Having General Anaesthetic. So scared !

willa123

rachelhen wrote: »

I was supposed to have my gallbladder out 2 yrs ago and couldnt overcome my fear but listening to this it was silly of me go for it Willa and you can come and tell the scaredy cats afterwards that its ok ha ha

I don't think i'll be able to overcome my fear ...
First step is my Pre-Op App next week i've never stepped foot in a Hospital coz i'm terrified of them, & i gotta have Blood taken, i'm terrified of needles

Btw i completely understand your fear & unable to have your Surgery. I feel exactly the same. It's not silly ...

willa123

Freebie_Hunter wrote: »

I am the same and I hated it too, but you don't feel it. It's a lot easier to have a canula but it's normally taken out soon after the surgery. ALL of the staff are lovely, they're trained to support nervous people as well. The anaesthetic room is separate from the theatre so there's no scary noises or equipment

Remember that they are there to make it as pleasant and comfortable an experience as possible. The stranger who is making you unconscious does this several times a day and is doing so for your comfort. They are all on your side.

I think you need to arrange for a chaperone to go with you to the theatre. You sound incredibly nervous and a chaperone would benefit you, the hospital should be able to set this up for you. I shouldn't say this but if they say that you can't have anyone to go with you, kick up a HUGE fuss. They have allowed it with me (although every hospital is different) and should do this in exceptional circumstances, but some need a bit of 'persuasion' to help you out

Won't my Ward Nurse stay with me in the Anaesthetic Room till i'm asleep ?
I'm planning on gripping hold of her hand & not letting go !

frivolous_fay

I've had day surgery twice. To be honest, the waiting around was the worst part - I'm not a very nervous person but waiting around for a procedure does make you anxious... and I was waiting about 7 hours the first time (nil by mouth!) First time, I was gagging to get the trolley going, I was so bored. Take a really easy book... nothing you have to concentrate too hard on, because you won't be able to with all the activity around you! (I was on a mixed ward)

I didn't have any pre-med afaik... was wheeled into the anaesthetic room, they made some small talk with me while they did the canula (just a scratch, it's only uncomfortable momentarily because they don't hang around) then (I think) gave me two doses, the 2nd being the anaesthetic (no idea what the first one was, lol, the first time they told me it was a strong painkiller) Morphine maybe.
First time, I woke up feeling fine, comfy on my trolley and with an oxygen mask. Odd sweet taste in my mouth - not sure if they had intubated me - they told me it was an effect of the anaesthetic but I didn't have it the 2nd time. It was annoying when they made me sit up and eat and go home :rotfl: I got very queasy later in the evening but wasn't sick. 2nd time I think I had a smaller dose as the procedure was simpler, and I didn't feel sick at all afterwards.

The build up is the worst part - the anaesthetic stuff is a breeze, and they are watching you very closely the whole time.

duncan303

Many years ago I found myself working in theatre and acknowleged the anaethetist as being a critically important member of the team.

I also react to having blood taken by going into shock, I have absolutely no problem with injections, it is taking stuff out that sets me off.

some years ago I had to have a general in an NHS hospital, before I signed consent I vigourously expressed my concerns about the fact I was more anxious about the abilities of the anaethetist than the surgeon. I recall she came to see me in person in the ward beforehand and was very understanding and helped to put my mind at rest, I would like to believe that she paid special attention to me, because of the acknowlegement I made to her contribution.

Ultimately I had no choice, I think they would have operated without my consent anyway, but it made a big differrence to me............

Maybe you could ask to meet your anaethetist beforehand, after all they are the unsung heroes.........


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willa123

Thanks for the reassuring posts :T

My Pre-Op appointment is on Thursday 11.30am. I'm so apprehensive about it.
It's in the Day Surgery Unit & a nurse is gonna show me round the place. Also will be having my Heart Rate,Temperature,Blood Pressure & Blood taken _pale_

I don't like the idea of not meeting my Anaesthetist until the morning of my Operation. Ideally i'd like a long chat with them beforehand to go through all my fears/anxieties.

frivolous_fay

Pre-op is nothing major - a few questions and a quick once over, nothing invasive! The nurse will be happy to reassure you as much as possible.

thor

Make no mistake there is a risk with general anaesthetic BUT is is so small I had zero worries the one and only time I was put under about 20 years ago. Just think of how many millions of times that anaesthetics must have been administered every year and then see how few adverse reactions have been recorded. You really are more likely to be hit by a bus....driven by Elvis....with Micheal Jackson as ticket conductor.
The only problem I encountered was 'nil by mouth'. It is where you realise how important water is to the human body.

Errata

willa123 wrote: »

Thanks for the reassuring posts :T

My Pre-Op appointment is on Thursday 11.30am. I'm so apprehensive about it.
It's in the Day Surgery Unit & a nurse is gonna show me round the place. Also will be having my Heart Rate,Temperature,Blood Pressure & Blood taken _pale_

I don't like the idea of not meeting my Anaesthetist until the morning of my Operation. Ideally i'd like a long chat with them beforehand to go through all my fears/anxieties.

Talk to the nurse about your fears/anxieties at your pre-op appointment, and if that doesn't set your mind at rest ask to speak to the anaesthetist before theatre day ?

willa123

duncan303 wrote: »

Many years ago I found myself working in theatre and acknowleged the anaethetist as being a critically important member of the team.

I also react to having blood taken by going into shock, I have absolutely no problem with injections, it is taking stuff out that sets me off.

some years ago I had to have a general in an NHS hospital, before I signed consent I vigourously expressed my concerns about the fact I was more anxious about the abilities of the anaethetist than the surgeon. I recall she came to see me in person in the ward beforehand and was very understanding and helped to put my mind at rest, I would like to believe that she paid special attention to me, because of the acknowlegement I made to her contribution.

Ultimately I had no choice, I think they would have operated without my consent anyway, but it made a big differrence to me............

Maybe you could ask to meet your anaethetist beforehand, after all they are the unsung heroes.........


...

Surely they can't operate if u don't agree to it ?!!!

There's no way i'm going into the anaesthetic room without having a long chat with my anaesthetist beforehand !

Errata

willa123 wrote: »

Surely they can't operate if u don't agree to it ?!!!

There's no way i'm going into the anaesthetic room without having a long chat with my anaesthetist beforehand !

In certain circumstances procedures can be carried out without the patient's consent if to do so is in the patient's best interests.

You will be asked to sign a consent form before the operation, which of course you won't be signing until all your questions have been answered and your mind has been set at rest, will you.