Guest guest Posted March 4, 2002 Report Share Posted March 4, 2002 I need some advice on anesthesia... My date with Dr. Mont is Thursday 3/7... like almost immediately! I went to the MDA session (Multiple Discipline Assessment) last week and learned a lot. Most of my preconceptions about anesthesia were altered during a fifteen minute discussion with the Sinai Hospital head of anesthesia. I was told that for a 55 year old male in good health (me), it made little difference what type of anesthesia I chose. They would not use an epidural (which is like a multiple use tap into the spine), because the operation is of too short a duration, and post-op meds would be intravenous. The choice for me appears to be a one shot spinal or general anesthesia. There is very very slight (near zero) risk of complication on administering the spinal, and a slight risk of a nasty headache on coming-to afterwards. This is generally a greater risk for young females than for me. There is a slight risk of urine retention with a spinal, and a catheter would be used for sure. With the general anesthesia, the risk of nausea also is generally greater for younger females, and I should have no problem. Because I will be positioned on my side, the general anesthesia gives the anesthesiologist better control of breathing function, but I would probably be breathing spontaneously most of the time. A catheter would probably not be necessary, at least during the operation. So gang, how do I chose?? Any stories either way on either method would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2002 Report Share Posted March 5, 2002 Kitt, I had a general Anesthetic with Dr. Mont in June. Given that any anesthesia puts one into a quite different state of being I elected to avoid anything related to the scary word " spinal " . I have no regrets but then I've never had a " spinal " . It's hard to tell, after surgery, what effects ar responsible for what. My experience was that nothing was really that bad. It's all rather amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 At 05:21 PM 3/4/2002 -0500, you wrote: >I need some advice on anesthesia... Hey Kit, Since they are giving you a choice, I guess the best answer is whatever you feel most comfortable with. I had spinals with both my resurfacings. Dr. Boyd uses long-acting DuraMorph. I don't think I got a second shot, and my surgeries were 3+ and nearly 4 1/2 hours long. I was not comfortable with the idea of a general, so I was perfectly fine with his preferred use of the spinal. He says the recovery is quicker and with fewer complications. I had no headache at all. I was nauseous on Day 2 of the second hip, but that was from my low 'crit level-had nothing to do with the anesthesia. My mother had a general with her THR and was sick as a dog for days. They kept her longer because she was SO sick and they couldn't get her 'crit level back up any sooner. She was so impressed by my recovery that she is hoping for a spinal on her upcoming second THR. Best to you on your upcoming 'surfing adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Kit-- I don't know where the break off point is for not giving epidural, but they gave me one three months ago there. I am 49, if theres a difference between our ages its something that I don't know about. I don't know everything. I liked the epidural, when I woke after surgery there was very little discomfort which is nice to have because your leg isn't under you like it used to be. I had difficulty surrendering to the feeling of almost total uselessness and helplessness. But I did like the lack of pain in my hip, first time in 4-5 years. I don't know how punchy the morphine would make you but the epidural kept feelings to a numbness in the surgical area. Everywhere else I had complete feelings. Although, I have nothing to compare it to, I think I would do the epidural. It was in my back until sometime the day after surgery, a little hollow " fish line " in my lower back, administering pain meds to only that area. Good luck with surgery, take time to enjoy the food. If you get Lee for a night nurse, tell him Bob says " Hi " and I hope to stop up when I'm there late next week. Careful with the TV watching, it can get pricey if you fall asleep with the wrong channel on... You'll do well. Captain Amaze_O -- In surfacehippy@y..., " Kit Leary " <kitkit1@m...