General Anaesthetic - Anxious

[CountryGirl189]

Hi all,

I’ll be having a Hysteroscopy soon by General Anaesthetic, however it’s been well over 20 years since I last had one (when I was little and having teeth out).

I am quite apprehensive about it so if anyone can share some positive stories, I’d hugely appreciate it!

My main concerns are being aware that I’m going under and the potential burning of the medication going in the IV 😬

Thank you!

@CherieBabySpliffUp I had considered this, but I think I’d rather just not be aware of anything - had my pre-op appointment yesterday and should be getting it done in the next couple of weeks, so should be over and done with soon!

I had one three or so weeks ago. I'm in my late 40s and a bit overweight. I get more apprehensive the older I get about these things, but everyone was lovely. I had a polyp removed and a d&c. I remember waking up and speaking the the nurse who was with me about when I'm going in and she said you're in recovery now, it's all done! And I laughed and the next thing I remember I was back on the ward. I then had a cup of tea and some toast and butter. I had a bit of a long wait to go home but only because I was waiting for some meds from the pharmacy. I was quite tired that afternoon and a bit the next day too, but after that I was ok.

@longtompot ahh this is exactly what I’m hoping for!

I’m not particularly good with medical things and tend to have a bit of a panic beforehand, but hopefully they’ll knock me out before I realise what’s happening!

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what was the bleeding situ like afterwards? I feel like I’d want to get up and sort myself out as soon as poss after the op so that I’m comfy!

I had a hysteroscopy under GA recently and like you, was very nervous - but it was absolutely fine.

The needle going into the back of my hand was a bit sore as they couldn't find a vein, but got one eventually. They put something in that made me feel very woozy and smiley, and then something else, and off I went to sleep - although my memory of that is very hazy. The next thing I remember is coming to in the recovery room, asking the nurse if that was it over, and telling her I'd just had the BEST dream - which she found very funny! It only felt like a few minutes since I'd been in the anaesthetic room.

I was moved back onto the ward very quickly afterwards as I was absolutely fine, and then had a cup of tea and a cheese sandwich (even got a choice of brown or white bread). I had some bleeding but was well padded up, and did feel a bit tender - but they gave me some paracetamol. I was home and in bed before I knew it really.

The staff were absolutely brilliant - very kind, answered all my questions (my main concern (panic) was being awake but paralysed under the GA, so the anaesthetist explained how it all worked and why that wouldn't happen), and were incredibly respectful.

Good luck - I'm sure it will all be fine

@SirChenjins sounds like a nice little nap to be honest!

Just got my appointment through for next Wednesday and my birthday is two days later, so glad I’ll be able to enjoy it without thinking of the impending surgery!

[quote CountryGirl189]@longtompot ahh this is exactly what I’m hoping for!

I’m not particularly good with medical things and tend to have a bit of a panic beforehand, but hopefully they’ll knock me out before I realise what’s happening!

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what was the bleeding situ like afterwards? I feel like I’d want to get up and sort myself out as soon as poss after the op so that I’m comfy![/quote]
The bleeding wasn't too bad, but I did have some cramping which was painful. I was offered Tramadol but it wasn't that bad. The nurse mentioned she replaced a pad, but I don't remember her doing that. She did walk with me to the loo so I could change it and told me about the cord to pull if I felt at all unwell.
I think they encourage you to get going as soon as you can, and I think that also probably helps the ga to go through your system quicker. They do like to know if you've managed to have a wee before you leave.
I wasn't really panicking before hand, but the ward I was on, and my bed in particular was right next to the air con unit and I was freezing. I didn't realise until I was up in theatre and was shaking uncontrollably. They really covered me up and got me warm, or as warm as they could. I think my temp was a bit low too. Might have been nerves as well. I remember having an anti sickness med as it made me feel really dizzy even lying down. I then had the oxygen mask over my nose and mouth, and then the next thing I remember was laughing with the nurse thinking I hadn't had it yet. Previous ga's I remember them asking me to count backwards and thinking it's not going to work, but then waking up afterwards and obviously it had.
Do speak to them if you are very nervous. They can tell you as much as you want to know so nothing is a surprise. Make sure you have slippers and a dressing gown as you may have to walk from the ward to theatre, which is what they did on my ward.

Just thought I’d come back who might be reading this in the future and is also worried - it was fine!

They gave me Midazolam prior because I was in such a panic and let me tell you, that stuff is gooood! The last thing I remember was the anaesthetist asking if I was good to go with the real stuff and I think I nodded, then I was waking up!

I will say though that I was very sick afterwards and couldn’t stop throwing up! They said they gave me anti-sickness meds, but they didn’t really help and they wouldn’t give me any more which was frustrating, because I felt dreadful and the nurses were trying to get rid of me, saying I’d been in ‘for ages’ 🙄

Still feeling completely out of it, but hoping I pick up tomorrow! But if you’re worried, don’t be! I think I don’t react very well to GA’s as the same happened when I was little!

I'm going through the same thing soon!! These comments here made me feel so much better. Thanks all!

I've never had GA before, I was gona go with the local but I've heard lots of bad things about painful hysteroscopies. Have you had the surgery yet?

@Xxrzx hey! I had mine on Wednesday and honestly, even though I’ve had a rough time with the after effects of the GA, I was in a lot of pain when I woke up, so I know that I definitely couldn’t have handled it if I’d been awake!

But don’t worry, my body just doesn’t react well to anaesthetic and that’s why I think it’s taken me so long to recover on that side of things!

Any questions, just ask 😊