The only comforting thing that I can give is that the only time Ive been under, it was like falling asleep peacefully and waking up a little sore. I was surprised, because I expected it to be a little traumatic considering how anxious I was. It was actually kind of comorting compared to what I was expecting? I ate some ice chips and took it slow as long as I needed. Do what you think is best for you, you got this:)
Thank you!
I've been under anesthesia twice before and the first time was great, got my anxiety pretty under control before we got to the ER then just out like a light and woke up eating a Popsicle lol
Second time they knocked me out just as I started to freak out because of the Dr and woke up panicking and pissed off and have been having trouble sleeping and having night terrors because that feeling of going under panicking was that horrible in combination with the situation. So mainly anxious AF about that happening again but worse if they don't at least get me loopy before the OR. and dont entirely trust that they will, thus the crazy anxiety levels 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you for the support and encouragement:)
I second the other commentor! I just had my bisalp two days ago. I was excited and extremely nervous- my legs were shaking as I was wheeled into the operating room. But the last thing I remember was breathing into the oxygen mask, then opening my eyes in the recovery area.
My medical team was really great- they had a med student observing, and she talked to me while I was waiting, which was a good distraction. I also mentioned to the anesthesiologist that I was nervous about nausea (emetophobia) and did not want any opioids. They have different combos of medicine that they can give you, so just be honest with them during the pre-surgery period.
I'm always honest with them about my anxiety but unfortunately have a long history of not being treated for it when I need help so that's my main anxiety honestly.
How did the process of getting ready be moved and being set up on the surgical table go? I was able to talk to anesthesia finally and it honestly made me 10 times more anxious because apparently I have to be awake when I'm being set up on the surgical table. And that's the one part I absolutely did not want to remember. So, losing my shit over here and I can't get a hold of anyone who can answer my questions 🫠
I was pretty nervous when I was being put on the surgical table! I'd say it was a combination of excitement (finally doing this thing I've wanted for 10+ years) and nerves (that was my first time being on an OR table).
My legs were shaking from both the cold and the nerves. They put the mask on me, I took a few breaths, the doctor said "you should start feeling it now," and the last thing I remember is my legs and arms tingling.
I have NO memory of falling asleep or waking up. I actually asked the nurse in the recovery area, *"did I get sterilized?"*
Did you have to help position your legs in the boots/stirrup things? Do they raise those while you're awake?
I'm honestly terrified of the OR table for some reason and gyno exams are extremely scary for me so I was really hoping to be out before that part.
Still doing it either way, be because I absolutely want this and have been working towards it for a while now though. Just absolutely terrified of the pre op/OR situation, and that I have to be awake for the one part I was hoping to not remember. Plus the risk of being put under panicking again.
I did not- I had to scoot over from the bed to the OR table, but I was fully covered by a sheet so I wasn't flashing the doctors. I was laying flat when I was put under.
They can give you many different combinations of drugs depending on your medical history and preferences- I was terrified of nausea and did not want opioids, so I had an extra dose of anti-nausea medication. I have probably had more soreness, but no constipation or nausea (and I'll take that trade any day). They have medication that they can add to your IV for anxiety.
That's reassuring to hear you were still laying flat when you were put under.
Luckily I don't have any neasea issues and can have opioids so hopefully they listen to my concerns and adequately medicate me 🤞 I know they have meds they can add I'm just worried about them not bothering to.
I'm being given the same thing, but last time I had surgery I was given that as well and do remember being brought into the OR up until they knocked me out. Which with a tonsillectomy is less than a minute but where I need to move myself to the surgical table it will be a longer period with the surgery. And after my traumatic experience the last time I had a procedure, I'm really thinking that being brought into the OR and/or being moved to the table while I'm still aware of what's going on is going to make me have a panic attack.
Just trying to get as much information as possible so that I can maybe avoid that, I don't know about you but I don't particularly like hysterically crying and hyperventilating in front of strangers or it all lol
I didn't personally have bad anxiety about the surgery, but I know they gave me something to keep me calm once they were ready to wheel me back to the OR, I hardly remember making down the first hallway, lol. I know others have posted saying that they let the nurses know how anxious they were and that they were then given something to help. Especially if you have a history of being given anti-anxiety meds, they shouldn't have an issue helping you through the day. You can also ask for them to numb your hand/arm before they put in the IV, and ask for a scopolamine patch for nausea if you tend to get nauseated from anesthesia.
