Nervous about general anaesthetic - mental effects?

[Pelvicpaininthebum]

I'm having a laparoscopy on Thursday to remove a large ovarian cyst, possible ovary removal if needed, biopsies, removal of any endometriosis if found.

I'm suddenly worrying about having the general anaesthetic, particularly I've been reading about how it can effect you mentally.

I've recently come off an antidepressant and still having some withdrawal symptoms - some waves of anxiety and insomnia, so feel my brain may go haywire adding the GA in the mix.

Any experiences welcomed!

Just to add I was only on the antidepressants for 2 months after a brief spell of anxiety/insomnia after an ovarian cyst rupture.

I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. I found it really rather pleasant. You feel and remember nothing but you feel quite nice afterwards. A bit stoned but nice.
Please try not to worry. The doctors wouldn't offer one if the risk was greater than the benefit. X

Hi, I’ve been under 3 times now (last one being a big myomectomy surgery) and honestly I used to be soo worried, but I now actually look forward to being knocked out for a few hours and waking up once it’s all done!
i find the surgeons and staff know we can be a little panicky, but they’re also trying to get a job done, so they may seem in a rush or not really sensitive, but that’s because they know in a few minutes you’ll be out of it. They might ask you a few questions, and first you’ll think this is not working and start to panic. But by about the third question, the room will go a little dizzy, and before you can finish the sentence, you’re fast asleep!

i don’t remember anything after that, except waking up in the recovery room.

however regarding coming off anti depressants, I’m not sure how that plays into it, however the anaesthetist will be there at all times with you.

Thanks both.

@DiscoBob that's good you felt nice afterwards. I'm worried about waking up feeling agitated, I think I've googled too much and just found horror stories.

I saw quite a few people when they'd just come round from surgery as I was in the ward for 5 weeks. Nobody seemed agitated. Drowsy and a bit dopey and tired, and hungry, yes! But obviously everyone is different. I think you are almost still too out of it to feel anxiety?! That's how I felt anyway. Wishing you the best x

Iv had several general anaesthetics never been anxious or witnessed anyone else anxious in recovery

I feel a bit shit when I come round, but generally pretty positive for a few weeks afterwards. I actually feel much BETTER after a GA, regardless of surgery.

I wouldn't worry too much. Even if you are grumpy you 'll be too tired to move. I've usually woken up talking nonsense.

I saw one woman who had £10k of metal ribs fitted on the NHS after a car accident. She had mostly come round from the op and was back on the ward. The surgeon was trying to explain it went well and she now had aforementioned £10k of ribs. She looked at him suspiciously and said 'when are you going to tell me the truth, I know you are lying to me'. He just said 'I'll come back later and let you get some rest'. She was fine later. It's fine, they have seen it all before.

Thanks everyone, you've really reassured me!

Hoping it all went well today ☺️

Thanks it went well and I'm just home! No issues with the anaesthetic.

That’s great to hear!

Just to update this thread in case people look in future. I ended up being quite emotional after the laparoscopy. Crying at the drop of a hat..unsure if due to the anaesthetic or my ovaries being poked around, one did bleed a lot and I lost 600ml of blood.

Now 11 days post op the emotions are calming down. My withdrawal symptoms from coming off Mirtazepine are calming down too (touch wood). My anxiety and insomnia flared a bit more a few days after the op (the GA made me very sleepy for a few days at first) but this is settling again now.

Basically the op did upset my nervous system but it was manageable and temporary.