Question:
had a panic attack on the operating table
in my second attempt at surgery i had a panic attack on the operating table i was getting prepped and i told the anestesiologist about my first try at surgery and the complications i had i told him because of this i was very nervous and when asked if i felt anxiety i said yes i couldnt have versed because im alergic to it but nothing else was given to me in place of it so the lady was holding the oxygen mask on my face they put a strap around my stomach and i started feeling like i couldn't breathe when i told the anestesiologist this he said thats it let's get her outta here we are cancelling the surgery and then i couldn't breathe at all the nurses kept telling me i was breathing and my oxygen was at 100% but i couldnt breathe i felt like i couldn't speak i was sooooo scared i kept saying help me help me and it seemed to get worse i finaly calmed down i guess and by this time i was back in holding area ballin my eyes out the first time i tried to have the surgery i had an infection i didnt know about and this time it was my fault i feel like such a loser such a baby my surgeon said he's willing to reshedule but after i see my psyc dr has anyone else had this happen??? what could i have done to prevent this?? — TRULUV2329 (posted on June 8, 2002)
June 8, 2002
Melissa,
Ask your surgeon and the anesthesiologist if you can have a sedative before
they take you to the operating room. This helps to relax you BEFORE you
work yourself up into a panic. They should have inserted your IV in pre-op
and started to feed you the sedatives first. When that mask goes on it is
scary and I came close to pushing it off right before I fell asleep.
Meditation might help too, you know, deep breathing exercises. Helps to
calm the mind. Don't give up!! This surgery is worth it.
— Cindy R.
June 8, 2002
Melissa,
I am so sorry to hear that you have had such a hard time getting into
surgery. Do you have any idea what it is that you are scared about? Are
you afraid that you won't make it through the surgery? I am one who is
prone to panic attacks, but by the time I got to the operating room, I was
SO READY, nothing could have stopped me. My husband and had the surgery 6
weeks before me and had already lost 48 pounds and I couldn't wait to get
going myself. I told the doctor the only thing I was scared of and worried
about was that I would vomit from the anesthesia (normal reaction for me)
and they made sure that I didn't. I just closed my eyes and went off to
sleep praying and didn't have a problem. I remembered one time being
scared that I would have a panic attack while having a MRI because of the
small space. I decided that I would be alright if I kept me eyes closed,
so I did and it worked. Feel free to e-mail me. I would be happy to try
to encourage you and talk with you.
— livnliter
June 8, 2002
I have had panic attacks before. They are the most awful thing and
terrifying. No wonder you couldn't breathe. Ok. Here is how I made it thru
my surgery and my panni. I closed my eyes in the holding area and pictured
GOD--embracing me in the SAFETY and the WARMTH of his arms. I was wrapped
in my favorite quilt; I felt safe; I felt at peace. And I never stopped
praying. Over and over and over, I prayed & prayed. There was no panic
attack. There was no vomiting from the anesthesia. My fears were replaced
with a serene emotion that just relaxed my entire body limp. I've never
been a religious person. I found my spirituality in Al-Anon, then later OA.
Some of those tools I learned have helped me through the worst of times.
Now, I am becoming more of a religious person, not solely a spiritual
person. Of course, it has taken me 51 years to get there. Never give up.
Experiment with whatever tranquilizer your Dr. will prescribe, until you
find one they can run pre-op on you. Then close your eyes, and try the
visualization. It worked for me and I truly did not think I could survive
this. Best wishes for you.
— Barbara B.
June 8, 2002
Melissa, I'm so sorry to hear you had to cancel. I was pretty sure I
wouldn't be upset with the mask this time because I wear a CPAP at night,
but two surgeries ago I did start to panic. The anethesiologist held the
mask a little off my face until I fell asleep( a few seconds). He also
wished my sweet dreams. This time the surgeon held my hand as I went off.
Perhaps your surgeon could get you some kind of mask to
"practice" with.
— Janis D.
