Epidural

I had a spinal block (I was told it is not the same as an epidural) I still had a morphine pump and needed it into the night time. I also had a pain pump that put meds (like novacaine) directly into my insicion. That helped too.

I had general with an Epidural for pain management. I felt no pain for the first day after my TAH. I work up without much of the "head" stuff from the general. The Epidural was removed Saturday morning (surgery was Thursday afternoon). I made the switch to oral meds without much trouble. Today, day I guess day 5 I'm only taking Motrin. The narcotics were causing terrible dreams so I stopped taking them.

Sarah
TAH 1/8/09

I just wanted to clarify that when I had my TAH they put the epidural in before the surgery, but did not actually start using it until after the surgery for pain managment. I was under general through the surgery!

Mine was definitely general anesthesia and the epidural medication was started before I went into the OR, because the anesthesiologist checked my upper abdomen and my legs while I was conscious. He seemed very pleased that he had hit the spot he wanted so that my legs weren't "asleep", nor was my upper body. Pretty amazing "stuff" isn't it?

Barb A.

Just a clarification for me as well. The epidural catheter was placed prior to surgery but not used until I was waking up from the general anesthesia.

I was a lucky one to have no nausea or vomiting but I will admit I was very "swimmy" in my head after all the medication! I am not sure that was such a bad thing.

I also wanted to make sure people know that there are lots of "right" ways to accomplish the same goal. It all should be tailor made for you! Good luck to all of you with this procedure ahead of you and happy recovery to those of us that have had it done.

Hello there. I had both the epidural (put in before the surgery) and was under general anesthesia for my TAH/BS done back in August 2007. The epidural was used to deliver pain medication after the surgery. It was left in for about 24 hours, and it was a godsend! My anesthesiologist was wonderful! The preop bloodwork hurt more than getting the epidural! And my pain was completely controlled by the epi. Once they took it out and I was given oral pain meds, I was in a lot of pain and had to be given multiple doses of pain medication before I felt any relief.

Everyone is different, but if you are given this option and have no medical reason to not do, I say go for it. You really do heal better when your pain is well controlled.

thanks for all the replies... helps me to be prepared.

Stefani