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Barrett's Escophagus and pain management after knee surgery

I'm having total knee replacement surgery soon.  I can't have a nerve block due to my spine.  I'll have general Anesthesia, but was told the pain will be increased since I can't have the block.  I'm concerned about managing pain afterward since I have Barrett's.  Has anyone had knee or hip surgery and have Barrett's?  What type of pain medication did you have?
Thanks,
Pizelle
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Avatar universal
I will definitely let you know how it all turns out, once I'm feeling a little better.  Thanks for your input re pain management and stomach, etc.  Also it was uplifting to hear that many of your family members are doing well with their prosthetic knees.  Except for one poor soul.  I feel for that person.

Cheers!
Pizelle
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
I'm sorry that you have had bad experiences with your reflex and Barretts post surgical. I have severe GERD and a hiatal hernia, both of which they recommended surgical repair and I declined. I guess I am "lucky" as I haven't had the issue you describe, nor has my father post-surgically.

The endotracheal tube must cause the "razor blade" feeling. There are medications that not only can coat the lining there are IV and IM meds that will avoid the stomach distress, nausea and vomiting as well as treat your pain. I am glad that your anesthesiologist will be discussing this with you.

"Bad knees' run rampant in my family and many have had knee replacements. Most claim they have little pain or discomfort after healing. Only one (that failed to do PT and follow the exercise routine) has a fixed knee and suffers with pain now.

And I agree that someday (I won't live to see it) our medical and surgical practices will be viewed as barbaric. I also think someday you will go to a fit it like facility with a list from your physician for all the replacements and "new" things you need. In a few hours you'll leave almost brand new.

I hope you will have an uneventful recovery and discover that you have little if any pain following the knee replacement. I hope you will let us know how this turns out for you. We all learn from one another. We'll look for your updates.  

Best to luck to you,
Tuck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for responding.

After past surgeries I've been very ill due to Anesthesia and pain medication.  It is acid reflux.  Also the Escophagus feels like razor blades.  Maybe your father is luckier than me.  I'm hoping that there's some medication that will coat the stomach enough to prevent vomiting and severe nausea.  

There are so many people who have severe pain long after knee surgery it's discouraging.  I can only hope for the best.  I know that's what we all do.  One day this procedure (and others like it) will be dealt with on the molecular level.  This will be the dark ages.  Stem cell research can't go fast enough, though it's too late for me and lots of us.
Pizelle

Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hi Pizelle,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum.

I don't quite understand your concern regarding general anesthesia. As Mollyrae indicated you will be totally unaware that you are even having a surgical procedure. True you won't have a "block" but they wear off soon anyway. Postoperatively you will be provided with IV narcotics to maintain your comfort which would also be true if you had a nerve block.

It will not have an effect on your Barrett's Esophagus. My father has had this diagnosis for a number of years and has had general surgery without any effect on his Barrett's. I'm sure you understand that only reflux of stomach acid would effect your condition and not surgery or the anesthesia.

Given the choice I would not elect to have a nerve block. I understand your concern but I think you will do fine. I am not an expert but I see no reason to think they may be contraindications to the general based on your Barretts.

Best of luck to you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
Tuck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for commenting.  

It's about total knee replacement and having Barrett's.

Barrett's is a serious condition of the Escophagus.  I can't take pain meds.  The Anesthesiologist said he'd talk to me the morning of surgery about pain meds.  I can't find anything about having Barrett's and pain management after surgery.  Total knee replacement is a bear.  I'm not worried about Anesthesia, though it's going to make me nauseous.  And I can't have an additional nerve block to further deaden pain when I wake up due to my spine.  I've got complications.  

If you know of anyone with Barrett's, or know of a good place to research pain management and Barrett's (due to surgery), I'd appreciate it.  

Good for you getting through many surgeries.  You sound like you've gone through a lot but still have a good outlook.  
Pizelle
Helpful - 0
535089 tn?1400673519
Hello Pizelle and welcome to the Pain Forum.

Sorry to hear that you have to have surgery. Please do not worry about the Anesthesia. You will be out like a light. I'm not sure what you mean about medications. Do you mean during the surgery or afterwords? It really makes a difference.

During my many surgeries, I was given general anesthesia and after I woke up, I was given a morphine pump. (PAC) You are able to give yourself your own medication every 10 min. as needed. Towards the end of my hospital stay, the Doctors took me off of the pump and started the oral pain medication. They started this in the hospital to make sure that I was able to handle the pain with oral medication instead of the pump. If I could withstand the oral medication then I could go home. Believe me, i wanted to go home.

I hope everything goes well during your surgery and if you would like to clarify your post, I can give you some additional info.

Please take care and good luck,
Mollyrae
Helpful - 0
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