1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

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

Prev
  • angela61719
    angela61719 rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose,

    I was really sorry to hear about your awful cancellation experience. The absolutely worst part of the whole THR experience for me was waiting on the day. I was third on the list and had to wait from from 7am until 1pm. Incredibly stressful, so I sympathise with you having to go through that again.

    About the anaesthetic, I'm going with the majority view on here. I had a spinal with sedation and knew nothing about it all until I woke up in recovery. The spinal needle is very small - as others have said much smaller than the epidural. I don't know if that makes the likelihood of headaches smaller, but I had no headache either from my spinal or, indeed, from my two epidurals for emergency c-sections earlier in my life. I just felt rather sick when I woke up, but I think that was simply because the stress of waiting made me feel sick before the surgery and the feeling was still there afterwards. The nurse simply gave me a shot of anti-emetics that worked like a dream. It seems like sedation, when coupled with a spinal, has all the benefits of GA with none of the downsides. From my personal experience, I would recommend it.

    Good luck.

    • rose0000
      rose0000 angela61719

      Posted

      I felt literally light headed with stress waiting and when it was cancelled when into shock actually. Which lasted for a good week because I had psyched myself up to such a degree to go through with it. I hope I will fair better next time!! It is good to know I am not the only patient scared witless!!! Thank you for your post x
Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.