Guest guest Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 It's not particularly painful -- as far as I can recall, having the IV line inserted into my hand was more painful. I think they numb the spot with a topical anesthesia and then inject with a combination of drugs -- so it really wasn't any kind of pain or even discomfort that I felt. I had a spinal. As with most aspects of the operation, thinking about it is far worse than going through the experience itself. I chose to do my research and then not think about what was physically happening to me -- I mean really do most people want to dwell on being opened up, hammered at, twisted like a naked chicken and then sewn up again LOL. Of course one should discuss all aspects of one's care with the doctor. If you don't want to feel pain and are concerned, tell them. If you are nervous and want some Valium while you are waiting for the operation, tell someone that you are freaking out. There is no need to feel pain as pain can be managed quite well. One is definitely going to be " uncomfortable " after surgery but the first time one realizes that one doesn't have the excruciating pain of the hip or knee, the " discomfort " fades into insignificance. On Jun 14, 2009, at 3:10 PM, R wrote: > > > Do they sedate you before they do the spinal/epidural? It sounds > painful to > me. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 They may give you a slightly sedating " cocktail " for the ride to the OR, but they need your cooperation, so you aren't " out " when they place the injection. It happens very quickly and at least with a spinal, the anesthesia is so quick and total that you don't have time to feel pain (if there is any). Then they will give you the happy drug (Versed) and you will be in dreamland. If you do come to at all, the anesthesiologist will quickly give you another jolt. Spinal, in my opinion, is definitely the way to go. Betsy -------------------------------------------------- From: " R " <nancyr44@...> Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 6:10 PM <Joint Replacement > Subject: Re: Re: anesthesia > Do they sedate you before they do the spinal/epidural? It sounds painful > to > me. > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 I think I had some valium in my IV, then topical anesthesia before the spinal. Didn¹t feel a thing. But yes do talk to the anesthesiologist about exactly what the complete procedure is. S/he may do things differently than what I experienced (though I think this is pretty much the standard operating procedure, so to speak). Also there are risks associated with any procedure and you¹ll want to know what your doc thinks those are. Peace, jackie On 6/14/09 3:10 PM, " R " <nancyr44@...> wrote: > > > > > > Do they sedate you before they do the spinal/epidural? It sounds painful to > me. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 After reading all the other replies, I regret to say that I had both an epidural and general for my THR. The epidural was painless but the effects didn't wear off completely for a couple days. I suffered no side effects from the general except that the excessive use of anticholinergic meds left me with dry mouth and difficulty urinating for about 3 days. If I have to go through it again, epidural is the answer. Thanks to all for setting me straight. Your experiences will be filed away when I need to have my left TKR. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 > > anesthesia ... would you do it over the same if you had to. > thanks > diane > Diane, I had the epidural. I've had 12 different surgeries over my life, and this is the first time I had the epidural. It was terrific. I was concerned that I may be somewhat awake or able to hear everything during surgery, but I was out of it for the whole surgery. My husband said that I looked fantastic after surgery, and I was very alert in post-op recovery. I " recovered " from anesthesia very quickly - I wasn't groggy or out of it at all, so I was able to get up and move sooner than later. My problem was when they put me on the push-button pain med. I had dilauden (sp?), a narcotic, which made me horribly nauseous. So when I returned in 2 weeks to have my second hip replaced, they gave me anti-nausea patch before surgery. It made a huge difference - I could eat the evening after surgery (well, light stuff) and had no problem eating for the rest of the week. If you know are sensitive to any pain meds, make sure you get nausea control. Eileen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Diane, I have only had two major surgeries in my life. One had full blown general anaesthetic and my THR in Oct which I had the epidural or what my surgeon called Twilight. I cannot recco the epidural method enough. General anaesthetic adds a whole dimension to recovery time. Did you know that on average, it takes 6 months to entirely leave your body and that some of the side effects, even months down the road are depression? That happened to me. With the Twilight, I woke up with surgical discomfort, but did not have the limitations that General would have imposed on me. They gave something to relax me first. When she inserted the spinal, I didn't even feel it. I was surprised. I'm the biggest pain whoos on the planet and it was nothing. This form of anaesthetic is far safer than General. I was completely out of it. I was also told I may see/hear things going on in the OR, but I didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 I'm the biggest pain whoos on the planet. It didn't hurt at all. They gave me a relaxant first, but I didn't feel it going in at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Does anybody know if the anesthesia the dentist uses.........to knock you out...........contains any solvents? I'm not sure what will be used. Thanks for any info. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 I would think you can talk with your dentist about that in addition to seeking advice elsewhere. Is anesthesia necessary for your procedure? Do you have any allergies to medications that you know of? Are you chemically sensitive? If yes to any of these things you might want to run all that by the dentist before they do anything. Is your dentist a biological dentist? If so, they would be familiar with trying to find compatable materials to use on you that you would be " least reactive " too. There are blood tests you can take for this as far as dental materials are concerned. Hope this is helpful. Sam From: mnpearl@... <mnpearl@...> Subject: [] Anesthesia Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009, 1:23 PM Does anybody know if the anesthesia the dentist uses........ .to knock you out......... ..contains any solvents? I'm not sure what will be used. Thanks for any info. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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