> wrote: > I need some advice on anesthesia... > > My date with Dr. Mont is Thursday 3/7... like almost immediately! I went to the MDA session (Multiple Discipline Assessment) last week and learned a lot. Most of my preconceptions about anesthesia were altered during a fifteen minute discussion with the Sinai Hospital head of anesthesia. I was told that for a 55 year old male in good health (me), it made little difference what type of anesthesia I chose. They would not use an epidural (which is like a multiple use tap into the spine), because the operation is of too short a duration, and post-op meds would be intravenous. > > The choice for me appears to be a one shot spinal or general anesthesia. There is very very slight (near zero) risk of complication on administering the spinal, and a slight risk of a nasty headache on coming-to afterwards. This is generally a greater risk for young females than for me. There is a slight risk of urine retention with a spinal, and a catheter would be used for sure. > > With the general anesthesia, the risk of nausea also is generally greater for younger females, and I should have no problem. Because I will be positioned on my side, the general anesthesia gives the anesthesiologist better control of breathing function, but I would probably be breathing spontaneously most of the time. A catheter would probably not be necessary, at least during the operation. > > So gang, how do I chose?? Any stories either way on either method would be greatly appreciated. > Thanks, Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 FWIW I had absolutely no problems with the anesthesia although the morphine made me really nauseated. I also had a general a couple of years ago for knee surgery and would have no problems taking one again. I asked the anesthesiologist about a spinal and he said he didn't do them. He said that when they worked they were great but very occasionally something went wrong and then it was very serious. The only strange part (I was in the UK) was in the recovery room. They had a very nice lass from Aberdeen checking up on me and since I couldn't understand a word she said -- and sure wasn't feeling loquacious -- I did my level best to ignore her, alarming the staff (since I wasn't responding to anything). I eventually told them all to please go away (er, maybe something stronger) and that was that. Cheers, Jeff >At 05:21 PM 3/4/2002 -0500, you wrote: >>I need some advice on anesthesia... > >Hey Kit, > >Since they are giving you a choice, I guess the best answer is whatever you >feel most comfortable with. I had spinals with both my resurfacings. Dr. >Boyd uses long-acting DuraMorph. I don't think I got a second shot, and my >surgeries were 3+ and nearly 4 1/2 hours long. I was not comfortable with >the idea of a general, so I was perfectly fine with his preferred use of >the spinal. He says the recovery is quicker and with fewer >complications. I had no headache at all. I was nauseous on Day 2 of the >second hip, but that was from my low 'crit level-had nothing to do with the >anesthesia. >My mother had a general with her THR and was sick as a dog for days. They >kept her longer because she was SO sick and they couldn't get her 'crit >level back up any sooner. She was so impressed by my recovery that she is >hoping for a spinal on her upcoming second THR. > >Best to you on your upcoming 'surfing adventure! > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Hi Kit! Had my surgery on Monday. I had an epidural. Post op Dr. Gross had the spinal port catheter dosing me with a sedative (very little) and bupivicaine. He also put a tiny (and I do mean tiny) catheter into the wound which dosed with the same stuff. I felt absolutely no pain and I didn't have to recover from the heavy duty drugs and morphine. I think you'll feel worse with a general, but you also have to do what they do well. Good Luck...Buzz Quoting Kit Leary : > <html><body> > > > <tt> > I need some advice on anesthesia...<BR> > <BR> > My date with Dr. Mont is Thursday 3/7... like almost immediately! & nbsp; I > went to the MDA session (Multiple Discipline Assessment) last week and > learned a lot. & nbsp; Most of my preconceptions about anesthesia were altered > during a fifteen minute discussion with the Sinai Hospital head of > anesthesia. & nbsp; I was told that for a 55 year old male in good health (me), > it made little difference what type of anesthesia I chose. & nbsp; They would > not use an epidural (which is like a multiple use tap into the spine), > because the operation is of too short a duration, and post-op meds would be > intravenous. & nbsp; <BR> > <BR> > The choice for me appears to be a one shot spinal or general > anesthesia. & nbsp; There is very very slight (near zero) risk of complication > on administering the spinal, and a slight risk of a nasty headache on > coming-to afterwards. & nbsp; This is generally a greater risk for young > females than for me. & nbsp; There is a slight risk of urine retention with a > spinal, and a catheter would be used for sure.