What if the epidural only works in "spots"??

I'm pretty sure I'm going to opt for an epidural with "twilight" sleep for my tvh, but Sunny5775 just posted "Woo Hoo... home from the castle" and said that her epidural only worked on one side????????? WHAT? !!! I've heard of this with a spinal when friends have given birth, but I had both of my children so fast, there was no time for ANY pain killers!! What if this happens to me? Will I feel them yanking ??

I have not had my TVH yet, but I have had two failed epidurals. With my experience, the first epi failed during a vaginal delivery. I only had a partial block. The top of my uterus was numb but everything mid uterus and down was fully alert. I felt it all. There was no time to 'fix' the epi or give me anything else.

My 2nd experience was with a c/section. I felt touches, pressure, tugging, pulling.. etc. Basically I felt everything but had no pain. I had no idea it would be that way. I begged to be put out and they gave me a big dose of morphine as soon as the cord was cut. However, about 30 min later I came out of my morphine and felt the doctor stitching the uterus up. I felt like I was being stabbed with needles.. and I was! I felt nothing more than the same pulling, along with the needles. It wasnt a horrible pain, like you would think, I just felt sharp needles. I told the anesthesiologist, and she gave me a big dose of something that knocked me smooth out and I didnt feel anything after.

I would discuss the possibility of the epi failing with your doctor and again with the anesthesiologist. Ask them how they prevent pain, should it fail... and I would also ask exactly what you will be feeling.. pressure .. etc. Then decide whether or not you want this route.
My doctor wont even consider an epi for me this time, considering my experiences before. And truthfully.. Im thankful that I'll be having general. I know most ladies love the epidural and have no problems at all with it , but for a rare few of us.. its not a good thing. I am envious and I wish I could have one.. provided that it would work! lol

I believe with the twilight, you are able to answer questions if asked and I would imagine that you could tell them if you were in pain. It just makes you quite drowsy and forgetful, but you arent totally out of it.

Novalee,

Just wanted to let you know that I didn't feel ANYTHING during the actual surgery - wasn't until I woke up in recovery that I noticed the pain on one side. I think it was just a fluke in my case so try not to worry. If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely choose an epidural over General anesthesia any day!

Good luck to you.

Sunny

Thanks ya'll! I think I'll just wait until I talk to the anesthesiologist and see what he/she thinks... I guess I just had this vision of searing pain that I couldn't verbalize... or even worse, terrible pain and me screaming... I know I'm overreacting, but I've never had major surgery. I know it will all be okay. Thanks for your support! I think after work, I'll go chill out and have a glass of wine! I'm getting too stressed over this!!