One week to go

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Waited years and now that it is one week to go my major concern is the pain medication and Sleep apnea .
The consultant knows about it as does the aneathetist but the fear of the sleep apnea is 100 times worse than the actual operation.
Now that worry/ fear is taking over my excitment of the replacement and driving me crazy.
I live in the UK and it is being done by spinal not sure yet whether to take sedation or not I was going to ask when I get there what has the least impact on my sleep apnea.
Sorry guys had to let it all out , its going to be a very very nervous week

Thanks

Billy

2

Hi, is this the same Billy from Scotland that has been waiting yonks? Good luck and best wishes for next week. The surgical team will have dealt with issues like yours previously, trust them, they know what they are doing. Easier said than done but relax and try to think only of better days ahead once op is out of the way. Best wishes
Helen x

3

Hi Billy, good luck. If you have a spinal plus sedation you will go to sleep then wake up and know nothing about it. The first thing will be a pretty nurse offering you a sandwich and a coffee Couldn’t be easier.

4

Thanks john49662,
its not the op that worries me its the sleep apnea , thats why I was considering no sedation to make it safer during the op.

5

I agree with John. Just take the sedation? You dont want to be lying there worrying while all the activity is going on around you. And be kind to yourself this week. Youre heading into he unknown and all of us that have been there have been anxious beforehand.

6

Thanks andrew77015
wont the sedation cause my sleep apnea to worsen?
I am also aware that pain medication can also affect my sleep apnea
These are the things that are worrying me more than anything

7

brilliant that you’re nearly there Billy. can only advise that you trust in them, I’m sure they will realise how anxious you are and advise accordingly. Let us know how you get on. Good Luck!

Megan

8

Hi Billy I was in exactly the same position as you 7 weeks ago. For various reasons they opted for a general anaesthetic in the end and here I am . I have had lots of sedation for tests and have had no problems and two major operations under general. Just look forward to being better and don’t worry they do know what they’re doing. Best wishes - you won’t regret it. Gill

9

Hi Billy, Im not a medical pro so I cant offer an opinion. As others have said, your medical team will have the best understanding of the possible side effects

10

thanks a million, just an emotional roller coaster just now . thanks again

11

good luck Billy. I’m sure theyll be very cautious re your analgesia and sleep apnoea but they will I’m sure make sure you’re safe .
tbh I’m sure we all have some major worry pre OP.
best wishes

12

thanks a million x

13

hi biily, you will be fine, they monitor you all the time. i had the spinal and sedation and i was awake before i knew it.. i had no pain in my hip but i did get pain in my knee, i had one lot of morphine when i returned to the ward then i just had paracetamol and ibuprofen. the one thing that did frighten me and nobody told me is that you cannot lift your leg for about 3 weeks afterwards but you will in time, just do your exercisers.. look forward to it and enjoy the relief you get from it a couple of months down the line.
sue. uk

14

thanks for your reply . its very encouraging, do you have sleep apnea. sorry for asking

15

Hi Billy The anaethatist will know your history and will be monitoring you regardless throughout the procedure .You will be in safe hands .

16

As long as the doctors know you have sleep apnea, you should be fine. Not sure but most have more trouble with breathing while on their back. When I had my THR I was allowed to sleep on my side with pillow between my knees after. Hopefully that is an option for you and more comfortable.

17

Thanks for all the replies , it has taken me from a quivering wreck who thought they would die
to a anxious person looking forward to a new start in life
High Dependecy is still making me wary even though I know its precautionary and I hope it does not mean I will have to stay in bed after my op and I can get up like normal people.
So hopefully this time next Tuesday my op will almost be over , Think my op time is 8.30 as I have a 7.15 check in
Again Thanks everyone and I will keep you posted and all going well I will be able to update you all after my surgery

18

hi Billy theyll have you standing and taking a few steps after abt 4 hrs if you have epidural +/- sedation. and the next day most are up sitting in chairs by their beds. you wont be long in hdu - theyll have your bed eyed up for the next patient who needs it so dont fret they wont keep yu in there any longer than need be .
julie

19

Thanks julie1717
will they still get me up if I am in HDU?

20

hi billy, no i dont but the person who was in the next bed to me did and he was fine and you will be fine too.