General Anaesthetic and illness

I'm having an operation on friday for which I can have a local or general anaesthetic, I'd prefer a general...Today I've got a really bad cough/sore throat and am feeling quite run down, is it true that if you're ill you can't have general? Would they still be able to do it under a local?

Reply 1

isabella

9

The operation isn't until Friday - so you've got a while to get over your cold.

I would call the hospital,to check. They will be able to give you a definate answer.

Good luck, sure it will be fine :smile:

Reply 2

Jennybean

13

As far as I know unless the illness is something to do with respiratory problems you should be able to have your anaesthetic as you would have done anyway. If you have to have a local, you can always ask for a mild sedative to help you relax. If you really are worried, you could just give the hospital a call like isabella said.

Reply 3

Allthewayhome

10

The only problem I have had with general anaesthetic (last two times when I got my tonsils out and when I had to get my arm reset after a break) if that I tended to well, have unexplained wood.
It's was embarrasing as hell the first time, I woke up on a trolly 'n went " Ah **** ", it was made worse by the nurse saying not to worry. I wish she said nothing at all.

The second time I laughed my head off! Didn't give a sausage!

Everything is very safe so don't worry but best have a chat about your cold.

Reply 4

Jennybean

13

^Haha! So glad I don't have a nob.

Reply 5

Notebooksecrets

11

Well they operate on people under anaesthetic in emergencies or whenever when people are ill, surely. Some operations are to stop the illness so it'd be illogical not to be able to do it.

Reply 6

jointhedots

OP

16

Allthewayhome

The only problem I have had with general anaesthetic (last two times when I got my tonsils out and when I had to get my arm reset after a break) if that I tended to well, have unexplained wood.
It's was embarrasing as hell the first time, I woke up on a trolly 'n went " Ah **** ", it was made worse by the nurse saying not to worry. I wish she said nothing at all.

If that happens to me I'll be highly alarmed being a girl and all :biggrin:

Thanks guys :smile:

Reply 7

Anonymous #1

Notebooksecrets

Well they operate on people under anaesthetic in emergencies or whenever when people are ill, surely. Some operations are to stop the illness so it'd be illogical not to be able to do it.

It's a question of risk. Being anaesthetised isn't risk free and general anaesthetic > local anaesthetic.
But in some cases general is required and the risk of not operating is obvously greater than the risk of anaesthetic in emergencies - you have to weigh up the two sides.

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

Add on:

Misslibby - as people have said, see how you feel over the next few days and talk to the hospital. It'll depend on the nature of the operation, how ill you are and the thoughts of the anaesthetist/sugeon as to whether they might want to change or delay the plan. :smile:

Reply 9

Revd. Mike

17

Just make sure the anaesthetist is informed of how you're feeling when you arrive at hospital. It may be necessary for him to induce you differently, or use a different type of anaesthesia.

Reply 10

ashy

17

Allthewayhome

The only problem I have had with general anaesthetic (last two times when I got my tonsils out and when I had to get my arm reset after a break) if that I tended to well, have unexplained wood.
It's was embarrasing as hell the first time, I woke up on a trolly 'n went " Ah **** ", it was made worse by the nurse saying not to worry. I wish she said nothing at all.

The second time I laughed my head off! Didn't give a sausage!

Everything is very safe so don't worry but best have a chat about your cold.

When I woke up from one of them my nose was incredibly itchy (I assume because of the oxygen), and had to scratch under the mask, being amazingly groggy I wasn't doing a good job! All the nurse said was "aww has someone got an itchy snatch?" I can only assume she meant my nose :confused:

I've had colds with generals before, it's not that much of an issue (although I had both local and general), so you should be ok really!

Good luck!

General Anaesthetic and illness

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