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general anesthetic
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
hiiii,
I've tried searching online but can't find an answer. I'm due to have a laparoscopy to see if I have endemitriosis but it needs to be done under general anesthetic. I had 2 operations when I was about 6 and the anesthetic terrified me, I then had another in July(hoping i would have overcome this fear by then) but I really hadnt! I told the nurse/surgeon/anesthetist before hand that I was really nervouse but got the response of 'you have to have it done so get over it' As I'm now 18 they said i had to walk down to theatre by myself, but ended up having such a massive panic attack in the anesthetic room they got my mum to come down and hold my arm down while they injected the stuff to make me sleepy. I have major anxiety issues over control and stuff, so although I've got ways of managing them now I still cant overcome this!
What I was wondering is if its possible to take calming or sedation tablets before hand, and what kind of effect they have on you?
I dont know when the op is as im on the cancellation list so they could call me up and say youve got in tomorrow, which is another thing that scares me!
I was told last time to let people know that I was anxious and they would help calm me down, but they literally just had no time for it. The anesthesit came round before hand and i tried to explain my worried but she literally just said you have to have it done, and if you dont want it then go home., Not really reassuring is it!?
Even now I've worked myself up about it.
I've tried searching online but can't find an answer. I'm due to have a laparoscopy to see if I have endemitriosis but it needs to be done under general anesthetic. I had 2 operations when I was about 6 and the anesthetic terrified me, I then had another in July(hoping i would have overcome this fear by then) but I really hadnt! I told the nurse/surgeon/anesthetist before hand that I was really nervouse but got the response of 'you have to have it done so get over it' As I'm now 18 they said i had to walk down to theatre by myself, but ended up having such a massive panic attack in the anesthetic room they got my mum to come down and hold my arm down while they injected the stuff to make me sleepy. I have major anxiety issues over control and stuff, so although I've got ways of managing them now I still cant overcome this!
What I was wondering is if its possible to take calming or sedation tablets before hand, and what kind of effect they have on you?
I dont know when the op is as im on the cancellation list so they could call me up and say youve got in tomorrow, which is another thing that scares me!
I was told last time to let people know that I was anxious and they would help calm me down, but they literally just had no time for it. The anesthesit came round before hand and i tried to explain my worried but she literally just said you have to have it done, and if you dont want it then go home., Not really reassuring is it!?
Even now I've worked myself up about it.
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Comments
One of the best things to do is to tell them - it can only help. And actually for a lot of people who are scared, the just put uyp with it and get on with it and get it over with approach is the best.
It's difficult, but not impossible, to take any kind of calming or sedation tablets before hand because of the potential for interaction with the anaesthetic drugs.
It's probably actually a good thing to be on the cancellation list, as that way it will be short notice so you won't have too long to work yourself up over it.
My top tips would be to tell them you're nervous, tell them you panicked last time and you'd like to not do the same again but you're worried it will happen again. Did you have the IV line in before you went down to the aneasthic room last time? At least if you've got the line in first, then all you have to do is lie there and look the other way while they get on with it, you can pretty much pretend it's not happening.
Essentially, you do need to have it done, and while you can't necessarily get over it, you probably do need to come up with a way to put up with it for a very very short period of time. I'd suggest distraction. One tip I got when they were trying to relax me was to do nothing but count in your head, up and up and up to higher and higher numbers.
There could be an unknown reaction between the two which could be life threatening and if they don't know what you have taken, they may treat you inappropriately - which could kill you.
Rather ask them for an 'official' sedative which they can probably do.
Don't take this the wrong way but people in operating thetres just don't have the time to molly coddle people. I know a S.O.D.A. the work they have to do, things that need to be checked, re-checked and checked again to make sure you're ok when you're on the table. Budget cuts, targets, old equipment, under staffing, DNA's, emergencys etc. It's crap yeah, but they're job is to operate on you and make sure your safe while under anaesthetic.
Why don't you take someone with you while you have the pre-med ?
i completley argee with them being very busy people, thats why I was trying to find out now so it makes it a much quicker process on the day.
I'll be on the day surgery ward but last time i was the only one to have a general, not a local so was the last to go down, hence a day long of waiting.
