Re: More info on Right TKR performed 10/8/08

[Guest guest]

so you went to CA to get your knee done?

Sharon LeVine

More info on Right TKR performed 10/8/08

I had requested a complete copy of my chart from my TKR doc (Dr.

Coon, Orthopedic Surgical Institute, Red Bluff, CA) since he is pretty far

away, and I wanted to know which implant was used, and needed copies for my

bone specialist and rheumatologist.

I just got the package, and it cost $15.37 for copying!

Anyway, drum roll, I got the Stryker Triathlon in my right knee. The

description of the procedure is worth the 15 bucks - it's interesting that

they refer to two " stab wounds " made " three fingerbreadths proximal to the

lateral rise of the femur " and " anteriolateral 3 cm distal to the tibial

tuberosity " . " Stab wounds " .

I was 53 years old, so younger than " average " for this procedure - but I

have 5 autoimmune diseases and this has been blamed for why my knees wore

out early. I blame the stairmaster, myself. In any case, the surgeon notes

that " examination showed severe patellofemoral arthritis with eburnation of

the patellar and trochlear bone. Synovial biopsies were taken. It was

noted that the bone on all aspects of the joint was a dark brown in color

which is quite unusual. This was felt to be due to hemosiderin or heavy

metal disposition, possibly metabolic bone disease such as Gaucher's

disease. Bone fragments were sent to pathology for analysis. "

Although Dr. Coon was shocked at the color of the inside of my bones, the

pathology report on the slice that he sent came back " normal " . Hmmmm! He

said he had never seen bone that color before, and this is a guy who does

600 knees a year.

Later in the report it states that a " size 3 MIS min keel tibial component

was placed " - this is the trial component which is tested bending the leg

every which way, then removed. I then received the Stryker Triathlon,

apparently size 1.

2 grams of Vancomycin was mixed with the cement before it was applied. The

posterior capsule was injected with a combination of ropivacaine,

epinephrine, Toradol, morphone and Clinidine. This all resulted in the knee

not hurting much for the first 2 days, then hurting a LOT!

The case classification was " clean " .

The blood loss was estimated at 10 mL.

I had pain management issues going into this surgery, and they got flared up

by the stress of the surgery. Therefore I was hospitalized 3 more times

after the surgery - not for the knee, really, but for overall high pain

levels. I have finally gotten stabilize and am feeling pretty good, though

my knee hurts when I overdo it. My orthopedist warned that even though I

have been walking on it from day one, can run up and down stairs, and have

great flexion (130 or so), the real recovery of the body from this surgery

takes about 4 months, and I am only half that far now.

I just thought I would share this since it could be of interest to others

who have had or are going to have this surgery - called " minimally invasive

TKR " .

The bad news is that my other knee is really bad too, and it looks like I

will have to go through this again in a year. Sigh.

claire

Callahan Goodman

[Guest guest]

Great post , I always wondered why there was no pain at first,

I thought it was the epidural.

I just had my 6 week check up (at 7 weeks) in Dr. Coon's new Napa

Valley office. It's nice, and so much closer and more fun.

Hollie

> I had requested a complete copy of my chart from my TKR doc (Dr.

> Coon, Orthopedic Surgical Institute, Red Bluff, CA) since he is

pretty far

> away, and I wanted to know which implant was used, and needed

copies for my

> bone specialist and rheumatologist.

>

> I just got the package, and it cost $15.37 for copying!

>

> Anyway, drum roll, I got the Stryker Triathlon in my right knee.

The

> description of the procedure is worth the 15 bucks - it's

interesting that

> they refer to two " stab wounds " made " three fingerbreadths

proximal to the

> lateral rise of the femur " and " anteriolateral 3 cm distal to the

tibial

> tuberosity " . " Stab wounds " .

>

> I was 53 years old, so younger than " average " for this procedure -

but I

> have 5 autoimmune diseases and this has been blamed for why my

knees wore

> out early. I blame the stairmaster, myself. In any case, the

surgeon notes

> that " examination showed severe patellofemoral arthritis with

eburnation of

> the patellar and trochlear bone. Synovial biopsies were taken.

It was

> noted that the bone on all aspects of the joint was a dark brown

in color

> which is quite unusual. This was felt to be due to hemosiderin or

heavy

> metal disposition, possibly metabolic bone disease such as

Gaucher's

> disease. Bone fragments were sent to pathology for analysis. "

>

> Although Dr. Coon was shocked at the color of the inside of my

bones, the

> pathology report on the slice that he sent came back " normal " .

