetric and orthopaedic surgery. I've loved them all. I always wake up feeling really refreshed as though as I've had a good night's sleep iyswim. The only downsides have been:
a) waking up after an ERPC after MMC to hear the nurse ringing the labour ward to check on the progress of her niece's labour. Very sensitive Hmm
b) Not waking up for quite a while after the birth of DD3. Not sure how long I was meant to be under but I think it was about 4 or 5 hours before I woke up properly. I know I was taken to see her about 2 hours after she was born but I really wasn't awake enough to see her.
c) Waking up in enormous pain after an ankle repair, excruciating for a few moments until I was given morphine.

duchesse · 06/04/2014 00:18

Oh forgot after the EMCS (the longest one of all) I felt as though I'd forgotten how to breathe in for quite some hours. So even though I was )I think) out of recovery, I was still very sleepy but kept waking up because I'd stopped breathing iyswim.

SlinkyB · 06/04/2014 00:30

I've recently been critically ill after having a spinal block for an ELCS. The first anaesthetist, a student, failed to get the needle in the right place. After a few more painful attempts, she gave up and a more senior anaesthetist took over (he sited the needle correctly first time).

My question is: should a new needle have been used when the new Dr took over? And should everyone present have been wearing masks?

Thanks.

p.s have previously had an uneventful spinal block for an EMCS, and uneventful ga for wisdom tooth extraction.

BackforGood · 06/04/2014 00:38

My GA was fine. No issues. Thought it was fab that the chap was there with me, talking to me, holding my hand and reassuring me until I nodded off.

When ds (17) had to have a few hours of surgery recently under local anaesthetic, I was most impressed that he was given an iPad loaded with films and TV series, etc., to play with/watch whilst the work all went on behind a screen.... don't know if that is standard for all LAs now, or for all dc, or if it was just something they did where he was - but we were both impressed.

In his case, I think the anaesthetist should have picked up a LOT earlier on in the conversation that he really, really is very squeamish and did not want all the detailed information he kept trying to give him. People are different, I think it's good if medical staff can respond to what the patient (and the patient's Mum Wink) are saying, not just keep blundering through when asked not to go into gruesome details.

Castlecellar · 06/04/2014 12:11

Two experiences with my 2 daughters:

DD13 had an extravasation injury with propofol 20ml and was in extreme pain for a month after and is still in pain when the area is touched (and the joint is stiff) 4 months later. I had no idea about this kind of injury before she had the op. Although this was a non toxic drug, it is still an extremely nasty injury.

When my younger DD was 9 she had an anaesthetic at a local hospital and the anaesthetist was so jolly, funny and happy he put her at ease! So much so, that 3 years later she is still adamant she is going to be an anaesthetist and is choosing her GCSE options with this in mind :) not even seeing her elder sister with the extravasation injury has put her off! You never know, one day when she is an anaesthetist I will try and find that anaesthetist and thank him for being her inspiration!

Castlecellar · 06/04/2014 12:16

Two experiences with my 2 daughters:

DD13 had an extravasation injury with propofol 20ml and was in extreme pain for a month after and is still in pain when the area is touched (and the joint is stiff) 4 months later. I had no idea about this kind of injury before she had the op. Although this was a non toxic drug, it is still an extremely nasty injury.

When my younger DD was 9 she had an anaesthetic at a local hospital and the anaesthetist was so jolly, funny and happy he put her at ease! So much so, that 3 years later she is still adamant she is going to be an anaesthetist and is choosing her GCSE options with this in mind :) not even seeing her elder sister with the extravasation injury has put her off! You never know, one day when she is an anaesthetist I will try and find that anaesthetist and thank him for being her inspiration!

ilovemydoggy · 06/04/2014 12:19

The thing I hate the most is the sickness afterwards. No one can seem to get that right. I also hate the fact when I wake up in recovery is that I can't see dh till I am back in the ward and I lie there panicking about it and the fact I don't know what the time is. ( silly things I know) I also think more information needs to be given as to what your feel like after when I woke from one one op I had an epidural for pain and woke up panicking I couldn't feel my legs no one told this in my panic I actually end up punching a nurse accidentally of course.

ClairesTravellingCircus · 06/04/2014 12:27

I've had two GAs and one epidural and every time I've woken up very teary and emotional.
I wonder if it had anything to do with the anaestethic, asit could also have been related to the nature of the procedures, but it felt a lot like post birth baby blues. (And on ond occasion of course I had just given birth)

StampyIsMyBoyfriend · 06/04/2014 12:27

I've had one GA, gor a gallbladder removal.

I was very nervous, but this was dismissed. As the injection went in my hand, I was told yo cpunt down, but I had a horrible fizzy feeling at the top of my head, I was convinced I was going to die.

Afterwards, I was very sick and vomited several times until another anti sickness drug worked.

I'd have liked more reassurance, less vomiting and more pain relief afterwards. I was in agony & was made to feel like a junkie by asking for pain relief.