June 8, 2002
I agree with Barbara's answer. I was prone to panic attacks but ALANON's
12 steps helped me to put myself into GOD's hands. Like she said I prayed
for peace!! I went to church on Sunday and Wednesday prior to surgery (I
REALLY LISTENED) and I also listened to audio tapes for a few weeks prior
to surgery. If you want to get audio tapes to help you to trust God try
doing an internet search under "Cloud-Townsend". That is Dr
Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend. They are BOTH PSYCH. DOCTORS and they
have a strong belief in trusting God with our lives. Praying gives me
great peace in times of extreme stress. I can now cut out of the world and
be in God's arms. I had surgery May 16 (less than a month ago) and this
worked for me. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU TO FIND THE PEACE THAT PASSES ALL
UNDERSTANDING. I have been there... I let go of anxiety and fear in
exchange for God's peace, faith, hope and trust.
— Grace M.
June 8, 2002
I had this problem with each of my 3 c-sections. I couldn't take anything,
because of the babies, and I am prone to panic attacks. They strapped my
arms down, and everyone was doing their jobs, and I said I couldn't
breathe. They thought the spinal was going the wrong way. Then I said I
was going to puke, then I did, and by then the baby was out and they
blasted me with meds. My husband is the only reason I was able to get
through it. He was at my head, in scrubs, telling me how proud he was,
that it would only be a few more minutes. Exceptions CAN be made. If
there are no sedatives you can take prior, see if "moral support"
can be there until you are out. Finally, when I had my surgery 3 weeks
ago, they said it was okay to take a Xanax that morning if I was anxious.
You bet I did!
— Karen F.
June 8, 2002
I have anxiety/panic disorder. I was out before I even left the holding
room. The last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist saying
"that's the relaxing medicine we're putting in your IV". My eyes
went blurry, and that's the last I remember until I woke up as a postie.
There has to be something other than Versed to give you well before you
even enter the OR. Don't beat yourself up about it. I think the hospital
staff did not take your history into consideration and THEY are at fault.
Good luck with your next try, Melissa. I know you can do it! Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
June 9, 2002
If I had a problem with panic attacks, I would definitely pop a Xanax about
an hour before surgery (if it's okay with your doc). It will definitely
calm you down some.
— Terissa R.
June 9, 2002
Hi, Melissa. I too had a panic attack in the holding room. I told the nurse
"I'm outta here". She said she would give me a sedative if I was
willing to try it and stay. I said o.k. to this and the last thing I
remember is the nurse putting it in my I.V. Tell your Dr. that you need a
heavy sedative because you are prone to panic/anxiety attacks. I had them
soooo very bad even after my surgery that I had to go home on xanax and
paxil. I am 7 weeks post op and today is the first day I did not have to
take the xanax. I feel great and would have been in your shoes if not for
the nurse suggesting the sedative. If you are allergic, go over everything
with your Dr. to find a sedative that will work for you. There are lots of
sedatives that can be prescribed. You are not alone. God Bless.
— Jennifer F.
June 9, 2002
Melissa, I was out long before they put the mask on me or rolled me into
the or. I can't believe that your doc didn't give you something ahead of
time. You will be fine next time if they allow you to premed. Good luck on
try #3. Maybe that will be your lucky number.
— faybay
June 11, 2002
I am a guy who has never been prone to panic attacks or being nervous under
pressure but laying on that operating table with my arms stretched to the
sides and the mask on my face was a true test of nerves. I didn't realize
how panicky I looked at the time but as the anestesiologist was pressing
the mask on my face, he stopped what he was doing and calmly said to me,
"Mike, relax-it's going to be alright and you'll be asleep in 30
seconds." Only then did I realize what my face must have looked like.
I hadn't said a word but he was able to see that I was very nervous. It
happens to all of us on the table. I would explain to your doctor how you
felt and ask him to give you some valium in the IV prior to being brought
in to the operating room. I walked into the room and as brave as I felt
laying on the table, it was truly nerve-wracking. Don't beat yourself up
about it. Hang in there!
— Michael N.
Click Here to Return