Hmmmm! He

> said he had never seen bone that color before, and this is a guy

who does

> 600 knees a year.

>

> Later in the report it states that a " size 3 MIS min keel tibial

component

> was placed " - this is the trial component which is tested bending

the leg

> every which way, then removed. I then received the Stryker

Triathlon,

> apparently size 1.

>

> 2 grams of Vancomycin was mixed with the cement before it was

applied. The

> posterior capsule was injected with a combination of ropivacaine,

> epinephrine, Toradol, morphone and Clinidine. This all resulted

in the knee

> not hurting much for the first 2 days, then hurting a LOT!

>

> The case classification was " clean " .

>

> The blood loss was estimated at 10 mL.

>

> I had pain management issues going into this surgery, and they got

flared up

> by the stress of the surgery. Therefore I was hospitalized 3 more

times

> after the surgery - not for the knee, really, but for overall high

pain

> levels. I have finally gotten stabilize and am feeling pretty

good, though

> my knee hurts when I overdo it. My orthopedist warned that even

though I

> have been walking on it from day one, can run up and down stairs,

and have

> great flexion (130 or so), the real recovery of the body from this

surgery

> takes about 4 months, and I am only half that far now.

>

> I just thought I would share this since it could be of interest to

others

> who have had or are going to have this surgery - called " minimally

invasive

> TKR " .

>

> The bad news is that my other knee is really bad too, and it looks

like I

> will have to go through this again in a year. Sigh.

>

> claire

>

> Callahan Goodman

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was wondering about the epidural. Were you awake for the surgery?

When I had my right knee done on Oct. 15th I was given the choice of

an epidural or a general. I chose the general. I just wanted to be

put out. I didn't want to hear what was going on. I am having my left

one done this Wednesday and asked my doctor which is best and he said

to chose the epidural as the pain is less after. He said I can also

be put under so I don't hear anything.

Can anyone tell me about the epidural, is it true that the pain is

less and are you awake?

Joanie

>

> Great post , I always wondered why there was no pain at

first,

> I thought it was the epidural.

>

> I just had my 6 week check up (at 7 weeks) in Dr. Coon's new Napa

> Valley office. It's nice, and so much closer and more fun.

>

> Hollie

>

> > I had requested a complete copy of my chart from my TKR doc (Dr.

>

> > Coon, Orthopedic Surgical Institute, Red Bluff, CA) since he is

> pretty far

> > away, and I wanted to know which implant was used, and needed

> copies for my

> > bone specialist and rheumatologist.

> >

> > I just got the package, and it cost $15.37 for copying!

> >

> > Anyway, drum roll, I got the Stryker Triathlon in my right knee.

> The

> > description of the procedure is worth the 15 bucks - it's

> interesting that

> > they refer to two " stab wounds " made " three fingerbreadths

> proximal to the

> > lateral rise of the femur " and " anteriolateral 3 cm distal to the

> tibial

> > tuberosity " . " Stab wounds " .

> >

> > I was 53 years old, so younger than " average " for this procedure -

> but I

> > have 5 autoimmune diseases and this has been blamed for why my

> knees wore

> > out early. I blame the stairmaster, myself. In any case, the

> surgeon notes

> > that " examination showed severe patellofemoral arthritis with

> eburnation of

> > the patellar and trochlear bone. Synovial biopsies were taken.

> It was

> > noted that the bone on all aspects of the joint was a dark brown

> in color

> > which is quite unusual. This was felt to be due to hemosiderin

or

> heavy

> > metal disposition, possibly metabolic bone disease such as

> Gaucher's

> > disease. Bone fragments were sent to pathology for analysis. "

> >

> > Although Dr. Coon was shocked at the color of the inside of my

> bones, the

> > pathology report on the slice that he sent came back " normal " .

> Hmmmm! He

> > said he had never seen bone that color before, and this is a guy

> who does

> > 600 knees a year.

> >

> > Later in the report it states that a " size 3 MIS min keel tibial

> component

> > was placed " - this is the trial component which is tested bending

> the leg

> > every which way, then removed. I then received the Stryker

> Triathlon,

> > apparently size 1.

> >

> > 2 grams of Vancomycin was mixed with the cement before it was

> applied. The

> > posterior capsule was injected with a combination of ropivacaine,

> > epinephrine, Toradol, morphone and Clinidine. This all resulted

> in the knee

> > not hurting much for the first 2 days, then hurting a LOT!

