Thanks so much!! And also....

My GYN did mention that if he decided to allow the epidural that a spinal would also be used along with it. I know the spinal is is more effective than the epidural alone, but can't they only use the epidural?? I know a lady who had only this without the addition of the spinal. I mean, epidurals alone are used for C-sections and other types of abdominal surgeries, so why are they so hesitant to allow this for an uncomplicated hysterectomy?

Oh, Happycm3, I know with the epidural alone that your legs are (who cares about the abdomen!) totally numb, but you can still move them...but what about the spinal? There is NO movement, right? OMG!!! I just might freak out if I couldn't move my legs! I don't know though, I still think that's better than being put under. Also, how long till the sensation comes back in your legs? Did you have a narcotic epidural/spinal for during the surgery, or just the straight (numbing agent alone) epidural/spinal?

The co-worker I was talking about didn't have any narcotics in her post-op epidural, only the "numbing" stuff, and she was fine! Matter of fact, she didn't have anything stronger than Motrin the entire time she was in the hospital! Totally odd, huh?

Crohnietoo...so you had a scope with no anestheisia at all? Was it upper GI tract? What about a colonoscopy? My aunt had one without anything and she said it wasn't so bad, but actually it was a mistake! The staff must've been having a bad day, because they "thought" they had given her a light sedative, but they didn't! And my aunt thought this was the norm and didn't say anything. She said she kept her eyes closed because she was embarrassed, but near the end of the procedure she said she started hurting a little and told them that she thought they were supposed to have given her something for pain! She said the doctor almost passed out! They started to give her something at that point, but she declined because they were almost done and she figured it would make her sick anyway.

Happycm3, wow, sounds like your experience was a good one! Hope mine is the same.

Thanks again!!!!

Gentry