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Original poster

If your child has been under general anaesthetic…

35 replies

Nighttimenope · 08/04/2022 19:15

How did they cope when they came around?
DD just had a short and straightforward operation, and after she was absolutely distressed for ages. Screaming, crying, not making eye contact or hearing me properly. She’s fine now, and we’ve talked about it, but I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience…?
It shocked me seeing her so upset that I nearly fainted after trying to console her for about ten mins. I’m sure the anaesthetist said he had never seen this before, but actually he had an accent and it was very loud in there so perhaps he said he’d seen this before, and I can’t go back and ask him! Also I guess it doesn’t matter too much. I’m just curious.

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Original poster

Nighttimenope · 08/04/2022 19:46

Anyone?

OP posts:

nopenotplaying · 08/04/2022 19:49

Yes my eldest son was the same after a ga. My friend who is a theatre nurse said it is very common. He was inconsolable, they had to bring me into recovery to assist. Many adults can be the same too. I hope your dd feels better soon xx

PeriConfused · 08/04/2022 19:50

My son was very distressed, panicking and shaky. It passed quickly and he has no recollection of it now (18 months on).
I think is is related to the anaesthesia drugs - but I'm no medic!

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PierresPotato · 08/04/2022 19:51

Mine was okay coming round though was unfortunately sick in the car going home. But fine by the end of the day.
A bit tired and emotional maybe.
I think you've been unlucky.

PierresPotato · 08/04/2022 19:51

Oh I take it back in view of others' experiences.

Chely · 08/04/2022 19:51

Our eldest had a general for some teeth removing. She was very teary when she 1st came round and needed lots of cuddles but it didn't take long for her to return to normal.

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 08/04/2022 19:52

My dc panicked when they woke up. It was quite distressing to see, but only lasted a couple of minutes.

BlubFestival · 08/04/2022 19:54

Not very distressed for ages but upset yes. And as PP said that is a really well known reaction to GA.

Is she ok now? And you? Your response to the situation also sounds quite strong (almost fainting from seeing a child distressed). I wonder if you both have some kind of blood pressure or very sensitive stress response?

aintnospringchicken · 08/04/2022 19:55

DS had a general anaesthetic when he was 5 yrs old.He was very drowsy afterwards and one of the nurses told me he took a bit longer than usual to come round from it.

Blossomandbee · 08/04/2022 19:56

Mine was absolutely fine, cried on waking but was fine once she came round and got her bearings. It was a very quick op though if that makes a difference.

LaughingLemur · 08/04/2022 19:59

Yes my DD was exactly the same, she kept screaming and didn't seem to register we were there at all. It was very upsetting and unexpected but she was fine after half an hour. We were also told it was unusual and to please get her to stop as it was scaring the other patients!

MrsAvocet · 08/04/2022 20:00

One of mine had multiple GAs every year from the age of about 3-11. When he was very young he would be quite confused and disorientated when he woke up but it improved as he got older. He was never very upset though, but I do recall seeing distressed children on the ward so I'd say there is a very wide range of reactions.

Geneticsbunny · 08/04/2022 20:02

My son has to have one every year. He reacted like that once and it was very distressing but I don't think he remembers it. I think it is a reasonably well know possible side effect of a GA. He hasn't reacted like it again.

User48751490 · 08/04/2022 20:03

All very common. Some adults can also react this way when coming round from a GA.

Two of my DC have had a GA and both were very drowsy afterwards. One had a routine tonsillectomy, the other had major surgery. Absolute worry both times.

Glad your DD is okay now, hopefully a quick recovery for her🙂

koalalala · 08/04/2022 20:04

My son had a general at 18 months and I can only describe him as like a feral animal when he came round. That sounds horrific but it was horrific. He screamed and was so distressed. He was like super strong and couldn't be held, he was putting wires / cannulas out and trying to jump from the bed. It was absolutely horrific to witness. At first I'm sure he had no idea I was there or who I was.
The nurses were helpful in trying to control him and said it's not unusual to have these kind of reactions after coming round although admitted it was the extreme end.
Thank god after about 20 mins something switched and he held my face and cuddled me and slept. He was sleepy for the next 24 hours really but not distressed or anything, back to his usual self after that.

It was incredibly difficult to witness but I think bizarre reactions are within the realms of normal when you've been unconscious.

WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe · 08/04/2022 20:06

DS woke up upset, he was about 7 at the time. Mind you he under fighting and was quite upset beforehand so I think he just woke up the same way he fell asleep.

Apparently I woke up crying after having my tonsils out and I was 32

Original poster

Nighttimenope · 08/04/2022 20:06

Thanks everyone for your responses. Some of you describe what we experienced - crying and shouting, not really seeing me or hearing what I was saying, saying things like 'help me' etc. A bit like a night terror. It lasted a long time, although I don't know how long.
It was a strong response from me definitely, I'm not someone who usually gets dizzy or lightheaded- I'm much more likely to cry! But it's the only thing I can think of to explain why I so suddenly was overcome with that feeling. It was a full day and an emergency op so maybe the build up too? I don't know tbh- but we're both ok now, thank you!

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MinglingFlamingo · 08/04/2022 20:24

I was 14/15 and very disoriented. Waking up in a different room to where I fell asleep. I just remember being tearful and that I wanted my Mummy and at 15 being mortified later that I said mummy and not mum

savehannah · 08/04/2022 20:27

Mine wouldn't wake up for ages which was a bit scary, nurses were shaking him, speaking loudly to try to get him to wake. Then he was absolutely inconsolable for a while but I think he was just hungry (obviously hadn't eaten pre-op). He refused all snacks offered and insisted he wanted marmite toast. The nurse went to a different ward to find some for him, and once he'd had it he was totally fine!

DixiePeach · 08/04/2022 20:28

Yes very common. I was told in fact the nurses new exactly how long it would last and they were right they said it happens all the time. But it’s horrible though when you just have to sit and watch.

OhRiRi · 08/04/2022 20:30

Mine has woken up totally chilled both times- totally unheard of normally as he's autistic and normally screams the place down in medical settings!

Not the normally though judging by other kids on the wards

trilbydoll · 08/04/2022 20:30

DD (18m) went absolutely ballistic the first time, screamed the hospital down while DH sprinted back for a bottle. She was fine once she had that. The second time (2.5y) she was okay, we were a bit more prepared though!

BookHermitBlack · 08/04/2022 20:33

All different Dc1 is like me, sleeps for hours, Dc2 wakes up as if nothings happend and dc3 has to be put in a padded room as thrashes around but doesn't remember once come around. So don't think anything is abnormal.

Partyatnumber10 · 08/04/2022 20:34

Yes my baby was just turned one. He screamed and couldn't settle for a few hours afterwards. He was also disorientated and difficult to console (sort of felt as if he held it against me??) and we just walked the ward with him for hours. Then he slept really, really well overnight and was fine by the next day.
We got told it was all completely normal.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/04/2022 20:38

Yep My then 2 year old was exactly like that
My then 6 month old was fine and chilled

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