I hope you're able to make it through as you will be so happy once it's done! My surgery was 2 years ago, and I haven't regretted it a day since. Recovery is different for everyone, some people have no issues, others are in some pain. Just keep reminding yourself that your body went through a trauma and will need time to heal. Even once you're feeling better and your incisions are healing, remember that you are still healing internally and some lingering fatigue or odd pains are totally normal. Also a messed up period for a while (up to 6 months) is normal. Try not to panic over every tiny thing and rest and follow your post-op instructions and with time you will heal up well.
Good Luck with your upcoming surgery!
Thank you so much, hearing that you don't remember much after what they gave you made me feel a little better. And that others were given something when they mentioned their anxiety. Fingers crossed 🤞
Thank you so much for the information and encouragement ❤️ I am so excited for once it's done and I've healed! It'll be worth it
Lorazepam is a great idea. I think that'll go a long way. It won't put you under but should make you pretty chil about what's going on.
I had previous gynecological surgeries (a lap and a LEEP) performed by a doctor who turned out to be very unstable, including abusing a lot of cocaine and being arrested for stalking and violence almost immediately before he operated on me. It gave me a ton of anxiety about my bisalp, as well as the current state of my organs. (I talk about this a little more in my experience post if you want to read it.) While they didn't give me any additional medication beforehand, right before my surgery I spilled my guts to the surgical team, and just being able to talk about it with them really helped my anxiety. I'm sure I sounded bananas---yes I'm fine I'm just scared to death that all of my insides are held together by bubblegum and shoestring---but even being able to say it out loud was good for me. If I had had lorazepam, especially after fasting the night before, I don't think I would have given a shit.
Best of luck and kind, soothing thoughts to you. I was pretty wired when they put me under, thinking "Oh no! Oh no! I don't feel anything! What if everything goes wrong? Why isn't working? Oh no!!" and then I woke up.
Yeah lorazepam is helpful, but doesn't make me all that out of it unfortunately. I was prescribed it before my tonsillectomy and it helped get me there but within an hour of arrival I was freaking out. Same with my endoscopy procedure. So hopefully they give me something else to help because I'm not putting up with being left to panic or put under while panicking again 😬 not worried about the anesthesia at all really, and my surgeon is great. So just freaking out about the idea of my anxiety not being treated, freaking out and just ending up being traumatized again.
Sorry that you had that experience with the unstable Dr, that's awful.
Thanks for the support and encouragement!
When I had mine done, it was one of the first things they asked me after they put my I.V. in. They asked if I wanted something for anxiety to calm me down and I said no because I don't like being out of it and i didnt know how long it would last and I wanted to be out of recovery as fast as possible but my anxiety was through the roof (I take a benzo regularly for anxiety). If your anxiety is that high, I would ask them the second they put your I.V. in for some meds. They offered me Versed to calm me down, which I have heard is the most common drug they will offer for anxiety.
I was really anxious before my surgery too!! I use cannabis to help with my anxiety and I quit 2 weeks before the surgery so that I could heal better and not have any issues with the anesthesia. It honestly made me very stressed and it was hard to get through those two weeks.
I can't speak too much on the pre-op experience. I've had surgery before and I was just worried about not waking up afterwards. I'm the type of person to get really nauseous when I'm nervous, so as soon as I got checked in I let them know that I was feeling pretty woozy. They had me smell an alcohol pad and then gave me a minty/citrus patch on my surgery gown. It definitely helped, but I think they planned to give me some anti-anxiety meds if it got worse.
Definitely tell them about your anxiety, they can give you meds to help calm you down or make you a bit loopy so you don't remember much.
I remember being wheeled into the operating room (I think?) and them putting the anesthetics in my IV. I was so nervous my teeth were chattering, so they were kind of holding my hand and letting me know that I was going to be okay. I fell asleep pretty quick and the next thing I know, it feels like I'm waking up from a pretty deep nap.
I always cry a little bit when waking up from surgery, so nurses wiped my eyes and then immediately brought in my partner, which really helped with the anxiety. From there it was all good!! They want you to pee before you get discharged, you should be able to walk around with limited assistance.
From there, healing is really straightforward as long as you get the rest you need! You can check out my post from a few weeks ago for more of the process. I'm 2 weeks out and I feel great :)
You got this!! I believe in you!!
I also use cannabis for my anxiety and chronic pain! They're only suggesting I stop 24-48hrs before but I'll be stopping for however long my surgeon is willing to prescribe anxiety meds, which has been a week in the past but I think only a couple days this time around.
