Anesthesia fears from tonsillectomy trauma

Posted by mrmanfam @mrmanfam, Sep 24, 2011

I have a phobia of anesthesia from a tonsillectomy trauma I had when I was 10. Instead of waking up to ice cream then going home, I awoke to having to be rushed to the hospital because I almost died.

I joined a phobia clinic now to address the fear. What I need is to talk to people who have had surgery and what they experienced "going under". I'm trying to get brave enough for a colonoscopy that's 8 years overdue. I'd also like to talk to an Anesthesiologist.

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I just had a colonoscopy this week and going under for it was the easiest of any surgery or even dental procedure I've every had. Your only out for 10 - 20 minutes and it's not a real deep sedation so you come out of it very easy and quickly.

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@steph42

I just had a colonoscopy this week and going under for it was the easiest of any surgery or even dental procedure I've every had. Your only out for 10 - 20 minutes and it's not a real deep sedation so you come out of it very easy and quickly.

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But what is the feeling of "going under"?

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I just went through a similar experience. I had surgery about 10 yrs ago and was "put out" for the first time. I came out and immediately was sick to my stomach. It was terrible and I swore i would never go through it again. I just had minor surgery 2 weeks ago and after much reassurance from the anesthesiologist that things have changed greatly in the past 10 years I was less anxious about it, and it was not bad at all. I suffer from panic disorder, and all i can say is that I was relaxed with a mild drug pre surgery and you go to sleep very fast and you wake up thinking that you just blinked, and no time has passed. I believe that you aren't completely unconscious during a colonoscopy just very drowsy. Good luck, if I can get through it ANYONE can!!!

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@pattywhalen

I just went through a similar experience. I had surgery about 10 yrs ago and was "put out" for the first time. I came out and immediately was sick to my stomach. It was terrible and I swore i would never go through it again. I just had minor surgery 2 weeks ago and after much reassurance from the anesthesiologist that things have changed greatly in the past 10 years I was less anxious about it, and it was not bad at all. I suffer from panic disorder, and all i can say is that I was relaxed with a mild drug pre surgery and you go to sleep very fast and you wake up thinking that you just blinked, and no time has passed. I believe that you aren't completely unconscious during a colonoscopy just very drowsy. Good luck, if I can get through it ANYONE can!!!

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Thanks for that. Since I'm having an endoscopy then as well, I have to be asleep. So there was no feeling of "going under"? One second you're awake and the next second you're waking up? That's what I hope. Still, I'm a bad patient.

The Phobia Clinic counselor had me set up my pre-colonoscopy doctor's visit. I did, but it took me a few days to get the courage.

Tell me, when and how did you get to talk to the Anesthesiologist? Not right before the procedure was it?

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@mrmanfam

Thanks for that. Since I'm having an endoscopy then as well, I have to be asleep. So there was no feeling of "going under"? One second you're awake and the next second you're waking up? That's what I hope. Still, I'm a bad patient.

The Phobia Clinic counselor had me set up my pre-colonoscopy doctor's visit. I did, but it took me a few days to get the courage.

Tell me, when and how did you get to talk to the Anesthesiologist? Not right before the procedure was it?

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@mrmanfam
“One second you’re awake and the next second you’re waking up?” I had two surgeries this year and that describes exactly the way it was for me. One minute I was asking a nurse a question in the operating room and the next I was asking for some ice chips in recovery. I’ve been under general anesthesia 8 times from surgeries, twice for Colonoscopies and 8-10 times when I was under prolonged anesthesia ranging from 2 weeks to 8 months for Convulsive Status Epilepticus when I was put into induced comas.
Just be sure to tell your Anesthesiologist about your previous experience.
Jake

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@mrmanfam

Thanks for that. Since I'm having an endoscopy then as well, I have to be asleep. So there was no feeling of "going under"? One second you're awake and the next second you're waking up? That's what I hope. Still, I'm a bad patient.

The Phobia Clinic counselor had me set up my pre-colonoscopy doctor's visit. I did, but it took me a few days to get the courage.

Tell me, when and how did you get to talk to the Anesthesiologist? Not right before the procedure was it?

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Hello @mrmanfam

I had a problem with anesthesia as well. Generally, the anesthesiologist will meet with you prior to giving you the anesthesia. This is the time to tell him/her of any problems you've had with anesthesia in the past. You could write them out and hand them to him in case you feel too stressed to talk about it.

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