Spinal Anesthesia

[maspaha]

Hiya DU Fam,

I need some input from those of y’all who’ve had spinal anesthesia in the past I know, perhaps not the most leisurely topic…sorry, but I need more first person experiences to make my decision.

What was your experience with spinal anesthesia? Especially compared to general anesthesia.

Here’s my situation…I have knee replacement surgery next week. The orthopedic surgeon prefers spinal anesthesia, but, he said he’d do general anesthesia for me. He says spinal anesthesia results in less pain and quicker discharge. This is an outpatient surgery.

About me…I have a history of frequent headaches, including migraines, which are just recently under control. I’m also the f-word…ya know, female, over 60 (barely…don’t ask a lady her age 😉 , and on the smaller side, 5’ 2.5”, and of slightly less than normal weight (no, I ain’t telling y’all how much I weigh either). Based on my research, all of the above give me a higher risk of PDPH, Post Dural Puncture Headache.

My experience with general has been waking up in immense pain…like a 10, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst pain imaginable. And very agitated…kinda feel sorry for the post-op crew.

And one last thing…even though I have birthed humans, I did NOT have epidurals. I brought those new human beings into the world without even an aspirin. 💪🏼

I’d appreciate anything you can share

[elleng]

1. Sorry, I don't have such experience,

even tho I too have birthed humans, I did NOT have epidurals. I brought those new human beings into the world without even an aspirin.

I suggest you post in a Health forum.

Good luck.

[maspaha]

7. Thank you!

I’ll repost in health. Thanks for the suggestion. When I originally read the Health forum guidelines, i was concerned my question could be considered asking “advice”, but after reading through other posts there, I think I’ll be OK.

Gotta admit, the endorphins created birthing without meds ranks as some of my best highs

[Walleye]

2. When I had knee replacement, they tried to do an epidural, but I had so much arthritis in my spine. They couldn't get

The needle in so they went with the general it went fine. I was fine when I woke up.

[maspaha]

8. Yikes!

Never considered the arthritis is my spine! It’s there and noted on several of my imaging reports.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[barbtries]

3. I've only had it once,

and it was in 1975 while giving birth to my oldest son. What I recall is that as it was taking effect, the nurse was putting my partially paralyzed legs into the stirrups, and after he was born my mind kept thinking my legs were in stirrups. I remember laying there and touching my legs over and over. Also, I had to lay flat for 12 hours (I believe) to avoid getting a terrible headache.

It's certainly possible that in the nearly 50 years since then, things have changed. It sounds as if headache would be a real risk for you. If they're doing this on an outpatient basis they will not (I assume) advocate for you to remain supine for 12 hours post-op. (I had kidney stone surgery last year and the hospital really rushed me out the door)

I was so young and didn't even know my doctor was going to give me a full spinal. He didn't ask, we did not discuss. They just did it, no explanations. By the time my second came along 4 years later, he had changed his practice radically and had me sign up for childbirth classes early, and my next 3 children were born naturally. I had locals for episiotomies, but with my 3rd child, he came so soon that I didn't even have that.

I will say that i was completely paralyzed from the waist down. I watched my son being born in the mirror as a nurse leaned on me with all her might to push him out. If you choose the spinal, I'm pretty sure you will not feel a thing during surgery.

Let us know how you choose and how it goes. Good Luck!!

ETA from reading others' comments, I want to say that this was a full spinal, not an epidural. I'm assuming that's what your doctor proposes?

[maspaha]

13. Thanks barbtries

I’m always amazed at what the medical community thinks they can do to our bodies without our consultation. I’m so glad they, and we are more educated and taking charge of our bodies. My philosophy is…this is my body, I know it best and I am Captain of this team! In other words…I hire them to do a job…

[we can do it]

4. I had it for my outpatient hip replacement. I went home 8 hours after I there. I only used narcotics for 2 days.

The other hip was also outpatient was in hospital 11.5 hours total and was off narcotics in 4 days.

[maspaha]

12. Thanks we can do it!

Good to hear a positive experience!

I’ve also had a hip replacement…with general anesthesia though. The hip was easy-breezy! Ten days after surgery I drove my kid from PHX-ABQ for a soccer tournament.

[rsdsharp]

5. I had it in 1988 for hernia surgery. Never again.

It took 2 1/2 hour after surgery before I could move my legs. That was much longer than the doctors expected. It freaked me out because my mother had been paralyzed from the waist down the last two years of her life after a serious heart attack.

After I had been home a few days, I began suffering from a blinding headache. I was leaking spinal fluid from the injection site. They gave me a choice. I could have them go back into the same site, or I could stay flat on my back and drink a lot of GatorAide. I wasn’t interested in another needle in my back, so I spent a long 2-3 days in bed.

[maspaha]

9. I'm so sorry...

The headache is exactly what I’m concerned about. I didn’t even consider my legs being paralyzed. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[rsdsharp]

14. If it happens, it's nasty. The anesthesiologist said they could stop it immediately by going back in to the injection,

but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Best of luck!

[maspaha]

15. Yup, that's what I read...

It’s called a blood patch

[wryter2000]

6. I had it for two hip surgeries

I didn't notice any difference from general anesthesia.

I squawked because the brochure said I'd be "drowsy." I told the anesthesiologist that "drowsy" didn't get it. I wanted to be out cold. She told me I wouldn't be aware of what was going on. Both times it was a breeze.

I didn't have your head ached problems, though.

[maspaha]

10. Thanks wryter!

Good to hear a positive experience.

[wryter2000]

11. Your legs will be numb when you wake up

That went away after a bit, and they got me up and walking.

[maspaha]

16. Also good to hear...

I’m not the only one verbalizing my insistence on being completely out

[sdfernando]

17. Never had that but I have had

3 or 4 Lumbar Punctures.....Spinal Taps for you older folks. Only one resulted in a bad headache. My Dr said I should have come back because the can put a blood clot plug to keep spinal fluid from leaking. In hindsight, the doc doing the needling was distracted taking with another nurse. He let too much fluid out. . I actually felt pulses of fluid fall between my butt cheeks and down between my legs. If you do it be sure to ask for a plug.

[sarge43]

18. I've had both hip joints replaced

I had the spinal both times. The post op pain was bearable and wore off slowly so I didn't come up for air in extreme pain. I do remember a slight headache post op, but no worse than usual. My experience with generals is much the same as yours. So, highly recommend going with the spinal.

One thought from someone missing factory installed parts. Stay on your post op physical therapy. Yes, the first weeks aren't a laugh riot, but it does get easier. One day not too far off you'll think, "what knee surgery??"