Surgery Tomorrow - Urgent Question

Hey Sisters,

My surgery is scheduled for (thankfully) first thing tomorrow morning. I'm terrified right now and have had more than one thought today about cancelling. Not going to, of course, but scared just the same. I am PRAYING someone out there can help me out with a question. During my pre-op on Friday, my doc told me that he doesn't use morphine - of which I'm eternally grateful - instead, he'll give me a shot in my back to numb my lower half, and then when I wake up, I'll be given Percoset.

So now I'm more terrified of the shot in the back than I am of the rest of the recovery. Does that make me a four year old, or what? (laughs) Seriously, can someone else out there tell me the God's-honest truth here...will that particular procedure be as painful as I have it built up to be in my head? If you've had experience with this - can you describe it for me? He didn't refer to it as an Epidural... he called it something else - anyone know what else it might be called?

Lastly, has anyone else been on Percoset and can you tell me what it was like?

Grateful from the bottom of my heart for any information you could provide.

Thank you!!!
*Erin

Hi Erin, I will tell you what I believe the Dr may have been talking about, but you really should confirm it with the Dr. as this is only my opinion.
If he said it would be a needle in your back that would numb your lower half but you don't believe it is an epidural, then perhaps it is what we refer to as a spinal block. I had it before when I had a C-section. The first C-section I had an epidural, but with the second I had a spinal block. I will be honest, because if you are like me you would rather have the truth and prepare for it so.. It was a little painful, I did say oww oww oww or something like that. It felt cool going in, and I felt a bit of pressure. It was over quickly and then no more pain (I was in labor) So as I said I cannot promise this is what he means but I believe so.
As for the percocet I take it daily. It is much stronger than Tylenol #3 (or acetaminopen with codiene) and it does make some people quite whoosey, but if you are in pain and really need it, then, if you feel a little drugged it is worth it. You should not be walking all alone the first few times you take percocet if you are not used to it. Drs usually prescribe a small # of tablets because it is an addictive, but don't worry about that, taking some for short term pain is quite alright.

I hope I answered some of your questions, and I really wish you well tomorrow, I go to the castle the next day (Wed) I am sending you warm wishes for a safe surgery and an easy recovery full of pampering!

Hi jstia37,

I don't have experience with the back shot..didn't have my pre-op yet and don't know if I will have this or not, but I do have prior experience with percocet when I had shoulder surgery. The percocet worked great for me as a pain killer. It knocked me out though...but then benedry knocks me out LOL. It did help my pain.

Good luck tomorrow you will be in my prayers.

I agree with aug2306 I had the same procedure for C-sections. I would say it stings a little but it is over so quickly it is not worth the time to stress out about it. Percocet is awesome. I'm going in tomorrow too so I will say a prayer for both of us. I know you'll be just fine. See you in Post-op.

Thanks everyone for your information. I've been having this irrational fear all day that having this shot will feel like being stabbed or something equally as dramatic. Of course, I'm the little girl that puckers up my face and prepares for the worst for a simple blood draw. Maybe they'll give me a little sumthin' to ease the anxiety before they stick me...and all this will be for naught. Ohhhhh please, oh please, oh please! hahaha

Hey Ready...girl, good luck tomorrow. And Aug - good luck on Wednesday. Let's be sure to visit back here in a few weeks to let SisterAngel know how our experiences went. I'm sure there's bound to be a "WHAAAAAAAT?" type of story from one of us! (tee hee)

Thanks again!!

Hi! I tried to have the epidural, but I have a scoliosis curve in my spine and they couldn't insert the needle. So if you have any abnormal curve in your spine tell them before you get into the operating room. I wish I'd known the curve caused problems getting it in, or in my case would prevent them from getting the needle in. It would have saved me the stress of them trying over and over, and me feeling like it was already not going well. Eventually they just knocked me out and everything else went beautifully.

I should mention that everyone else I had talked to about epidurals or spinal blocks was very happy with it. That's why I had opted for it to begin with.

Hope this helps. Good luck and take care!