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Anaesthetic for TKR

Posted , 17 users are following.

johnros
johnros

I have my op coming up in two weeks on 17 September and my surgeon tells me that the would prefer me to have epidural and nerve block instead of a general as it will lessen the chance of DVT post-op.

i have always had a general for other ops and the thought of being awake during all that sawing, drilling and screwing going on is not comfortable, to say the least. Some of the people I know who have had it done this way say that the sedative they give puts you off the planet and you don't know much about it. I'll probably go with the idea anyway, just a bit cautious I suppose.

anybody else had this experience? Was it ok?

2 likes, 71 replies

71 Replies

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  • june65159
    june65159 johnros

    Posted

    I had mmy op 5weeks ago and they offered my the epidural but I couldn't have it as I had a lower back op and the scar was where they put the needle so because of scar tissue I had to be put to sleep, secretly I was glad,I had my op 11am sat morning and was discharged 10am Sunday morning so was just as quick with anstetihic  xx
  • carol45436
    carol45436 johnros

    Posted

    Hi johnros, I'm being done the day before you. I am still terrified of the whole thing but have decided on a spinal after reading all the comments. We'll be going through it together so as soon as we feel human we can compare notes and encourage each other.
    • pam39536
      pam39536 carol45436

      Posted

      Good luck to all soon having  it done . Just do the exercises work through the pain , you will reap the benefits .. Keep us informed x
    • carol45436
      carol45436 pam39536

      Posted

      Thanks Pam, at least i don't have to wear those awful sock, just the jabs.biggrin
  • johnros
    johnros

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    haven't been on for a week or so due to wrapping things up in my final week at work and rushing round getting my bag together and doing all the pre-op stuff.

    i have pretty much resolved my concerns over the anaesthetic now, just still got mixed feelings about the new adventure into pain I'm heading onto.

    i know it won't be for too long and I am psyching myself up to deal with it more easily while it is happening.

    thank you all for the support and advice you have shared with me.

    i shall soon be back on here screaming and cursing with the rest of you, I'm sure.

     

    • jennifer86104
      jennifer86104 johnros

      Posted

      Good luck, Johnros! Remember to get pain relief sorted and get as much rest as you can in the first few days. Jen x
    • carol45436
      carol45436 johnros

      Posted

      Good luck. We can scream and curse together after next week is over. My I  player has just arrived so lots of music to keep out those sounds.lol
    • Tucks
      Tucks johnros

      Posted

      Wish you well with your op. tou are going into this in the best fram of mind  which has got to be good for your you. I am now 5weeks post op and looking forward to life getting back to normal. If you want a good curse in the coming weeks you know where to find us love from tucks x
  • pam39536
    pam39536 johnros

    Posted

    Can't wait to see your first post after the op lol xx 
    • petemorris
      petemorris pam39536

      Posted

      Yep, I expect He'll be moaning and whinging like the rest of us..can't sleep...Swollen...Calves hurting, etc...etc....it's a familliar pattern...smile

       

  • johnros
    johnros

    Posted

    Just woke up after surgery and what a strange sensation!

    i keep telling my legs to move and nothing happens.

    the op was great like you all said it would be. Slept all the way through.

    just having some light food then back to napping again smile

    • petemorris
      petemorris johnros

      Posted

      Hi John,

      So all went well with the spinal.  Told you it wasn't so bad.  yes you're right about it being an odd sensation...your brain telling your legs one thing and your legs unable to comply.

      You'll be lucky to get some napping in...what with BP monitoring, temp monitoring...and them encouraging you to get out of bed and 'walk'...

      Goood luck anyway, and I'm glad it all went well.

    • johnros
      johnros petemorris

      Posted

      Thanks Pete, yes, the half hourly obs do keep happening but it fits in with my recent normal pattern at home of short naps, so no real probs.

      i just think it best to sleep as much as possible before the sensation starts coming back.

    • petemorris
      petemorris johnros

      Posted

      Yes you're right there John..Grab as much sleep as you can...whenever you can, and as Pam say's take all the pain killers offered...and if they don't offer...ASK!!!
    • jennifer86104
      jennifer86104 johnros

      Posted

      Hi John, glad all went well. You're right to nap whenever you can. As others say, make sure you get plenty of pain relief too. Good luck and keep us posted.

      Jen

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 johnros

      Posted

      Happy for you that the surgery is in the rear view mirror and yo can look forward to better days. One of the terms you hear is "pain management" and the key is to take the meds on schedule and not wait till you are engulfed with pain and have to play catch up. After my original TKR I had an epidural in place and a controlled drip. I started noticing pain building and after awhile began to complain. They told me it was automatic and would have it under control as the day wore on the pain was becoming unbearable and my complaining was emphasized with well timed profanity then the complaints and profanity becoming louder and more colorful. After several hours they rolled me over and discovered the epidural had somehow been disconnected and turned off. Then they started with morphine every 15 mins till they got it under control several hours later. My wife kept screaming they were going to kill me with that much morphine and I kept telling her to quiet down.......they were professionals and knew what they were doing. Took awhile to come down off that little trip.

      Keep the faith.....you will soon be back on your feet

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