Worried about general anesthesia

I have not had spinal surgery but I did react badly to a general anaesthetic about 8 years ago. I have been advised therefore to avoid having a gerenal anaeshetic where possible

This study in the General Research of Medical Sciences comparing general anaesthetic v spinal an. in "elective lumbar spine surgery"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3214358/ says that eiither is used although general anaesthetic is the usual one.

I do not offer a view on this!

Hi,

I understand UR concerns. Patients can be given supplemental oxygen and can be premedicated if necessary. This will be realized by the PRE-Op exam usually done a few weeks to a few days in advance. Also UR anestheologist will visit u before surgery on the day of surgery to discuss any concerns u may have.

Profound local anesthesia is the best means of limiting patient anxiety for surgery.

Good luck . Prayers sent UR way for successful results.

HOPE.

Hi there, Drew. 

I'm 25 and had Spinal Surgery back in January 2012 and I'm going under the knife again this July for the same problem. 

In all honesty, I was petfited of the General Anestesia, I was worried about a multitude of things... Was I going to wake up half way through, or at all?? 

I know exactly how you're feeling, I know I was the same and probably will be the same again this time around. Although, this time I know what to expect. It's not as bad as you think it's going to be, all the ataff were lovely. I made them away it was my first operation and that I was a tad nervous - they gave me something for that to help calm me down. 

When it's actually time, it's a combination of a cannula and a oxygen mask that actually does the 'putting you to sleep', It's totally pain free and it really does feel like you're falling sleep. 

Once you've had your proceedure and you wake up, there will be a nurse by your side until it's time to go back to the ward. I did feel a little sick, but I wasn't. 

You'll be totally fine, it's nerve racking to start but once it's over you'll realise that theres nothing to it. 

Best Wishes,

Rich

Further to my reply on this topic, for the sake of completeness I will never have general anaesthetic again where this is possible because when having a hernia operation about 10 years ago I had an alergic reaction to the anaesthetic. I will not describe all that happened but suffice to say I now have a local anaesthetic where possible. I will add that this was a very unusual event and it shouldn't affect what you decide to do.