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

WILL I NEED SEDATION AS WELL AS THE EPIDURAL ???

Posted , 17 users are following.

essexmad
essexmad

Hi everyone, just signed up and yesterday was told i will be having a hip replacement within the next few weeks under epidural. The thing is will i need to have the sedation as well or will i be ok without. Im ok with being awake but not sure when i hear the drilling and hammering. Does the sedation make you really sleepy and are you ok when you wake up. Really not sure whether to be just awake and take in some music or to go for the sedation as well....Any help would be appreciated.

 

1 like, 67 replies

67 Replies

Next
  • scoobseo
    scoobseo essexmad

    Posted

    Hi essexmad,

    I am now 4 weeks post op and had a spinal and sedation so that I was asleep throughout the operation.  So I did not know anythng about it.  I wanted a general but was advised to have a spinal as the recovery is much better.  I think it depends on you as an individual and if you have any other pre-exsting conditions as well. The lady opposite me had a spinal and sedation but was not completely out due to her ashma or something like that and she could hear the surgeons talking.  Its totally personal but if I were you I would have sedation so you are asleep.  I woke up about 20 minutes after the op in recovey and felt fine. ( a little bit emotional but ok) After about 10 minutes I was sitting up drinking tea.  Hope this helps.  Good Luck....

    • essexmad
      essexmad scoobseo

      Posted

      I think i may just go for the sedation as well. I dont want to freak out when i hear the drill etc. I just didnt want to feel groggy when i woke up but the sedation must be a lot lighter than a general....Thanks for the info and i hope your recovery goes well.  Cant wait until im post op..
    • scoobseo
      scoobseo essexmad

      Posted

      As Martin said take all the advice from the physio and OT and really rest for the first week.  I was in bed most of that week just getting up for my physio, shower and food at the table. It is crucial not to overdo it in the early stages. i think I have been lucky though as I have not ever been in pain.  I took the morphne for a day only and then just had paracetomol and ibruprofen for about 3 weeks, then decided I did not need it. Prepare well before you go into hpisptal. Give up alcohol, and eat good nourishing foods so your immune system is good. You will be fine.  It is daunting, but on the day I was laughing a joking and felt quite calm before going into theatre.   All the best,
  • martin98264
    martin98264 essexmad

    Posted

    Hiya Essexmad! I'm currently 6 days post op. On the day of the operation I met with the surgeon first then the anaesthetist. She was lovely! She told me that I was going to have a spinal injection (kind of an epidural) followed by a general, I asked if I could be awake & she said yes but recommended the general simply because if the amount of noise in the theatre & rushing around whic in the past she said , has stressed people to the point she has then has to knock them out! So I of course agreed with her recommendation lol! I went down to Theatre at 2pm back in my bed & wide awake eating a pet ordered sandwich at 4pm! I think the op was about an hour. The nurse was straight in making me bend my leg up & down, I thought this was pretty easy & wondered what people were moaning about when they said about pain, well that was until the spinal injection wore off! HAHA. I would say about a day to a day & a half afterwards was when the injection wore off, it was then a steady flow of pain killers so they are pretty much in your body all the time, one little tip if you remember, I would write down the times you have the pain killers, even the extra ones you ask for at night when it hits most, so that when you come home you can replicate the timings, therefore keeping the status quo! I was In for 3 nights. I had ceramic/ceramic, not glued or screwed so not sure how it's held in lol! The physios are the ones who wil get you at it when you are in, take their advice & I would do what they say, the benefits will come during recovery I was told :-) I'm walking with two crutches as I'm only allowed partial weight on the leg for a while........anyway, good luck.........the arthritic pain has gone!
    • essexmad
      essexmad martin98264

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply Martin,

      I will take it all on board. Im scared but on the other hand cant wait to get it done. You seem to have sailed through the op but like you say its afterwards when the pain starts to kick in. Im glad your home and hope everything goes smoothly for you and your back to your old self soon enough

    • martin98264
      martin98264 essexmad

      Posted

      I was nervous too, but the surgeon put me at ease! I'm not sure I'm saling through it, it's tough work, walk, exercises, walk exercises, which must be done I suppose? :-)  at night it's tough for me, I've never slept on my back & when the meds wear off it's tough! It's a day by day thing & very difficult to replicate the comfort etc you get at the hospital. I have a wife & two grown up daughters at home (I'm 53) & without their love & help it would be impossible! I don't mind admitting I've had a few tears (not very manly huh?) especially at night, lack of sleep, pain etc but hey, no pain no gain huh? Lol! I am on aspirin & I keep my stockings on pretty much all the time to help avoid dvt. 

