Re: Afraid of anesthesia for surgery

[Guest guest]

I have a fib not bad enough for treatment and I take opioid pain medication. My

tricuspid valve leaks and I've not had trouble with anesthetic during any of my

surgeries and one of them lasted 6 hours.

You will probably do fine.

Jennette

>Cheryl Tiller wrote:

>I'm going in for a D & C a week from Wednesday. Because I was awake last time

and experienced so much pain, I'm going to be put out for the procedure.

>The hospital told me that if I tell the anesthesiologist (I'm taking 30 mg of

Oxycontin 3 times a day) that he will adjust the anesthesia to consider that. I

also occasionally have trial fib. I'm just scared I'm not going to make it

through the procedure.

>Has anyone else had to deal with this type of thing? What did you do?

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl

I am sorry for your loss. You should tell the anesthesiologist both of your

concerns and they will take very good care of you. I was in your position a

few years ago. They took very good care of me. Good luck sweetie.

Gentle hugs,

Ms.Katurah

[Guest guest]

Praying for you Cheryl. Gentle hugs.

SHELL

[Guest guest]

I too am heading for major surgery this coming Thursday (3/3) and that's one of

my greatest fears! I've had many surgeries and each time I fret myself sick

over the anesthesia and my heart problem (a/fib). I joined a another message

board also and most of us on there have the same fear(s)!

I'm not preaching here, but I came across a little prayer and will repeat it

morning of surgery: 'God bless the hands and skill of my surgeon and the surgery

team' and add my own asking God to send my guardian Angel with me into surgery.

That's about all we humans can do. I'm not a very religious person, but I've

seen enough miracles to believe and enough tragedy to sometimes cast 'doubt'.

I just read a really nice book by Fannie Flagg: 'Can't Wait To Get To Heaven'.

Had no idea what it was about but I've read and enjoyed a few others of hers.

Essentially, it's about a sweet lady that 'takes a tour of Heaven' and I'll tell

you, it helped put my mind at ease. It was not a deep, down serious book,

actually was quite funny. A look at us humans and how we all fear death and

sometimes lose faith.

A quote in it by Alfred, Lord Tennyson which comforts me: " There Lives More

Faith in Honest Doubt, Believe Me, Than Half the Creeds " . OK, off my soap-box!

Scared yes, but then I tell myself 'I really need this surgery' and can't back

out now. so my thoughts and prayers go out to you dear lady - I'm sure you'll do

fine - especially since you are aware of your particular problem and can give

the anesthesiologist a heads up!

Bless you

Jo

--- Cheryl wrote:

>

> I'm going in for a D & C a week from Wednesday. Because I was awake last time

and experienced so much pain, I'm going to be put out for the procedure.

> The hospital told me that if I tell the anesthesiologist that he will adjust

the anesthesia to consider that. I also occasionally have atrial fib. I'm just

scared I'm not going to make it through the procedure.

>

> Has anyone else had to deal with this type of thing? What did you do?

[Guest guest]

That is beautiful inspiration and insightful too. I am religious. Don't get me

wrong, I don't go to church all the time because I believe that church is in

your heart, no matter what beliefs you have. My beliefs comfort me and get me

through my darkest hours.

I have not had fear of surgery yet. Of course the last time I had surgery I

didn't have the heart problems that I do now.

My 81 year old grandmother had open surgery and she told me that

she was not afraid because she lived her life and was ready to be

in heaven if it was meant to happen.

Not only did she make it through the surgery, she did her own rehab! That was

two years ago and she can still bend down and touch her

toes!

She is my inspiration. She had such a hard life, being married to an abusive man

(he was for the first 40 years until she got tired of it and picked up a table

leg and whacked him in the back of the neck and knocked him out and then told

him if he hit her again she'd kill him the next time) and had to watch as he had

affairs and other children.

At first she stayed with him because of the kids and then it was because of

money. Most would have left or not had the courage to stand up to him so I think

she is one of the strongest people I know.

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on about her, but her making it through that

surgery with her faith gives me strength to deal with my illnesses.

Hugs,

SHELL

>at5435metro wrote:

>I'm not preaching here, but I came across a little prayer and will repeat it

morning of surgery: 'God bless the hands and skill of my surgeon and the surgery

team'

[Guest guest]

I have been put out since I have been on oxycodene. I told them what meds I

take and everything went fine. They did not tell me not to take my med before

the procedure.

Just tell them your concerns so they understand. My experience has been that

the doctor is silling to work around my fears.

Gentle hugs, Tami

--- " ctiller@... " wrote:

>

> I'm going in for a D & C a week from Wednesday. Because I was awake last time

and experienced so much pain, I'm going to be put out for the procedure.

>

> I'm taking 30 mg of Oxycontin 3 times a day. If I don't take my pill I'll be

at a level 9 or 10 pain.

