new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I can't believe all that I have to deal with right now. I feel like I'm physically and emotionally crashing onto hard stones. I can't take it.

In the midst of all this, I was told there is a high possibility I will be intubated (tube down throat) while I am put out.

PLEASE if you have ANY EXPERIENCE AT ALL with this let me know!! I was coming to terms with the whole idea of getting put to sleep.. but this is just such a fear of mine, I can't stand it!! The idea of a tube down my throat and breathing for me scares the sh!t out of me, and this is hard enough already! .. The dr said they take the tube out while you are opening up your eyes.

The idea of that sounds absolutely horrifying.. and having to fear that now on top of everything is putting me over the edge.

Please .. any experienced people here.. I need you

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I don't remember it, but was when I had my gall bladder surgery.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

My DH had surgery in May, his 2nd time, and he had to be intubated since they were doing surgery on his nose.

I asked him about it and he said that when he came out of the anesthesia, this 2nd time he came to before the tube was removed. It frightened him and he started to grab at it and try and remove it himself. But they restrained him and did it for him. The first time he didn't have this issue.

Immediately after the surgery, when he was in recovery waiting to go home, his throat was a bit sore and it hurt to swallow for a few hours. Not a terrible pain, but enough for it to feel a bit uncomfortable.

If you wake up and you are still intubated, just try to remember that you have to remain calm. It wasn't something he was expecting, so it did frighten him terribly in that moment. Hopefully this won't happen to you and you'll just have the sore throat.

Lots of for you right now, I know that you are going thru such a hard time and don't want any extra stress.

Good luck!


ETA: just want to make sure you don't think I'm trying to scare you. But him waking up and remembering it -- was something I thought I would throw out there since you wanted honesty.

Message edited 8/10/2010 11:57:23 PM.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

Posted by LSP2005

I don't remember it, but was when I had my gall bladder surgery.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

My parents and DH were not permitted in recovery to see me after the surgery for a long time because I was having a really hard time...I vividly recall thinking I was fighting in my dream state. It was incredibly weird. But I don't remember them taking the tubes out. I remember the weird dreams that the medicine caused. I thought I was punching the nurses and doctors doing the surgery and that they would land on tires and tubes but not get hurt. They all assured me that I was not hitting or punching anyone, but, I was having a hard time coming out of the surgery. I would be prepared for weird dreams as they said that was common. Again I am so sorry.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I was intubated for both of my surgeries in December. Other than a sore throat and a bloody nose, I didn't know anything about it. They put you out before you are tubed and they take the tube out before you wake. I am so sorry for what you are going through.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I'm sorry for everything your going through right now

I've had 2 surgeries that required intubation. Other then a slightly sore throat afterward... I was fine. I was slightly aware of when they were removing it both times but I hardly remember it.. it wasn't traumatic or anything and I didn't struggle with them. It really wasn't a big deal at all.

Message edited 8/11/2010 12:42:55 AM.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

Message edited 8/11/2010 12:58:34 AM.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I was intubated to remove an ectopic pregnancy. I was TOTALLY freaked out but everything worked out fine and I'm sure it will for you too

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

Posted by MrsPJB2007

My DH had surgery in May, his 2nd time, and he had to be intubated since they were doing surgery on his nose.

I asked him about it and he said that when he came out of the anesthesia, this 2nd time he came to before the tube was removed. It frightened him and he started to grab at it and try and remove it himself. But they restrained him and did it for him. The first time he didn't have this issue.

Immediately after the surgery, when he was in recovery waiting to go home, his throat was a bit sore and it hurt to swallow for a few hours. Not a terrible pain, but enough for it to feel a bit uncomfortable.

If you wake up and you are still intubated, just try to remember that you have to remain calm. It wasn't something he was expecting, so it did frighten him terribly in that moment. Hopefully this won't happen to you and you'll just have the sore throat.

Lots of for you right now, I know that you are going thru such a hard time and don't want any extra stress.

Good luck!


ETA: just want to make sure you don't think I'm trying to scare you. But him waking up and remembering it -- was something I thought I would throw out there since you wanted honesty.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I had it once. They put this block in my mouth which was really weird. then i was put under and when i woke up it was over. When you are first waking up you dont remember much. I just had a hoarse voice for a day or so.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I have been intubated several times and never remember the tube being put in or taken out. I just have a little sore throat after. Good luck

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

Posted by JavaJunkie

I have been intubated several times and never remember the tube being put in or taken out. I just have a little sore throat after. Good luck

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

When I had surgery I was intubated. I don't remember any of it. My throat was a little scratchy but that was it.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I've been out three times, intubated twice.

Other than a little bit of a sore throat and a bit of swelling in the tongue, I don't remember the tube at all.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I had 4 major operations on my ankle/foot (I crushed my foot in an accident and it had to be rebuit) I also had back surgery 10 months ago

I have been intubated 3 times and nver had a problem. They always took the tube out before I woke up (After surgery was done and the ansthesia was wearing off)

I never had any issues. Your throat just feels very scratchy for a day and you have a hoarse voice for a day and thats it

They told me before I had my first major reconstruction and it freaked me out but I knew it had to be done. Plus, I went in and my surgery was supposed to be about 4 hours, my foot and leg were so damaged, it took over 7 hours for them to complete the surgery!

I never had any complications from being intubated

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I was intubated and didn't even know it other than a little scratchy voice when I woke up.

I'm so sorry you are going through this nightmare. I'm praying for you.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I had lung surgery 7 years ago and was, of course, intubated for that surgery. I was told that there was a possibility that I would wake up with the tibe still in. However, the first time that **I** remember waking up - there was no tube so it was fine. Honestly, I can't even remember if my throat felt scratchy or anything - I was so in and out of consciousness and in pain from such major surgery that it did not even phase me at the time.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

Thank you SO MUCH everyone for responding.. even in such a short time because I remember posting this late last night.

I am so hospital/procedure phobic. I just can't believe all this is happening I feel so powerless.. like I am forced to withstand all my worst fears and there's just nothing I can do about it.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I was intubated for my back surgery when I was 17. I remember waking up with it in. I couldn’t talk and couldn’t understand why. Then they removed it and my throat was sore for a while. I couldn’t talk for a little while either. I remember motioning for a pen and paper to write something to my Dad.

Just remember that it’s a routine procedure. Most people never remember it, some do. It’s not a traumatizing experience in itself. With all of your other thoughts and emotions that day, I’m inclined to think you’ll be one of the one’s who doesn’t remember it.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I have been intubated and when I worked as a medic I intubated people all the time. The one thing I would recommend if you are at a teaching hospital is to tell them that you do not want a student OR Resident doing the intubation that you want an attending anesthesiologist doing it.

FM me for ques

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

When I had my first hysteroscopy(sp?) done I was intubated. I actually had NO idea they would do this though. I went home after surgery and my throat felt very sore and I started to cough a little bit of blood, I called the office and they told me because I had the tube down the throat- i had NO idea though the whole time!!

When I had my second hysteroscopy, I made sure to ask and they said no, obviously not unless I absolutely needed it. I expressed my concerns though about it so everything turned out absolutely fine!

Try and remember that they do these procedures so often. The idea does scare me a lot but its for the best!! Good luck and im really sorry yu have to go through all this

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

For both of my laproscopy (spelling?) I had a tube down my throat when I was out. I don't remember it. They don't do it until you are out. The only thing I remember is having a really sore throat.

Re: new anesthesia question.. Have you ever be intubated?!

I was intubated during my back surgery. The only thing about it that I remember was that I woke up coughing excessively--that's probably from them removing the tube. My throat was sore for about a day or two, but that was it. You'll never even know it happened