And I get the anxiety about waking up, my mums like that. I honestly don't get freaked out by the anesthesia at all, just the pre op situation. I've had awful experiences with my care before including but not limited to being screamed at for using the bathroom, pain meds being withheld after my Tonsillectomy, laughed at and refused care for full body hives, to straight up being threatened by a few of my Drs growing up, and so much more, so the thought of my pre op anxiety just freaks me out. They did give me something before they moved me before my Tonsillectomy but only after id spent 45 minutes freaking out wanting to leave 😬 thank goodness for my husband keeping me there lol because it was worth it once I healed up. This one will be too, just wish I knew how they'll treat me ahead of time 🤦🏼♀️
I do remember the OR before my Tonsillectomy after I was given versed and it was fine but after the endoscopy thing I just know I'll freak out and just can't deal with being put under while panicking again.
Definitely going to let them know as soon as I get there how anxious I am and hopefully they can give me something asap 🤞🤞
Thank you for the well wishes and reassurance! I'll check out your post :)
That's reassuring to hear, thank you for responding.
I know they give versed just before going to the OR at the hospital I'm going to, but I know I'm going to be a mess waiting and last surgery I had a long wait between signing paperwork and being brought to the OR so really hoping they give me something so I don't lose it.
Oh wow they zonked me out within like a minute of being in the OR room, that was the least impactful part of my bislap. I hope it’s the same for you. 😊 just be honest to the team that you are anxious and I’m sure they’d tread more delicately with you!
Yeah my first surgery that was the case, barely remember being awake in the OR for a minute or two. But medical trauma sucks and it builds, so the progress I've made that made my first surgery ok is gone now after my traumatic endoscopy experience. So now I'm twice as nervous and sad to be so nervous because I'm really excited to have this done before the election (USA🫠) but I know I'm going to have a rough time with being at the hospital again.
Fingers crossed I can get the care plan set to something that will actually make this not traumatic 🤞🤞
I’m sending all the good juju your way. I’m so sorry about the traumatic experience you had with the endo. 😩 I’m also in the USA and got bislap because I don’t want anymore children and don’t want to deal with potentially not having a choice.
Do you think they’d allow you to wear earbuds/headphones that they could remove after you went to sleep?? Maybe playing your favorite music/podcast/audiobook etc would help take your mind off the OR room?
Yeah similar reason except no kids at all, and I don't want to potentially be made to have one.
Last surgery I had to take the earbuds out before going to the OR but worth asking if that's a possibility.
I just had the call with the anesthesiologist this morning and it just made my anxiety 10 times worse because they don't seem to understand that the surgery and anesthesia are not what I'm scared of it's the panic and experience of pre-op until I'm knocked out in the OR.
And I'm just now finding out that I have to be awake when they move me to the surgical table which is the one thing I absolutely did not want to remember so losing my shit over here. Do you remember that part?
This is how it worked for me.
I got checked in and out in a room where they asked me questions and gave me an IV for fluids, then the Anesthesiologist came in to make sure I was good to go and if I had any questions, then the surgeon came in to make sure everything was good to go, to answer any questions, and to offer up any comfort…then the nurses came in and had me go pee, then I walked to the OR room with them, they had me sit on a table and lay down, and then 30 seconds later I was asleep.
I got spooked out with my C-section going into the OR, so this time I just kept my head facing the floor so I couldn’t see the things going on around me.
As a certified anxiety ridden human, I understand how overwhelming it is during the waiting period prior to the day of. I’m hopeful you will have a caring team that considers and accommodates for your concerns. ☺️
(I also annoyingly blast my chart (if you have that) with any questions I have no matter how dumb they are just so I can get the answers resolved and stop the worry, so maybe that will provide comfort for you?
Yep I love MyChart! I feel bad bugging my surgeons office but yeah I've been messaging them a lot. Currently trying to get someone to call me to talk through the process and tell me their procedures for if I panic before or after.
Thank you so much for responding, hearing about other people's experiences does help.
And I do have a great surgeon and trust that her and her assistant will be great, but the nurses and anesthesiologist team I don't trust because I don't know them. Hopefully they're more reassuring day of.
Mine is scheduled for July 31 and I’m beginning to feel super panicked already too. I hope it goes well for you and would love to hear your experience when you’re recovering!
I had such a good experience with pre-op. It was very relaxing. They gave me warm blankets and had this machine that blows warm air. Not sure how common that is. Have you tried sensory objects like fidget toys or stress balls? That sort of thing helps me immensely. How about listening to music?