<BR> > <BR> > With the general anesthesia, the risk of nausea also is generally greater for > younger females, and I should have no problem. & nbsp; Because I will be > positioned on my side, the general anesthesia gives the anesthesiologist > better control of breathing function, but I would probably be breathing > spontaneously most of the time. & nbsp; A catheter would probably not be > necessary, at least during the operation.<BR> > <BR> > So gang, how do I chose?? & nbsp; Any stories either way on either method would > be greatly appreciated.<BR> > Thanks, Kit<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Kit I got an epidural with Dr Mont back in December, I'm 49. I don't know but they must have changed things around. Good luck tomorrow. Captain Amaze_O > I need some advice on anesthesia... > > My date with Dr. Mont is Thursday 3/7... like almost immediately! I went to the MDA session (Multiple Discipline Assessment) last week and learned a lot. Most of my preconceptions about anesthesia were altered during a fifteen minute discussion with the Sinai Hospital head of anesthesia. I was told that for a 55 year old male in good health (me), it made little difference what type of anesthesia I chose. They would not use an epidural (which is like a multiple use tap into the spine), because the operation is of too short a duration, and post-op meds would be intravenous. > > The choice for me appears to be a one shot spinal or general anesthesia. There is very very slight (near zero) risk of complication on administering the spinal, and a slight risk of a nasty headache on coming-to afterwards. This is generally a greater risk for young females than for me. There is a slight risk of urine retention with a spinal, and a catheter would be used for sure. > > With the general anesthesia, the risk of nausea also is generally greater for younger females, and I should have no problem. Because I will be positioned on my side, the general anesthesia gives the anesthesiologist better control of breathing function, but I would probably be breathing spontaneously most of the time. A catheter would probably not be necessary, at least during the operation. > > So gang, how do I chose?? Any stories either way on either method would be greatly appreciated. > Thanks, Kit > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 I had 3 c-sections, 1 epidural, 1 spinal and 1 general. Epidural wins, hands down! Controls the pain with little or no after effects. When I finally go under the knife for my hip, I will insist on the eppy. Carlen - In surfacehippy@y..., " amaze_o " <amaze_o@y...> wrote: > Kit-- I don't know where the break off point is for not giving > epidural, but they gave me one three months ago there. I am 49, if > theres a difference between our ages its something that I don't know > about. I don't know everything. > I liked the epidural, when I woke after surgery there was very little > discomfort which is nice to have because your leg isn't under you > like it used to be. I had difficulty surrendering to the feeling of > almost total uselessness and helplessness. But I did like the lack of > pain in my hip, first time in 4-5 years. > I don't know how punchy the morphine would make you but the epidural > kept feelings to a numbness in the surgical area. Everywhere else I > had complete feelings. > Although, I have nothing to compare it to, I think I would do the > epidural. It was in my back until sometime the day after surgery, a > little hollow " fish line " in my lower back, administering pain meds > to only that area. > Good luck with surgery, take time to enjoy the food. If you get > Lee for a night nurse, tell him Bob says " Hi " and I hope to stop up > when I'm there late next week. Careful with the TV watching, it can > get pricey if you fall asleep with the wrong channel on... > You'll do well. > Captain Amaze_O > > > -- In surfacehippy@y..., " Kit Leary " <kitkit1@m...> wrote: > > I need some advice on anesthesia... > > > > My date with Dr. Mont is Thursday 3/7... like almost immediately! > I went to the MDA session (Multiple Discipline Assessment) last week > and learned a lot. Most of my preconceptions about anesthesia were > altered during a fifteen minute discussion with the Sinai Hospital > head of anesthesia. I was told that for a 55 year old male in good > health (me), it made little difference what type of anesthesia I > chose. They would not use an epidural (which is like a multiple use > tap into the spine), because the operation is of too short a > duration, and post-op meds would be intravenous. > > > > The choice for me appears to be a one shot spinal or general > anesthesia. There is very very slight (near zero) risk of > complication on administering the spinal, and a slight risk of a > nasty headache on coming-to afterwards. This is generally a greater > risk for young females than for