Anesthesia fears?

rach_nc_03 · Apr 20, 2005

How common are fears of general anesthetic? I will be having surgery sometime this summer/early fall. I am okay with preop, and post op, its the surgery itself , (more specifically the general) that unnerves me. When I had my GB out 15 yrs ago, I was such a nervous wreck, I threw my mother out of the room and was ready to walk out. Thankfully my surgeon recognized my anxiety, gave me some Versed, and then next thing I knew I was waking up post op.
ANy suggestions for combating this anxiety, or how to cope when the big day arrives?

Hi, Lori-

You're definitely not alone here...I've had two surgeries under general anesthesia in the past year, and fears about anesthesia- specifically being extubated afterward- were very difficult for me.

in my first surgery, i woke up during extubation, and freaked out. I had nightmares about it for months. I was afraid to go ahead with my second surgery, in fact.

For the second surgery, I made sure that (a) I gave the anesthetist and anesthesiologist *very* specific information on my fears, and my reaction after my last surgery, and (b) told them exactly what meds I was taking, how long I'd been taking them, and reactions to other meds in the past. For instance, versed has absolutely no affect on me, so I got different meds during the pre-op phase this time. Also, make sure you mention any food allergies; a friend at work nearly died during surgery because Propofol is made with soybeans, and she was allergic to them.

My opinion is that you can't go wrong with getting (and giving) very detailed information. It certainly made me calmer- I just wish I'd been able to get the information earlier than the day of surgery!

TCASII, ADN · Apr 20, 2005

Just be sure to ask plenty of questions when the anesthesiologist meets with you. Write down anything you might forget to ask a few days prior due to nerves. I've worked in surgery for a few years; It's so routine and problems are rare. I always say people make the whole process so much more traumatic for themselves, mentally and physically, that it's possible their recovery is often effected. :)

grimmy, RN · Apr 21, 2005

the best way to get through this is to be completely honest with your anesthesia provider. explain your anxiety. perhaps over the next few months you could learn some techniques of relaxation, putting yourself into a calm, relaxed state where you could easily drift off to sleep while anesthesia gives you meds. i work in the or, and there have been scant few pts who have not immediately fallen asleep. it is rare for a pt to fully awaken during extubation, even less so to remember it. you might consider seeing a professional who could teach you the relaxation techniques, and talk out your anxiety, perhaps role-play with you. your fears are hardly unique, and there are ways to address them.