Anyone have an epidural??

I am scheduled for my TAH on the 23rd of February. I went to my pre-op today, and that's when they gave me the decision to either have an epidural or not to. The doctor told me that for my own sanity, due to the pain that i will be feeling, that an epidural is the right decision to make. Has anyone else had one for this kind of surgery? I had one for both my kids, and I know then it relieved the pain, I just hope it does the same now. Any advice that anyone can give, would be great. Thanks

Diana

Hi i had a epidural i was fine it's just like when you had the children and i think it helped me alot

Diana-
I had an epidural for my TAH on January 5th. I loved it! I am all for no pain!

Had total hyst. 1 mo. ago w/epidural. Yes, it did stop the pain, and I felt so much more alert that evening and the next days and weeks, compared to friends of mine who had a general. I, too had, epidural w/c-section successfully. Good luck!

I had a spinal block and didn't require the morphine pump afterwards.

also, the epidural...liked not feeling so groggy afterwards. they do adminster some versed during the procedure so that one is not aware of what is going on but this is shortacting .

My anesthesiologist told me that he was going to give me the normal general anesthesia, and I was fine with that and then he asked me if I wanted something for pain control afterwards.

It took me a nano second to say yes to that. He then suggested that I could have a spinal as well as it would make recovery easier on me. I am all for not feeling pain, so agreed to it.

I woke up in recovery feeling great! When I finally got to my room, I was shown my pain pump. It had some kind of local anesthetic similar to novacaine. It was metered out in continous doses so I had nothing to do but sit back and rest.

That evening I was up and walking at 7 pm! I think the epidural and local pain pump had a lot to do with a quick recovery. I would definately recommend it. Ask your doctor and anesthesiologist what they recommend tho.

B

I had an epidural as well. They gave me valium in my iv during the surgery so I was not really awake. I had no pain post op while in hospital and no vomiting (YAHOO!). A few days later I needed another surgery to repair a ureter to my kidney and I had a spinal. This did give me a headache for a couple of days. Same thing though, don't remember a thing!