Scheduled for Surgery in Two Days: Seeking Advice on Epidural for Pain Control

Replies
3
Views
4872
Laura59
Apr 17, 2012 2:13 am
I'm scheduled for possible reversal in two days.  Yea!!!!   I'm scared to death though......eight hour surgery doesn't sound fun.  Tons of adhesions, a certain level of pain for 6 months,  and surgeon saying " it's a hot mess in there".  Nice!  LOL



So, I'm going to have the epidural for pain control placed pre op.  I havent had this before ( four abdominal surgeries now).    My question is if any of you have had this, did it help speed your recovery along?   I know it will come out in a few days, but if it is effective I am hopeful it will help.



I have been getting dehydrated, had a big time blockage ( thanks all for your tips on how to manage them at home, and worst, my appliances have been leaking this past week.   Way to go for a smooth transition into reversal. LOL
ron in mich
Apr 17, 2012 3:08 pm
hi laura good luck with your reversal and have a speedy recovery. ron in mich.
Gray Logo for MeetAnOstoMate

Why Join MeetAnOstoMate?

First off, this is a pretty cool site with 36,000 members who truly understand you.

It's not all about ostomy. We talk about everything.

Many come here for advice or to give advice, others have found good friends, and some have even found love. Most importantly, people here are honest and genuinely care.

🛑 Privacy is very important - we have many features that are only visible to members, ensuring a safe and secure environment for you to share and connect.

Create an account and you will be amazed by the warmth of this community.

dsmithsc91
Apr 17, 2012 6:07 pm
Laura, I had an epidural prior to my first bowel resection surgery.  It did a wonderful job of controlling the surgical pain.  However I did have a complication that wasn't so pleasant.  Epidural headaches.  You can read more about them here.     



Mine was pretty servere and I needed two blood patches.  A month after this surgery I ended up needing a second and opted not to have the epidural, but the surgical pain was much worse the second time around.   -  



God forbid if I ever need another surgery, I'd do the epidural again pray for no headaches.     



Good luck on the reversal!
cee
Apr 17, 2012 6:11 pm
Hi Laura,



     I have also had 4 or 5 abdominal surgeries...our joke was why not have put in a zipper??  I was always very stubborn and insisted on having the morphine pump for pain control even though the anesthesiologist would recommend the epidural.  With the morphine pump I would develop nausea and it would constipate me therefore slowing down the time it took to get OUT of the hospital.  The last go round in 2009 I thought I would try the epidural.  My God!!  How dumb had I been!!  It was a much better level of pain control with none of the nausea of morphine.  I regretted all my previous stubbornness.



     So, go for it and good luck and do not worry about the epidural.



     Lynn





     P.S. I just read dsmithsc91's remarks and the fear of the headache, which i first learned about in my childbirth classes, were part of my resistance.  Try three natural childbirths and forget about headache pain!! Still and all I would go for the epidural.