Hallucinations after tracheostomy.

[Richone]

Hi, I recently had a 10 hour operation which left me unable to talk for two months. My surgeon is convinced that I had been hallucinating due to the anesthesia. But I don't believe him because it was so horrible and real.
Has anybody had a similar experience in the last five years or so? The tracheostomy bit is very relevant.
I am a 64 year old bloke, which I think may also be relevant.
Up until 2 years before the operation I drank a bit, but I stopped.
Is there a better place to post this? Dya think?
Thanks

I wanted to be Rich1 but somebody already baggsed it. Got no money at all nearly.

What is it that has upset you so much, the operation, not being an,e to remember what happened afterwards or the way you feel the staff are behaving. Was the trashy done because you had an operation in your mouth which might affect your breathing.

It’s really scary if you are sedated and ventilated. I’m not sure if that was what happened to you but it’s very common to hallucinate.

Richone, you've had a very traumatic experience. Delirium is very distressing and it is very real. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is very distressing and very real. Both are extremely common for patients who have had major surgery and required a tracheostomy and ITU stay. Many units have access to a psychologist. That psychologist isn't there to convince you that you're crazy (you're not) or that you're not telling the truth about what you experienced (you are), but they are there to help you to navigate what was experienced in the reality of the time that we call day and night, and what was experienced in the haze of that drug and pain and post-surgical mist, where there is no time, and day and night blend, and sleep and wakefulness merge and drift into one another.

Gradually, with their help, you may find that you can work out which bits are absolute memories, and which bits are fuzzier. That, coupled with explanations of standard care practices, will either reassure you fully, reassure you in part, but open up other questions, or give further strength to your impression that you were mistreated.

I hope, no matter what, that your concerns are sensitively handled. We always take delirium very seriously and it can be a life-limiting condition. It sounds like you have overcome a very big illness and survived a major surgery. Well done.

Thank you for those kind words. However, don't forget my anonymous whistleblower. If anyone hears a strange story involving a trachy, some dodgy health care professionals and a basement would you please get in touch. Thanks, bfn.