TVH: Going to have Spinal and General Anesthesia

So, I finally decided to go ahead with my hyster. My dr. is going to try to do it all vaginally. Hopefully that part will work out! I am going to have a spinal for pain control, but still have general anethesia also. I am supposed to have versed before so I really hope that will calm my nerves. I will have a catheter for the first day at least, maybe longer. I am supposed to stay 1 or 2 nights depending on how it goes. Has anyone else had the spinal for pain control and how long do they last? Or any other words of wisdom? I am so thankful for this site. I have been on here every day for the past month! Thank you!

My surgery is the day after yours. I don't know if I will have both spinal AND general or not... I'm having a full scope before my LAVH so that will require general anesthesia and she said she usually just does the spinal for LAVH so I'm not sure how that's all going to work... if I will have both or if they'll just give me enough general to last through both procedures.

So I can't answer your question about how long the spinal will last. Did they tell you why you'll have both?

I'm staying for 1-2 nights as well. She said that she really wants me to stay 24 hours longer than normally required but she's playing it by ear.

I would be lost without this site so you're not alone!

[quote=lmms1981;3109984]My surgery is the day after yours. I don't know if I will have both spinal AND general or not... I'm having a full scope before my LAVH so that will require general anesthesia and she said she usually just does the spinal for LAVH so I'm not sure how that's all going to work... if I will have both or if they'll just give me enough general to last through both procedures.

So I can't answer your question about how long the spinal will last. Did they tell you why you'll have both?

I'm staying for 1-2 nights as well. She said that she really wants me to stay 24 hours longer than normally required but she's playing it by ear.

I would be lost without this site so you're not alone!QUOTE

My dr. gives the spinal so that you will not be in pain afterwards and will not have to have a narcotic drip. They said they can really tell the difference in the patients that had the spinal and the ones that did not. They said they are able to get up and around quicker if they have the spinal and you don't have to worry about the narcotics making you sick. I wish you the best of luck on your surgery!

Thanks and back at you!
That makes me feel better regarding my post about the position I'll be in for the surgery. The thought of waking up and not being able to walk is killing me but hopefully the spinal will help!
A little over three weeks until we're on the post-op forum!

Are you sure it's a spinal and not epidural? Epidurals are frequently used to maintain pain control post-op....

I'm having an epidural w/o general for my surgeries due to my having problems with general.... I had volunteered that I had also had a spinal previously but was told that it wouldn't work for long term (my surgery was planned at 8 hours barring complications...

since the narcotics are what gives me problems, I will not have the epidural for post op, just anesthesia for the surgery... but know that many others here have had the epidural with general for the surgery and epidural with narcotics for post-op as they can continue to feed... and they can offer more info on the amount of time they received...

I do not know the length of time a spinal continues it's effectiveness, and perhaps with a shorter surgery, the doc's feel it is sufficient?... but I would check into it as the epidural may offer longer term relief if you would need it....

Best wishes with your procedures,
Kathy

Spinal is epidural isn't it? If not, I meant epidural!

Well, my dr. did say "spinal." But I have to go in next week and sign consent forms, so I will ask again. I have never had a spinal or epidural, so I am kind of nervous about it. The epidural is where they place a catheter in the dura of the spine, from what I understand, and a spinal is where they do a one time injection straight into the spinal fluid. Is that correct?

I did a quick check....

The duration of the spinal is varied by the combination of anesthesia used with a maximum of 240 minutes...

Yes, the spinal is one injection... which is why I questioned the use for pain control...

most frequently used for surgeries lasting no more than 2 hours, but can be longer in duration as above....

I've had both a spinal and epidural before with no problems less the epidural took a couple of attempts due to my scoliosis (I also have 3 fusions in my spine).... but no problems from either post-op....

I had a spinal anesthesia with my second c-section. They put long-acting morphine in the spinal, and they also gave me morphine shots in my IV every 4 hours for the first 24 hours after surgery, during which time I was "flat on my back" - no walking, no nothing.

I have to say it was the best recovery I ever had from surgery! Once the spinal wore off, they switched me to oral narcotic meds and anti-inflammatory meds, which I then continued for a short time.

After my hysterectomy and my hematoma surgery, I had a PCA device. I have to say I much preferred the spinal with morphine. I tend to push the button, doze off, then wake up with everything "worn off" and in a good amount of pain. But many (((sisters))) really like the PCA -- I'm just not one of them!

Hi girls. I had an epidural along with general anesthesia for my TAH/BSO a year ago in October. It was given because I have many allergies to pain killers. It was supposed to stay for three days, but the little catheter worked out a little bit and compromised the sterile field, after a day and a half, so it needed to be removed. For the length of time it was in place, it worked beautifully. It was amazing to come to after surgery and not be in any pain. I also had something for nausea, which sometimes happens for me with anesthesia....so I was a happy camper! I needed to have oral pain med for the remainder of my hospital stay and to take home.....and sure enough, I was allergic to it. The hives took my mind off of my incision for sure! I did just fine on over the counter meds three days after my surgery. I hope that you have the same good experience with the epidural as I had.....I'm so grateful that my Drs. came up with that plan! Best wishes for textbook surgeries for you and quick, easy recoveries.

Barb A.