Cancelling surgery due to fear of general anaesthesia

[Witchinabottle]

hi there everyone,

I have had surgery before which includes two C Sections ( 1 emergency, 1 planned) plus an assisted delivery.

Although I’ve had regional anaesthesia before, I’ve not had a GA. I’m 52.

I have elective surgery for a hernia and some reconstructive surgery book for later this week coming. So it’s major abdominal surgery- around 3 hours and 4 procedures in total.

I am so terrified of GA that I’ve put off this surgery for many years. I also didn’t fully realise that 30 seconds after the drugs, you stop breathing . Not only are you unconscious but you cannot breathe without a machine and a tube inserted into your trachea.

I like to understand what is happening to my body so I watched a video of the process and I am beyond horrified; it looked exactly like a scene from Alien . I felt so sick watching it. I’ve been shaking and not eating all last week.

I do want the surgery and I don’t care about the recovery pain as much, just the GA.

To me, it seems so unnatural and weird. It fills me with absolute horror and I can’t can’t find any way to bring myself to do it. Just absolutely not. For me, it’s akin to death and I can’t cope with the anxiety of it. ( Obviously if it was an emergency or life - threatening it would be different)

I have a last blood test tomorrow and my blood pressure is a little elevated at around 143/80 ( approx) . Not too high but I’m concerned.

I am not asking for anyone to really advise me, just perhaps people’s experiences if they would be kind and willing to share.

Thank you so much, really appreciate it if you explain to me how to ever overcome such terror. And I am too terrified- I expect I will cancel. Which is a shame as I know my quality of life will be fantastic with the surgery. But I can’t find the strength to do it.

My husband of 20 years walked out on me and my 3 teenage children last year after an affair and is divorcing me. I have little support and live in a small town so it’s not ideal.

I suffer from an anxiety disorder and as I’ve put this for what, 16 years, I can’t get passed the whole notion of no consciousness and not being able to breathe on your own. It’s not the risks as such but the whole idea of losing control and your body in well- a state of semi death.

It’s too frightening for words for me and I can’t face it. Not just the fear of not waking up, but the whole concept of being absent from your body in that way.

Thank you so much for anyone who is happy to reply. I am not looking for advice or to be persuaded, just what others have experienced. x

Thinking of it as "semi death" isn't helpful. I was scared, i got to a row she before needing medical intervention. I was coping fine until i got to the prep room. I started crying, they really supported me and put me under quickly. I was fine when i was brought to, groggy and thirsty but well looked after and was back in my feet within a couple of hours. The procedure i had was life changing for the better. So don't think "semi death", think something along the lines of "help that will make my life better". They're doing all the work so that you can be and feel better. ❤

I thought of it like stasis, those sleep pods you see on sci fi films where an AI keeps people alive and in stasis for hundreds of years to explore the galaxy. Except GA is only for hours.

I've had 2 GAs and 1 spinal block (to pin and plate a broken ankle) . I'd rather have the GA. It was strange being able to see the monitors and hearing the theatre staff discussing their plans for Saturday evening (I was in surgery on a Saturday afternoon). I didn't like the way the spinal block wore off and I slowly regained feeling in both my legs, although only one had been operated on.

@Witchinabottle I share this fear, and my last surgery I told the surgeon that I was too scared and not to go ahead! He brought the anesthetist to see me and said he would trust him with his life. I went ahead and was fine.

It's not an everyday occurance and can feel scary, but for everyone doing your procedure it really IS an everyday thing. Try and think of it as a deep sleep but with extra oxygen. My experience was medical staff know patients get scared and are happy to give reassurance. X

Jesus I would rather have a GA than anything else..... no pain, no memory, no issue.

I've had 5 GAs. Woke up each time feeling a sense of peace, like I'd had a deep, restful sleep.

The first time I needed one I was in infant school - too young to overthink things, so because that experience was positive, GAs haven't troubled me since.

Truly, if there is ever a choice I go with GA. Sweets you are out like a light and you wake up nice and rested. I personally have had no side-effects and have been under GA 4 times.

You need to reframe the narrative rather than writing out your fears repeatedly. Write out all the reasons going under GA is a good idea and is low risk. Keep repeating them to yourself, see if you can find some CBT exercises online to help with irrational thoughts.

