Do you remember being intubated?

Thanks, I hope I have an experience like yours.  Including the anxiety meds!  I am all for them drugging me up to make this experience as pleasant as possible.

The last thing I remember was getting that one happy shot before I was taken into the OR ...next thing I woke up in my room and was told its time to walk ...

I don't handle anethesia very well.  For some reason oxygen levels drop during and immediately after.  I have had 2 major surgeries and I remember being intubated and extubated each time.  It sucked, I hated it, but I survived.  It's rare that anyone remembers.  Talk to your surgeon about your fears and perhaps they can calm your nerves a little. 

Were you just aware that you were being intubated, or could you actually FEEL it?

I felt it.  It's a hard thing to describe...

I had the same fear before surgery.  I spoke to my surgeon about it, and I voiced my concerns at the pre-op class taught by one of the nutritionists.  Their responses were the same.  They said that there is absolutely no reason for a patient to be awake when they are intubated or to wake up still intubated.  They said - and I quote - "That is improper care!  That should NEVER happen, and it won't happen to you or anyone at our practice."

Ask your surgeon - I bet he/she gives you the same response.

Melissa

I've already mentioned it to my surgeon and his staff on multiple occassions.  They probably think I am that crazy lady with intubation fears.

Most of the staff responses were assuring, that I would not remember, etc.  But then I mentioned it to a very young resident (fresh out of med school I assume) because I figured he might be in the OR and his response was not at all comforting.  He said that they measure brain activity and some folks are still alert.  Umm, NOT what I wanted to hear.

If I appear alert, then I want more meds.  I don't think he understood...

Hmmm...  That doesn't sound very reassuring to me either.  I wouldn't want him in the OR with me.  I think that (if I were you) I would say to my surgeon like this, "I did not get the response that I wanted to hear from everyone on your staff regarding intubation and whether or not I would be concious while being intubated or still intubated.  I want a guarantee that you will make 100% sure that I am OUT before you intubate me and that I will be extubated before I wake up."

They will probably give you the "there are no guarantees" speech.  I'm not sure that is a good sign, because my surgeon was willing to give me a guarantee.  That made me feel so much better.

I don't know what to say on this one really.  I think I would be looking for another surgeon with a better standard of care if they aren't going to care for you to your satisfaction.

Good luck!

Melissa

As some others posted I remember being in recovery with an oxygen mask and awakening with some pain in my side. I had no tubes in and when I said I was hurting they gave me something and the next thing I knew I woke up in my room.

I was told that there was a strong possibiity of being intubated while awake as I have 2 herniated discs in my neck, but thry were kind to me and I was out like a light before the tube went in and when it came out.  I could not tell it had even been there.  So relax.