From what theyve said i wont be having a pre med this time as the last one i had was only a few months ago so theyre guan use the notes from that (something about not needing blood tests/ecgs etc a 2nd time within 6 months) I'm hoping when i find out when it is i may get a chance to pop in and have a quick chat with oen of the nurses to see if they have anythign available.
I know its completley irrational and that is what makes it worse, its silly but i cant help myself!
thankyou
From having it before i know its really not that bad, its just actually being there and letting them put the injection in your hand!
the scariest thing i found was after they did it your head goes a bit woozy and sound goes, i only remember literally about 4 seconds worth but mum said i was crying and screaming for about 5 mins till it fully affects you.
Maybe try giving the hospital/gynae a call tomorrow and ask beforehand?
the worse bit i found was when you walk down to theatre but having to walk into the room and getting on the bed, that just totally threw me,
let us all know how you get on, good luck, i hope it goes well!
Hi hope you are doing ok? with a general anaesthetic you are "out" straight away, so it's very unusual you were crying for a few mins after that! I have had a couple of general Anaesthetics in the last few years, for appendicitis, 2 miscarriages (D&C's) so I'v had to have the general. I was a bit nervous first time but I don't mind it now. Sometimes the anticipation is the worst thing. They only have to do it because they are trying to help you, & to see whats the story. They don't give you anything to sedate you for the general though, the last time I was asked to sign my name on the op form about 3 mins before the injection, so you have to be clear headed. Lots of people go through this every day, so just think of the benefits you will feel after when the can treat you for your complaint. good luck!
I didnt realise there wasnt anything, I thought you could have a calming thing, Ive usually had to sign the forms a good hour or so before.
It really is just the anticipation, I know that its totally safe and I will be fine, its just a horrible thought! i dont think it helps that my nan died after an operation last year, she had tons of other problems and literally just didnt come round again. I know that wont happen but it definately threw me a bit.
Thanks for all the encouragment, it really will be worth it and the thought of being out of a lot of pain is the only thing making me go through with it!
I was taken down for my D&C in the bed but I def was not given sedation before, beacuse right before I was taken into the op theatre, I was asked my name, DOB & to sign my name again on the op form. But I'm in Ireland, so maybe protocol is different here. the point i'm making is that there is no need to be afraid of the general. When She's over that part they'll know what the story is & can help her!
i didnt feel that groggy waking up and just felt like id had a really good sleep, although i was a bit disorientated and started talking to the recovery nurse about some chocolates that were on offer at asda haha! only thing that happened was i started shaking a lot so i had to have some oxygen but it was fine. no after effects at all! i slept a while, they made me some toast that tasted amazing and a cup of tea then i went home 4 hours later :]
anyway i hope yours is as fine as mine was, and i know its hard but just try not to worry
I am new on this board and was actually looking for something else when I read your blogs.
I am an ODP in the operating Theatre (I help the anaesthetist).. It is totally common to have an anxiety before any surgery, but please please discuss with your anaesthetist and tell them how you feel. If they do not listen then inform the surgeon or even the ward nurses. You can get the ward nurses to write something in your notes and they will hand that over to the Theatre team when you have your op. Some anaesthetist do give a sort of pre med but that is only when you get down to the theatre, the reason for this is you will have to give consent, Name, DOB and any medical history. And it will NOT be law abiding if you are under the influence of any kind of drugs.
I do hope this helps, please try not to be to nervous.. I wish you were coming in to see me:)
Wish you well
Ps it is very common to cry after surgery due to the emotional journey and the drugs
just hoping to get it out of the way as soon as possible now, the more time i have to worry the worse it gets!
mmo, im hoping next time i have somebody a bit more understanding,nothing is going to stop me being nervous but a bit of understanding wouldnt be missed! I'll look into a pre med with the hospital once i have my date through, not sure how much it will help once im already down there, but thankyou for clearing it up!
I know how frustrating it must be when your very busy, do you get a lot of people that freak out over it?
What is your fear?? eg Needles ????
nope, im totally fine with needles , IV's, injections, the procedure itself etc it is literally jus the anesthetic. I suffer quite intense panic attacks at being in control. not so much more in everyday situations, but i hate the feeling of being really drunk/going woozy/dizzy etc, so basically the whole feeling of going under
Just try not to think 'oh I fell dizzy', 'oh I feel out of control'... The image that you have in your head is under your control so try to control that, and I am sure it will help.
Good luck, wish you all the best.;)