Having a General Anesthetic. Is it scary ?

OP

Anyone ? I'm so scared !!!!

Reply 2

benk87

The actual falling to sleep doesn't hurt one bit, it just feels like normal falling asleep without the feeling tired beforehand. You don't feel anything at all until you wake up again. Your mum should be allowed to stay until you're asleep, and will probably be allowed to be there when you wake up as well.
There is nothing at all to be afraid of.

Reply 3

Pseudomuse

1

Its not bad, i've been under GA twice, and to behonest the only thing that hurts (and not that much) is having the needle inserted into you hand other then that your out like a light,

Reply 4

James

14

Your mum should be able to stay, and no it doesn't hurt! :smile:

Reply 5

i found it stung up my arm but thats it. Its not scary really. Trust me im a (student) nurse :smile:

Reply 6

OP

Thanks for your answers.

Still very nervous & dreading it. :frown:

But feel a little better about the whole thing :smile:

Reply 7

I foyutell the anithestist (i cant spell it) that your nervous then itl be fine. They deal with loads of people everyday just like you :smile:

You could even ask if a nurse or HCA can come with you if your mum isnt allowed.

Reply 8

OP

What's HCA ?

Certainley want someone with me - until i'm asleep !!

Reply 9

Health care assistant some people callthem auxillery nurses or nursing assistants. They tend to do the gross jobs...but so do the student nurses :s-smilie:

Reply 10

OP

Why won't Mum be allowed to stay - until i'm asleep ?

Having it in a Private Hospital - will that make any difference ?

Reply 11

bikerx23

1

Dont worry about it - the one I had I felt the injection (I dont really have a problem with them, so I wasn't too concerned - if you dont like injections it is certainly the thing you wont like the most, since it's a relatively tame occurance), and then the anasthetic was injected which resulted in a slight tingly feeling in my arm, then I was flat out. No need for you to be worried though :smile:

Reply 12

no idea to be honest call the hospital and ask :smile:

Reply 13

Juno

20

This past thread might help

Reply 14

soph_07

i had a a general anaesthetic when i was eleven for an operation on my hand. i was really scared and nervous but it really is ok, i promise.

it doesn't hurt, they ask you to count from ten backwards and i know i never got past about seven lol

yeah you are allowed to take someone in with you until you go to sleep, my dad went in with me. when my nan had an operation last year, i went in with her and stayed till she had fallen asleep.

it's understandable to be nervous/scared but it really is ok

:smile:

Reply 15

lucho22

13

I remember when they pump in the anaesthetic that my arm felt really cold as it went in - quite a bizarre sensation really. The quantity of anaesthetic they have in the tube is quite disconcerting - I remember telling the anaesthetist "you're not anaesthetising a bloody elephant!".. but apparently they only use a tiny amount of it. The thing that will probably be annoying when you come round is a horrible taste in your mouth which lingers on for ages afterwards..really gross.. and you'll probably have a "hang over" from the barbiturates..

I think the main irrational fear is "will I ever wake up again?" - but remember that people have general anaesthetic all the time - it's really quite safe in this day and age..

Reply 16

OP

lucho22

I remember when they pump in the anaesthetic that my arm felt really cold as it went in - quite a bizarre sensation really. The quantity of anaesthetic they have in the tube is quite disconcerting - I remember telling the anaesthetist "you're not anaesthetising a bloody elephant!".. but apparently they only use a tiny amount of it. The thing that will probably be annoying when you come round is a horrible taste in your mouth which lingers on for ages afterwards..really gross.. and you'll probably have a "hang over" from the barbiturates..

I think the main irrational fear is "will I ever wake up again?" - but remember that people have general anaesthetic all the time - it's really quite safe in this day and age..

Yup. That is my biggest fear. Infact it's a massive fear :eek:

Reply 17

--

3

You've just quoted it, it wouldn't make much difference if i did. If it helps, it is an irrational fear, the anaesthetist can tell if thats happened by reading the instruments, so it doesn't actually occur. I've had plenty of General Anaesthetic operations (nearly in double figures) and there really isn't anything to worry about, you get a little prick in your arm like an injection, you get drowsy and then you wake up several hours later (you don't even dream, it doesn't feel like any time has passed), easy peasy.

Reply 18

Spacecam

15

You should be able to have someone with you. Being in a private hospital they try to let the person you want to come stay behind. Just be really firm with them and tell them you're v anxious and having your Mum there will help you.

All that happens is you get some oxygen from a mask (not scary I promise) and then a small injection of Anaesthetic into your hand. The anaesthetist will tell you when he/she's doing it. If they ask you to count backwards you'll not get past nine!

Anaesthetics result in you not remembering anything about the first few minutes of coming round, and just as you go off. It feels like you're going to sleep really quickly. Don't fight it when you're having it, and you'll wake up drowsy but feeling quite rested - but no wierd dreams, it seems like you're still counting backwards!

Don't worry about your "biggest fear" - Anaesthetics is an extremely technical area, and the operating theatre staff are always very vigilant - the anaesthetist constantly monitors you throughout. The risk of dying is VERY low. They have to tell you because of legal stuff, and your op is low risk and will not take long so the risk is even lower.

Good luck, you'll be fine!

Reply 19