PAM: Anesthesia???

[Guest guest]

Pam:

I have to concur with the opinions of the " three C's " here (Cyndy, Cat and

Cheryl) who have already written you about their worry-free experiences with

general anesthesia.

Like the " three C's, " I had a completely positive experience during my myo.

In fact, nowadays, I think THE ANESTHESIA IS THE BEST PART of surgery!!!!

I'm not ashamed to admit, not only did I *tolerate* general anesthesia--I loved

it!!! I'm not sure what that strange admission says about me, Pam--but it's

the TRUTH!!

(Paging Dr. Freud, paging Dr. Freud!)

Like Cheryl here, I've had quite a number of surgeries with general

anesthesia. Years ago, anesthesia used to make me temporarily nauseous

afterward. But

the narcotics/inhalation agents used by anesthesiologists keeps getting better

and better, with fewer and fewer side effects. I had NONE that were

unpleasant.

Rest assured: no patient remembers " the tube down the throat " , nor remembers

when it's removed. My own experience with my anesthesiologists was that their

mantra seemed to be " patient comfort is paramount. "

Here's something I wrote months ago: it's in the UF archives, but I knowing

that you're pressed for time, here's the pertinent part of my post (Don't you

just love people who quote themselves?!?!)

I wrote:

" Be comforted in knowing that there have been some tremendous

advances in this specialty of anesthesiology, even in the last decade. I

personally

have a great deal of respect and admiration and yes,--much faith in

anesthesiologists because the degree of complexity involved in performing

their

specialty.

Anesthesiologists (much more than gynos) have to be EXPERTS in the human

body, its diseases and conditions, and if they aren't familiar with a

condition

you may have, they HAVE TO become " quick studies " and learn about it.

(Unlike your GYN or mine, who may be able to remain blissfully ignorant or

ill-informed about a non-gyn medical condition of ours, while operating on our

fibroids. )

Anesthesiologists have to know vast amounts of information about drugs and

drug interactions. They have to keep track of every major organ function, and

monitor those same organ systems during surgery.

So, --take advantage of all that knowledge at your pre-op interview with

the anesthesiologist and tell him/her everything. I MEAN . . . EVERYTHING.

Your fears. "

So, tell your anesthesiologist just how anxious you are, express your

fears--and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as YOU need to feel

comfortable.

As you've undoubtedly read over and over on this list from our LOL: " the

worst part of any procedure is the anticipatory anxiety. " How true that is!

Best wishes to you,

Roma

In a message dated 3/15/2004 1:44:19 PM Eastern Standard Time,

pjkay720@... writes:

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad I've found this site. All of you have helped me more

than you will ever know. My newest problem is deciding what type of

anesthesia I want. I've only been in the hospital once and had one

procedure (c-section) and I received a spinal for it. For some

reason I've always had a fear of having tube down my throat during

general anesthesia.

Can all of you tell me your experiences with anesthesia? The panic is

setting in now that my abdominal myo is this Thursday. I'm a nervous

wreck.

Thanks for any information you can provide me..

Pam