A bit freaky?

My understanding is that you are normally allowed to choose. Many prefer the spinal and I am sure they will tell you why.

I chose a GA as I did not want to be awake at all. The doctors suggested that I have a light GA (to knock me out) and a spinal to enable them to pump me full of various drugs to help with the recover process. 

But a friend (who is an ICU nurse) said that the GA adds to the list of 'things' the body has to deal with post op and that is one of the reasons the doctors would ideally prefer to avoid it. 

Hope that helps.

Hi Sandra,

as as I read your message I'm reminded of exactly how I felt pre op. I felt so helpless as I waited for the day to arrive that I focuses heavily on the few things that I felt I could control.

in all honestly I'm not sure it really matters. Whichever way you go, it's something that impacts you for one day or maybe a little longer, whereas the recovery from the op is a much longer and drawn out process. I don't say this to worry or frighten you, more to reassure you that you don't need to worry about the anaesthetic part too much.

your anaesthetist will probably have a preference. I had a spinal with sedation and was really concerned about not being awake. I was definitely NOT awake.

an advantage of this approach is that you avoid any nausea from a general anaesthetic.

when you go for your pre op the nurse will go through this with you, and you will probably feel a lot more comfortable le about your choice after that.

hope that helps,

lindsey

Hi Sandra

I also had the spinal and sedation . I went fast asleep and awoke only when it was all over . I was very comfortable because the spinal block acts as pain relief when you wake up . I was a little concerned about the actual spinal injection but it really wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be . It just felt like someone was pressing their finger on my back .My legs went tingly then as I was laid down they felt very heavy , the sedation went in and I was fast asleep. I remember everything clearly before the sedation and then waking up 2 hours later . Best sleep I have had for years lol !

I haven't had a GA so I really can't make any comparisons between the 2 but the spinal isn't as scary as it sounds.

Hope a cancellation comes up soon for you

All the best

Hilary

Hi Sandra,

Like you I was worried about being awake or aware of what was going on, however as I'd GA in past and not been great after I spoke with the anaesthetist about my concerns. She assured me that with the spinal and a sedative I wouldn't be awake and would have no memory of the op. I went with the spinal and was asleep through the whole op. When I came to in the recovery room I felt fine and was fully awake with no sickness or any other symtoms - other than obvious op wound!!!😂

My advice would be to speak with the anaethetist about your worries and I'm sure you'll get the information you need to reassure you.

Good luck x

Well, I had to do some thinking on one as well.  I am a nurse and talked with our anesthesiologist an she recommended a spinal due to lower risk of blood clots.  I was kind of freaked out by the whole spinal thing because I didn't want to hear them working or feel them working.  Even though you are numb, you will still feel your body move and such.  Even with the "magic milk" you will be awake enough to know you are being worked on during some of the case.  I spoke with the surgeon about it and his recommendation was general because I was having anterior approach and he would have my leg all,over the place to double check for dislocation during parts of the surgery.  I figured by the time they gave me enough "magic milk" to induce amnesia, I about as well have general because they would end up intubating me with a breathing tube.  I opted for general and got along great.  They also injected my hip on the inside as they were working and I had 6-8'hrs of great pain relief .  Pain relief was my umber one concern and apparently the hospitals as well.  I hurt but there was always meds or ice packs or both available as needed.  Ask your nurses if you can be put on a schedule for pain meds so you can stay ahead of the pain and be able to move better

I asked for a general. Felt much like you. The anaesthetist Nast looked armed, my notes and then agreedsayingit was not medically imperative that I have a spinal

I had a total left hip op 9n Feb and was given a choice of being totally knocked out,half and half or spinal where I was awake.i decided to be awake as I am not very good under general anasetic it takes me days to recover.It was the best thing I did I was chatting and joking with the team and knew exactly what was going on and never felt a thing. I went to theatre at 3 and was back on the ward at 6.15 and rang my husband when I got back and he thought I hadn't had it done as I was so awake.I will probably need my right hip doing in the near future and will not hesitate to choose the same option. Some advice for you before your op do as much shopping as you can and prepare some meals in advance for the freezer.

