You wont believe this one

[Daisythedog]

One of my co workers due in for a double knee job is getting it done with an epidural for anaesthesia , just some sedation while it is done , i take it that it us being done to facilitate the bed emptying , when my turn comes , they had better put me right out of it

[PMRPete]

I believe it!

I had my Hip replacement done that way. Absolutely perfect, far better than a general anaesthetic!

I did come to a couple of times briefly! I won't relate those details as I realise you are a bit squirmish.

Nothing to do with bed emptying whatsoever.

[Crusee]

Hi Daisythedog

I dont have first hand experience of this but my brother had a hip replacement a few months back.

He was offered a choice of full anaesthetic or epidural.

He opted for the epidural the reason being he was told the recovery time was quicker than a full anaesthetic.

He is a farmer who runs a contracting business so any time away from the business was damaging. He wanted to get back in there quickly.

He had to be very careful for a few weeks and follow his consultants instructions to the letter re rest and exercises etc but he made a full and speedy recovery .He and his tractor and digger were soon reunited.

So dont worry I understand you will be given the choice .I,hope all goes well for you with your op and you are up and about soon. He did say that he never knew about a thing that was happenng.

Any concerns speak to your consultant they will put your mnd at rest.

Take care.

Crusee

XX

[Cat33]

I have just had an epidural for a hip replacement no it's not done for that reason It's great I was given sedation and went off to sleep but I didn't have all the horrid after effects of a general

Don't worry you won't know anything about it good luck

[Phillylou]

If the choice comes up for epidural grab it with both hands ! I've had both my knees done with epidural, & chatted to anaesthetist all the way thru, apparently was even singing Les Mis . The epidural stays in your system for a full 24 hours so less pain for the first day . Why be knocked out for the op only to be brought round to pain ! X

[jackie4ball]

Having had one knee replacement 11 years ago and when I was nursing I watched one being done there is no way I would want to be awake whilst having it done. It's bad enough when you go to the dentist and hear the drills etc but when they start on a joint like the knee no way ever!

[jackie4ball]

I did have an epidural as well as anaesthetic but when the epidural started wearing off I didn't take pain meds quick enough and struggled to get pain under control so I know in future the minute it starts to niggle take pain meds

[Mhairi54]

That's pretty standard in the NHS these days unfortunately....