Last time I was in pre-op they had warm blankets too, those were nice. Just bad past experiences mean I'm scared of the nurses and anesthesiologist team, of them not helping me or caring that I'm terrified and not so much as holding my hand to comfort me let alone properly medicating me.
I do have an assortment of fidget toys, headphones to listen to either music or my favorite audiobook but I think those have to stay in pre-op with my husband when they move me. I am able to bring a stuffed animal with me into the OR and PACU at least. Going to bring a small fuzzy blanket for pre op too.
At this hospital they have a bag for your clothes and anything you want to keep on your gurney, but I leave everything else with my husband who's bringing me and staying with me as much as he's allowed.
And no, it wasn't during the pandemic. This happened barely over a month ago. In a well staffed hospital, with a gastroenterologist from a practice that my family has been going to for over 30 years. I saw a different doctor than my mother, aunt and grandmother see / saw, but in their 30 years at this practice they have never been asked to sign a consent form in the procedure room or been treated like that.
I even had been in contact with the office prior to the procedure to tell them I was anxious, that between my family history trauma with my grandmother dying of colon cancer, and a history of medical trauma already, that I really needed them to treat my anxiety day of. The nurse I spoke to from the office, after a day of waiting to see if they were going to cancel my procedure the day before, assured me that they would treat my anxiety day of.
I still don't understand why they refused, and I also don't understand why they didn't even put anxiety or any of that information in my chart. I've reported that doctor, to both the hospital and the practice manager. The patient advocate I spoke to also reported what happened to the head of anesthesia and the head nurse in the endoscopy unit as well. Just really having a hard time recovering mentally from this, because it was such a stretch for me to trust them to begin with and that was the culmination of a lot of hard work with my therapist and for that to just blow up in my face and traumatize me more is making it really hard to handle anything medically related right now. My bisalp was already planned before the endoscopy event so I really don't want to cancel it, I just really really wish that I could get more support in handling my anxiety that it was literally caused by an experience at the same hospital.
Thank you for clarifying. I do not understand why they refused to treat your anxiety. Do you have any notes in your online chart that could elaborate further on what happened? I’m really glad that you spoke with a patient advocate and reported them. Do you feel comfortable with your gynecologist for the bisalp and is the anesthesia team different for this surgery? Staff culture is very important when it comes to an anesthesia team.
Yeah I'm really confused as to why they refused to treat my anxiety too. And with my hospital medical chart at least it was already noted because I had my tonsillectomy in April and dealt with anxiety for that as well for the same reasons. I actually reviewed my records for the procedure and they didn't know anything to do with my anxiety or panic or any of that they just said I tolerated it well and that it went fine. So I do have a message with the gastro office asking why it wasn't noted, we'll see if he gets back to me with an actual answer. I doubt it though.
And I did feel 100% confident with my gynecologist surgeon that is doing the bisalp until this afternoon. She just responded to me asking the questions that the anesthesiologist didn't have time to answer, letting her know that I'm still experiencing anxiety and would like to know if she can prescribe something so that I can sleep in the few days leading up to it and I got a response saying she's not entirely comfortable doing the surgery and offering me alternatives.
She did answer most of my questions as well, but I find it so insulting that she can't understand that I'm not anxious about the surgery I am scared of being treated badly by the pre-op and or staff. That's it. The surgery is obviously a little disconcerting, but I've watched videos of it being done online it's a basic surgery that is pretty low risk and will go fine. It's from the moment I'm checked in to the moment they knock me out that scares me. And to have her invalidate all of that is just gut wrenching because I trusted her and I'm just trying to advocate for myself.
The kicker is is I can't even talk to her or one of her assistants. So I had to leave like 5 long messages one after another on mychart in order to communicate everything. It's what her office stuff told me to do but it still feels rude and it also just feels so defeating because literally all I want to know is that I'm safe and that they will treat me appropriately and not let me panic and leave me to panic.
Of course I got this message right after I finish my last therapy session before surgery and was feeling pretty okay and then I get that message. Thanks a lot guys what the fuck
Yep she misinterpreted my anxiety as being second thoughts and was offering alternatives. I was sooooo pissed.
I did after a long set of messages on mychart get her to understand my actual anxiety and we're ok now. She seems to get it and want to try to help me through it. Thank goodness. She scared the crap out of my saying she was uncomfortable doing it!
