I work in the Operating Theatre AMA

[StealingYourWiFi]

I work across anaesthetic, scrub and recovery. Currently in the private sector.

Ask away

I had to ask for two blankets. I couldn't stop shivering.

Thank you so much for this thread OP.

@RocketPockets I don't remember any mention of a spinal block. Surely for such a major op you need to be properly anaesthetised?

@Booboostwo all completely normal reactions, we often have people waking up sobbing for reasons they can't really explain. Breaks my heart every time!

@FunkyBarnYardBroom completely normal to be itchy afterwards although in your case it sounds like more than that! If you were really agitated they may have given you something to sedate you while the anaesthetic left your body properly. There are alternatives to morphine if you have another anaesthetic I'd really stress to them how bad the itching is afterwards.

@Supersimpkin it doesn't complicate surgery it can complicate waking up from anaesthetic or going to sleep but it's not an uncommon thing to happen and is fairly easily deal with. I probably experience it at work a few times a month depending on what kind of lists I'm in. If it happens when you go to sleep it's a case of waiting for it to settle down while the anaesthetic deepens but if it's when waking it can be quite distressing for the patient if they remember it.

It's really normal to shake so much after surgery and not be cold. Although having a warming blanket on can sometimes help it's more a case of waiting for the anaesthetic to leave your body which is why the oxygen helps.

Thank you

I thought I had stressed how bad it was! I'll bear that in mind should I need another GA but hopefully not!

This thread has been fascinating!

@ginghamstarfish its really common to have a spinal block & sedation for hip & knee replacements and can really aid recovery.
But it's something that would have been explained to you and would have been done while you were awake.
If you didn't have this but still had some awareness it shouldn't have been brushed off to be honest.
Next time mention it to the anaesthetist. It's not common to have awareness, although the media do like to throw big numbers around they are a very small percentage of total operations completed each year and don't always take into account awareness when waking/falling asleep. The only other explanation is that it was when you were waking up and it was noises from the general theatre environment/other theatres/staff putting equipment away. I hope you're ok after experiencing this.

@Rocketpockets thanks for answering my question. I’ve had two surgeries recently and both times woken up in recovery feeling very cheerful and more so by having wonderful caring and attentive nurses by my side. I feel very fortunate !

@RocketPockets no there was no mention of a spinal block. I have to have revision surgery and am quite anxious about it, will ask about this. Thank you.

@FabulouslyFab you're welcome! And I'm glad you had a good experience :)

@ginghamstarfish revision surgery is done quite differently, so if you did have a spinal for the initial surgery you likely won't for revision surgery. But definitely mention the experience when you have any pre assessment etc for your revision surgery. I really hope you have a better experience for any future surgeries.