> >

> > The case classification was " clean " .

> >

> > The blood loss was estimated at 10 mL.

> >

> > I had pain management issues going into this surgery, and they

got

> flared up

> > by the stress of the surgery. Therefore I was hospitalized 3

more

> times

> > after the surgery - not for the knee, really, but for overall

high

> pain

> > levels. I have finally gotten stabilize and am feeling pretty

> good, though

> > my knee hurts when I overdo it. My orthopedist warned that even

> though I

> > have been walking on it from day one, can run up and down stairs,

> and have

> > great flexion (130 or so), the real recovery of the body from

this

> surgery

> > takes about 4 months, and I am only half that far now.

> >

> > I just thought I would share this since it could be of interest

to

> others

> > who have had or are going to have this surgery -

called " minimally

> invasive

> > TKR " .

> >

> > The bad news is that my other knee is really bad too, and it

looks

> like I

> > will have to go through this again in a year. Sigh.

> >

> > claire

> >

> > Callahan Goodman

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I've had epidurals for both hip resurfacings and for my TKR. The

epidural, I think, does keep the pain away for awhile, a few days

sometimes.

They give you other meds so you're not truly awake. I wasn't awake

at all for my hips even though I also had an epidural.

I did hear what was going on during my knee but didn't feel a

thing. Probably Versed is the med most used to make you woozy while

they're tinkering, I love Versed.

During the knee surgery I shouted down to the docs " what implant are

you putting in " . They were surprised, I think most people are too

out of it to talk to them. Dr. Coon didn't dialogue with me but I

heard him tell the other doc or helper.... " she reads all the

literature " . Kind of funny.

I also love epidurals.

Hollie

> I was wondering about the epidural. Were you awake for the

surgery?

> When I had my right knee done on Oct. 15th I was given the choice

of

> an epidural or a general. I chose the general. I just wanted to be

> put out. I didn't want to hear what was going on. I am having my

left

> one done this Wednesday and asked my doctor which is best and he

said

> to chose the epidural as the pain is less after. He said I can

also

> be put under so I don't hear anything.

>

> Can anyone tell me about the epidural, is it true that the pain is

> less and are you awake?

>

> Joanie

>

>

> >

> > Great post , I always wondered why there was no pain at

> first,

> > I thought it was the epidural.

> >

> > I just had my 6 week check up (at 7 weeks) in Dr. Coon's new

Napa

> > Valley office. It's nice, and so much closer and more fun.

> >

> > Hollie

> >

> > > I had requested a complete copy of my chart from my TKR doc

(Dr.

> >

> > > Coon, Orthopedic Surgical Institute, Red Bluff, CA) since he

is

> > pretty far

> > > away, and I wanted to know which implant was used, and needed

> > copies for my

> > > bone specialist and rheumatologist.

> > >

> > > I just got the package, and it cost $15.37 for copying!

> > >

> > > Anyway, drum roll, I got the Stryker Triathlon in my right

knee.

> > The

> > > description of the procedure is worth the 15 bucks - it's

> > interesting that

> > > they refer to two " stab wounds " made " three fingerbreadths

> > proximal to the

> > > lateral rise of the femur " and " anteriolateral 3 cm distal to

the

> > tibial

> > > tuberosity " . " Stab wounds " .

> > >

> > > I was 53 years old, so younger than " average " for this

procedure -

>

> > but I

> > > have 5 autoimmune diseases and this has been blamed for why my

> > knees wore

> > > out early. I blame the stairmaster, myself. In any case, the

> > surgeon notes

> > > that " examination showed severe patellofemoral arthritis with

> > eburnation of

> > > the patellar and trochlear bone. Synovial biopsies were

taken.

> > It was

> > > noted that the bone on all aspects of the joint was a dark

brown

> > in color

> > > which is quite unusual. This was felt to be due to

hemosiderin

> or

> > heavy

> > > metal disposition, possibly metabolic bone disease such as

> > Gaucher's

> > > disease. Bone fragments were sent to pathology for analysis. "

> > >

> > > Although Dr. Coon was shocked at the color of the inside of my

> > bones, the

> > > pathology report on the slice that he sent came back " normal " .

> > Hmmmm! He

> > > said he had never seen bone that color before, and this is a

guy

> > who does

> > > 600 knees a year.

