[OneProudMum]

I have my admission time for my colonoscopy next week and I can't keep my emotions in check. I was a blubbering mess on the phone to the admissions nurse. I am so fearful of being put to sleep.

Does anyone have any tips?

This post has been edited by OneProudMum: 07/02/2013, 05:29 PM

[Katie_bella]

I suppose it depends on what your actual fear is. Are you afraid of not waking up? or waking up during the procedure? or of allergic reactions? Something else?

The anaesthetic they use for scopes is a light, quick anaesthetic with a very low rate of complications and side effects. Hospitals do hundreds to thousands of scopes safely each year.

Is it worth asking if you can see the anaethatist to chat about your concerns, prior to the procedure on the day? Most hospitals do this, but not all.

[whoisme]

Why are you fearful of an anaesthetic?

I had a colonoscopy 7 months ago and it was a breeze. I was only under for 15 minutes and they call it "twilight sedation" I don't know why cause by goodness it knocked me out well and good, best sleep I ever had.

The nurses and doctors and theatre staff do a great job of occupying your thoughts by chatting to you and you should let your Dr know that for such and such reason you are scared and they will put you totally at ease.

[epl0822]

I totally sympathise with you. I was freaked out about being put under GA too. I had so many outrageous and irrational fears I must have sounded like a complete nutter. It really helped when I talked to a family friend who works as an anaesthetist. He basically described the whole process to me, step by step. I talked to him about all the stuff I was scared about (which I'm not going to detail here because I don't want to freak you out with my irrational fears) and instead of laughing at how silly I am, he told me calmly that while freakish things have happened to an incredibly small number of people, the chances of anything happening to me were extremely unlikely given my age and the fact that I had no major health problems. I realised some of my fears were due to my own specialist being a terrible communicator who didn't explain anything to me. If you can, talk to your doctor and ask them to explain to you exactly what is going to take place.

When I actually did go under GA it was not even 1% as bad as I imagined it to be. The only pain I felt was a prick on my arm when they administered the anaesthetic. Then literally a few seconds later I fell asleep and when I woke up, I wasn't in pain and the nurses were lovely and caring. It was a little weird waking up and totally losing the past 2-3 hours of your life and having no idea what happened...but I guess it's like that at night time when you sleep, too! It was like waking up from a hangover and I said some silly things to the nurses but they were used to it and treated me really well.

Relax, OPM - chances are, you're going to wake up and think "gee that wasn't worth all the fussing" - just like I did! Good luck

[CharliMarley]

The anaesthetist can give you some calming medication beforehand and you will feel wonderful.

[OneProudMum]

Why are you fearful of an anaesthetic?

I had a colonoscopy 7 months ago and it was a breeze. I was only under for 15 minutes and they call it "twilight sedation" I don't know why cause by goodness it knocked me out well and good, best sleep I ever had.

The nurses and doctors and theatre staff do a great job of occupying your thoughts by chatting to you and you should let your Dr know that for such and such reason you are scared and they will put you totally at ease.

I asked the nurse how long I am under for and she said usually around 45 minutes.

I am scared I will stop breathing, or I won't wake up.

[Gegemite]

I've had GA twice and loved it. Best sleep I've ever had

[OneProudMum]

I've had GA twice and loved it. Best sleep I've ever had

That's awesome. I wish I felt the same. Instead I feel like running away... fast.

[BetteBoop]

Do you have to have a general? My father had knee surgery recently under a twilight anaesthetic.

Usually they prefer to use general so you won't move during the procedure, but there's no fixed rule.

Is there any reason in particular why you fear stopping breathing? I understand it's a small risk overall and is usually an issue for people with other health problems.

[Katie_bella]

I asked the nurse how long I am under for and she said usually around 45 minutes.

I am scared I will stop breathing, or I won't wake up.

Ok, 45 minutes would be the total time you are in the operating theatre (anaesthetics then theatre and recovery) not under the anaesthetic in total, most people are under for 15-20 minutes, depending on what they have to do. Most hospitals can push about 2-3 people through in an hour and thats with cleaning between patients.

The anaesthetic is NOT a full general, yes you go to sleep, but you don't stop breathing, you don't get put on a respirator, it's just not that deep. It wears off quickly and you don't remember anything.

I've been a surgical nurse for 12 years, 15 with my training and i've NEVER, EVER seen someone not wake up from a scope.