Long term trauma effects?

Last year I went to have a surgery, and while the doctors were putting me to sleep, I kind of choked on the anestesia and I almost couldn't breath. In seconds I started breathing right and went on my way to sleep. When I 'choked' on it, it was almost like i was watching myself from someone else's view, and it was very scary to 'watch' it. For months after that, I would start to go to sleep and I would see myself choking on the operating table. I would panic after seeing it. I haven't had the flashback much anymore, but I am new to the whole 'trauma' thing and am wondering if I have PTSD and if it has any longterm effects if I don't seek help. Advise is greatly appreciated.

If it is still bothering you after this long, seeking help would probably be a good idea. I don't know whether or not it will get worse, a year is a long time to suffer with it. Also, it is easier to recover from trauma the sooner you get treatment. You might ask about or look into EMDR.

Hi Worrier,

I'm sorry that you happened to choke while under that mask. Not exactly the place you want to be. When I was about 3 years old, I was an emergency and they put the black rubber mask on my face. I remember smelling rubber and some other odor. THEN....it felt like I was suffocating. Being only 3, I didn't understand a thing and I thought I couldn't breathe. They were all holding me down as I was fighting because I thought I was dying. I'm 42 years old now, and I *still* remember that event....even can smell the rubber and gas. It doesn't scare me anymore, but I would NEVER EVER want to be put to sleep in that manner again. I would have a panic attack!

My 15-year old daughter just had surgery this month, and they used the mask until she was out...then put in the IV. She didn't mention "choking" (although that could have been your form of feeling like you were suffocating), but she said that she felt like she was suffocating, then she was watching herself from a different view and felt completely outside her body. They'd ask her questions, and she couldn't tell if she was moving her lips when she was responding. And then she was out.

The scariest part for her was the suffocating, but then she talked herself through it because she thought she might panic. She thought, "Well, I can't be suffocating because I'm still breathing."

Maybe the choking was your way of trying to get air into your lungs when you "thought" you were suffocating. You'll probably always remember it (I certainly remember mine from when I was 3), but it just isn't scary when you realize that nothing really did happen. And seeing from outside your body....that's exactly what my daughter described too. Drugs are WEIRD.

I hope you begin to feel better about the whole experience. The choking didn't cause the inability to breathe (you *were* breathing)....it's just how that darn drug works. I was shocked that it was still used because my emergency surgery was in the 60's. It just seems like an inhumane way to put someone to sleep, especially with the IV available. Couldn't they just knock us out with the IV first, and then use the mask if needed??

Take care of yourself.

God bless,
Sandy

Being traumatized doesn't always result in PTSD. That's the good news. But obviously, you were affected by this as you recall it and it bothers you. Keep talking about it, journal it, work through it and think about it from all aspects (like Sandy did above) and I think you can "get over" feeling this way about future things. TC

Suffocating was the right way to say it. Thanks everyone. I need to talk to a professional about some other things so this gives me a reason to actually do it. Again thank you so much!

You're quite welcome. It IS a scary sensation, especially when they don't even warn you that you might not feel like you can breathe. Then you would be aware to at least TRY to talk your way through that before you start panicking.

Yes, you will probably always remember this (even accompanied with the odors), but I think you know it's not something to be scared about now. At least I was able to warn my daughter before her operation that IF they used the mask on her, she might feel like she was suffocating. So she was prepared, and even though she almost panicked, she talked her way through it because she knew her mum had gone through the same thing. It's just the way that horrid drug works.

You'll be fine. Good luck with your professional visit. I hope you get someone that you feel comfortable with.

God bless,
Sandy