> > >

> > > Later in the report it states that a " size 3 MIS min keel

tibial

> > component

> > > was placed " - this is the trial component which is tested

bending

> > the leg

> > > every which way, then removed. I then received the Stryker

> > Triathlon,

> > > apparently size 1.

> > >

> > > 2 grams of Vancomycin was mixed with the cement before it was

> > applied. The

> > > posterior capsule was injected with a combination of

ropivacaine,

> > > epinephrine, Toradol, morphone and Clinidine. This all

resulted

> > in the knee

> > > not hurting much for the first 2 days, then hurting a LOT!

> > >

> > > The case classification was " clean " .

> > >

> > > The blood loss was estimated at 10 mL.

> > >

> > > I had pain management issues going into this surgery, and they

> got

> > flared up

> > > by the stress of the surgery. Therefore I was hospitalized 3

> more

> > times

> > > after the surgery - not for the knee, really, but for overall

> high

> > pain

> > > levels. I have finally gotten stabilize and am feeling pretty

> > good, though

> > > my knee hurts when I overdo it. My orthopedist warned that

even

> > though I

> > > have been walking on it from day one, can run up and down

stairs,

> > and have

> > > great flexion (130 or so), the real recovery of the body from

> this

> > surgery

> > > takes about 4 months, and I am only half that far now.

> > >

> > > I just thought I would share this since it could be of

interest

> to

> > others

> > > who have had or are going to have this surgery -

> called " minimally

> > invasive

> > > TKR " .

> > >

> > > The bad news is that my other knee is really bad too, and it

> looks

> > like I

> > > will have to go through this again in a year. Sigh.

> > >

> > > claire

> > >

> > > Callahan Goodman

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I had spinal anaesthesia (not an epidural, just one injection) for

both my hip resurfacing and my knee op. Then a low level of sedation

from the moment the op began. The anaesthetist said you're not truly

unconscious and you can hold a conversation but are unlikely to

remember anything from the time you " go under " to waking up time. Both

my ops took less than 50 minutes. I do remember semi-waking during the

hip op and hearing drilling and hammering, but the knee op was like a

deep refreshing sleep. The itching under the skin during recovery was

a strange sensation but not unbearable. The second time was easier as

I knew it was going to happen and knew it was very transient. I had

medication afterwards against nausea caused by the diamorphine during

the op, but otherwise was just on paracetamol (I don't know what the

USA variant of its name is) and codeine. Procedures vary though -

even with the same surgeon, when my husband had his hip replacement

done a year earlier he was numbed from the waist down for a couple of

days, and catheterised. I still don't know why, as although he's 10

years older than me he's much fitter. Our initial recovery rates were

much the same; I went home after 3 nights in hospital, and he after 4.

Can't comment on pain levels though as we're all different - I can't

say the wounds of either of my ops were particularly painful. They

were done by electrosurgery. Mind you I only learnt about the method

afterwards; there was none of that consultation stuff, or discussion

of types of implant; they just got on and did it.

Sue in the English Lakes

> >

> > Great post , I always wondered why there was no pain at

> first,

> > I thought it was the epidural.

> >

> > I just had my 6 week check up (at 7 weeks) in Dr. Coon's new Napa

> > Valley office. It's nice, and so much closer and more fun.

> >

> > Hollie

> >

> > > I had requested a complete copy of my chart from my TKR doc (Dr.

> >

> > > Coon, Orthopedic Surgical Institute, Red Bluff, CA) since he is

> > pretty far

> > > away, and I wanted to know which implant was used, and needed

> > copies for my

> > > bone specialist and rheumatologist.

> > >

> > > I just got the package, and it cost $15.37 for copying!

> > >

> > > Anyway, drum roll, I got the Stryker Triathlon in my right knee.

> > The

> > > description of the procedure is worth the 15 bucks - it's

> > interesting that

> > > they refer to two " stab wounds " made " three fingerbreadths

> > proximal to the

> > > lateral rise of the femur " and " anteriolateral 3 cm distal to the

> > tibial

> > > tuberosity " . " Stab wounds " .

> > >

> > > I was 53 years old, so younger than " average " for this procedure -

>

> > but I

> > > have 5 autoimmune diseases and this has been blamed for why my

> > knees wore

> > > out early. I blame the stairmaster, myself. In any case, the

> > surgeon notes

> > > that " examination showed severe patellofemoral arthritis with

> > eburnation of

> > > the patellar and trochlear bone. Synovial biopsies were taken.