I agree with everyone who says it was the best sleep ever. I was so scared when I had mine, I was saying my goodbyes. I needn't have worried. The staff are lovely and very understanding, I think they see it a lot.

Be brave, you will be glad it's behind you. Oh and you will have a lovely sleep. 😴

I had major abdominal surgery for bowel cancer last year. For me the GA was the least of my worries! However IME anaesthetists and their assistants and nurses are almost universally kind and empathetic. My anaesthetist came smiling into the room and introduced himself as my new best friend LOL. He explained everything, answered any questions, reassured me.

In my case I had a sedative administered into a cannula, then walked into theatre and sat on the side of the bed to have a spinal anaesthetic (to help with pain relief afterwards as I had open surgery) and that is the last thing I remember, which is exactly what the anaesthetist told me would happen. I don’t remember the spinal or anything about the GA being administered. I felt very calm and relaxed thanks to the sedative. I’d been a bit delayed in pre op as the surgery before me ran over time and they set up a little heater to blow warm air under the blankets to keep me toasty. They were so focused on my wellbeing it was very reassuring.

My mum has terrible health anxiety and it can be a nightmare getting her into the hospital. Her blood pressure goes through the roof. But once she has something to calm her down she sails through the GA and when you go into the post op ward she’s always sitting up smiling, tucking into tea and sandwiches. Meanwhile I’m exhausted from the stress haha. She’s 88 with a heart condition and never has a problem from anaesthetics. Just remember they are highly trained professionals and in theatre they have one job which is to monitor you.

Don't cancel your surgery. You know you need the operation.

Do however tell the medical team that you are extremely anxious about the GA and ask the anesthetist any questions you have. They will reassure you.

I've had 4. I actually like it. It feels like a really good sleep and you wake up fully of energy.

I had a hernia repair with reconstruction a few months ago. I was chatting with the staff one minute and a second later woke up to be told that it was all over and a total success.

My DH said it was about three hours. I was nervous, but the staff were so amazing and reassuring.

The worst thing would be to cancel, have your condition worsen and end up in an emergency situation. I know none of this information helps with a real phobia, so get some medication beforehand because you know that you must get this done.

I would bet that once you've had a GA you won't be phobic again because you'll know that it's actually a breeze and way better than local anaesthetic.

I had my first GA four years ago for breast cancer surgery, so it was completely unavoidable and I was TERRIFIED. I told the surgeon when I was wheeled in that I was terrified and he was very reassuring. I was asked to count down, shaking like a leaf, I think I made it to 7 and the next thing I was awake and felt like I'd had the best sleep of my life. I didn't feel sick or anything and just felt really relaxed when I came round. I felt silly for being so frightened.

I have to say, it wouldn't occur to me to look too deeply into this, or watch videos, largely because I am prone to anxiety. In the same way, I can't bear seeing any sort of surgery. Would it worth asking if you could speak to the anaesthetist?

I was going to suggest hypnosis and it helped immensely. I still use the tools I learned 25 years ago when I begin to have anxiety. Maybe asking for a telephone chat with an anesthesiologist would be helpful. Best of luck.

The first time I had a GA< I cried all the way to the pre surgery table. The last time I had one, the nurse thought I'd had a pre-med because I was so chilled and laid back.
The best thing about it is that- unlike having an impacted wisdom tooth out- all the horrible bits are over when you wake up. And it doesn't matter how long the op is, because you feel like it's taken about five minutes.

Oh @Witchinabottle I totally get it. I am on the waiting list for surgery, which isn't life saving but it would be life changing and I don't know how I'm going to go through with it. I have the same fears as you and have been watching videos. I can't imagine being in the room allowing them to give me the GA. I can imagine myself panicking and then going asleep. Sorry I'm no help but I'm reading replies hoping they can help me. Please let me know how you get on x

Hi everyone who has replied.

Well funnily enough, my surgeon called me yesterday and said that the results of my pre- operative assessment and blood work means that they have to postpone until May and it gets sorted. My blood platelet count is low as I bleed a lot.

This happened in my second C Section, I didn’t stop bleeding and things got difficult. I have an inherited disorder so they want to investigate and make to make sure this problem is addressed before they operate.

So I get a reprieve!