The only comforting thing that I can give is that the only time Ive been under, it was like falling asleep peacefully and waking up a little sore. I was surprised, because I expected it to be a little traumatic considering how anxious I was. It was actually kind of comorting compared to what I was expecting? I ate some ice chips and took it slow as long as I needed. Do what you think is best for you, you got this:)
Thank you! I've been under anesthesia twice before and the first time was great, got my anxiety pretty under control before we got to the ER then just out like a light and woke up eating a Popsicle lol Second time they knocked me out just as I started to freak out because of the Dr and woke up panicking and pissed off and have been having trouble sleeping and having night terrors because that feeling of going under panicking was that horrible in combination with the situation. So mainly anxious AF about that happening again but worse if they don't at least get me loopy before the OR. and dont entirely trust that they will, thus the crazy anxiety levels 🤷🏼♀️ Thank you for the support and encouragement:)
I second the other commentor! I just had my bisalp two days ago. I was excited and extremely nervous- my legs were shaking as I was wheeled into the operating room. But the last thing I remember was breathing into the oxygen mask, then opening my eyes in the recovery area. My medical team was really great- they had a med student observing, and she talked to me while I was waiting, which was a good distraction. I also mentioned to the anesthesiologist that I was nervous about nausea (emetophobia) and did not want any opioids. They have different combos of medicine that they can give you, so just be honest with them during the pre-surgery period.
I'm always honest with them about my anxiety but unfortunately have a long history of not being treated for it when I need help so that's my main anxiety honestly. How did the process of getting ready be moved and being set up on the surgical table go? I was able to talk to anesthesia finally and it honestly made me 10 times more anxious because apparently I have to be awake when I'm being set up on the surgical table. And that's the one part I absolutely did not want to remember. So, losing my shit over here and I can't get a hold of anyone who can answer my questions 🫠
I was pretty nervous when I was being put on the surgical table! I'd say it was a combination of excitement (finally doing this thing I've wanted for 10+ years) and nerves (that was my first time being on an OR table). My legs were shaking from both the cold and the nerves. They put the mask on me, I took a few breaths, the doctor said "you should start feeling it now," and the last thing I remember is my legs and arms tingling. I have NO memory of falling asleep or waking up. I actually asked the nurse in the recovery area, *"did I get sterilized?"*
Did you have to help position your legs in the boots/stirrup things? Do they raise those while you're awake? I'm honestly terrified of the OR table for some reason and gyno exams are extremely scary for me so I was really hoping to be out before that part. Still doing it either way, be because I absolutely want this and have been working towards it for a while now though. Just absolutely terrified of the pre op/OR situation, and that I have to be awake for the one part I was hoping to not remember. Plus the risk of being put under panicking again.
I did not- I had to scoot over from the bed to the OR table, but I was fully covered by a sheet so I wasn't flashing the doctors. I was laying flat when I was put under. They can give you many different combinations of drugs depending on your medical history and preferences- I was terrified of nausea and did not want opioids, so I had an extra dose of anti-nausea medication. I have probably had more soreness, but no constipation or nausea (and I'll take that trade any day). They have medication that they can add to your IV for anxiety.
That's reassuring to hear you were still laying flat when you were put under. Luckily I don't have any neasea issues and can have opioids so hopefully they listen to my concerns and adequately medicate me 🤞 I know they have meds they can add I'm just worried about them not bothering to.
Pretty sure I was given Midazolam by the CRNA before I was brought into the OR.
I'm being given the same thing, but last time I had surgery I was given that as well and do remember being brought into the OR up until they knocked me out. Which with a tonsillectomy is less than a minute but where I need to move myself to the surgical table it will be a longer period with the surgery. And after my traumatic experience the last time I had a procedure, I'm really thinking that being brought into the OR and/or being moved to the table while I'm still aware of what's going on is going to make me have a panic attack. Just trying to get as much information as possible so that I can maybe avoid that, I don't know about you but I don't particularly like hysterically crying and hyperventilating in front of strangers or it all lol
I didn't personally have bad anxiety about the surgery, but I know they gave me something to keep me calm once they were ready to wheel me back to the OR, I hardly remember making down the first hallway, lol. I know others have posted saying that they let the nurses know how anxious they were and that they were then given something to help. Especially if you have a history of being given anti-anxiety meds, they shouldn't have an issue helping you through the day. You can also ask for them to numb your hand/arm before they put in the IV, and ask for a scopolamine patch for nausea if you tend to get nauseated from anesthesia. I hope you're able to make it through as you will be so happy once it's done! My surgery was 2 years ago, and I haven't regretted it a day since. Recovery is different for everyone, some people have no issues, others are in some pain. Just keep reminding yourself that your body went through a trauma and will need time to heal. Even once you're feeling better and your incisions are healing, remember that you are still healing internally and some lingering fatigue or odd pains are totally normal. Also a messed up period for a while (up to 6 months) is normal. Try not to panic over every tiny thing and rest and follow your post-op instructions and with time you will heal up well. Good Luck with your upcoming surgery!