> > It was

> > > noted that the bone on all aspects of the joint was a dark brown

> > in color

> > > which is quite unusual. This was felt to be due to hemosiderin

> or

> > heavy

> > > metal disposition, possibly metabolic bone disease such as

> > Gaucher's

> > > disease. Bone fragments were sent to pathology for analysis. "

> > >

> > > Although Dr. Coon was shocked at the color of the inside of my

> > bones, the

> > > pathology report on the slice that he sent came back " normal " .

> > Hmmmm! He

> > > said he had never seen bone that color before, and this is a guy

> > who does

> > > 600 knees a year.

> > >

> > > Later in the report it states that a " size 3 MIS min keel tibial

> > component

> > > was placed " - this is the trial component which is tested bending

> > the leg

> > > every which way, then removed. I then received the Stryker

> > Triathlon,

> > > apparently size 1.

> > >

> > > 2 grams of Vancomycin was mixed with the cement before it was

> > applied. The

> > > posterior capsule was injected with a combination of ropivacaine,

> > > epinephrine, Toradol, morphone and Clinidine. This all resulted

> > in the knee

> > > not hurting much for the first 2 days, then hurting a LOT!

> > >

> > > The case classification was " clean " .

> > >

> > > The blood loss was estimated at 10 mL.

> > >

> > > I had pain management issues going into this surgery, and they

> got

> > flared up

> > > by the stress of the surgery. Therefore I was hospitalized 3

> more

> > times

> > > after the surgery - not for the knee, really, but for overall

> high

> > pain

> > > levels. I have finally gotten stabilize and am feeling pretty

> > good, though

> > > my knee hurts when I overdo it. My orthopedist warned that even

> > though I

> > > have been walking on it from day one, can run up and down stairs,

> > and have

> > > great flexion (130 or so), the real recovery of the body from

> this

> > surgery

> > > takes about 4 months, and I am only half that far now.

> > >

> > > I just thought I would share this since it could be of interest

> to

> > others

> > > who have had or are going to have this surgery -

> called " minimally

> > invasive

> > > TKR " .

> > >

> > > The bad news is that my other knee is really bad too, and it

> looks

> > like I

> > > will have to go through this again in a year. Sigh.

> > >

> > > claire

> > >

> > > Callahan Goodman

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I should have mentioned, I live about 2.5 hours from Red Bluff, CA.

About half of Dr. Coon's patients are not local.

Callahan Goodman

so you went to CA to get your knee done?

Sharon LeVine

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I also forgot to mention - I had a spinal, not an epidural. Dr. Coon

doesn't offer general anesthesia. They gave me Versed, then put in the

spinal and the urinary catheter while I was completely unaware, then they

let it wear off and said I could get more if I wanted it.

With a spinal you are completely paralyzed from wherever, down, unlike an

epidural. I don't know if docs use epidurals for knee replacement. - you

would be able to move your leg.

I was awake and talking during the procedure, and felt/heard the sawing and

hammering vibration. I could have asked for more Versed so that I would be

" out " , but didn't want it. It can be a weird sensation to be paralyzed but

I had already had one spinal from a c-section so knew what to expect.

There are some new studies that show that general anesthesia increases pain

after surgery but that's sort of hard to prove.

claire

Callahan Goodman

I was wondering about the epidural. Were you awake for the surgery?

When I had my right knee done on Oct. 15th I was given the choice of

an epidural or a general. I chose the general. I just wanted to be

put out. I didn't want to hear what was going on. I am having my left

one done this Wednesday and asked my doctor which is best and he said

to chose the epidural as the pain is less after. He said I can also

be put under so I don't hear anything.

Can anyone tell me about the epidural, is it true that the pain is

less and are you awake?

Joanie

[Guest guest]

I'm not trying to start an argument, but, first of all, there is a

difference between epidural and spinal anesthesia - the medications are

injected into a different compartment in the spine, resulting in a different

level of paralysis. Epidural anesthesia would appear to be inappropriate

for TKR since it allows you to move a bit and I think the surgeon would not

want you to be able to move. Women who have an epidural for childbirth can

walk, with assistance, and can use their muscles to push the baby out.

Second, I never said that there were studies indicating that pain was " less

with an epidural " . There are many new studies, however, about the growing

proof that there is more post-operative pain after GENERAL anesthesia than

after other local forms - epidural, spinal, or local novocaine.

