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GA versus Epidural

Posted , 19 users are following.

rose0000
rose0000

For those of you that know me I had my operation cancelled at the last minute a few weeks ago. I am just thinking through my options for my next one and wanted to ask you all a question please?

My anaesthetist told me just before my operation before that there is a small risk of getting blinding headaches with the epidural. Having had these 'headaches' before from a lumbar puncture I know you can not lift your head much less walk, do you know of anyone who has had this reaction? Maybe it is unlikely to happen in this situation ( mine was an emergency at the time) .. Would much prefer an epidural but really would prefer not to contend with the agonising headaches as well which would hamper recovery.

Please tell me your experiences good or bad. So I can decide before I get there this time. I think my operation is going to be just after Christmas now... Just seen my new consultant don't know whether to laugh or cry (a lot)

2 likes, 34 replies

34 Replies

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  • carole49258
    carole49258 rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose

    Good to hear from you.

    I had a spinal anaesthetic with sedation for my THR 10 weeks ago without any headache.I thought this was amazing especially compared to GAs I have had before. I normally suffer badly from migraines and headaches and actually had the worst migraine ever about a week after my hip replacement. However this was a reaction to the strong meds and not the anaesthetic.

    Hope this helps.

    Best wishes

    Carole

    • rose0000
      rose0000 carole49258

      Posted

      Thank you Carole it does help a lot because I hope to be completely prepare me this time rather than making the decision on the Koenig of the operation x
  • Hailea
    Hailea rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose

    Sorry you got canceled. I hate it when that happens

    I can't have epidurals and I wouldn't want one any way. I find I recover quickly enough from GA's so I am happy to go with a GA every time.

    I hope your op happenes for you soon

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Hailea

      Posted

      And you Hailea. I have read your posts and know you are in terrible pain. Let's hope we will soon be recovering rather than waiting!
  • maggiefabrianne
    maggiefabrianne rose0000

    Posted

    I have had 2 hip replacements and had epidural on both.  I can only speak for myself but I never suffered with headaches on either.  However I also was not warned about headaches either.

    maggie

  • DaleB
    DaleB rose0000

    Posted

    I have only had general anesthesia, with good results so I can't say but have you considered GA?

     

    • rose0000
      rose0000 DaleB

      Posted

      I choose that last time just before it was cancelled but am giving a bit more thought to the next one ( now I have the time!!)
  • sassybees
    sassybees rose0000

    Posted

    Rose ive had 4 epidurals and one spinal. No problems at all. I think you have to look at why you had that reaction. Was it done properly in a controlled environment. ...was it rushed. ...was your injury involved with where the spinal site was..speak to an anethasist ask what is the likelihood of it happening. Personally i recommend it... but i havent had trouble. ... xoxo
    • rose0000
      rose0000 sassybees

      Posted

      Hi Sassy! Thank you for your post and PM will reply later today when home. I am in hospital today and on iPhone. Just planning the next and hopefully last one. How come you have had 4????
  • annone70291
    annone70291 rose0000

    Posted

    Hi. I had a THR with a GA almost 8 weeks ago. I decided that I really didn't want to be awake to listen to all the banging and sawing! But I did have an epidural for an elective caesarean many years ago and it was fine. I had heard of the risk of headaches but I suppose that you balance that with the risks of a GA and you are supposed to recover more quickly. Although the GA for my THR didn't really cause me any problems at all other than feeling a bit "low" the day after the op. Did your surgeon quantify the risk? And did he say that there were steps to take that would help avoid it? And I'm sorry your op got cancelled - that must be really miserable once you've psyched yourself up for it. Good luck whatever you decide.
    • rose0000
      rose0000 annone70291

      Posted

      Thank you, it is not a deal breaker but really wanted to recover quickly which is the main aim!
  • alan23497
    alan23497 rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose,

    Sorry to hear you had a cancellation. I had my thr 11 days ago and so far so good. I went for a general anaesthetic and suffered no ill effects and was discharged on 3rd day.

    The main reason was a chat at hospital whilst at occupational therapy with lady that had had 2 replacements and was going for a revision. She said the spinal was alright but didn't like hearing all the hammering and noise. That convinced me.

    I have had an epidural for a different procedure with no headaches or other side effects.

    I was able to stand on the afternoon of op as I could feel my legs OK. Pain management was not an issue either.

    Good luck in whatever you choose, either way will be fine. Pre op these things seem like a bigger deal than they acally are so dont stress either will be OK.

    Regards

    Alan

    • rose0000
      rose0000 alan23497

      Posted

      Thanks Alan - I was hoping to be up and managing really well as I have young children who want to come and visit me, so need to be spritely and not zombied out and scary! Your recovery sounds great!
  • linnet2015
    linnet2015 rose0000

    Posted

    I had a spinal nerve block (like an epidural) with sedation for both hip ops this year and they were fine and I recovered quickly both times. Although I dont suffer from migraines I did have really bad headaches for  a couple of days which I was told was due to the strong pain killers. 

    I was nervous at first at having a spinal anaesthetic but it was fine and didnt really hurt at all. I have heard that headaches after a lumbar puncture are fairly common but dont think they are so common after an epidural. You will get the chance to talk to your anaesthetist before your operation.

    Hope that helps?

    Linnet x

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