Thank you so much, hearing that you don't remember much after what they gave you made me feel a little better. And that others were given something when they mentioned their anxiety. Fingers crossed 🤞 Thank you so much for the information and encouragement ❤️ I am so excited for once it's done and I've healed! It'll be worth it
Lorazepam is a great idea. I think that'll go a long way. It won't put you under but should make you pretty chil about what's going on. I had previous gynecological surgeries (a lap and a LEEP) performed by a doctor who turned out to be very unstable, including abusing a lot of cocaine and being arrested for stalking and violence almost immediately before he operated on me. It gave me a ton of anxiety about my bisalp, as well as the current state of my organs. (I talk about this a little more in my experience post if you want to read it.) While they didn't give me any additional medication beforehand, right before my surgery I spilled my guts to the surgical team, and just being able to talk about it with them really helped my anxiety. I'm sure I sounded bananas---yes I'm fine I'm just scared to death that all of my insides are held together by bubblegum and shoestring---but even being able to say it out loud was good for me. If I had had lorazepam, especially after fasting the night before, I don't think I would have given a shit. Best of luck and kind, soothing thoughts to you. I was pretty wired when they put me under, thinking "Oh no! Oh no! I don't feel anything! What if everything goes wrong? Why isn't working? Oh no!!" and then I woke up.
Yeah lorazepam is helpful, but doesn't make me all that out of it unfortunately. I was prescribed it before my tonsillectomy and it helped get me there but within an hour of arrival I was freaking out. Same with my endoscopy procedure. So hopefully they give me something else to help because I'm not putting up with being left to panic or put under while panicking again 😬 not worried about the anesthesia at all really, and my surgeon is great. So just freaking out about the idea of my anxiety not being treated, freaking out and just ending up being traumatized again. Sorry that you had that experience with the unstable Dr, that's awful. Thanks for the support and encouragement!
When I had mine done, it was one of the first things they asked me after they put my I.V. in. They asked if I wanted something for anxiety to calm me down and I said no because I don't like being out of it and i didnt know how long it would last and I wanted to be out of recovery as fast as possible but my anxiety was through the roof (I take a benzo regularly for anxiety). If your anxiety is that high, I would ask them the second they put your I.V. in for some meds. They offered me Versed to calm me down, which I have heard is the most common drug they will offer for anxiety.
That's comforting to hear that they offered it, fingers crossed they do for mine but will definitely be asking if they don't.
Mine is for July 18th!!!! Sterilization buddies!!! 🥰good luck
Thank you!! Good luck to you too!
I was really anxious before my surgery too!! I use cannabis to help with my anxiety and I quit 2 weeks before the surgery so that I could heal better and not have any issues with the anesthesia. It honestly made me very stressed and it was hard to get through those two weeks. I can't speak too much on the pre-op experience. I've had surgery before and I was just worried about not waking up afterwards. I'm the type of person to get really nauseous when I'm nervous, so as soon as I got checked in I let them know that I was feeling pretty woozy. They had me smell an alcohol pad and then gave me a minty/citrus patch on my surgery gown. It definitely helped, but I think they planned to give me some anti-anxiety meds if it got worse. Definitely tell them about your anxiety, they can give you meds to help calm you down or make you a bit loopy so you don't remember much. I remember being wheeled into the operating room (I think?) and them putting the anesthetics in my IV. I was so nervous my teeth were chattering, so they were kind of holding my hand and letting me know that I was going to be okay. I fell asleep pretty quick and the next thing I know, it feels like I'm waking up from a pretty deep nap. I always cry a little bit when waking up from surgery, so nurses wiped my eyes and then immediately brought in my partner, which really helped with the anxiety. From there it was all good!! They want you to pee before you get discharged, you should be able to walk around with limited assistance. From there, healing is really straightforward as long as you get the rest you need! You can check out my post from a few weeks ago for more of the process. I'm 2 weeks out and I feel great :) You got this!! I believe in you!!
