Helen, I was very anxious going into my elective CS (due to previous traumatic birth experience) and talked at length with the aneasthetist at the pre-surgical appt. They bumped me to the top of the list that day (so I wouldn't have to wait in a nervous lather for too long) and were very calm and reassuring going into theatre. They did say if it was going to be a problem they can give you a mild sedative "happy drug" prior to going into theatre to calm you, but it can make you sleepier during and after the CS.

The other thing they talked about was that there is a fine line with spinals between not enough drug administered and too much administered. Perhaps you could get a copy of your medical records and take that to the anaesthetist so they know what didn't work last time and can look after you better next time. I was lucky as I had a very good block and hardly felt a thing at all. If they know there has been a problem in the past they will especially careful to get it right for you next time.

Hope you find some of this reassuring, it sounds like it was just awful for you but it need not be like this next time.