arm block anesthesia

[Stoday]

Got my fistula created yesterday. But the surgery was nothing like I expected.

I'd opted for a general anesthetic, but after a session with the anesthetist I didn't get it. My past medical history made it inadviseable, so I was to get an arm block instead and remain conscious throughout the operation.

There are four nerves that run down your arm that have to be anesthetised by injecting a fluid near to them just under your arm. To position the needle in the right place they send an electric shock down it, which triggers a wiggle in one of your fingers. It also made my leg shake although is wasn't supposed to. Yes, you feel it — OW! OW! Overall injecting the anesthesia took half an hour.

No pain at all during the operation, which took 2 1/2 hours. By the end it was 5.30 p.m. and I was told they'd keep me in overnight (I was expecting to go home that evening). Throughout the night my whole arm was dead; I couldn't even move a finger. Eventually, after 15 hours I was able first to lift my arm, then bend it at the elbow. It took 18 hours before I could move all my fingers and wrist.

All done now. Can hear it working too, so hopefully it will mature OK over the next couple of months.

[willowtreewren]

I haven't heard of this technique. Interesting.

[KICKSTART]

Well done you for going through all that !! 

[paris]

Not quite the same, but my son had an "arm block" when he had surgery on his hand to repair a sprial fracture and put in screws.  It took most of the day for the block to wear off. He was awake and made a better recovery than if he had been under general anesthetic.   Let us know how your fistual does.   

[Jean]

Actually, that sounds rather gory. I had a C-section where I was completely awake, and the sounds are rather gory. Maybe ear plugs if God Forbid, you ever have to do this again. Glad you made it thru good too.

[hurlock1]

Yeah, but what was the operation? We know the anesthesia went well...

[Stoday]

Wow Jean, my fistula's one thing but a c-section is quite another. Thank goodness that can never happen to me!

You're right, it is gory. I distracted myself by talking to the student anesthetist throughout. The team said they liked my description of how to cook real custard best of all.

[willowtreewren]

I know I would not be looking. I handle my husband's dialysis just fine, but I get weak-kneed over my own blood!

I do know that avoiding general anesthesia is a good thing, though.

Congrats on this, Stoday.

[RightSide]

Yes, I had an arm block when they put my fistula in too.  Only mine didn't last as long as yours; it wore off completely after about seven hours. 

What didn't wear off was the sedative (Versed) they gave me to "relax" me.  It sure did.  It zonked me out completely for 13 hours.