General Anaesthetic - Absolutely Petrified!

Hi all,

I have to go into the day hospital to have some of the skin removed from my cervix after my smear tests came back as abnormal. Although the results are 'borderline' the virus test result was high risk.

I suffer terribly from panic attacks, panic disorder, agoraphobia and depression and am having a really tough time at present. The gynaecologist knows that I have mental health issues so has advised that I am knocked out. I would have preferred a local anaesthetic but it seems that he's not prepared to perform the procedure this way given my issues. The prospect of having to stay calm enough to receive a GA is about as impossible as it gets. I am in such a mess over this that I've retreated to my bedroom and am too frightened to come out. I am dreading the letter with the appointment date.

The anticipation is the worst thing. I cannot think of anything else. My already restricted life has stopped because of the fear. The more I worry about not being able to manage this the more I feel like a complete failure and it's drawing attention to how messed up I am. I just don't know how to cope and if I don't go the cells could develop into cancer. There is no relief in avoiding this one, but the thought of actually getting there, staying put and not becoming hysterical is leaving me distraught. Please please please, any suggestions on how to cope?

Dear Twinklwtoes,

It is human to fear the unkown, I would suggest you find out about general anaesthetic first as the surgeon would not give it to you unless it was necessary...here are a few paragraphs to get you going.....

General anaesthetic is a type of anaesthesia (a medication that causes loss of sensation). It is used for pain relief during surgical procedures. A general anaesthetic makes you completely lose consciousness so that surgery can be performed without causing pain or distress.

How does general anaesthetic work?

Anaesthetics work by blocking the signals that pass along your nerves to your brain.
Your nerves are bundles of fibres that use chemical and electrical signals to pass information around your body. General aesthetic stops your brain recognising the signals coming from your nerves, so that you cannot feel anything.
If you have general anaesthetic, it will be given to you by an anaesthetist (a specialist doctor who is trained in anaesthesia).

When is general anaesthetic used?

General anaesthetic is essential for some surgical procedures where it may be safer, or more comfortable, for you to be unconscious. It is usually used for long operations, or those which could be very painful.


If you need to have a general anaesthetic, it will be discussed with you before you have the surgery. You will meet your anaesthetist and plan your anaesthetic together.
Your anaesthetist will ask you about your general health and lifestyle including:

• whether you have any allergies,
• whether you smoke or drink alcohol, and
• whether you are taking any other medication.

They will also be able to answer any questions that you have. You should be given clear instructions to follow before the operation, including whether or not you can eat anything.
If you are unsure about any part of your anaesthetic, or your operation, you should ask your anaesthetist, or another healthcare professional who is treating you.

I've been under a general 4 times for different surgeries in my life and I can tell you that the time between when they tell you that you have to have a procedure and the actual appointment is the worst.
Here are a few suggestions if I may offer them...
Take someone with you who will not only be supportive but will also advocate for you if necessary.
This is YOUR procedure so ask as many questions as you need to! Don't feel embarrassed or like you are being a bother because YOU are in charge there!! If you don't understand something always ask and ask again until you have a clear understanding of everything.
Remember that this is very temporary and that the anxiety will be gone soon so try not to dwell on that too much.
If you have to think about other things to try to calm yourself.....Make a grocery list for the next week, think about what you have going on tomorrow or the next day and plan it accordingly...anything to take your mind off of the anxiety you feel.

You will be fine hun!
Will be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
(((HUGS)))
xxx
Sandy

I agree with eeyore lover to take someone with you that will also fight your corner if needed & ask all the questions you need.
I had to have a general anaesthetic May 2009 to have my gallbladder removed and I was absolutely petrified too, I cried as they were taking me down to theatre. I had explained to the doctors/nurses on my admission about my anxiety & they were really lovely & offered me a pre-med to help my nerves if I wanted it but as I am scared of taking medicines I refused.
I was literally in the room a few minutes, they were talking away to me asking me questions about nothing in particular, I guess anything to take my mind off things as I could hear my heart racing on the monitors & it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest & the next thing I know I was waking up in recovery & it was all over.
I was kept in overnight as I had my op later in the day & my heart rate & BP were still very high so they monitored me & sent me home the next morning.
The hardest thing was after for me as I needed to cough loads after the anaesthetic & I was told that I had to otherwise I would end up with a chest infection, it was surprising how much gunge I coughed up for a few days after but it was so sore from my operation sites that I didn't want to.

I don't mean to sound too nosey but I'm curious about your results as you said you had borderline changes but your virus test result was high risk & I just wondered what that meant as I had borderline changes on a smear last year & was told that I just needed 6 monthly smears for a certain amount of time then yearly & now I'm worried?

I wish you all the best xxx

Hi Hun,

I had a GA at 20 for abnormal cells. It was fine... one minute I was awake, next I was waking up and all over. I am having a GA on Wednesday this week for numerous injections in my neck and I am worried about it too - because of my current anxiety. It didn't bother me before. I think your much better with a GA as I know a friend who had the surgery awake and said it was not a pleasant experience. x x x