How common is it to get an epidural before hysterectomy?

I have read about some sisters receiving an epidural prior to surgery . Is this common ? Should I ask for one ? Seems to me if it helps with the pain level greatly maybe it should be a standard .

Hi HappyVLP -

I had an epidural and general anesthetic. My anesthesiologist recommended that and said I would wake up quicker. I liked that, and I would do this again in a heart beat.

The epidural helped with pain, and I had a pain pump that I could use after surgery. They could also inject into the tubing.

You can ask if it is an option for you.

Hi HappyLVP,

I had general anesthesia, with an epidural for pain control,

In my pre-op appointment at the hospital, they told me that I could have an epidural - it was my choice. They didn't give me much more information. I researched it, and also listened to experiences here. I decided to have it, and it was a great choice. There was less feeling on its insertion than on the IV in my arm.

The pump attached provided a steady stream of pain medicine right to the site were it was needed, and there was a button attached that could be pushed for extra every twenty minutes. After the first day, they decreased the dosage and started tapering off, until is was removed after 1 1/2 days.

I could feel my legs and walk fine, but there was absolutely no pain at all. My first memory afterwards was in recovery, the nurse asked "how is your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?" I said zero, and it stayed that way until they took the epidural out. By that time, it was easy to control the pain for oral meds.

The epidural controls pain better than other systemic (oral/iv) methods. Also, since you are taking none/less systemic pain control meds, it lets you feel less groggy, and be on your feet walking more/quicker, which is important for recovery. Also, the systemic meds often contribute to constipation, which many women suffer from after surgery.

There are some uncommon risks that you might want to research, though, so you make a fully informed decision. However, I would highly recommend having an epidural for pain control if it is an option for you.

Best of luck!

I found out I was having an epidural when I met my anesthesiologist, i.e., minutes before I was wheeled into the OR. He said it would be better for pain management and indeed, it was excellent! I didn't have a manually controlled pump as some of the other sisters have described - mine operated automatically. However, I also had *no* pain, so I'm not complaining. :-)

A friend of mine suggested that the anesthesiologist decided to go with an epidural once he got a look at my body type. I'll tall and skinny, which means that my vertebrae are easy to locate and have a bit more space in between than they would on a shorter person. This makes it easy to position the epidural catheter. *If* what she suggested is true, then I'm *guessing* a short, extremely fluffy woman might have trouble getting an epidural on request.

The one thing I would have changed about having an epidural is that I wish I'd thought to ask the nurse to make a mark on my hip with indelible marker at the level where the epidural site was. When she removed the catheter, she put a dressing on it and gave me three fresh dressings. I was supposed to remove the old dressing before showering, pat dry and then put on a fresh dressing.

Well, I live alone. Do you think I could *find* the darn site to put a fresh dressing on over it?! I finally went with my best guess and everything worked out fine. But if I'd had a mark on my hip, I could have traced around at that level until I got to my spine.

I cosign what the other ladies have said. I didn't have a choice in getting the epidural. The anesthesiologist told me I was getting it for pain control. It was awesome. Pain was a 2 or lower the entire hospital stay. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

I had surgery on Monday. Had an epidural inserted before surgery. It is wonderful. My pain has been none to very little (after walking and sitting). It has definitely been a blessing.

I am supposed to have the epidural removed later today and start on oral meds. After 6 hrs (making sure I'm tolerating the oral meds) I should be going home.

I definitely recommend it.

I don't know how common it is.

I wasn't offered one. I had a pain pump. It worked. I was only in pain after they disconnected it. And the oral drugs helped with that.

I bet it depends on the hospital, your doctor and the anesthesiologist.

This makes me so excited, I have had two epidurals before and the are amazing. I will definitely be asking for one.

I did not have an epidural, but I didn't need one, I didn't have pain even without.