But obviously I have to deal with my fears and try to overcome so I can get this operation done. I am going to do it but some weeks focusing on relaxation techniques.

I am going to work on my anxiety and try to be positive that this is like many have said, am empowering and positive decision for myself.

I am happy to return to the thread and discuss with others who are facing surgery their fears and how to overcome.

I am so grateful for the support, encouragement and kind words from the mumsnet ladies!

Thank you so so much xx

Yes hypnosis is a great idea!

I will definitely try that and also talk to the anaesthetist and arrange an appointment for a telephone or face to face chat. That might help too.

Wet weather - it sounds as though you have had a similar operation to what I’m having. Mine is also around 3 hours.

If you come back to the thread, please tell me how your recovery is going and I wish you a speedy return to full health xx

OP- I get you, I HATE GAs with a passion, they terrify me due to the feeling of being out of control and I have had several operations.

What helped me was:

1. Stop googling operations- you don't need to see those and its irrelevant anyone as every person/op is different
2. Focus on the good aspects of what this operation will bring you
3. Ask for something to calm you down prior to it- hospitals know people are scared and diazepam will help
4. Ask to speak with the anaesthetist beforehand- allow them to explain what will happen and why and how they monitor for safety. GAs are actually very safe and every time I have asked to speak to the anaesthetist they have always been very willing to visit me prior and lovely in explaining what will happen to put my mind at rest. Remember that they are with you the entire operation monitoring you- think of them like a guardian that will be with you all the time, keeping you safe.

It's slow, but I'm a lot better for having the hernia repaired. It was affecting my lungs and my heart towards the end. I think that by May, despite everything, you'll be glad to have the improvement to your health.

This thread has been incredibly helpful to me!

So I’m going to focus now on prepping myself psychologically over the next few weeks and being positive that I can do this.

I absolutely do need the surgery and I must do it. I don’t really have a choice I know that. And I do want the surgery itself, I know the recovery will be long, I just want to be able to not run out of the theatre!

Reading everyone’s replies and success stories is really helping me to know that I’m going to be ok and that a positive mindset helps a quicker recovery as well. x

I'm also terrified about having a ga due to my mother's vascular dementia coming on quickly after her last surgery (this is when she had her first stroke).

I had a knee replacement recently and due to my nervousness they did it all under a local. It was quite interesting and they even swung the tv round so I could watch. Not sure if they can do this for abdominal surgery but it's worth an ask.

I always see anaesthetists as gods. Where drs and nurses have struggled to find my veins the anaesthetist has always succeeded.

In fact I would go so far as to say the anaesthetist is the most important person in the room as they are the ones monitoring your vital signs, administering your medication etc.

I’ve been anaesthetised where there was a genuine chance I was going to die, but I was going to die anyway.

I’ve also been in an induced coma twice. Once when I had sepsis and multiple organ failure, and once after a cardiac arrest. And I can hand on heart say that the stomach bug I had recently was far more traumatising, because I was oblivious of the rest.

Not sure my family would agree though 😀

I feel the same , sorry no help.
Can you have a pre med ?

Hi, I’ve not read all the posts here as I too am in a very similar position to you OP. Our thoughts are scarily similar! In fact I have learned way more than I am remotely comfortable with just in the first few posts of this thread!

I only recently found out about a breathing tube being inserted with a GA but did not realise this would be due to a machine breathing for me! Eek! Sometimes ignorance is bliss…

After reading this and panicking, telling myself, right there is no way I am going through with this horrifying and unnatural procedure, I have started thinking, well maybe breathing is one less thing to have to worry about during the operation. My breathing goes all over the place when I get extremely anxious (out-of-my-head level) and I even sometimes wake up at night gasping, thinking that I’ve stopped breathing. So in a weird way, I now feel slightly relieved that I won’t have to control my breathing while under the GA.

I’m going to trust the practitioners who have posted on here and take solace in the fact that things usually do go well, and get my pesky gallbladder taken out when they send me a new appointment (my first date was cancelled by the hospital the day before - which I was delighted about but in reality, I don’t want a lifetime of pain and worry about what could happen if I don’t get it seen to.)

You have a bit of breathing space (no pun intended!) but you know yourself that your health will be much better if you have the procedure. Good luck xx