Brachial plexus block

[focus_911]

Has anyone had it instead of a general anesthetic? I'm going in a little over a month to get my wrist worked on...again. This will be the 6th surgery on it in the last 4 years.

I have been given the option of getting that regional anesthetic vs a general anesthetic just once before and I declined. Having woken up in recovery after every single operation with a tube down my throat because I haven't been awake enough is now causing me to rethink the option.

Curious as to how much discomfort you are in when it is being done.

Appreciate any input.

[SQ71]

Well, I've never had an "arm block" but I have had 3 spinal (local) anaesthetics whilst having my kids by C-section. You don't feel a thing, aside from some strange sensations of movement. It's def not uncomfortable or painful. I imagine an arm block would feel pretty much the same. The closest I can get to describing how it feels is when you have a local anaesthetic at the dentist and you can feel sensations as the dentist works on you, but no pain.

How long will the op take? I guess that would be a big deciding factor for me. Could I lie still long enough and would I be comfortable lying there for that length of time?

Hopefully somebody else will have had experiences with this, but I think most local anaesthetics work pretty much the same way. Good luck with your upcoming op. :)

[focus_911]

Well, I've never had an "arm block" but I have had 3 spinal (local) anaesthetics whilst having my kids by C-section. You don't feel a thing, aside from some strange sensations of movement. It's def not uncomfortable or painful. I imagine an arm block would feel pretty much the same. The closest I can get to describing how it feels is when you have a local anaesthetic at the dentist and you can feel sensations as the dentist works on you, but no pain.

How long will the op take? I guess that would be a big deciding factor for me. Could I lie still long enough and would I be comfortable lying there for that length of time?

Hopefully somebody else will have had experiences with this, but I think most local anaesthetics work pretty much the same way. Good luck with your upcoming op. :)

I really appreciate your lengthy response. I just had surgery on my hip (the second one in a year) and for both I had an epidural which was also shortly followed by a general anesthetic.
I found waking up in recovery with the epidurals in place very comfortable but did find once you wake up more, that is was quite panicking(for me) to have no sensation at all waist down.
That's why I'm asking. I'm debating if my response to not having sensation is worth dealing with over the discomfort of now having it done.
Thanks again SQ:)

[SQ71]

I can understand why you are questioning this a bit more now. It wouldn't be pleasant waking up with a tube down your throat, but it also sounds like you're uncomfortable with the lack of sensation in your body when you've had a local. Yeah, that's a tough one. Have also been pondering this question too, with my upcoming surgery in 8 days time. Local or GA?

For me the locals were awesome at the time. I could stay awake to see my children born and get to hold them immediately, but I admit I didn't like the emergence of pain once they started to wear off. On the otherhand, because I'm a smoker, waking up from a GA, I have difficulty breathing and that can cause me as much distress. I guess I'm going to follow the recommendation of the anaethetist , on the day.