Question:
Has anyone had an epidoral before surgery?
I am scheduled for surgery july 14th. Yesterday I found out that I would have an epidoral before surgery. This would be a pain killer, and i was told when i awoke from surgery i would have no adominal pain. I love to hear from anyone who has had this before. — Michelle S. (posted on June 21, 2000)
June 20, 2000
Yes, I had an epidural for my surgery as a matter of fact I had this for
this surgery and for colon surgery. The first time I had this I lost
feeling in my legs and they took it out (they told this can happen)and then
put me on a morphine pca I didn't get along with the morphine it made me
have halucinations and I would awake in the middle of the night not knowing
where I was and I didn't think it did as well with relieving my pain. So I
was kind of afraid of what pain relief I should use my doctor like to use
the morphine pca. Well for my WLS the anesthesiologist gave me the choice
to try the epidural again or go with the morphine I chose to use the
epidural. I didn't experience very much pain and no odd side affects. The
anesth. told me that he thought that this is definately the way to reduce
pain he said he had a patient up in recovery who was hollering about pain
and they kept giving her more but it wasn't helping (poor woman) I never
felt like I was in pain I do have have to tell you I did have some
headaches which I am not sure what to blame (hunger, no caffeine, or
epidural. When they took me off the epidural then I had some pain but
nothing like I would have had. Sometimes they do have trouble with very
overwieght people trying to find the right spot, so be patient. I think you
will be glad you used this for pain relief.
— Diane S.
June 20, 2000
You are so lucky!!
Epidurals are wonderful. There is a small catheter placed in your back and
they give you a button and you just push it when you need it. You will
feel absolutely marvelous. I had my RNY without it, and another surgery
after that with an epidural. A fantastic invention. I felt absolutely
great. I got up and walked and took a shower and I never had any belly
pain!!
— Terry M.
June 20, 2000
I had a VBG and a revision. The first time, I had a general anast., the
next time and epidural. Both were fine, however, I never want to go
through the epidural again. My anast. had a difficult time inserting it.
I wouldn't worry to much, I'm beginning to think it was his competency, not
the procedure it self. I did have an epidural with the delivery of my
children. They were great with no pain!!! God Bless you with you're
surgery. Mine is on July 7!!!
— LaNora L.
June 21, 2000
I had my surgery on November 10 and I had an epidural put in before I had
surgery. It worked remarkably well when I woke up, I did feel a little
discomfort, but nothing really horrible. It was just real slight
discomfort, nothing to even complain about. Good luck on the surgery!!!
Dannielle - lost 125 lbs. only 30 lbs. to goal!!!
— Dannielle K.
June 21, 2000
i just had open RNY on 6/13 with an epidural placed pre-op for post-op pain
control. they had some difficulty placing it (4 attempts) but they give you
a shot of lidocaine before each so that wasn't too bad. i had no pain
post-op but it was keeping me more sedated than i liked so they removed it
after a day and a half. the only problem was a spinal headache i had for 5
more days. the headache was worse than the incision pain and may have
necessitated a patch procedure to repair but i lucked out and the leak
causing the headache sealed on its own. i would be hesitent to go this
route again personally. the pain from the incision was not too bad and the
pca they switched me to worked fine. good luck. i'm 8 days out and loving
it !!!
— shelly R.
June 22, 2000
I had an epidural when I had my RNY surgery in March. The
Doctor had difficulty getting the thing in and, although it
worked pretty well, I had incomplete pain control. Ask about
the pain pump that has a catheter that lays along your incision.
It works wonderfully!!
— rinnchris
June 22, 2000
I chose to have an epidural because of my sleep apnea. I felt the
epidural was the best way to go for me and discussed it with my
anesthesiologist before surgery. I was never sorry for that decision. I
will give you my account of my experience in as much detail as I can..and
if there is a house doctor that wants to answer on more detail great ;-) It
is a very tiny needle catheter like thing (sort of like IV) inserted in the
spinal canal.. (on your back about mid back ) then a tiny tube runs to a
machine that continuous pumps to the catheter site. (like an IV). it
totally blocks all pain ..and I do mean "ALL" I had no incision
pain, no internal pain "nada" nothing at all.. they inserted this
in the holding room just outside the operating room.. the anesthesiologist
does this.. no pain in that either..pin prick is all.. I had to sit up on
the gurney lean forward a little and look into to the eyes of this simple
gorgeous man (that I do recall) and that was it.. You have to be awake for
this procedure when inserting it, however they had given me mild sedative
at that point they could have done anything to me and I would not have
cared ;-) don't worry it was fine. Then I was wheeled into surgery and the
lights went out for me.. Next thing I knew I was in recovery room sitting
somewhat upright wondering why no pain, I was amazed. I wanted to get up
right then to walk, but they made me wait about 6 hours after I got in ICU.
(ICU is normal in most hospitals usually only a day) The epidural stayed in
for 4 days.. Each day they lowered the dosage just a tiny bit by the 4th
day it's off completely and you really don't even notice the difference..
What I like so much about this is you're fully aware and in control I was
wide awake at the appropriate times and ready for bed at the appropriate
time.. However, most of my days was spent in the halls walking. My surgeon
had to hunt me down in the halls for my daily visit.. You don't have that
groggy in and out sleep and half awake feeling that morphine gives you..
This is same procedure they use with pregnant women during labor and
delivery....if they administer this to normal healthy pregnant women
everyday in the labor and delivery you so know this is relatively safe
procedure. I have sciatica down both legs and low back problems and
arthritis in my back & hips, this procedure never bothered it or flared
up any occurrences of the sciatica.. Guess you can tell I'm sold on this
procedure for pain control.. Hope this helps some members with the
questions they had about what an epidural is.. ;-) ~~> Also type in
(epidural) on the main page in the keyword search box for more members
response..
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— Victoria B.
June 24, 2000
Hi,I was pretty scared of the epidural also because I never had one but I
had SURGERY 6-2100 and before they carried me to the operating room, this
guy came in and gave me something for my jitters he gave me an injection
then, next told me to bend forward.I never felt anything and when I woke up
I felt stiffness from lying still for so long ,and my tummy felt a little
sore but no pain and no pain when they removed it.
— shirley A.
April 21, 2001
You lucky devil, you! My anesthesiologist told me they did only general
anesthesia for the surgery itself, but that I could have an epidural for
post-op pain. That was fine with me. Unfortunately, he forgot our
discussion and I ended up with a PCA Morphine pump. (Not a good thing!) I
kept trying to sleep, but I had to hit the button for relief. I kept waking
in agony. Finally they put it on a constant drip, but it wasn't great pain
relief. I have had epidurals before for 4 different procedures and they are
GRAND! They allow you to get up and move and walk and shower with minimal
soreness. No real pain. Go for it, you lucky devil and after the first day
or two when they decrease the dosage, you will be wonderful and ahead of
the game because you were able to move and work out the worst pain in those
first days. Also, the epidural does not hurt going in (amazingly enough)
and I have had them put in several times when I was asleep from the other
drugs I was given. God bless-good luck!
— [Anonymous]
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