What are the risks of general anaesthesia?

Question

I'm considering general anaesthesia for my upcoming vaccination (Td/IPV), as I have a severe phobia of hypodermic needles and any procedures involving them. Cream doesn't work for me, neither does gel... I haven't been offered anything else. I'm scared of the needle, not the pain, which makes things one hell of a lot trickier - you can't have a Td/IPV (Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio) vaccination by anything but needle, I've been told.

However, I've been told that general anaesthesia is risky - why? What effects would it have on me, if things were to go wrong (I'm thirteen years old, female, and about 8kg below average weight for my height - roughly 60kg)? And, if it's so risky, why is it used all the time - or does it just depend on age and body type?

I don't want to hear that I'm a wimp for being so incredibly phobic of needles - just an answer would be perfect. Thanks in advance!

I know that most doctors will refuse general anaesthesia for 'little things' like jabs - but, ignoring that fact, I still need advice. Cheers!

Answer 1

I am skeptical that you would find an anaesthetist who would give you a general anaesthetic in order to have your vaccination. In this scenario, the risks of GA would be fairly close to outweighing the benefits. Risks of general anaesthesia include:

Common:
Post anaesthetic nausea and vomiting
Trauma (mouth/throat) due to intubation
Hoarse voice
Prolonged recovery time (grogginess afterwards)

Uncommon:
Allergy
Aspiration

Very Rare:
Awareness under anaesthesia
Malignant Hyperthermia
Death (1 in 250,000) - most frequently from heart attack or stroke while under anaesthesia

Answer 2

You have a few choices to mellow you out during the injection.
You can ask your doctor about your options too, which is the best idea.
You could do general anesthesia (different drugs are used depending on the person, and the doctor or anesthesiologist that does it). Usually, when people undergo surgery, they have blood tests before hand (more needles) to make sure their organs (especially liver and kidneys, which remove the anesthetic drugs from your system so you don't get overdosed) are working properly. In order to go under general anesthesia, you will probably have an IV catheter (big needle and then a small tube that stays in you) in order to administer the pre-anesthetic drugs and the dose that will actually put you under. They only use gas to keep you under anesthesia and keep you sleeping through procedures.
General anesthesia is dangerous because it is basically controlled death. The drugs slow down your body systems until you go unconcious. If given too much anesthesia, you will die, or have irreparable damage. The more often you go under anesthesia, the more dangerous it becomes. Most doctors would not even consider putting you under general anesthesia for just one shot. I'm not sure insurance would even cover that, and it is expensive!!

You could go under Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, which is what most dentists use (along with a numbing agent in the mouth) to keep you happy when having painful procedures done. It is strictly inhaled, meaning no injection, and it makes you feel sort of high and euphoric for however long you need.

You could use a sedative. There are many different types. Some come in pill-form. They will calm you down and make you drowsy without putting you to sleep. Depending on the drug, it may or may not have pain-relieving properties.
We use these for our cat when he has to take a long car ride, so he doesn't get car sick or super scared and anxious.

A sedative may be enough to calm you down and make you albe to handle the injection. You could just look away and it would be over quick, and you'd still feel kinda loopy. You should definitely talk to your doctor though.

Answer 3

Maybe theres risks of never awake again. I had a surgery ones and the anasthesia works in all your body, you dont feel your hands, you dont feel any nervius... you feel your body is heavy...and it is a sad experience always.

Answer 4

gen anes for a needle? stop being a weak minded sniveling baby,, get a grip and face it like a champ. make your mama proud! you can DO IT!!!