Advice on how to stay calm

[Jmoon]

Any advice on how to calm down/stay calm/relax before my surgery next week? I don't want to take any more meds, e.g., anti-anxieties)

I have had peace mostly but when both docs (gastro and surgeon) confirmed on surgery date today, I had a tiny breakdown because it's all happening again...

I am doing epsom salt baths, breathing exercises, prayer, massages with an exercise foam roll. Perhaps it's the prednisone making me neurotic...

Nerves, nerves, nerves!

 

[MarkMan]

I can relate, I suffer from anxiety and it really sucks when you have a surgery. I am going to have an outpatient exam under anesthesia this week, which shouldn't be too bad, my CR doc is going to remove a rectal nodule and maybe a fistulotomy, but not sure if he'd do all that in the same procedure. I hope he does, because I would hate to have to face another surgery. Doc told me it shouldn't take but about 15 minutes, but it's still a bit nerve racking.

I would definately keep up the breathing exercises and try and think good thoughts! What kind of surgery are you going to be having? You could ask the nurses to give you something before the procedure maybe, to help calm you down, I think I might do that if I am feeling very nervous on my procedure day. Maybe an ativan tablet or something. Hope it works out well for you!

 

[Jmoon]

I can relate, I suffer from anxiety and it really sucks when you have a surgery. I am going to have an outpatient exam under anesthesia this week, which shouldn't be too bad, my CR doc is going to remove a rectal nodule and maybe a fistulotomy, but not sure if he'd do all that in the same procedure. I hope he does, because I would hate to have to face another surgery. Doc told me it shouldn't take but about 15 minutes, but it's still a bit nerve racking.

I would definately keep up the breathing exercises and try and think good thoughts! What kind of surgery are you going to be having? You could ask the nurses to give you something before the procedure maybe, to help calm you down, I think I might do that if I am feeling very nervous on my procedure day. Maybe an ativan tablet or something. Hope it works out well for you!

Thanks MarkMan! I am going to be having a small bowel resection-I was told surgery should be about 1.5 hours since they are also going to push a scope throw my entire GI tract. My issue is that I'm on a Fentanyl pain patch because of the Crohn's which lowers my blood pressure/breathing rate though it does NOTHING for my anxiety. It has been amazing at managing my pain though. I try not to mix the pain patch with other drugs that would lower my blood pressure even more/make me stop breathing! For my last resection, I was fine in the beginning until the anesthesiologist showed up and I lost it. It just became so real. Because of that, he knocked me out in the pre-op room--I don't even really recall seeing the surgeon beforehand. So, I was not too thrilled the anesthesiologist did that though I can understand why he did. Btw, good luck on your exam this week!

 

[2thFairy]

Maybe if you identify the specific fear you have of surgery, you could better rationalize it and figure out a different way to look at it. So, what is your top concern? Being knocked out, waking up, nausea, pain, changes in bowel habit?

 

[Jim (POPS)]

I understand what you are going through. I've had 3 resections and did the samething each time. One thing I can tell you is that you don't have to worry about the pain meds and what they give you for the operation. Belive it or not, they will have to give you more anesthesia than a normal person because your body is use to the pain meds. I was freaking out and told them to only give me a little because I was on pain meds and thats when they took the time to tell me all about it. Don't you worry at all, they know what there doing and he will be watching you every min. you are there. Nothing to worry about, you will be just fine, really.

 

[Jmoon]

Thanks 2nd Fairy-good points. My biggest concerns which may seem stupid since I don't really have a fear of death, is not being prepared enough for death (small fear) and (having absolutely no control while I'm under (biggest fear)-that I won't be properly pain free while under-stupid stories (small fear) It's like when I get an IV needle poke, I like to watch so I don't flinch and it helps me stay calm to watch. I'm even open to watching my own colonoscopy bc it would be 1) cool 2) I could see my own insides for myself and have the complete visual.

I really think the Prednisone is making me moee neurotic/anxious than I normally would be. I am weaning off quickly but still on 30mgs.

 

[Jmoon]

Thanks for the reassurance, Jim. For my first resection, the nurse yelled at me for skipping my pain meds bc she said that my heart is having to work extra hard at healing since the pain is so high. So I gave in and took them. I tried to limit them bc they made me so tired and loopy-def hate pain meds. I like to feel alert!