Spinal Operation

Thanks so much Robin202 that sounds great . To be pain free would be amazing. I can’t remember being without pain

I had the op for Spinal Stenosis back in 2018. I’m terrified of medical procedures and my imagination runs away with me. But I can truly say, everything went well and waking from the GA, I was in a very happy place, feeling quite upbeat and cheery. An unnatural high. But it was nice. On day 2, I did get a little emotional and weepy, but thats normal I was told.
Healing was without any issue and the excruciating nerve pain was gone.

Good luck. It will be worth it.

Thank you LadyGracie that’s a very good tip, I’ll google how to best do it

Can I give you a tip, work on your ‘core muscles’ now before your operation, they make a tremendous difference after your spinal surgery.
Learn how to engage them, they honestly take any strain off your back when sitting down or standing up and make walking a doddle.

Thank you to the last 3 people. I have heard of the painkiller from a nurse friend and will mention it. I’ve been promised a phone call from the pain clinic beforehand.

Unfortunately a spinal block is not an option with my operation I would have considered it but my surgeon won’t . I understand it’s going to be a slow recovery over months . I hope it’s successful. For 5 out of each 100 people it isn’t but my quality of life is so bad now I have no alternative but to try. Thanks again everyone

The anesthesia is the least of your worries. That is to provide you comfort and peace. They have been doing this for decades so dont you worry about that. That is the best. What is difficult is the recovery. I am not going to sugar coat this and say all will be well. Recovery is a toss up and you need to pray a lot. The spinal is nothing to worry about. You will feel better than now but youve got to be very tough and look towards the future. It wont be easy but you will get to a better place. ❤️

Non opioid painkiller I now use is Nefopam. Won’t suit everyone of course but might be worth a try if you can’t tolerate opioids and paracetamol isn’t helping.

TwiceAsNice a friend had a spinal op for SS at the National Neuro in Wueens Sq London, he had an epidural

Thanks so much knspol for your kind wishes and Lilyflower so glad you are better now

I had a spinal op and was terrified but it went very well and gave me back a life which had become unbearable with Sciatic nerve pain. Go for it!

I have no experience or knowledge of these things but just wanted to acknowledge how worrying this must be for you and wish you the very, very best.

Thank you so much to all the people who have commented since I’ve come back on site. You’re all so kind. Thanks for saying I’m not being silly. I do trust the surgeon I’ve seen in outpatients appts so I think I will stay with him he is very well thought of . It’s been brilliant getting your points of view thank you so much

Twiceasnice The one thing I would never do is to move to another surgeon if his waiting list is shorter. Especially for spinal surgery. Each prefer their own speciality. Long gone thankfully are the days when a surgeon would tackle anything and sometimes with disastrous results.

I would also question why his list is so short.

You will be fine I am sure. Please try not to fret.

GA are far in advance than nerve block with sedation in keeping the patient ‘under’. GA do make me extremely sick but I have low BP which crashes under anaesthesia. I have never come round under GA but I have under sedation during a procedure.

I totally understand your fear as I am always very nervous about having a general anaesthetic but I have had a few operations including a spinal one, and there have never been any issues .
I don't think you're being irrational at all but the anaesthetist will look after you - they are always so nice and caring in my experience and the operation will be so worth it. Chronic pain is no joke.
Sending you a big hug and best wishes. XX

TwiceAsNice, it's normal to be scared, I was, I've had 3 GA now and am much less nervous. Remember, anaesthetists are considered to be the brightest of doctors, the best trained and I have found lately, the friendliest.
They are there to look after you. Your safety and well-being is their only concern.
In my last operation, a robotic, keyhole hysterectomy, the anaesthetist and surgeon both chatted to me immediately before the operation. I could chose from his playlist what song I wanted to 'drift off' to. I had the operation in Holland, so, as I am a Brit, he suggested The Beetles' and he chose 'Yesterday'!
If you think of the words, it shows he had a sense of humour!
Good Luck!

I've had several GAs over the years. During one I was acting in Emmerdale and another I was riding a beautiful horse across some tropical beach. Talk to your anaesthetist; I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

How are others awaiting a date for sciatica operation, hopefully.
But not even had a consultation with a doctor at hospital yet.
They say you might have a long wait, but it’s been nearly six months now and no word.
I thought the NHS was improving waiting times: but not so.

Tension and worry will exacerbate the pain, so try some relaxation techniques, some muscle massage or some low level tranquiliser like Calms.

My very good friend had a spinal op and the pain put her in a wheelchair - she finally got a suggestion for a sports therapist and she literally danced out of his appointment. The tension and trouble with spinal ops is that the muscles don't like it much and clamp up - all her pain, once the primary problem op was over, was residual because of tensed muscles.

My son was terrified and he was only 21 when he had his spinal op. Before he went in he asked the surgeon not to paralyse him. After the op the surgeon came in and said he wished my son hadn't said that. He'd done many operations without any problems but was incredibly nervous with my son's because of what he said.
I have had 2 spinal ops and been fine with both of them. The only people who have problems with remaining aware during their ops are people with conditions like EDS where anaesthesia doesn't always work for them. There are ways around this and as long as the anaesthetist knows, he can ensure that doesn't happen. I think you'd probably know if you had a condition like that.

Oh you poor thing. Look I have had two back ops for discs ,a new knee, an opp to remove a lump in my neck and several more. About 8 I think. Honest you will be fine. Fast asleep. The anaesthetist will come and see you so tell her you are worried. You won't be the first. They will hold your hand in theatre if you ask and the next thing you'll be waking up in recovery and it'll be all done. You will be so much better once it's fixed. Fighting fit and raring to go so focus on that. Best wishes for a speedy recovery xx

TwiceAsNice

Thank you sazz1. I do know it unlikely and irrational , it’s just been a fear all my life and until now have never needed a GA. I am more reassured by the comments and thank you for your input

I have lumbar spinal stenosis twisted to my left. If I walk a short distance I get lower back pain. Been suffering for 8 years. I tend to sit down most times with no pain but stiffness. I had two total knee replacements, last 2023, due to osteoarthritis and underwent GA. What scares me is the thought of ending up in a wheelchair. I am seeing a consultant 21 April and it terrifies me if I will need surgery. My other concern will be walking upstairs to my bedroom.

I had a general anesthetic 3 weeks ago and had some misgivings about it I am 75 and in good health. I last had a general anesthetic nearly 50years ago having a Caesarian sectio to have our first child My main concern was that i would still be awake for it or come round too soon during surgery! Believe me when I say the anesthetist was most reassuring and dint saddle about I was talking one minute and spark out the next. Please accept warm wishes for a safe operation and recovery afterwards.

As Charleygirl5 says, I was told there was a long waiting list for my procedure, but also told that if I said that I didn't mind which consultant's team operated and could take a cancellation it would be much shorter. It took a matter of a couple of months as against over a year.

Thank you sazz1. I do know it unlikely and irrational , it’s just been a fear all my life and until now have never needed a GA. I am more reassured by the comments and thank you for your input