A bit freaky?
Posted , 16 users are following.
Hi all just found out my op won't be till at least may unless I manage to get a cancellation.what I wanted to ask and I know it's weird is if any of you could help me decide (if I'm allowed to)which method of anesthesia to have.I just don't like the idea of a spinal plus magic milk as they call it.I've heard it erases the memory of op but what of the time.?are you aware at all as I'm not sure I would find this very pleasant!!I know it's a big ask but I would be sooo grateful if some of you very kind people would give me some stories of your own experiences (spinal and general)to help me. best wishes to all of you mending and waiting like me xxxx
4 likes, 20 replies
MichaelTN1UK sandra93008
Posted
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.
LDW sandra93008
Posted
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
hil123 sandra93008
Posted
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
karen84395 sandra93008
Posted
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
kathy47763 sandra93008
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maggie93798 sandra93008
Posted
jill89470 sandra93008
Posted
Good luck for your op I am sure you will be fine and hopefully you will be able to relax in some sunshine x
shirley17649 sandra93008
Posted
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.
sandra93008 shirley17649
Posted
DawnDedee sandra93008
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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
lors23 sandra93008
Posted
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
lors23 sandra93008
Posted
renee01952 sandra93008
Posted
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
Kate53CornUK sandra93008
Posted
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
suzie56 sandra93008
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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.
sandra93008 suzie56
Posted
MichaelTN1UK suzie56
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Michael