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Can I opted out of General Anaesthetic?

Posted , 15 users are following.

michael39371
michael39371

Can I opted out of General Anaesthetic?

I was wondering if there was anyway that I could carry a card or bracelet or something telling NHS staff in case of an emergency I did not wish to submit to a general anaesthetic?

Your thoughts please

Cheers

Mike

2 likes, 91 replies

91 Replies

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  • michael39371
    michael39371

    Posted

    They will NOT put themselves under, that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know..

    Mike

    • Guest
      Guest michael39371

      Posted

      Still here, Michael? Why bother? Do you get some vicarious fun interest out of your twisted approach? Or do you wish you were really in the 18th instead of the 21st century? Either way you are missing the big picture.
    • peter_a
      peter_a michael39371

      Posted

      I will put myself in the hands of any anethatist any day after one experience a few years ago now.  I had to undergo an op on my arm which would require a general but somehow on the journey to the theatre from the ward I suddenly felt unwell with a pounding headache before the anesthatist started anything I mentioned this to him he took my blood pressure which happened to be sky high he gave me a jab of something to bring it down but the surgery was cancelled and was so until they finally brought my blood presure under control so please don't tell me these guys don't know what they are doing he even over-rulled the surgeon that day.  You only hear of the bad things in the paper because that is what keeps the paper running and is manna to the gore hunters I tend to look both sides of the issue always.
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 peter_a

      Posted

      Hi Peter!! and HNY!

      I agree with what you said.  My pain management doctor was an anesthesiologist prior to becoming a pain management doctor and I would trust him with anything he touched on my body.  He knows his stuff.  That said, there will always be that "one" that gets it wrong but for the most part, it is very far and few inbetween.  Peter is right, they can over rule the surgeon if the situation isn't right. 

      And, bad news sells, that's why the media concentrates  on the bad rather than the good.  It's so opposite on how people would tell you they feel.  Most would say that they'd rather hear good but change the channel when the good is on and turn it to the bad news...go figure!

      So, as I stated eariler in a post, why is it that you want to consider "no general A"?  I'd like to help in other ways if you just let us knolw why it is that you aren't in favor of general A.

      Warm regards,

      Frustrated

  • johndolby
    johndolby michael39371

    Posted

    Hi Michael.  You can't opt out of a GA, only refuse treatment.  However, There are many ways round a GA.  For example, for a problem to the lower part of your body you could have spinal anaesthesia.

    What is it about a GA that worries you?

    Best wishes

    John

  • stridr
    stridr michael39371

    Posted

    A few corrections:

    The incident took place in 2005. The GMC hearing was in 2008. He was cleared, not struck off (other intermediate sanctions could have been a suspension, restrictions on his practice, or a formal warning - he received none of these). This is because the GMC hearing heard the facts, not the sensationalist version you've linked to in the media. In fact, the Daily Mail's coverage was retracted (see PCC records).

    He was already on sick leave by the time of the hearing and never intended to work again but fought to (successfully) clear his name nonetheless. He died a year later aged 50.

     

  • georgeGG
    georgeGG michael39371

    Posted

    I have a very similar concern. the last time I had only a 'light' GA but I had great difficulty coming round. All the others who had a similar endoscopy and 'light' GA were finishing their tea, getting ready to go home and chiding me for being stil flat out but sort of conscious. I want to assess exh situation where a GA is considered. I do not think I could make a deciswion in principle. 

    As to serious emergency, I probably have to take what I get. The main thing is that I want to minimise the risk a being a vegetable and making life for my family very difficult.

  • frustrated61
    frustrated61 michael39371

    Posted

    Hi Michael ~

    I believe you don't have to do anything you don't want to do when it comes to the medical field.  However, if you're in need of say, heart surgery because of an auto accident and you're wearing a bracelet that states "no general A", the doctor may refuse to operate on you, not sure, but I have a feeling because of how intense and sensitive that area is, you'd need "general A" to get you through this.

    May I ask, why are you considering not having "general A"?  Just curious because if we knew this, we may have other suggestions for you.

    Good luck,

    Frustrated

  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 michael39371

    Posted

    I understand your fears completely.  I have a severe phobia of all things medical. Gas and general anaesthesia make me feel and be violently sick and I get depression and suicidal thoughts with twilight sedation which is not like me .  I also suffered from nightmares for years after having a small amount of gas to have five teeth out.

    I can't tolerate dental adrenaline injections either.  So I have to have an non adrenaline injection which means I need several because they are weaker.  I also need numbing gel so I don't feel the needle because if I feel pain I panic because I have a low pain threshold.

    I have had a few nasty falls in the past due to Dyspraxia and Aspergers.  These injuries should have had medical treatment but I couldn't face the prospect of possible surgery or other invasive procedures.  So these bangs have never healed properly.  I am sure I have cracked bones in my toes, the bone in my back is damaged from falling on black ice and I damaged the bone/nerves in my elbow.  I have also grazed inside my eye with glass.  I know I probably now need reading glasses due to age but eye tests using different strengths of lenses give me headaches and I get very anxious during the examination.  So I resort to HD screens on the TV, sometimes use a magnifying glass or zoom the print up on my tablet or go closer to the object I need to see.  I too can't watch medical dramas where there are surgical scenes.  ?

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