Good luck for your op I am sure you will be fine and hopefully you will be able to relax in some sunshine x

Hi sandra,

The best person to advise you will be your anaesthetist. She'/he will go through your case notes and give you the facts about both GA and spinal block. Not everyone is suitable for both.

Even if you choose a spinal it may not work and then you could end up having a GA after all. I chose GA because I am a wuss (have blood/injury phobia is the official term) and tend to flake out with very low blood pressure. The last thing the surgeon wants is anything which delays things as he wants to get a move on as soon as you go under so as to lessen the time you are in theatre. Better for you and also better for the next patient who is nervously waiting their turn.

Try not to worry about it, I could not wait for the anaesthetic as I was in so much pain by then it was a relief/.

I am nearly six months post op now and the benefits are starting to show.

Walking pain free without a stick  is really worth it believe me.

HI Sandra,

I am in the USA and the "modern" method of anesthesia is to avoid general as much as possible as it carries more risks to the patient.  So I had 3 THR's and each one was done with a spinal block of the leg to be operated on and a sedative.  I never saw,felt,heard, or smelled a thing.  I did tell my surgeons that I absolutely did not want to feel anything!  I woke up easily afterwards and my leg was numb, dead, for a day longer or so and that was a nice pain management.

I have not used the magic milk.  My sedative was pumped into my veins. 

Wishing you the best and I hope there will be a cancellation for you to slide into.

Dawn, USA

I have had both hips replaced and l was allowed to choose GA as like you l did not like the idea of the spinal and sedation. Don't get me wrong they did try to say l would feel better quicker right after op and would not be as groggy or sick if you do get sick with GA which l never have. I was adament l wanted GA and they were fine with that.

Although l am of the understanding that there is a few reasons they might not give you it like being overweight or have had previous proplems with GA.

But l got GA both times and am so glad l did as l rem nothing apart from getting put out and then woke up and l was never sick but l know a lot of people are quite sick after it. Still even if l was l still would choose to be out cold lol

Laura x

Oh and like Dawn said l think the spinal and sedation is safer than GA. But my thought were l have had a lot of sedation in the past due to getting the camera put down your throat into your tummy due to a stomach problem l had when younger. The first few times it did put me to sleep but then it was like l got used to it and was fully awake for a lot that was done going on. So l did not want to take that risk. But each to there own you go what you feel is right x

Hi Sandra, 

I chose GA because I am a wooz too - didn't want to take any chances, eventhough they tried to convince me that I would not feel, hear or smell anything - didn't like the thought of a spinal either -

I took a deep breath and woke up in the recovery room ... No side effects, no catheter, no numb feeling in legs, also injected pain medication inside, around the wound -  

Just go with how you feel about the choices you have and take the one that gives you the least worry for now - 

You will do fine 

big warm hug

renee

 

I would mostly echo what others are saying. I have had a few surgeries over the years but my hip op was the first with a spinal and full sedation. I was assured that I wouldn't 'hear' anything so went for it. 

I was given the magic milk cocktail as soon as I was in the prep room. I told the anaesthetist I felt a bit woozy and then I woke up, all done and had a cup of tea and a piece of lemon drizzle cake that the nurses were sharing. 

The anaesthetist came around the day after to check in on me and said that I chatted all the way through the spinal but the magic milk stops you making any new memories after it is given so I had no recollection. 

I definitely did not hear, see, or smell anything and as far as I was concerned I was completely out (which I was).

I would have it again in a heartbeat. I was lucid and clear headed after with complete pain relief into the next day. 3 hours after my op, and once I feel my feet, I was helped to stand for a few minutes.

I am 53, I had an un-cemented replacement for both my hips with a spinal and sedation each time. My consultant has no sense of humour so I like to think he wouldn't have wanted me to be cracking jokes all the way through anyway 

 

Hi Sandra

I am a newby here 1st post. I am so glad you asked the question my op is due April and I have my assessment on 16.03.16.  I am a bit nervous but looking at all the discussions gives me reassurance that my pain may soon be a thing of the past. The anesthetic was a concern of mine, I have had prolapsed discs in the past so would they do the spinal?  But either way I am now not concerned which way the anesthetic goes.  Thanks to everyone who takes the time on these posts it's very reassuring.