After 5years of steroid injections, pain killers and being told I am too young at 53 finally got refered to hospital saw consultant 2 weeks ago and have been approved for surgery just waiting for appointment although I can't wait to have it done am concerned about the op and having epidural although have been told I can be sedated would like to know other people's experience of this
Hi Sharon
i had the spinal block and sedation
I never heard a thing the sedation worked wonders but tell the anaesthetist as soon as they start the spinal.
all I remember is them waking me up and saying it's all over
plus you don't get the horrible after effects of being put to sleep.
go for it
and keep on this forum the support is invaluable
All the best
Jean
Hi Sharon, I had mine done 2 weeks ago. I had the spinal and slept through about half the operation and was semi conscious through the other half. Was interesting listening to all the goings on although I could not see anything due to a small 'tent' over my head. Never felt a thing though. I also have some heart problems so they did not want to give me a general anesthetic as it's a bit more risky for someone like me. All went well however, and I was discharged on day 5 and am doing really well and loving my new knee. I have some residual soreness but the joint itself is pain free. I am 58 yr old male. Best thing I ever did, only sorry fear made me put the operation off for a year or so. Stay positive and work through your recovery, you get out what you put in. Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Hi sharon
i had spinal block which was lovely. I felt warm and fuzzy! Also a mild anaesthetic which although i was awake allowed me to doze if i wanted.
If you want to stay awake you can but you can hear what's going on in a dreamlike way.
I heard everything and even chatted to the anaethetist at times (i asked them to turn up the music as the drill was a bit loud lol)
be prepared for the first two weeks to be the most uncomfortable and also be prepared to be emotional we've all gone through it but there is light at the end.
Join the forums after and let us know how you go! 
Hi Sharon I've just had a TKR (having previously had a HR) and unfortunately wasn't able to have an epidural this time, I'd really been hoping to have one again as my first experience was so positive.
I was only barely aware of things happening to me and was not aware of the actual op. I did find coming around so much quicker than after a general anaesthetic and remember chatting happily in the recovery room
So I would be very happy to have an epidural when I have my next TKR
Thank you for your reply jean has reassured me as I did not fancy being able to hear what is going on
Thank you
thank you will don
thank you feel more confident to have it done now
Hi Sharon My TKR was 6 weeks ago and I had the spinal block but like a few unlucky ones it did not work and they just went with the general aneasthetic instead. I wasn't informed of this until after the op and it made little diference in reality. I am not trying to put a downer on this but just letting you know it is not 100%. The new knee is great though and although you will have misgivings during the early painful weeks it won't be long before you will making good progress and have some painfree walking. Good luck and stay strong.
U will be put in a twilight sleep. YA will be given some calming Meds. And before the procedure will have a spinal block. Similar to epidural. It numbs from waist down. They will set u up on bed side a nurse will be in front of yA. Just takes a few seconds. Ya really don't know what is going on. Also in the knee while open they put numb medicane In it. It's not bad at all..: Good luck!!!
HinSharon I had the epidural. What happened was that you are asked to sit on the side if the bed they got me to hunch over a pillow so I stretched the lower part of the spine . It's important to keep as still as possible. Then they put a local anaesthetic in and then the epidural. You feel a tingling warm feeling down your leg. It works very fast. Then they gave me a sedative , you can ask to have enough for you to drift off to sleep. They put a little tube into your hand and feed in the sedative . A bit of oxygen through a mask . I went to sleep and was unaware of anything they were doing and woke up feeling really good.
you will be given pain control , take it don't try to brave it out.
There's no way round it,it is painful and you will suffer tiredness and emotional roller coaster but you need to have a positive attitude as you will get better and gradually the pain will go. I am 55 and 5weeks after op.
Best advice is to do everything they tell you to do
Hi Sharon,
I opted for the spinal block and an anaesthetic, but unfortunately for me, it didn't work and I was given a general too.
It really didn't matter, I knew nothing until I woke up and they told me!
I think some hospitals let you have earphones and music, so maybe you can take your iPod.
Caz - 3 weeks post TKR Perth, Australia
Yes lots of UK hospitals let you take in your iPod too
say Hi to lovely Perth for me ! ........ We came back to the UK 18 months ago after spending nearly 3 years in your beautiful city
That's funny, my failed spinal was in Perth too, perhaps they are not very good at it over here!
Don't worry I had epidural with light sedation. Had music playing on headphones. Time passed very quickly and think I must have slept a bit. You can feel some things but no pain and of course no after effects from a GA.
How are yA. Merry Christmas Eve!
Good luck!!!
How are yA? Merry Christmas Eve.
Blessings. How are ya.