Question:
Has anyone used an epidural for pain control after WLS?
Ok, went for m pre admission testing yesterday and talked to the anesthesiologistand she told me that the Epidural for pain relief is a good idea. However, I am sooo afraid to have it done again. When I was in labor with my fourth child I had to have one put in per doctors request and it took three tries to get it in place. The anesthiesiologist blamed it on my weight (at the time I weighed 255 pounds) Needless to say, It was very painful and 3/4 of my spine was a bruise afterwards. I was told that when you have it done for this surgery, it goes right in because your spine isn't akward from the baby. I lost a few pounds and now weigh 238 pounds and my surgery is next friday July 20, 2001. I wanted to know your personal experiences with the epidural as a form of pain control. thanks for any info. — Dawn H. (posted on July 13, 2001)
July 13, 2001
I am also pre-op and interested in this but am scared.
I will be looking at the answers you get. Thanks for asking the question.
— MARSHA D.
July 13, 2001
Many people in my support groups have had them but for pain control ended
up switching to an IV pain pump. I personally don't want an epidural and
will opt for the IV pain management.
— Dawn R.
July 13, 2001
my original post 2000!!!! Well, I can only speak about my experience.. I
was afraid to have Morphine because of my Sleep Apnea and I also have
interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. So I sat down with my anesthesiologist and
discussed this at length.. I decided on the epidural.. Another good
decision on my part.. I never had any pain. Never had to ask for pain
medication oral or by injection. The epidural stayed in 4 days I was given
a prescription for pain meds at discharge, however, I never even had it
filled I never needed it. ;-) Now, this is only my opinion but I feel it's
a lot in your tolerance to pain and what kind of attitude you have going
in.. I wanted to be up and walking asap and I didn't want morphine making
me sleepy or groggy along with the apnea. Talk to your surgeon about an
epidural or talk to any others on here that had it....After my original
post above I received several emails from members wanting to know more
about the epidural.. So 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.. ;-) I'm sorry that you had problems during your last
experience with an epidural.. maybe the problem was older method or the
anesthesiologist .. Hopefully this time around you will have no problems.
— Victoria B.
July 13, 2001
The epidural I had for my last baby 5 years ago did not take. Also, I am
squeamish about something going into my spine. But I will seriously
consider whatever my surgeon suggests, being sure of course, that he is
aware of my most recent experience. My first two experiences with epidurals
were less than pleasant, but I have to say they did do the job of pain
control quite efficiently.
— Donna L.
July 13, 2001
I am post op, May 1st; I too was given the option of epi or IV, and chose
the epi as my doctor said my mind would be clearer. Anyway, had it done,
God awful, just as I remembered from the babies. Anyway, the pain was
awful after surgery, the epi didnt work well and had to switch over to the
IV pump anyway.
— Christy J.
July 13, 2001
Is an Epidural the same as a spinal? When I had my c-section they gave me
an shot in my back. It took two trys and the anesthesiologist was not happy
with me as I jumped at the wrong time and he stuck his finger. I didn't
like how I couldn't feel myself breathing and I had a hard time with that.
That freaked me out alot. Then it wore off before the procedure was over
and I was in a great deal of pain towards the end. He came into the
recovery room and told them to administer the pain pump as I have a low
pain tolerance. Duh!!! I was screaming at them to hurry up because I could
feel it. Then I found out I have an allergy to morphine. After I had been
on it for 3 days and my body was itching and in hives. Not a good
experience.
— K T.
July 14, 2001
I spoke with a friend and she said they used an epidural on her and it was
put in after she went under for surgery and she never even knew it. She
said she felt no pain from surgery and when they took it out the pain was
minimal.
— [Anonymous]
July 14, 2001
I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one who can be "squeemish"
about the epidural. I had two done in 1988 and 1993 for my c-sections and
I hated it both times. The first time was bad because I really didn't know
what was coming..arching your back for someone to place a needle in your
spine? I don't think so. The second time was worse because I DID know
what was coming. My nerves were completely shot. Right after it was done,
I got completely nauseous and would have vomitted had I not eaten in a
while:) I fought the OB/GYN and insisted that I didn't need it. Didn't
work though. Now that I'm attempting to get this surgery, the epi is one
of the biggest things I think about, but I realize most of it is in my
head. At the same time, I truly believe the talent of the person giving
you the epi makes all the difference in the world to. I've known women who
swear by it and never have the same horrible accounts I had. A previous
post who compares it to a small prick makes me realize that for some it's a
breeze while for others it's a nightmare. all in all, we all have to be
realistic and focus on the end result, and that is to NOT HAVE PAIN. If a
few minutes of "self-inflicted emotional turmoil" means the next
few DAYS of not being crazy with pain, then I think we can suck it up and
do what we have to do. However, I think I'll take the advice of a previous
post and have them sedate me BEFORE the epi. Hope this helps!
— Kimberly D.
July 14, 2001
I had the epidural, it was inserted after they put me out for surgury, I
am glad I did it because I had no pain what so ever.. I had the iv pump
when I had my kids and I am glad I tried the epidural.. I was scared at
first when my DR mentioned it and the morning of surgury I said yes. The
only problem I had was when they took the tape off when it came out was I
got a rash on my back from the tape but that was tollerable and gone after
i took a shower.
— renee J.
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