      Somone needs to start a thread with "tip of the day" we could all use a little help & listening to others has helped a lot.........hey we're not as well off as some people but a lot better off than others! Take care Essexmad!

    • scoobseo
      scoobseo martin98264

      Posted

      Tip of the day:

      Place a pillow under your operated leg at night.  I also let my heel rest just off the end of the pillow as your heels will get sore from sleeping on your back, I found this eased the uncomfortableness of sleeping and helped me get through the night...

    • essexmad
      essexmad martin98264

      Posted

      I suppose its only been a week for you so im sure as the days go on it will get better and better for you. I too am 53 and and was very active before all this pain started about 5 years ago. I was a kickboxer and when i first got the pain in my groin was told it was just a strain. I had load of physio and often said to the physio "is it my hip do you think i need a new one" she always shrugged it off saying no.  Took me over two years to get an x ray then i was told i was too young for the op and to go away and make some changes to my life. Sick to death of being in pain and being kept awake at night. Not being able to put my own shoes on etc etc.  Im glad you have your loved ones helping you every step of the way it makes such a difference when you know they are with you and will help get you through it......This time next year it will all be just a memory for you and me hopefully
    • essexmad
      essexmad scoobseo

      Posted

      how badly does your leg swell after the op. Ive heard strories of legs being black and blue and swollen to twice the size ??
    • martin98264
      martin98264 essexmad

      Posted

      My thigh is swollen but not too much, the pain I'm getting is I'm my right butt cheek where the scar is.  Thanks scoobseo, I'll try the pillow thing tonight.
    • ros007
      ros007 cindy6649

      Posted

      My physio recommended lots of ankle movements to increase blood flow in the leg and not spending too long at first sitting with the foot down. I didn't have a lot of swelling but not everyone in the ward did whether or not they worked the ankles, it seems to be a bit of pot luck.
    • karolina33830
      karolina33830 essexmad

      Posted

      I had leg swollen twice or 3 times more than my good leg, but no bruises what so ever. Im 26 y old and 5 weeks post op. Its still swollen, or swells even more if I overdo, besides the pillow to lift my leg I also put a big pillow on the side of my operated leg, this way it supports while im sleeping and I don't get no more groin pain.

      Best of luck

      Karolina

    • jackie79359
      jackie79359 essexmad

      Posted

      The pillow thing I would highly recommend and to continue taking the full course of blood thinning pills to prevent clotting.  I also wore the one stocking which prevented swelling. I had a hip replacement 5 years ago and had to have revision surgery in March due to the pain I was in. Like you I was told it may be sciatic nerve and kept having to suggest my metal hip may be faulty.  Blood was eventually tested after bone scan, ct scan and MRI scan. Extremely high ions meant quick admission for replacement surgery.....finally....argh!!!!  Pain after first op was controlled by Morphine and  recent op by tramadol and paracetamol.  Hardly experienced any pain this time and no w only feel expected aching as my muscles build up after walks and gym sessions.  I am just going for my first bike ride week 15.  Good luck!!
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure jackie79359

      Posted

      I go in for revision in the fall... Failed hip implant due to metal fretting in tissue causing pseudo tumors and chromium cobalt levels in the blood stream.

      included in a class action law suit. Caused many issues normally would never had to incur.

      at 15 weeks u are doing well and continued sucess in UR recovery.

    • patricis
      patricis martin98264

      Posted

      Hello....did I read you correct, your surgery was 2 hours, for a hip replacement.....I was told mine was going to be 4 hours???
Back to top
Next

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.