Anesthesia Anxiety

Ok..  Where do I begin?   I went in for my first ever operation this past Friday (July 10th).  I am 36 years old and have to get my tonsils taken out and my uvula and palate trimmed due to their size it is causing sleep apnea.

Ok..  Again..  First operation EVER.  DEATHLY afraid of going under Anesthesia.  I am on Xanax and Paxil for anxiety.  Of course, day of the operation they push me up due to an emergency with who my dr. was working on before me. 

So after waiting...  I finally see the anesthesialogist and I just break out sweating..  And drenched!   And we get as far as he gives me three shots (for nasuea and two others), and he leaves.  I'm sitting there thinking about it...  And just can't do it.  I buzz for the nurse and I wind up cancelling.

Now on top of that...  My anxiety is flarring up thinking about it non-stop.  I have to get this operation done, because I feel the tightness in my throat from the tonsils.  But I am just so afraid of the anesthesia.

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT!!!!

Ilove2qtr,

I have had multiple surgeries due to a chronic health condition I have. I am always anxious beforehand. I always ask and have received no problem Ativan via IV. It almost always knocks me out even before I get to the OR. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about your fears and they can plan on you taking something before you leave home and then something when you get there to calm you down. Good luck!

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

He gave me an anti-nausea injection. The other two... To be honest.. I have no idea. I was too terrified to even pay attention.

And to make matters worse.. And even though everyone says it's not that big of a deal.. It's not just a regular tonsilectomy. He is trimming the pallet and uvula as well. I was finally down to 1mg of Xanax XR but I was so bad today, I had to take a second one just to calm me down a little bit and I didn't sleep for a single second all night last night. I called my psychiatrist and he was supposed to have called me back.. But of course he didn't. And he has NO appointments until my scheduled appointment on Sept. 1st. So I took it upon myself to take the extra Xanax since I was taking 2 mg for a very long time. And it did subside the agony some what.

The doctor is now making an exception to take time to do th procedure for me this Friday, even though it is not his surgery day. His secretary basically called the hospital and pleaded for them to fit me in this Friday. I am TERRIFIED that I'm not going to be able to do it.... But I know I somehow have to.

I think it is the issue of not knowing what to expect, flipping out when I get rolled into the OR, not waking up and the procedure going fine. (Ok... That covers everything...)

Everyone at work is having a field day with this. I just can't wait for this to be past me. I just have to somehow get to that point... And through it...

Thank you again everyone. I appreciate it.

First of all... I want to thank everyone for trying to make this easier.. I'm two days away... And going crazy... Was given permission to up Xanax XR from 1 mg to 2 mg. I'm still terrified though... Hahahahahaha. Go figure.. I know I HAVE to do this. Now I have this horrible anxiety feeling again that I haven't had in a LONG time. I'm now afraid that won't go away once this operation is done as well... But I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I go in on Friday... So hopefully Saturday evening I will be posting on here that I actually went through with it.

You guys are the best.

I agree with Kitt, find something else to focus on!! Also, I feel for you as your anxiety is so high, but I really hope with all the hoops your doctor went thru that you go thru with your surgery. I think if you don't, then who knows when you will be able to get this obviously needed surgery. I would recommend you taking your Xanax the morning of your surgery to help calm your fears some. You wouldn't be human if your weren't nervous. Also, be sure to ask the anthesieologist for something to help calm you when you get to the hospital. I have had so many surgeries I have lost track of the number, but I always ask as I am always nervous too. I am sure everything will turn out well, and before you know it you will be on the road to recovery.

Gentle hugs and Best wishes,
Gail*Nanners*

Thank you, everyone!! Mikeman, thanks for the latest... Tomorrow morning is the big day. My fiancee will be there the whole time this time.... And hopefully they will have a shot of something ready for me as soon as I walk in. No matter what, I have to somehow get this done and over with... I hope I am posting it is done and over with Saturday evening!!!!

Thank you again everyone. This did help my mind... Now I just have to keep that ease as I get there tomorrow. ;)

Hi Iluv2qtr,

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with this but it is totally understandable and normal to be nervous about surgery! Definitely take your Xanax and maybe your fiancee can talk you through things and try to keep you occupied as well. Bring something with you to distract yourself, a book or crossword, something maybe you two can do together to make the time fly and before you know it you will be healing and this huge mountain will be behind you.

I had anesthesia once and I was terrified, they wouldn't let me have valium beforehand either and they pretty much had to hold my arm down to get the medication in my arm... but I woke up groggy an hour later and besides feeling a little loopy was fine. I was amazed at how quick it went. I did have my best friend hold my hand until they gave me the medication, perhaps you can have your fiancee do the same? It really helped to have a support person there just to talk to about mundane stuff to keep me focused elsewhere. Definitely talk to your nurse when you are admitted and let them know about your anxiety and hopefully they can work with you to make it easier so you can get through this. I know its huge but it sounds like you need this, just focus on that, that you will feel better after you have it and that your doctor wants you to have this done. They wouldn't set you up for surgery if you didn't need it. Good luck tomorrow and I hope you are feeling better very soon!
~Dixi

Iluv2qtr

You  can do this and you will do this so keep on moving and don't dwell on how anxious you are..............find something to keep busy and take your med before bedtime so you stay in the quiet zone.  Take it in morning too if you can.  I do not know how often you may take it but it feels to me like if you can you should use it.

Good luck and take care

Kitt

I know you can do it. Just think how much better life will be for you once you get these medical problems taken care of. Kick the stinkin thinkin to the curb!

Good luck!

Hoorah!!! You did it!!! I am so glad to hear you had the surgery and are recovering well. Enjoy all the ice cream and popsicles you can handle:)

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

When had my dental implants I was very nervous about having the
Iv sedation. The day of I was very scared and nervous about being sedated. Nancy the nurse came to the waiting room to take me back to the surgery room. It was very cold in there she gave me a very nice warm blanket so wouldn't be cold. The she hooked me up to a blood pressure cuff. Then she asked me a lot of questions to keep me calm . Then she hooked me up to a pulse monitor after that she strapped one of my hands to the chair in the operating room.then she told me she was going to put the Iv in my hand she told me to squeeze her thumb as tight as I could to pop the veins out it took her three time to get in after she got it in she taped it off. Then she told me to relax she gave me two of the syringes of the sedative took me a little while to fall asleep. The i woke up in the middle of it I was very nervous she held my hand and gave me the last syringe of medicine. Next thing I know I'm waking up in the surgery room These two other nurses take me to the recovery room where I lay on this big bed they give me a warm blanket to stay warm they take my blood pressure she gives me some water and really strong painkillers then removed my gauze and then she got my mom and her and left the office and went home. Try to stay calm babe and they staff will be very gentle and calm towards you to good luck babe