Surgery drugs???

[Mark33180]

Ok so i was talking to my doctor when i went in for my surgery, he said i could either have the morphine drip or the epidural. Now i have big aprehensions about an epidural, i just don't know if i feel comfortable with a needle going into my spine. one slip and your paralized... anyone have any experience in this. they say the epidural is better and isn't as rough on you.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I had both and I understand your dilemma on the spine thing. I have had epidurals but they dont work on me and my second surgery it wasnt working again... and with no pain meds they moved me and omg, friggen pain! Idiots. Then I had the morphine pump and I had hallucinations, I hated it. You have to pick your poison (so to speak) but there are risks in surgery alone. Hard to decide, but they have techs that do this for a living and nothing but... I know now it would be Morphine cause I never want to go thru that pain again.

Just my two cents for what it is worth.

 

[Claire617]

I had the epidural worked really well for me no pain, till they took it out a couple days later getting the pain under control was annoying but eh... I didn't react well to morphine sent me a bit ahhhh! so was on just tramadol an paracetamol. I would do the same if i have to again, sorry that doesn't help cause it completely contradicts JL lol

 

[Mark33180]

hahaha well thanks anyway.

 

[Nyx]

I've never had an epidural, but I tried morphine and it didn't even touch my pain! I was finally put on Demerol and Gravol and that worked...but like Pen said about morphine, I had terrible hallucinations on it...but no pain! lol

 

[Jer's Girl]

I like morphine, but it is also all I know. I had very little pain after my surgery, or at least i was too drugged to remember it.

 

[Lisa]

I had an epidural for the birth of my daughter (c-section) - it was awesome!....the tech I had was great - didn't even feel it going in.....one tip - if you are at a teaching hospital, ask for a non-student to do it if you are apprehensive.....

My brother had a nerve block for his first hip surgery last year - that wore off even before he was totally out of ansethesia!.....for his 2nd surgery he had an epidural, which worked wonderfully.....

I can't have morphine, does funny things to me....even worse I can't have dilaudid- REALLY allergic to that!.....

Find out too if the epi is a one-shot deal, or one where they leave a catheter in to give continuous pain meds.......

If I were to have another surgery (for whatever) and an epidural was offered I'd do it.....

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I would have thought that for the type of surgery you are having that you would be put out completely. Aren't you having a resection? (Or did I miss something?)

Not sure if this is even close to being the same, but I had epidurals for the births of both of my children, and though it wasn't for surgery, they were AWESOME! Giving birth was enjoyable! Not that your surgery will be, but you know what I am saying hopefully.
The needle wasn't a big deal going in, and I guess there is a risk of a bad headache if they miss, but I hadn't heard of the paralyzation (sp) risk.

When is your surgery scheduled for? I think it's in the beginning of May right? We'll be thinking positive thought for you!

 

[Cookie]

I had an epidural for my first fistula surgery but I was out completely with general anesthesia too, I think??? I know for sure they gave me the epidural and I also had the whole tube down my throat, out like a light, came to and started puking thing going on. I guess I should get better info on what they are actually doing to me! Anyway, the epidural was fine. I remember the anesthesiologist saying that it helped that I had good spacing between my spine. I would think that they would not do it if they thought there would be a problem finding the right spot. Remember that these guys do this for a living...every day. If you are really uncomfortable with the whole thing, I would ask for a very experienced anesthesiologist. Ask to meet with them beforehand so you can be sure you are comfortable with what they are going to do.

Good Luck!!!

 

[kello82]

i didnt get an epidural for the ileo. i was never even offered a choice...it was kinda weird.
i guess they had me on morphine as i was coming out? but i was still in pain so they got me the dilauded pushy button thing and that was AWESOME.

how bad was your pain after your other surgeries? maybe that will give you a clue as to what you need?

idk i can understand not wanting stuff shoved in your spine....

like pen said, pick your poison i guess.

 

[Mark33180]

Yeah the scheduled date is May 5th it is a resection so i am sure i will be knocked out even if they do the epidural. might have them knock me out and then do it so i am not freaking the whole time.

 

[kenny]

i had the epidural. I do not feel there was any risk in it. It is just a little wire tube that they stick in beside your spine that brings the drug right close to the nerves and blocks any sensation to your mid section.

I remember them putting it in on the OR table. it was nothing major at all. But mine got dislodged during the procedure so I woke up without it working. That really sucked and they took about 20 seconds to yank it out and pop it back in on the other side.

They checked it for the next couple of days by touching me with ice. If I felt the cold above my thigh or too far down on my chest they could adjust the output. There was a meter on it I could use myself if pain began to bother me or I was about to go for a walk with the physio lady. Otherwise it just dosed me at regular intervals.

It was great and I would ask for it again myself.

 

[kello82]

if you want to ask for a pre-med too. im not really sure what it is or what it is called, but it makes you a happy camper =]
they used to offer it all the time in Peds, but i never cared cause the butt surgeries were no biggie, but for the ileo i asked and it was no prob.

only weird thing is that it makes you not remember things. i barely remember anything about the trip from pre-op to OR, just that he wanted me to take off one of the gowns, but i was like no i only have one on, and that is the last memory i have. dont remember falling asleep at all or anything.

dont know if the amnesia is good or bad, but i dont really care for it. but if youre gonna get an epidural which i assume is not too fun? it might be nice to have some loopy drugs in you for that.

 

[Astra]

Hi Mark

I too had an epidural for the birth of my daughter, it was scary thinking about the risks, but I was in so much pain! Anyway it was fantastic! I couldn't feel a thing, but it did slow the contractions down.
I like morphine too! I love the woozy floating on a cloud feeling!
Good luck Mark on May 5th
xxx