Having General Anaesthetic. So scared !

loulou123

Had a major op last year and was terrified like you. I cryed for the whole 4 hours i was waiting for the op and had got myself in a right state before i was even taken down. The fact i was so worked up, meant that when they injected me with the anesethic i had a panic attack and went to punch the anesethist!! And i was trying to get up lol! But all went fine, i woke up very very groggy, but with in 2hours was talking and drinking (and mine was a 6 hour jaw op) and now the whole event has turned into a joke with my family.

12 weeks later due to a complication with the surgery i had to have another op, this was just a day surgery case, my boyfriend was allowed to stay with me until i went to the theatre, but then had to go away and fetch me later. This time they gave me a very strong tranquillser before going to have the anesethic (in case of any more punching i should imagine!) and i was actually laughing and joking right up to the point i went under! Again i was fine, this time as the op was only about an hour, i was up and walking within an hour of the op finishing and home within an hour and half.

If your this scared please explain this to them and they will give you something to calm you down. Yes parts of the 1st time were abit scary, but i got though them, just as you will. By the way i was 29 when i had the major op, so not too different in age to you.

Good luck, im sure it will all work out fine.

willa123

This is Willa123. I had a problem logging in so had to create a different account !
Thanks so much for all the lovely replies.they've really help to calm my nerves a little.

My Operation is the 18th December - i'm still absolutley terrified about the day
I'm def going to ask for a strong sedative beforehand

Money_maker

I would always have a general over a local - don't want to know whats going on. I never feel sick when I wake up - just tired. The sleep itself is very deep - don't think you dream but it's good.

I would be more concerned about the recovery from your op than the anaesthetic - it really is a breeze.

BTW, I hate hospitals. With all 3 of my babies, I tried to get out as soon as possible.

willa123

Dave101t wrote: »

im 27 and am also scared of it, petrified actually. i dont mind needles but the thought of a GA and not waking up does worry me, ive been adamant for the last 15 years that i would never have one unless my life depended on it (even then i may refuse).
reading these stories does sway me in a more sensible direction but i still hope i never have to make the choice!

This is exactly how i feel.
A friend said to me' well if u don't wake up you won't know anything about it " !. think they were trying to reassure me - but it just made me more panicky !

xxvickixx

Please don't be scared. I know how you feel. I am extremely needle/ white coat phobic. I have also had several operations under GA and every time I have been given gas first so I am out before they do the rest. Just typing this has made me sweaty, tearful and feel sick so won't go on but feel free to pm me if you want to x

Freebie_Hunter_2

These guys do this every day. Allergic reactions to anaesthetic are rare but they have everything to hand to combat this. A shot of adrenaline and you'll soon be through the roof! They give you the minimal amount of anaesthesia to keep you under and moniter you all the way through. Problems are really very rare.
If you really cannot do it without your Mum, I would absolutely insist that she accompanies you to the anaesthetic room but she will have to wait outside. The anaesthetists are lovely, will answer any questions and usually talk to you as they are working. You'll probably have a canula put in teh back of your hand (like a little valve with a cap so you don't have to keep having jabs!) so you'll get a couple of shots in there and before you know it, this lovely warm feeling comes over you. I usually wake up to the stark lights but there are plenty of nurses there to look after you whilst you come round. I always feel a bit crap afterwards as I don't have a good time with anaesthetic but it's not bad enough not to have it again.
I've had a general 3 times & a. epidural for a c-section once. I won't say it's enjoyable, but everyone is quick, professional & are there to help you so it makes things less stressful.
When I had a GA for my miscarriage, the (young and rather dishy!) anaesthetists had music playing in the background!

I wish you the best of luck. You'll be fine I promise you

willa123

xxvickixx wrote: »

Please don't be scared. I know how you feel. I am extremely needle/ white coat phobic. I have also had several operations under GA and every time I have been given gas first so I am out before they do the rest. Just typing this has made me sweaty, tearful and feel sick so won't go on but feel free to pm me if you want to x

I've sent u a Pm ...

willa123

Freebie_Hunter wrote: »

These guys do this every day. Allergic reactions to anaesthetic are rare but they have everything to hand to combat this. A shot of adrenaline and you'll soon be through the roof! They give you the minimal amount of anaesthesia to keep you under and moniter you all the way through. Problems are really very rare.
If you really cannot do it without your Mum, I would absolutely insist that she accompanies you to the anaesthetic room but she will have to wait outside. The anaesthetists are lovely, will answer any questions and usually talk to you as they are working. You'll probably have a canula put in teh back of your hand (like a little valve with a cap so you don't have to keep having jabs!) so you'll get a couple of shots in there and before you know it, this lovely warm feeling comes over you. I usually wake up to the stark lights but there are plenty of nurses there to look after you whilst you come round. I always feel a bit crap afterwards as I don't have a good time with anaesthetic but it's not bad enough not to have it again.
I've had a general 3 times & a. epidural for a c-section once. I won't say it's enjoyable, but everyone is quick, professional & are there to help you so it makes things less stressful.
When I had a GA for my miscarriage, the (young and rather dishy!) anaesthetists had music playing in the background!

I wish you the best of luck. You'll be fine I promise you

The idea of having a canula in my hand makes me feel really sick !i hate needles

Are the nurses & people in anaesthetic room nice ? Being alone surrounded by scary equipment and strangers making me unconscious is beyond terrifying

la_09

I had a general the other week and like you, I was nervous.

It all happens so quickly though, like one minute you're awake just about to have the general, the next you're waking up in the recovery room. I can't even remember falling asleep, I just did.

When I woke up I realised I didn't have anything to be worried about in the first place.

It'll be fine

la_09

willa123 wrote: »

The idea of having a canula in my hand makes me feel really sick !i hate needles

Are the nurses & people in anaesthetic room nice ? Being alone surrounded by scary equipment and strangers making me unconscious is beyond terrifying

I don't like needles either, but when they put it in, it didn't hurt that much, just feels a small scratch.

And yeah, the nurses/anaesthetist were really nice to me when I went in, they reassured me a lot