Anxious about general anaesthetic extractions

[Former member 35217]

After wrestling with seemingly impossible & excruciating extractions since I was 13 (now 20s), I'll try to keep backstory brief... I have three broken/partial molars which I am due to have out under general anaesthetic. After several traumatic attempts at extraction two years ago I was relieved to find an amazing hospital dentist who listened to me, and didn't dismiss me and tell me 'not to worry'. They arranged for me to meet with anaesthetics so that I could ask questions in advance. Disappointingly, that nurse was so unhelpful and condescending. They answered most questions with 'I don't know, you'll have to ask the anaesthetist on the surgery day', so I'm hoping someone on here may be able to help.

I would like to know (TIA!):
- what are the steps of having a cannula put in? I attempted IV sedation in the past, but became inconsolable before they could even put it in because they refused to talk me through the process and surprised me with the tourniquet.
- will I have to have a breathing tube put in? Will I wake up with it in?
- will I wear one of those nose masks like for 'happy gas'?
- will I wake up with gauze in my mouth?
- is there any way I can tell the anaesthetist specific things in advance? I'm worried I'll struggle to be communicative on the surgery day and want to tell things like I react adversely to 'happy gas', think I could only tolerate a cannula in my hand etc... I asked the nurse but all she would write was 'patient is anxious and needle phobic'...
- who can I ask about getting a sedative to take the night before? The dentist suggested anaesthetics could offer me this, but again the nurse I spoke to said they couldn't help...

Any general reassurance about all the hard work you put in to be a dentist would also be very helpful please.

The worry is taking over my life atm but I am so determined to get this over with!! Very ready to be on the other side of infections & pain hopefully before too long

 

[Gordon]

1) Usually some surface anaesthetic gel is Gapplied to the back of both hands, so you won't feel pain during cannula insertion. Some anaesthetists don't like tourniquets, but get a nurse to squeeze instead. Needle goes into a vein, then is withdrawn leaving a small plastic pipe in place, everything goes through that. You're in England, so it will be a Consultant Anaesthetist doing this, they are very, very, very good at putting cannulas in!
2) Yes, but you won't know about it. No, it'll be removed as you're coming round from the anaesthetic. you won't remember it being there.
3)Not usually
4) Possibly, most likely not
5) Yes, write things down and take them with you if you're not sure of being able to communicate. Normally the anaesthetist will sit down with you before surgery to go through things with you and to get your consent for the GA. This is your chance to ask your questions.
6) Get your dentist to liaise with the anaesthetic department and organise a prescription for you.

That's an odd question...

Any general reassurance about all the hard work you put in to be a dentist would also be very helpful please.

The dental course is pretty tough, it's hugely competitive to get in in the first place, usually about 20 applicants per place. When you do get in, it lasts 5 years with a compulsory 1 year postgraduate training year after that, failing any of the many, many exams means you get 1 chance to retake it, if you fail the resit you're out... in my year 70 started and 45 graduated... unlike other students you don't get long summer vacations, 2 or 3 weeks mostly.

That any help?

 

[Natzuk]

@ScaredySoap

Good luck with the general anaesthetic I’ve had two and will soon be having a like you too have teethe removed and detained roots .
Honestly I’m petrified and end up not being able too talk when it comes too things like this .
You don’t remember anything at all
The tube you don’t see or feel it come out although I had a bit of a sore throat which is normal.
I you are in the UK you can get numbing cream before they put the cannula in ( I do and won’t have any needles unless am numbed)

Please let me know how you got on and hope recovery goes well

 

[Former member 35217]

@Gordon Thank you! That is all very helpful.
It is an odd question, yes, but i find the perspective of how far medicine and its professionals have come very reassuring. That way I can think about how amazing it is that we know all this, and focus on how grateful I am.