What Anesthetic

deemac
deemac Member Posts: 30
edited 14. Feb 2010, 15:04 in Living with Arthritis archive
Just wondering which one you had or are going to have. I went in thinking i was going to have a general. I ended up having an epidural, with nerve block, and sedation. I wasn't to keen i must admit but now i cant praise it enough. The anesthetist asked me what i was worried about and i said i didn't want to see or hear anything. He assured me that i would sleep through it all, and after having the epidural i laid back down on the bed the sedative was given. The next thing i knew i was woken up and it was all over. Sorry i have rambled on but if anyone is nervous of having one feel free to ask me any questions about it. love Dee xx

Comments

  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hope you are still doing well after your recent op Dee. It`s a great feeling to be painfree - or virtually painfree - again isn`t it?

    To answer your question, I had an epidural after my TKR, and I credit my very speedy recovery to that. I refused sedation, as a personal choice, and that worked well for me too. A screen was put in place, so I saw nothing - although I could hear!! - and I was monitored the entire time. We chatted, and had a great laugh, and this totally detracted from any feeling of trauma. I can`t recommend it highly enough!!!........Ange.
  • bertyboy
    bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks for the info did you have a headache as i have spoken to some that have and i can get enough of them
    I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx
  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Dee

    I too had the spinal block when I had my hip replacement op done recently. I wondered how on earth it would go but I would recommend it. Yes, I heard the sawing and hammering :lol: but my recovery time has been quick with no sickness like I get with a general anaesthetic.
    So if I ever have to have any more similar ops on my knees and other hip I would ask for the spinal as you dont actually see anything, although someone in my ward had asked if she could view the old hip when it came out :shock:

    Hope you are doing well.

    Kath
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Personally, put me to sleep with a GA anyday. For my TKRs I had a GA and an epidural. I NEVER have any side effects from the GA and after coming around drink water, tea and then have a three course meal. The nurses and catering staff are always amazed!

    I was awake when I had my trigger thumbs sorted out but of course the area was totally numb. The procedure took 15 minutes. Although we were chatting away, it was a very long 15 minutes for me and when I said ouch I can feel that needle, he said no worries nearly finished. Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!! That was not good :(

    I have heard many on here say very positive things about having a spinal but I am much more comfortable with the thought of knowing nothing about it at all and to have that total guarantee as well. I am a big baby!!

    I have only heard of one person saying it was pure hell the whole time with a spinal and she was shivering with cold at times. She was looking forward to a GA. She was 85 years old.

    If there was no choice I would go with the medics decision. It would not put me off having the operation. :)

    Love
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry, I was still half asleep when I posted. I actually had the epidural BEFORE the op, of course, not AFTER as I wrote!
  • deemac
    deemac Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bertyboy, I had no headache after the epidural, i did have some sickness but you can get that with a general anyway. love Dee x
  • deemac
    deemac Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wow Ange and Kath, i am impressed to be awake takes some guts in my opinion. Its not for me though. love Dee x
  • snowball
    snowball Member Posts: 3,465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had a spinal epidural a couple of years ago and i was fine with mine i would have one again if i had too, g.a make me very sick and longer to recover :)
    julie
    ((((hugs)))) n xxxxx to ya all
  • ikesother
    ikesother Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all, Im an epidural convert too :wink: I had my THR with one, I read alot about them beforehand, but when it came down to the op, my hospital did them as a matter of routine, as most of their patients were usually elderly or with other health conditions. From having the needle to as of now Ive not experienced any pain, first time in years :wink:
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,144
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dee.
    i had a epidural when i had my tkr 5 years a go
    its much better than the g a i had with my thr 14
    years a go.
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dee,

    I think I would rather be awake but for all my ops they have zonked me. It would be interesting and long ago I spent some time in theaters as part of the training and an Lady had hers done via block, she was a lovely lady and good to chat too, and to be honest she was better at it than I was :oops: Its a funny one I was out on the road with horrendous trauma injuries and fine but the surgical cutting.... so maybe I ought to be asleep :wink:

    Hope your recovering well and fingers crossed your soon back on your feet. Cris x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Deemac
    I think I'm having a GA and epidural - I don't want to hear or see anything they're doing on my leg! Thanks for putting this across in such a positive manner. I can't even look when they put a needle in to take blood without feeling ill!!

    How are you doing after your operation? I'm in on Monday morning.

    Take care of yourself.

    Sharmaine

    deemac wrote:
    Just wondering which one you had or are going to have. I went in thinking i was going to have a general. I ended up having an epidural, with nerve block, and sedation. I wasn't to keen i must admit but now i cant praise it enough. The anesthetist asked me what i was worried about and i said i didn't want to see or hear anything. He assured me that i would sleep through it all, and after having the epidural i laid back down on the bed the sedative was given. The next thing i knew i was woken up and it was all over. Sorry i have rambled on but if anyone is nervous of having one feel free to ask me any questions about it. love Dee xx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dee,

    I'm so glad you've written this down so positively and everyone elses upbeat comments too because I've been told that I have to be awake for ALL future procedures due to the arthritis in my neck and it's been quite a worry for me.

    Luv Legs :|
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Legs,

    Think how interesting it will be though. You take care and sending you a ((( )))

    Luv

    Cris who is wondering if you still have my brain cell :wink: xxx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Legs,

    Think how interesting it will be though. You take care and sending you a ((( )))

    Luv

    Cris who is wondering if you still have my brain cell :wink: xxx

    Cris I sent your brain cell back a couple of days ago, by recorded delivery, have you not received it :? .......you don't suppose Slipperboy has signed for it and then eaten it??????? Actually I've heard that these type of body cells can survive the digestive system ....so suggest you keep your eye on his rear end and I've got an old seive you can borrow if necesary. :shock: :shock: :lol::lol:

    Luv Legs who's on the case now :wink:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dee!
    what a great post and positive message to give to others!

    I had a 'nerve block' for my elbow op, where they block the nerve pathways by injecting anaesthetic under the arm (armpit). I was awake during the op and listening to music the whole time and even had a chat at the end with the surgeon! I could not see what he was doing and never felt a thing.
    So I would recommend this to anyone as a good pain free alternative especially if GA isn't an option.....and the recovery is so quick!

    I had a GA for my lower back op and also for the left wrist fusion (block not available); again no problems whatsoever. I guess it'll be GA again when I have my right total wrist replacement this year.

    So, good luck and don't worry! to anyone who's having an op. anaesthetics are very safe! Irisx l