Anaesthetic during op

i had one of these during a leg op last year i had developed an ulcer which had got all nasty and infected. they took me into surgery and just gave me a epidural.. i too was nervous and as my legs started to go numb i got very panicky. but within miniutes i relaxed. i had a wonderful nurse sat with me and she chatted and laughed away with me. i didnt care afetr a while and just kept thinking this will all be over in a bit and then i can finally go home.. im positive you can also request a sedative as i drive elderly people around in a mini bus and a lot of my passengers have had ihip replacements. not one has said to me dont do it... they all tell me to go ahead if i want my life back.. and they all are much better for having it done. several have had the spinal block and they were sedated.. hope this helps 

Hi, I had spinal with sedation. Told my surgeon I didn't really want to hear it all, he said I don't blame you! I felt a bit of pain in my hand as the anaesthetic went in through the canula, then nothing. Next thing was the surgeon telling me that it had all gone well. I was having lunch an hour later, and went to the loo independently a few hours after that using a walker. The whole experience was so much better than I was expecting.

Hi Kimberly

 as one who did wake up, having had an epidural and sedation, I found it hilarious. Possibly this was down to the sedation,  however I could hear the surgeon banging away and knew instantly what he was doing, I felt nothing just this bemusement and called  out  hello I'm here, nothing happened, so I shouted hello again and again wanted to break out  giggling when the anaesthetist 's  Face filled my vision and his eyes were huge, that was the last thing I remembered  until coming round in my bed so I guess he zapped  me  pretty good after that. I am basically stating that even if your worst nightmare happens, under sedation, still have the ability to let them know and at no time do you feel any pain. I dine out on this story quite a lot

regards Dot

Hi, I'm due thr in 2 weeks and I've forgotten to ask what they use but having read all the answers you've got I'm up for the spinal. I wasn't before as like you I had a bad cesarean experience but it actually sounds like the better option. Mind you I'm having stuff done on the house at the mo and it's been so stressful that I'm actually looking forward to going into hospital!! When is your op? Good luck x

Hi Kimberley - I genuinely had the most lovely sleep during my op, the anaesthetist keeps an eye on your blood levels, heart rate etc and just keeps adjusting the amount of sedative to keep you just unconscious ( if thats what you want )

I didn't realize that I'd have a spinal block until I went in that day for surgery.  The spinal block will just numb you from the waste down.  They will also give you sedation so that you don't know what is happening.  It went very well for me. 

Spinal block, combined with a sedative is totally normal - chat to the anethetist, and tell them of your previous history, and your preferences.  Both my anethetists were very nice chaps, very understanding and easy to talk to.

With a Spinal block, you will recover faster, and we are told it's much safer.

I was up having a tea immediately post-op.

Hi I am 5 days post op and I had the spinal block, I was given a sedative with the reassurance that I would not hear anything. This was my first time in hospital and I've never broken a bone or had stitches so as you can imagine I was petrified. I must say that this was the best choice as I came around after the op wanting food and a drink. The Theatre staff were amazing and talked me through everything that they were doing during the spinal procedure they then asked me to lie on my opposite side to the hip op side and told me to enjoy my sleep. I remember everything up to this point and then waking up to be told it was all over. I was then taken back to my room where my husband was waiting for me. It was the best option for me. Go with you instinct and good luck with you op.