Can I opted out of General Anaesthetic?

How would they then operate on you?

I had a neighbour who had hypnotism when getting teeth out and during childbirth.

Some (major) surgeries are even more painful thats why you need a general.

Most will do sedation where can which is much lighter.The tags & cards can be bought in Boots Next of Kin Pack .

There's nothing compelling you to go to hospital at all while bleeding to death on the road after an accident. What you ask is possible but I'd suggest talking with your GP about it first, they should be able to point you in the right direction. It does seem an unusual thing to do though, inadvisable and based on misinformation. The discussion with your GP may offer you better options.

Yes, of course you can refuse any form of treatment if you are an adult and mentally capable.

I see 2 potential problems, however:

1.) The NHS staff actually knowing about this wish. Carrying a bracelet or card may help inform then and then, if they still proceed in full knowledge, they would be committing an assault.

2.) If there really is no alternative to general anaesthetic in certain circumstances (and I appreciate that many doctors seem to want to use it, despite alternatives being available. Their own wishes seem to come first), then refusing it and therefore refusing treatment could prove fatal.

I do think that the NHS needs to have a proper discussion about respecting the views of patients and not just push procedures and treatments because it suits them. The reality is that if you were a private patient, if not using a general anaesthetic were possible in a given situation, they may try and accommodate you. My own personal experience of this particular issue (I too hate the idea of being knocked out completely under a general anaesthetic) is that the NHS do not really care and you can "like it or lump it". Ultimately, we should remember that it's the taxpayer who pays their salaries.

With spinal anaesthetics, obviously not suitable for all procedures there is evidently a time limit on their use.

When I discussed that option with a urologist he said it was not an option as the procedure might take more than three hours.

The longer someone is under a general anaesthetic, the greater the chance there is of cognitive decline afterwards, especially true the older the patient is. My partner's father has never properly mentally recovered after a hip operation. He was in his 80's but no-one warned anyone about the potential of him turning into a bit of a cabbage, to be rather blunt and truthful about it. His wife now has to care for him full time. He was mobile and even drove a car before the operation. He now doesn't even go out of the house.

Apparently, hip operations could be carried out under regional anaesthesia, which, if possible, would be particularly useful for older patients. Also, those receiving, for example, gamma knife radiation therapy often have to lie still for very long times, so I don't see why patients shouldn't be given the choice of regional versus general anaesthesia with surgery.

My mother (82) had the same problem as STD's. In her case it was after the removal of a kidney. Absolutely not any mental problems previously. She had postponed the operation for a couple of months as she was going to Canada for a month and travelled there and around Canada on her own. Eventually he had to get her into a retirement home where she spent the next none years. Her other health was good and she was the only one in the home not on any medications.

Perhaps I should explain, when I was a young boy (early 70’s) I went to dentist for a tooth out. Things went very, very wrong…..to this day am not sure what happened but I awoke on the floor with a very worried looking couple of people around me.

Since what call the “event” I had nightmares…..which have got worse. Recently a friend got caught up in a car crash & the staff didn’t take much notice of his pleas for local NOT general.

There is nothing that generates more fear or terror than the thought of being taken to A&E and getting forced under. I want a card or bracelet or something that will make them back off.

I know this could have very serious imprecations for my heath, but I feel VERY strongly about it.

Mike

If you had an anaesthetic at the dentists it would have been Nitrous oxide known as Laughing Gas.

it would be a very different type from that used in a hospital nowadays. They have been greatly improved. They do not want to lose a patient. When I had an anaesthetic in 2006 I told the Gas Man I was concerned because of my mothers experience. Quite a few people have reactions with most the muddle headedness is temporary.

Mike,

Thanks for the info.

I'm pleased to say that your experience at the dentist bears no resemblance to having a general anaesthetic. What you think could happen just couldn't. They'd lose their jobs before you came round if they did. Before any operation, they need your WRITTEN consent to go ahead - you are asked to sign a form prior to any operation whether (general) anaesthetic is needed or not and this is the same for your doctor and will happen well before he's even sharpened a scalpel to remove a suspect mole. I understand your concerns and suggest you do the following two things.

1. make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss the processes they have to go through and raise your concerns. You may think this is not really what your doctor is for but IT IS - so don't think you'd be wasting their time - as it's clearly affecting you.

2. Write to your nearest hospital where they carry out surgery under general anaesthetic, explain briefly your concerns and whether it would be possible to discuss the whole process with an anaesthetist. I think it'd be extremely unlikely that they'd refuse. When you meet the anaesthetist, if you want, ask if you can watch an operation to see how it all goes.

The anaesthetist isn't there to put you 'under' (although that's what they do) they are there to look after you and are in charge - it's not the surgeon in charge. If the anaesthetist isn't happy they can prevent, or stop an operation, they're there for the duration too, constantly monitoring your health. Also, don't believe a thing on the telly is anything like reality. I think you'll find it surprising the care that goes into it.

I hope that helps.

PS As for your friend, they should get back in touch with the hospital via 'PALS' (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) and raising their concerns, asking why things went the way they did despite the pleas. It sounds like they've had a rough ride and it seems the concerns are quite valid.

Thanks for the replies

I tried to watch them at work on "Youtube".....but i freak, can stand to watch it. I know its not logical, the death rate is tiny & the device is computer apart from anything else...its a fear, crushing fear...

Mike

why do you not want a GA ? theres nothing to be scared about these days about the GA or the operation. Its the recovery after the op that could be painful.

I know there are some people who never come around but GA's have been greatly improved. Just remember its a pain killing medication that also relaxes you and puts you to sleep.

Those that dont come around usually have some other problem or a complication during the op but not necessarily related to the GA. The other thing is if the aneathesist was drunk or a rookie then he might have adminstered to much of it but that is rare.

Michael: I think that you should have counselling for this as one day you may well be faced with a situation where the alternative is death.

Three years ago I thought that my only problem was hypertension but a full examination showed that I had aortic stenosis with my valve 75% narrowed. At that stage without surgery my life expectancy would be about two years. The surgeon put the risks of the operation at 8 to 12% of death. What would you choose two years of diminishing health or a nearly 90% chance of adding years to your life.