me. There is a slight risk of urine > retention with a spinal, and a catheter would be used for sure. > > > > With the general anesthesia, the risk of nausea also is generally > greater for younger females, and I should have no problem. Because I > will be positioned on my side, the general anesthesia gives the > anesthesiologist better control of breathing function, but I would > probably be breathing spontaneously most of the time. A catheter > would probably not be necessary, at least during the operation. > > > > So gang, how do I chose?? Any stories either way on either method > would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks, Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 I had 3 c-sections, 1 epidural, 1 spinal and 1 general. Epidural wins, hands down! Controls the pain with little or no after effects. When I finally go under the knife for my hip, I will insist on the eppy. Carlen - In surfacehippy@y..., " amaze_o " <amaze_o@y...> wrote: > Kit-- I don't know where the break off point is for not giving > epidural, but they gave me one three months ago there. I am 49, if > theres a difference between our ages its something that I don't know > about. I don't know everything. > I liked the epidural, when I woke after surgery there was very little > discomfort which is nice to have because your leg isn't under you > like it used to be. I had difficulty surrendering to the feeling of > almost total uselessness and helplessness. But I did like the lack of > pain in my hip, first time in 4-5 years. > I don't know how punchy the morphine would make you but the epidural > kept feelings to a numbness in the surgical area. Everywhere else I > had complete feelings. > Although, I have nothing to compare it to, I think I would do the > epidural. It was in my back until sometime the day after surgery, a > little hollow " fish line " in my lower back, administering pain meds > to only that area. > Good luck with surgery, take time to enjoy the food. If you get > Lee for a night nurse, tell him Bob says " Hi " and I hope to stop up > when I'm there late next week. Careful with the TV watching, it can > get pricey if you fall asleep with the wrong channel on... > You'll do well. > Captain Amaze_O > > > -- In surfacehippy@y..., " Kit Leary " <kitkit1@m...> wrote: > > I need some advice on anesthesia... > > > > My date with Dr. Mont is Thursday 3/7... like almost immediately! > I went to the MDA session (Multiple Discipline Assessment) last week > and learned a lot. Most of my preconceptions about anesthesia were > altered during a fifteen minute discussion with the Sinai Hospital > head of anesthesia. I was told that for a 55 year old male in good > health (me), it made little difference what type of anesthesia I > chose. They would not use an epidural (which is like a multiple use > tap into the spine), because the operation is of too short a > duration, and post-op meds would be intravenous. > > > > The choice for me appears to be a one shot spinal or general > anesthesia. There is very very slight (near zero) risk of > complication on administering the spinal, and a slight risk of a > nasty headache on coming-to afterwards. This is generally a greater > risk for young females than for me. There is a slight risk of urine > retention with a spinal, and a catheter would be used for sure. > > > > With the general anesthesia, the risk of nausea also is generally > greater for younger females, and I should have no problem. Because I > will be positioned on my side, the general anesthesia gives the > anesthesiologist better control of breathing function, but I would > probably be breathing spontaneously most of the time. A catheter > would probably not be necessary, at least during the operation. > > > > So gang, how do I chose?? Any stories either way on either method > would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks, Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 > I had 3 c-sections, 1 epidural, 1 spinal and 1 general. Epidural > wins, hands down! Controls the pain with little or no after > effects. When I finally go under the knife for my hip, I will > insist on the eppy. To Carlen and Kit, I just have to chime in on the side of the epidural. I've now had 7 surgeries in my lifetime and the epidural is definitely the only way to go if you have to go under the knife. I've even had experience with ether when I was 9. Medicine has come a long way thank goodness! When I first heard that a general was the anesthesia of choice with my local OS I was much dismayed. Probably one of the first things that caught my attention with Dr. Gross was the fact that he used the epidural. Trudy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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