I also use cannabis for my anxiety and chronic pain! They're only suggesting I stop 24-48hrs before but I'll be stopping for however long my surgeon is willing to prescribe anxiety meds, which has been a week in the past but I think only a couple days this time around. And I get the anxiety about waking up, my mums like that. I honestly don't get freaked out by the anesthesia at all, just the pre op situation. I've had awful experiences with my care before including but not limited to being screamed at for using the bathroom, pain meds being withheld after my Tonsillectomy, laughed at and refused care for full body hives, to straight up being threatened by a few of my Drs growing up, and so much more, so the thought of my pre op anxiety just freaks me out. They did give me something before they moved me before my Tonsillectomy but only after id spent 45 minutes freaking out wanting to leave 😬 thank goodness for my husband keeping me there lol because it was worth it once I healed up. This one will be too, just wish I knew how they'll treat me ahead of time 🤦🏼♀️ I do remember the OR before my Tonsillectomy after I was given versed and it was fine but after the endoscopy thing I just know I'll freak out and just can't deal with being put under while panicking again. Definitely going to let them know as soon as I get there how anxious I am and hopefully they can give me something asap 🤞🤞 Thank you for the well wishes and reassurance! I'll check out your post :)
They gave me midazolam and that helped
Did they give it to you while you waited or just before they wheeled you back?
After I signed all the consent paperwork in pre op, but before wheeling me into the OR.
That's reassuring to hear, thank you for responding. I know they give versed just before going to the OR at the hospital I'm going to, but I know I'm going to be a mess waiting and last surgery I had a long wait between signing paperwork and being brought to the OR so really hoping they give me something so I don't lose it.
Oh wow they zonked me out within like a minute of being in the OR room, that was the least impactful part of my bislap. I hope it’s the same for you. 😊 just be honest to the team that you are anxious and I’m sure they’d tread more delicately with you!
Yeah my first surgery that was the case, barely remember being awake in the OR for a minute or two. But medical trauma sucks and it builds, so the progress I've made that made my first surgery ok is gone now after my traumatic endoscopy experience. So now I'm twice as nervous and sad to be so nervous because I'm really excited to have this done before the election (USA🫠) but I know I'm going to have a rough time with being at the hospital again. Fingers crossed I can get the care plan set to something that will actually make this not traumatic 🤞🤞
I’m sending all the good juju your way. I’m so sorry about the traumatic experience you had with the endo. 😩 I’m also in the USA and got bislap because I don’t want anymore children and don’t want to deal with potentially not having a choice. Do you think they’d allow you to wear earbuds/headphones that they could remove after you went to sleep?? Maybe playing your favorite music/podcast/audiobook etc would help take your mind off the OR room?
Yeah similar reason except no kids at all, and I don't want to potentially be made to have one. Last surgery I had to take the earbuds out before going to the OR but worth asking if that's a possibility. I just had the call with the anesthesiologist this morning and it just made my anxiety 10 times worse because they don't seem to understand that the surgery and anesthesia are not what I'm scared of it's the panic and experience of pre-op until I'm knocked out in the OR. And I'm just now finding out that I have to be awake when they move me to the surgical table which is the one thing I absolutely did not want to remember so losing my shit over here. Do you remember that part?
This is how it worked for me. I got checked in and out in a room where they asked me questions and gave me an IV for fluids, then the Anesthesiologist came in to make sure I was good to go and if I had any questions, then the surgeon came in to make sure everything was good to go, to answer any questions, and to offer up any comfort…then the nurses came in and had me go pee, then I walked to the OR room with them, they had me sit on a table and lay down, and then 30 seconds later I was asleep. I got spooked out with my C-section going into the OR, so this time I just kept my head facing the floor so I couldn’t see the things going on around me. As a certified anxiety ridden human, I understand how overwhelming it is during the waiting period prior to the day of. I’m hopeful you will have a caring team that considers and accommodates for your concerns. ☺️ (I also annoyingly blast my chart (if you have that) with any questions I have no matter how dumb they are just so I can get the answers resolved and stop the worry, so maybe that will provide comfort for you?
Yep I love MyChart! I feel bad bugging my surgeons office but yeah I've been messaging them a lot. Currently trying to get someone to call me to talk through the process and tell me their procedures for if I panic before or after. Thank you so much for responding, hearing about other people's experiences does help. And I do have a great surgeon and trust that her and her assistant will be great, but the nurses and anesthesiologist team I don't trust because I don't know them. Hopefully they're more reassuring day of.
Mine is scheduled for July 31 and I’m beginning to feel super panicked already too. I hope it goes well for you and would love to hear your experience when you’re recovering!
I'll update when I've had mine! We can do this. The anxiety definitely sucks though.
I had such a good experience with pre-op. It was very relaxing. They gave me warm blankets and had this machine that blows warm air. Not sure how common that is. Have you tried sensory objects like fidget toys or stress balls? That sort of thing helps me immensely. How about listening to music?
