Anaesthetic panic!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am having TKR tomorrow morning and have spent the last week stressing over the anaesthetic. The hospital heavily encourage spinal but I can choose full anaesthetic. I can't bare the thought of any risk of hearing anything!!!! I can choose full anaesthetic but they give the impression the pain is much harder to vitriol after. Is this true or is it a cost cutting exercise on their behalf? I've almost forgotten about the surgery as so consumed worrying about the anaesthetic!!! Advice please?

2

I had both a spinal block and a general. I was ill after the operation but I was not aware of any part of the operation. My sister had a block and heard sawing. Urk!

3

Mandy

I Had the spinal on my tkr 7 weeks ago. Felt jus like you... was petrified but don't worry. Tell anesthetist that you are really afraid and ask for additional sedation. I was compleatly unaware.. tecoveey is tough enough you can do without the added problems of nausea and coming out of anesthetic. All will be well. Good luck

4

Hi I thought I was having general anesethic but on the morning of my op I was given choice of spinal I to was worried about hearing things and I won't lie I did hear things but the sedation is so good you don't take any notice . I'm glad I went for spinal because I didn't suffer the vomiting as I have done in the past with general. Hope all goes well

5

Hi Mandy

I'm 5 wks post op I had tkr and general anaesthetic with a nerve block and had no problems , have your painkillers whenever you need them and don't let the pain build up ,

Ice every 2 hrs for 20 mins and do your exercises regularly to get your rom , you will be in pain but it is bearable I think sleep is the worst

Good luck and take care

Rob xx

6

Hi Mandy,

when I had my bilateral tkr's a year ago, I was given a spinal and a full anaesthetic. I know what you mean about hearing things.  Maybe they sedate you as well as the spinal?  There will be a lot going on and I cant imagine being awake for it.  I know they tend to not give full anaesthetic when we're getting older because of the risks but I myself, would prefer it.  Sure to Bev a lot of sawing and hammering going on.  Do what you're comfortable with.  Good luck with everything, I'm sure you'll be fine. 

Sue xx

7

I agree with all of your posts. I remember hearing a clunk or something but they had me back in sleepy land before I could even worry about it and because they sedate you so greatly it is not a problem. Wishing you the best of luck.

8

I would be choosing a full anaesthetic myself when I have my surgery I will choose not to have the spinal !! Take care and good luck with your surgery 😀

9

Hi Mandy, I would recommend 'spinal'. Compared to full anesthesia, less sideeffects when you wake up. It's recommended by most anesthesiologist and ortopedic surgeons  world wide.  I had spinal  for my TKR operations  twice in Sweden and once here in Thailand. No need to be stressed over spinal anethesia. Trust me

10

I make sure and tell the i have woke up nauseated before. They used to give you a shot to counter it. In June they gave me a pill before surgery. Woke up feeling great.

11

Hi Mandy.

I'm 13 days out from TKR. I had the spinal with twilight anesthesia, I told my surgeon going in that I do not want to hear anything, remember anything. I can say, I don't remember a thing and never heard anything. I woke up and it was over. My surgeon knew how important it was to me and the spinal block gave me an extra few days of not feeling the full impact of the knee replacement. The pain came on gradual and I was ready for it because I had rested in the first day. YOU GOT THIS! Trust your surgeon. I am a 51 year old triathlete who trusted their surgeon to do what was best for me and my lifestyle. I have starred a blog, it's called a journey of total knee replacement, day by day journal of what I have experienced through this journey, the good, the bad and even my ugly days. Maybe you'll find some comfort there..

12

I had a general a aesthetic for my first and a spinal for the second .  Much better with spinal , no after effects from anaesthetic . Only had very mild sedation , spent the time listening to music and talking to the anaesthetist . Heard some hammering and sawing but did not see or feel anything . Dont worry , and do your physio afterwards , it's painful to begin with but gets easier the more you do it . 

13

Thanks everyone for your replies! I will see if he can promise sedation deep enough for sleep. If he can PROMISE I will go for it. Eeeeekkk!

14

Good luck Mandy

Waiting 4 the update

This time soon it will b a distant memory

Rob xx

15

Mandy,

I had a spinal, but asked the anesthesiologist if he would give me something so that I wouldn't hear anything that was going on. He said "I can do that!" and I didn't hear a thing! And I had no nausea or issues post surgery......good luck, and keep us posted on how you're doing.

Diane 

16

I am having my total knee revision in 1 month and not decided yet, i had a femor block last time and really helped, but i was also asleep, good luck

17

Thanks for all the advice ! I'm all checked in. I've agreed to a spinal on the promise that I won't hear anything. I told him if he is wrong I will hunt him down and gut him like a fish ! Ha ha!

18

Every good wish that all will go well.

19

I agree with all of your posts.

20

Good luck