Intubation Fear

[jerry78]

It appears to be that a majority of surgery patients, especially Cardiac, say the most harrowing memory is waking up to find they have a breathing tube stuck down their throat in the recovery room.
Is it really that horrible an ordeal?  Can anyone elaborate n this?

[jerry78]

Yes, I'm comfortable with your answers, as, like you said, it's people ike you that are at bedside with the patients.
It's just that there is so much written in medical papers about the negatives of intubation, that it seems like a nightmare.  I've read med journals that spoke of the extreme anxiety, especially during the suction process, etc.
Thanks a bunch for your help.....

[RTFLY]

An anesthesiologist is an excellent person to ask since they are the doctors in control of your anesthesia. However, since the RN and RT are most likely the healthcare professionals to be at your bedside when you wake up, I am comfortable that any of the three (MD, RN, RT) can give you an answer to your question. If you still feel uncomfortable, then by all means seek out the doctor. Good luck and take care...
                                              J.C.I., RCP RRT

[National Jewish]

This is probably best answered by an anesthesiologist who deals with this question several times a day.

[RTFLY]

Well Jerry, as a respiratory therapist who intubates patients frequently, I must say I can understand your fear. I would feel the same fear. I have had GEA (general endotracheal anesthesia) given to me before and remember NOTHING of the event. However, the post-op cardiac patients I have taken care of say they have very little recollection of the tube and that what they do remember was tolerable by the way of medication (I didn't say ENJOYABLE, but tolerable). Last but not least, the anesthesiologists do this EVERY day. I am sure they will make you as comfortable as possible so your surgical experience will be just that...an experience, not a worry. Good luck and take care.
                                           J.C.I RCP RRT