Many people in this group have indicated that they had or were offered

GENERAL anesthesia for their joint replacement surgery. The doctor who did

my R TKR does not offer GENERAL anesthesia at all - he only uses spinal.

Interesting note: he does not employ an MD anesthesiologist - instead he

employs a " nurse anesthetist " - because he is not using general anesthesia.

Hence there is a big cost savings for the patient.

I quote here some of the recent scientific articles about the fact that

GENERAL anesthesia can cause post-operative pain levels to be higher than

when other forms of anesthesia are used:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=general-anesthesia-sleep

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=90528

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/06/23/general-anesth

esia-boosts-post-op-pain.html

I hope this is clear and I hope that some people considering joint

replacement will consider spinal rather than general anesthesia, because

they may have less post-operative pain and thus recover faster. If there

are docs out there using epidural anesthesia for TKR, I wonder how they keep

the patient from moving around!

Callahan Goodman

jujulabee@... wrote:

With either a spinal or epidural, you can request the level of

consciousness you want -- I told my OS that I wanted to have no

knowledge of the surgery -- and I didn't. They time it perfectly as I

came to -- completely aware -- just as they were ready to roll me out

to the recovery room.

There are no studies I have read indicating that pain is less with an

epidural. Many surgeons leave some local anesthetic agent in the joint

which eases pain for about 24 hours afterward. Maybe by " pain " he

meant general difficulty in recovery -- i.e. one has had a tube down

one's throat and also is more likely to be nauseated and suffer side

effects from general.

I was told that the difference between an epidural and a spinal was

that a spinal will only last for a finite period of time whereas an

epidural lasts so long as they keep dripping it in -- this is why

epidurals are used for childbirth which can last an unpredictable

amount of time -- whereas an OS knows how long the surgery will take.

Most doctors recommend NOT having general if it can be avoided. It is

medically more dangerous and the recovery period can be more

difficult. Also general can increase the need for a transfusion since

it seems to affect clotting.

On Dec 6, 2008, at 4:44 PM, Goodman wrote:

> Sorry, I also forgot to mention - I had a spinal, not an epidural.

> Dr. Coon

> doesn't offer general anesthesia. They gave me Versed, then put in the

> spinal and the urinary catheter while I was completely unaware, then

> they

> let it wear off and said I could get more if I wanted it.

>

> With a spinal you are completely paralyzed from wherever, down,

> unlike an

> epidural. I don't know if docs use epidurals for knee replacement. -

> you

> would be able to move your leg.

>

> I was awake and talking during the procedure, and felt/heard the

> sawing and

> hammering vibration. I could have asked for more Versed so that I

> would be

> " out " , but didn't want it. It can be a weird sensation to be

> paralyzed but

> I had already had one spinal from a c-section so knew what to expect.

>

> There are some new studies that show that general anesthesia

> increases pain

> after surgery but that's sort of hard to prove.

>

> claire

>

> Callahan Goodman

>

> I was wondering about the epidural. Were you awake for the surgery?

> When I had my right knee done on Oct. 15th I was given the choice of

> an epidural or a general. I chose the general. I just wanted to be

> put out. I didn't want to hear what was going on. I am having my left

> one done this Wednesday and asked my doctor which is best and he said

> to chose the epidural as the pain is less after. He said I can also

> be put under so I don't hear anything.

>

> Can anyone tell me about the epidural, is it true that the pain is

> less and are you awake?

>

> Joanie

>

[Guest guest]

Now THAT sounds like a good idea - spinal for the surgery, and epidural

afterwards when the pain is at its worst. I could have used that about 3

days after surgery!

claire

Callahan Goodman

I haven't had mine yet. Scheduled for Dec 16th. But my surgeon uses the

epidural too, but it is used for after surgery. They use a spinal block of

some kind for during surgery so you feel nothing from the waist down. I was

concerned because I don't like the idea of having that needle stuck in my

spine. Anyway, the explanation is that you aren't " under " as far this way,

so you can wake up quickly and they don't have to use the tube down your

throat for respiration. I believe they use Versed so that you are not aware

of anything going on. I didn't want to be awake either. Doc says I would not

be awake, but just under enough to be " out " and the spinal that paralyses

you from the waist down would take care of all the pain during surgery. As

soon as they stop that medication (spinal), then they use the epidural for

the after pain. And you don't get any of those spinal/epidural shots until

you are out. That's how it was explained, anyway.

Chrissie