This topic is about someone who is preparing for colostomy reversal surgery and is feeling anxious about the use of an epidural. They have some specific questions and concerns about the procedure, especially since they have a fear of needles and surgery. Here are some insights and advice that might help:

- An epidural is often used to manage pain after surgery. However, you can still receive general anesthesia to be fully unconscious during the actual operation. The epidural catheter is typically inserted while you are awake, but the area on your back is numbed first with a local anesthetic, which many people find to be only slightly uncomfortable.

- People have shared their personal experiences with epidurals:
1. One person had a bowel resection with an epidural and found it provided excellent pain relief afterward. The catheter was placed while they were awake, and they only experienced minor discomfort. However, they did develop an "epidural headache" and chose not to have an epidural for their next surgery.
2. Another person had two cesarean sections with epidurals and reported no pain during surgery. They described their legs as feeling "rubber-like" and had minimal memory of the needle, which shows how effective the epidural was.
3. Someone else had epidurals during childbirth without any issues and was fully anesthetized for their ostomy surgery. They are now waiting for a reversal and share similar fears about the procedure.

- There is a risk of developing an epidural headache, also known as a dural puncture headache. It's a good idea to discuss the likelihood and management of this side effect with your surgeon or anesthesiologist.

- If you are uncomfortable with the idea of an epidural, you can ask for alternative anesthesia options or request a detailed explanation of the procedure, its benefits, risks, and other pain-control options available.

- It's important to mentally prepare yourself. While worrying is natural, it won't change the outcome. Try to focus your energy on recovery and maintain open communication with your medical team to address any concerns you have.