managing pain question

I have been lurking here for over 2 months and figured I would finally post

I just had my pre-op with my doctor and everything is on track for my surgery date of September 29th. I have researched my procedure LAVH with possible right ovary removal (depends on if the cyst can be removed). As we had already discussed the procedure in full at my previous visit, I though I knew what to expect, however I was advised of my options for pain management after the procedure, upon waking up. I can either have a spinal (no pain upon waking) or use a morphine pump (pain first, then relief).

My question is which should I choose?

For one surgery I had, they gave me a spinal and also added a long-acting morphine right in the spinal. Then I got additional morphine shots in my IV (not a pump, but actual injections) every 4 hours for one day.

It was, hands down, the best post-op relief I've ever had!

The problem for me with the pump device is that I tend to push the button, feel great for a few minutes, then doze off.... and wake up in lots of discomfort.

That was just my experience, but if I have the chance again, I'll pick a spinal with additional pain medicine in the spinal.

I would go with the spinal. I did not have that option for my hyst, but it is much better pain control I found (previous c-sections)

I had the spinal block as well as the morphine pain control pump. This was a great combination for the first 24 hours.

After that I moved to percocet and will remain on that for the foreseeable future due to my complications.

Best of luck to you with your procedure.

Thank you so much for your thoughts/experiences....It has made me more comfortable with the idea of getting a spinal block for pain control. I have never had one before and wasn't sure it would be effective...again thanks

My choices were spinal OR morphine pump. I took spinal and it was awesome. It lasts about 15 hours and by then I was on oral meds. I hated how groggy morphine pumps made me in the past for my C's. I had TAH last week.

I would go with the spinal and a PCA pump as well. When I had my knee replaced last year they did nerve blocks in my leg and also had me hooked up to a pump with dilaudid because I can't tolerate morphine. Having both was a really good combination so if they give you that option, take it.

If you have to choose one or the other though, I'd definitely go with the spinal. I also had a spinal for my c-section years ago and it made a huge difference afterward.

Having had previous back surgery, a spinal is out of the question for me. Morphine is very potent... it'll get rid of the pain. I had a morphine pump when I had bowel resection surgery. 38 staples vertically, and hundreds of stitches inside. Yep, Morphine is GOOD.

When I got in the OR, they gave me some light sedation and then a spinal. I was pretty scared because I really hadn't looked into what that was all about but it ended up being absolutely no big deal and I wouldn't hesitate having another.
When I woke up I couldn't feel my body below the waist and it was wonderful...lol Before that wore off they had me hooked up to the pain pump and I was pretty comfortable. Good combo and I recommend it.

I had a LAVH. The dr. didn't even discuss pain med. I didn't have either of those. Not sure what pain med (pill) I took in the hospital. But when I got home, I took Lortab for about 3-4 days, then ibuprofen.