>

> The hospital told me that if I tell the anesthesiologist that he will adjust

the anesthesia to consider that. I also occasionally have atrial fib. I'm just

scared I'm not going to make it through the procedure.

>

> Has anyone else had to deal with this type of thing? What did you do?

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry but not sure what and D & C is. However, I take 40mg oxycontin 4 times a

day. A few years ago I had a deviated septum surgery that they knocked me out

for. I told them what I was taking daily and they were fine with it.

When I got out of surgery and woke up, I was in pain. The nurse gave me some IV

pain meds. I told her I was still in pain. her eyes got as little large and she

gave me some more. I said I was still in pain. Her eyes were quite large by this

time. She gave me a third dose and I then felt relief.

The fact that it took 3 doses and that I displayed no " druggy " symptoms seemed

to amaze her. The point of this rambling story is that you must communicate that

you are a pain patient, and that you may have a high tolerance for pain meds and

possibly need more in the recovery room.

Your doctor should know all this in advance so everyone is on the same page,

your surgery goes well and recovery pain is well managed. I sincerely hope your

D/C procedure goes well.

I'm going in for a D & C a week from Wednesday. Because I was awake last time and

experienced so much pain, I'm going to be put out for the procedure.

>

> I'm taking 30 mg of Oxycontin 3 times a day. If I don't take my pill I'll be

at a level 9 or 10 pain.

>

[Guest guest]

---Cheryl wrote:

>

> I'm going in for a D & C a week from Wednesday. Because I was awake last time

and experienced so much pain, I'm going to be put out for the procedure.

>

> I'm taking 30 mg of Oxycontin 3 times a day. If I don't take my pill I'll be

at a level 9 or 10 pain.

>

> The hospital told me that if I tell the anesthesiologist that he will adjust

the anesthesia to consider that.

good morning Cheryl,

My name is . I had an eight hour operation to remove a benign tumor from my

brain. I spoke with the Neurosurgeon about a week before the operation about my

fears going to be " under' for eight hours then under a three days controlled

coma.

When I awoke I had thought the operation was that morning, not three days

ago,lol. I didn't know I was out for that long, but I was and I didn't feel a

thing.

My head was numb for a 6 month period to relieve me of any " left over pain. " I

couldn't feel a thing throughout the eight hour surgery, nor do I recall

anything from the surgery, nor the induced coma.

The lack of the tumor helped me by stopping the dizziness when standing, nor the

passing out when I would just sit down or stand. I would, at times, pass out

when I would be talking to someone on the phone! That tumor had to go. It had

grown from a 7mm tumor in April of 2001 to a 14mm tumor in just four months.

August three 2001 was the date of the operation, I awoke on the eighth of

August, and walked out of there on the tenth. My Neurosurgeon was surprised I

would be sent home. He thought I would have to go through intense physical

therapy just to relearn how to walk again.

I went through that during my initial injury to my lumbar, thoracic and cervical

spines. All those herniations(Cervical..? total).C1,2-C3-4-5-6--7 & C7-T1 left

sided .

One in the upper lumbar, and another at L5-S1 ( a real pain in the

A**) the thoracic was all messed up, in that I had, T1 & 2a left sided herniation,

affecting my left arm with electric shocks and extreme

burning in my shoulder to my elbow. The other thoracic herniations

T7,8,9, & 10,all central herniations did a number on my chest. It felt like my

ribs were turning without my moving. The osteophytes,(bone spurs) were located

in the neck(3),the Thoracic had(four)T1,T2,T7,,

9 total Thoracic spine and Cervical spine,Thoracic,T1,2 T7,8,8-9,9-10 all were

central herniations. I could feel that pain in six months.

The cervical spine was a better PITA, (pain in the A**)! I will have to get

used to pain in the left leg(Sciatica),only this sciatica it was 24/7 365 I have

13 herniations.

Some how 'I knew the pain would subside if I just did the exercising that was

given to me by, Dr.S, I will have to -get used to- having cane every day. the

knee braces,other braces for the Cervical spine,the Thoracic spine, and the

lower Lumbar too!

I'm rambling on again. You get the picture,right?, Whatever you do please

remember the pain doesn't last forever. A moist heating pad that uses the

humidity to warm up the padding,and don't forget the ice pack,it comes in handy

mainly for the cervical or lumbar spines.

Cheryl, I'm sure you will be fine. Just try to relax while being

-carted- to the operating room.

/NY

[Guest guest]

Thank you everyone who wrote to me about my surgery. I was especially

uplifted by the thoughts and prayer mentioned by Jo. This Forum is such a

great place. And I really appreciate hearing the experience of others who

have had to be put under anesthesia.

I forgot to mention that they are taking me off plavix and Aspirin as well.

But I feel I will be alright. I especially need to make it through the

surgery to be with my wonderful husband who has been so supportive of my

back problems over the past 10 years.

Cheryl Tiller