Questions/Concerns about Epidurals

I have a TAH/BO scheduled for 6/6/05 (I had my tubes removed three years ago). I will admit that I am scared out of my mind, but know that I am making the right decision. I am 32 and have three adopted children since I was unable to have any on my own. (Adopted a sibling group 6 years ago - they are now 16, 14 and 9.)

Anyway, I have complete trust in my doctor and we have customized (for lack of a better word) my surgury based on passed experiences and concerns. I will not be under general anestesia due to tolerance issues, instead I will have an epidural and basically be put into lala land for the surgery.

I was warned by my Dr. that I might have some problems at my pre op appt at the hospital due to the epidural choice but to stick to my guns. We both felt confident that it was the best option even though it means more work for the anestesiologist.

Let's just say my Dr. was right and I was given a 30 minute in dept discussion on all the *horror* stories that the anestesiologist could come up with. He even tried to tell me that my orders called for general anestesia which I know was wrong. Now he is ordering lots of extra test to try and scare me.

Help - has anyone else know something I don't - I think that an epidural is a good choice to avoid complications from being put under and for immediate pain management in recovery.

Does anyone know of someone taking this route - any success stories to share???

Help.....

Thanks!!

I am also having epidural pain control with my surgery tomorrow. My dr. thought it was a good idea when I suggested it because I am a seizure risk and narcotic pain meds can cause an increase in seizure activity. Last summer I had a lazer cone biopsy and requested a spinal with it. I couldn't believe all the crap the anesthesiologist gave me about it. You would have thought I had ordered the sun and the moon. This time I had the pre-admit nurse put a note on my file going to anesthesiology that patient requests epidural pain control due to seizure disorder. Surely that won't throw them for a loop this time. Frankly, I did not care for that anesthesiologist and certainly hope I get a different one this time. I have never had a problem with anyone in that hospital before. You're probably right, it's just more work for them. Brother! Like your Dr. says, stick to your guns and make them earn their paycheck.

I had a general for my TAH , but if your Dr feels an epidural is the best route for you then by all means sick to your guns. As far as the other dr trying to scare you, he is probably just covering his own behind. After all he is the one who specializes in that area not your Gyn. I am sure your gyn would not like being told how to operate. The important thing is that you make sure that they do what is best for you. Good Luck!

I would never choose an epidural for myself. There's no way I want to be awake for that. From what I've read it is a lot of work for the anesthesiologist partly because you're placed kind of in the shape of a cross when you're on the table. After a while you'll get very uncomfortable and start to squirm. They have to keep you from wanting to move and turn over. I would probably go crazy. Also, I've read some women say that the gas was very uncomfortable because it gets up in your chest and you're not frozen up there. I don't know if this would be an issue with a TAH however. Some women swear by them, I would be terrorized by the thought. I had a bad experience with a spinal years ago and I don't want anything like it ever again.

I know how you feel. I have been struggling with the same type of decisions. I have been told that an epidural will not give enough pain coverage, for a major surgery. Most epi patients, get a general. It's my understanding, that a spinal will give total pain coverage and then it's not necessary to have a general. You might want to talk to you doctor and anesthesiologist about a spinal. I don't know if this has helped, but it's what I've been told.

I had twilight (no epidural) for foot surgery and I kept waking up during surgery from the pain. I could not move however.
I had an epidural and general for my SAH. I do not remember any pain until hours after surgery. They did put it in before surgery and check for numbness. When I did feel pain the next day A-man put a bolus of lidocaine (I think) and not only did my belly go numb (felt great!) but my right leg too. It delayed my getting up out of bed until it wore off. I could not lift my leg at all.

I will have general with the epidural. I wouldn't even consider being awake for this surgery. The epidural will be used after the surgery for pain management. It will be patient controlled so I can push the little button if I want to be more numb or not if I want to start to wean down from it. It will be left in for 2 days. I am very happy about this option