Terrified about being in icu

[kentishbunny1]

Am going for pre assessment on Thursday prior to op for removal of a tumour on my aortic valve and maybe the valve may need replacing. I have become absolutely terrified of waking up with the tube in my throat in icu. I am so anxious, waking up at night, not sleeping, feeling sick, i am so worried about panicking when i awake but not being able to speak or communicate. I feel like I can’t cope with this worry. I will talk to them about my fears on Thursday but can anyone offer any reassurance. Thanks

[Shar28]

Hello, although. I haven’t had heart surgery my husband had an AVR operation last year. Hopefully though I can reassure you somewhat. My husband doesn’t remember waking up with the ventilation tube and from talking to other patients on the ward afterwards neither did they. I think that the effects of the sedation/anaesthetic are still sufficient so you’re not really all that aware of everything. ICU give one-to- one nursing so you’re really closely monitored and looked after. I was visiting my husband when another patient came around wth the tube in and his nurse was talking to him, reassuring him and explaining things straightaway and the patient just dozed off again.

I’m sure that when you go for your assessment they’ll explain things and answer your questions. In the meantime, there’s lots of people on here who have experienced this and the BHF nurses are wonderful if you ring them.

Best wishes. X

[bantam12]

My husband spent 5 weeks in ICU in two different hospitals and both units were amazing, those that need it have a nurse with them constantly day and night, the monitoring machines are all connected to a computer so the nurse will know exactly what's going on with you. If you are kept under sedation they will slowly reduce it to wake you up so everything is controlled.

Talk to the staff at your pre op and maybe they can arrange an ICU visit so you can see it in action.

Good luck

[Mary_Janet]

Good morning,

I had an aortic valve replaced 20months ago and was in ITU for two nights. I have very few memories of my time there. My main memory is of being thirsty and being told not to drink too fast or I would be sick. I did and I was ! I remember being moved around the bed and using my pain relief machine. I was visited by my husband and apparently I would chat but fall asleep mid sentence. I think I really only started to become aware of stuff on the Friday am as tubes were removed and I returned to the ward. I too was very scared of the prospect of ITU but the staff were lovely and very caring.

Do let them know at the pre op meeting how you are feeling and they should be able to talk you through and help you. I am sure all of us would admit to having similar emotions , you are certainly not alone there.

[kasinc88]

Hi. I had a valve repair on 4th March and I was really worried about this too. I would say just try to relax, they will remove the tube as soon as they are confident you will be fine without it - usually after just a few minutes. It didn't hurt at all when it was removed but I made my throat quite sore by fighting it because I wanted it removed instantly. My fear was that I wouldn't be able to breathe but in fact I could breathe perfectly well both with and without the tube. By all means let them know you are worried about this and that you want the tube removed as soon as possible.

I also worried about being in ITU but it is most definitely the best place to be. The staff ratio and the expertise and dedication of the staff there are second to none. I was in ITU for 2 days and High dependency which is pretty much the same for another 2 days and it was a bit of a culture shock when I moved back to the CCU. I had got used to having my own personal nurse looking after me 24/7!

I hope everything goes well for you x

[Hidden]

Hi Kentishbunny1, I too was really concerned about this. In fact it was probably worse than the worry about the operation! I shouldn’t have worried though, because I don’t remember the tube being in when I woke up.

As others have already said, someone will be with you and you will be closely monitored.

Best wishes

Keith.

[judes]

Hi

I haven’t had heart surgery but have been in ITU twice in the last few years.

It’s not as scary as you think tho I can understand your feelings. I don’t remember much that’s 2 weeks of my life gone, I was on a ventilator for much of that time.

Second time I wasn’t even in the UK was in Italy thankfully that was only for a few days. Considering there was a language barrier and was on my own got on quite well. (Some of the docs were definite eye candy, that helped😁)

Please do explain your thoughts to the docs and nurses they will help and are very understanding. When you are in ITU there will be a nurse by your side 24/7 they are highly trained and respond to anything very quickly.

I wish you all the luck and sending positive vibes to you.

J