StampyIsMyBoyfriend · 06/04/2014 12:27

Oh

StampyIsMyBoyfriend · 06/04/2014 12:29

Oh and glasses wearers should be given their glasses afterwards, I came round to a blurry ward & couldnt see for hours.

Primrose123 · 06/04/2014 12:36

Do you want information on spinals too?

I had a caesarian with a spinal (or epidural? I'm not sure what the difference is!)

I was a little nervous walking into the operating theatre, and while waiting for my epidural, I started shaking quite violently, and this carried on throughout the whole operation.

My anaesthetist was wonderful. He told me to tell him immediately if I felt sick and he changed things. Much more important to me was his manner. He spoke to me, and started talking about his children. I noticed that when I was listening to him, I relaxed and stopped shaking. As soon as he stopped talking I started shaking again. I told him this, and for the rest of the operation he told me all about his two little girls, and about the holiday they had all just been on. This wasn't a medical thing, but I felt so well cared for and he gave me so much reassurance. I feel very grateful to him, as during my first labour I had a really horrible midwife who hurt me and made me cry. It's not just medical knowledge that is important, it's the way the person treats the patient.

swooosh · 06/04/2014 12:49

I am always very sick afterwards. I've had 7 ENT/Maxfax surgeries. My last one I was fine, no sickness but I think the cocaine I helped as I was also tachy and didn't sleep post op from waking up at 11am until 3am Grin

Lonecatwithkitten · 06/04/2014 15:00

More surgeries than I care to remember.
Truly awful things being gased down as a child without apparent present with old black mask horrid.
Nasty things waking screaming from orthopaedic surgery screaming, be caused the anaesthetist wished to assess my pain level before giving me analgesia no shit Sherlock I have just had a 6 hour orthopaedic surgery I am in pain.
Frustrating things how many times have I explained opioids make me vomit listen to me don't give I would rather be in pain than vomiting my guts up.
Marvellous things the anaesthetist who finally listened and gave me CRI with no opioids what a fab experience.
Truly fab the anaesthetist who gave me an epidural after I had been in labour for 28 hours, then there colleague who converted it to a spinal 11 hours later after pushing for 6 hours and trying to turn my mispresented DD twice with the epidural turned down. This same person who gave me an anti-emetic I/be after I had been vomiting for 26 hours.
I perform non-human anaesthetics my patients very rarely vomit after surgery, I consider I have failed if my patients have severe pain on recovery oh and they bite me if this happens.

InternetFOREVER · 06/04/2014 15:06

My recent GA experience involved me waking up halfway through surgery, unable to move and thinking that I was going to die as I couldn't breathe independently with my breathing tube in. No opportunity to talk about it with anyone later and still feel very shaken weeks later. Would have been good to be able to debrief with anaesthetist afterwards.

Original poster
TheBigWhiteSyringe · 07/04/2014 09:19

Castlecellar Extravasation with propofol! Shock OW OW f-ing Ow! Your poor DD. Its a bloody miserable injury, like an awful burn. I really hope it heals soon.

So glad your other daughter has been inspired though! Its a fabulous career choice. Hope you and DH are saving lol. It takes 13 years to become an anaesthetic consultant. (although salary isn't too bad after 5 years) I wish her every success.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheBigWhiteSyringe · 07/04/2014 09:24

Still working on some PM replies, so if I haven't got back to you yet I probably will do soon.
I've had some unexpected and amazing responses so far and it has all been really helpful.
Thank you.

OP posts:
swooosh · 07/04/2014 17:40

I was in the anaesthetic room today with a patient (I work in theatre but the ward nurse had to get back to I stayed with the patient, ODP and anaesthetist)

Pt had a TAH with spinal and GA. Local was given before 16g venflon inserted which reminded me of the time I had a local given before having a 18g venflon inserted, it really REALLY helps. The local is very minimal, like a scratch and you don't feel the venflon insertion at all.

As it went I had a lovely chat with the pt and she said how lovely and relaxed she felt and thanked me just before she went to sleep, job well done!

bonzo77 · 07/04/2014 17:48

Op please can you explain the difference between a spinal and an epidural, and why one is chosen over the other.

Castlecellar · 07/04/2014 20:38

Ha ha not saving but probably should be :) I will start next year

I don't suppose you know how long DD can expect the pain for? We are still under the plastics team at GOSH but don't go back till July (last went in February). Was kind of hoping it would have gone by now.

TheBigBumTheory · 07/04/2014 20:42

Walking down to theatre with no specs or hearing aid in hospital gown which doesn't close at the rear-not my finest moment. Happily I wouldn't know if anyone I knew saw me as I could see or hear Blush

friendlymum67 · 13/06/2014 20:10

Came across this thread whilst searching for 'sore throat after anaesthetic' and hoping someone -anaethetists - can reassure/advise me regarding a sore throat after minor op.

Onset of sore throat was about 8 hrs after the procedure - is it linked to the GA or just an unlucky coincidence? It's getting me down as other than that I have felt fine!

TIA.