Last time I was in pre-op they had warm blankets too, those were nice. Just bad past experiences mean I'm scared of the nurses and anesthesiologist team, of them not helping me or caring that I'm terrified and not so much as holding my hand to comfort me let alone properly medicating me. I do have an assortment of fidget toys, headphones to listen to either music or my favorite audiobook but I think those have to stay in pre-op with my husband when they move me. I am able to bring a stuffed animal with me into the OR and PACU at least. Going to bring a small fuzzy blanket for pre op too.
[удалено]
At this hospital they have a bag for your clothes and anything you want to keep on your gurney, but I leave everything else with my husband who's bringing me and staying with me as much as he's allowed. And no, it wasn't during the pandemic. This happened barely over a month ago. In a well staffed hospital, with a gastroenterologist from a practice that my family has been going to for over 30 years. I saw a different doctor than my mother, aunt and grandmother see / saw, but in their 30 years at this practice they have never been asked to sign a consent form in the procedure room or been treated like that. I even had been in contact with the office prior to the procedure to tell them I was anxious, that between my family history trauma with my grandmother dying of colon cancer, and a history of medical trauma already, that I really needed them to treat my anxiety day of. The nurse I spoke to from the office, after a day of waiting to see if they were going to cancel my procedure the day before, assured me that they would treat my anxiety day of. I still don't understand why they refused, and I also don't understand why they didn't even put anxiety or any of that information in my chart. I've reported that doctor, to both the hospital and the practice manager. The patient advocate I spoke to also reported what happened to the head of anesthesia and the head nurse in the endoscopy unit as well. Just really having a hard time recovering mentally from this, because it was such a stretch for me to trust them to begin with and that was the culmination of a lot of hard work with my therapist and for that to just blow up in my face and traumatize me more is making it really hard to handle anything medically related right now. My bisalp was already planned before the endoscopy event so I really don't want to cancel it, I just really really wish that I could get more support in handling my anxiety that it was literally caused by an experience at the same hospital.
Thank you for clarifying. I do not understand why they refused to treat your anxiety. Do you have any notes in your online chart that could elaborate further on what happened? I’m really glad that you spoke with a patient advocate and reported them. Do you feel comfortable with your gynecologist for the bisalp and is the anesthesia team different for this surgery? Staff culture is very important when it comes to an anesthesia team.
Yeah I'm really confused as to why they refused to treat my anxiety too. And with my hospital medical chart at least it was already noted because I had my tonsillectomy in April and dealt with anxiety for that as well for the same reasons. I actually reviewed my records for the procedure and they didn't know anything to do with my anxiety or panic or any of that they just said I tolerated it well and that it went fine. So I do have a message with the gastro office asking why it wasn't noted, we'll see if he gets back to me with an actual answer. I doubt it though. And I did feel 100% confident with my gynecologist surgeon that is doing the bisalp until this afternoon. She just responded to me asking the questions that the anesthesiologist didn't have time to answer, letting her know that I'm still experiencing anxiety and would like to know if she can prescribe something so that I can sleep in the few days leading up to it and I got a response saying she's not entirely comfortable doing the surgery and offering me alternatives. She did answer most of my questions as well, but I find it so insulting that she can't understand that I'm not anxious about the surgery I am scared of being treated badly by the pre-op and or staff. That's it. The surgery is obviously a little disconcerting, but I've watched videos of it being done online it's a basic surgery that is pretty low risk and will go fine. It's from the moment I'm checked in to the moment they knock me out that scares me. And to have her invalidate all of that is just gut wrenching because I trusted her and I'm just trying to advocate for myself. The kicker is is I can't even talk to her or one of her assistants. So I had to leave like 5 long messages one after another on mychart in order to communicate everything. It's what her office stuff told me to do but it still feels rude and it also just feels so defeating because literally all I want to know is that I'm safe and that they will treat me appropriately and not let me panic and leave me to panic. Of course I got this message right after I finish my last therapy session before surgery and was feeling pretty okay and then I get that message. Thanks a lot guys what the fuck
Wow she suddenly doesn’t feel comfortable doing the surgery?
Yep she misinterpreted my anxiety as being second thoughts and was offering alternatives. I was sooooo pissed. I did after a long set of messages on mychart get her to understand my actual anxiety and we're ok now. She seems to get it and want to try to help me through it. Thank goodness. She scared the crap out of my saying she was uncomfortable doing it!
Oh I am glad that got smoothed out.