Epidural Anaesthesia ? Scared

I just got my phone call from the anesthesioligst and was told I need an Epidural anaesthiesia for my surgery. I have had difficult intubations in the past due to small throat. I cried, I am scared I had one with my c-section and it was terrible I felt like I was being sufficated as the numbing crept up. I dont want to be awake. I was told I would be given some sort of sedative to relax me and that was something they were unable to give when I had one with birth. The plus to general is it feels like you just closed your eyes and they are done. I was also given the option to leaving the epidural in for pain relief or switching to the morphine pump after surgery. I kinda of want to do that to help me relax and sleep. I dont know if any of you sisters can tell me any of your stories or information would be greatly appreciated. Just when I was feeling like I am there in two days got myself all mentaly ready and now I feel somewhat lost and unsure. Please help

Chabella,

My very first surgery (seems like forever and a day since than) was done with an epidural. I was afraid of being put to sleep and opted for the epidural. Honestly the first needle in the back, the one they give to numb you, that was the most painful and even that wasn't too bad. I was given a medicine in my IV to calm me before the epidural was ever given. I explained my fears and the entire team did everything to calm me.

As the surgery began I again became anxious because it did feel like the numbness was creeping into my chest. The doctor sitting by my head monitoring me saw my tears and asked me if I was ok. I told him how i was feeling and he gave me more of the medicine to relax me. I woke up in recovery. I don't remember anything after that second needle went into my IV.

My advice to you is to ask for something to calm your anxiety before you get the epidural and make sure to tell them how you're feeling during the procedure....if you feel scared, uncomfortable, etc.

The epidural is wonderful pain relief while you are recovering. They can regulate the medicine that they use to numb you so that you're comfortable but not numb into your chest. This seems like a wonderful option to consider instead of morphine. The morphine always made me sick.

Hang in there and please keep me posted during your recovery.

We are all here for you......I know you're anxious and if you need to talk please let me know.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by chabella I just got my phone call from the anesthesioligst and was told I need an Epidural anaesthiesia for my surgery. I have had difficult intubations in the past due to small throat. I cried, I am scared I had one with my c-section and it was terrible I felt like I was being sufficated as the numbing crept up. I dont want to be awake. I was told I would be given some sort of sedative to relax me and that was something they were unable to give when I had one with birth. The plus to general is it feels like you just closed your eyes and they are done. I was also given the option to leaving the epidural in for pain relief or switching to the morphine pump after surgery. I kinda of want to do that to help me relax and sleep. I dont know if any of you sisters can tell me any of your stories or information would be greatly appreciated. Just when I was feeling like I am there in two days got myself all mentaly ready and now I feel somewhat lost and unsure. Please help

I have to tell ya, that I also felt like I was being "suffocated" with the general anesthetic once. So, this time I was really apprehensive about it. It turns out that THIS time I did NOT get that feeling. I don't know why, but it was really ok. As far as the epidural goes, I've had it twice during labor and I felt "no pain" with it. Actually it was kinda neat feeling "pressure" instead of pain. If you have a tranquilizer before yours it should be no problem for you. If you get the epidural, I would keep it after too if I had the choice, why change, especially since morphine seems to make alot of people throw up. It gave me a MAJOR nausea feeling. That was only my experience with both.
Good luck.