Ok Lets hear the whole epidural story

[Guest guest]

I've been reading bits and pieces of posts about the epidural pre op for

operative pain.

I would appreciate a succinct and eloquent dissertation on exactly when

the epidural is put in place, who does is (usually) and how long does it stay?

I know there is bound to be a variety of answers as doctors have their

own favorite ways but I would like to hear them all!

Brush off that keyboard and give us the whole story. Graphically in 27

8X10 color glossies with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back

thanks

elle in oregon (plantcrone)/// pre-op Lap/DS, Dr. Emma

BMI 37, 255#, 5'9 " , 58 Y0, hypertension, insulin using type ll diabetic,

high cholesterol and

chronic back pain - vegetarian

[Guest guest]

See my earlier post for a description of the diferences.

As a nurse, especially a labor and delivery nurse where we do tons of

epidurals (although the drugs for this are different) the advantages

to the use of one for pain vs. the straight narcotics given IV are

many. The biggest one is that all narcotics given IV are respiratory

depressants. Assuming that we are talking the open DS, with an

incision you are already feeling uncomfortable about taking deep

breaths, the last thing you need is a narcotic to inhibit that

breathing. For this reason some surgeons opt for the epidural. You

also don't get the same drugged feeling that you do with narcotics so

that you are better able to participate in your care.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Anthone 7/6/2001

> I've been reading bits and pieces of posts about the epidural pre

op for

> operative pain.

> I would appreciate a succinct and eloquent dissertation on exactly

when

> the epidural is put in place, who does is (usually) and how long

does it stay?

> I know there is bound to be a variety of answers as doctors have

their

> own favorite ways but I would like to hear them all!

[Guest guest]

I would appreciate a succinct and eloquent dissertation on exactly when

the epidural is put in place, who does is (usually) and how long does it stay?

I know there is bound to be a variety of answers as doctors have their

own favorite ways but I would like to hear them all!

Brush off that keyboard and give us the whole story. Graphically in 27

8X10 color glossies with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back

thanks

Did anyone answer your request? Well I dont have the glossies...but my understanding (I'm not post op yet.) is that before you go to surgery they put in the epidural. Its in your back and is suppose to not be that bad to have put in. It is not used then but after you wake up in recovery. I'm sure some people that are experienced will give you more information than I can...Do you know if your dr is going to use one on you?

~~* AJ *~~

BMI 58

NW Washington Medical

DR Heap, Richland WA

Working on 1st appeal

[Guest guest]

Hey Tom, time to post your story part 1-- Nan E.

[Guest guest]

> I've been reading bits and pieces of posts about the epidural pre

op for

> operative pain.

> I would appreciate a succinct and eloquent dissertation on exactly

when

> the epidural is put in place, who does is (usually) and how long

does it stay?

> I know there is bound to be a variety of answers as doctors have

their

> own favorite ways but I would like to hear them all!

> Brush off that keyboard and give us the whole story. Graphically

in 27

> 8X10 color glossies with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the

back

> thanks

> elle in oregon (plantcrone)/// pre-op Lap/DS, Dr. Emma

> BMI 37, 255#, 5'9 " , 58 Y0, hypertension, insulin using type ll

diabetic,

> high cholesterol and

> chronic back pain - vegetarian

[Guest guest]

I don't have 8x10 glossies, but its typically like this:

the epidural line is placed before surgery begins by the

anesthisiologist. They use some local anesthetic (most places)to numb

up your back, then have you curl up in as close to fetal position as

possible. This opens the spaces between the vertibrae to more easily

insert the catheter. A large bore (~14 gauge) needle is inserted

into the correct space until they are into the epidural space of

the spine. This is NOT in the spinal cord, but in a space that

surrounds it. Then a catheter is threaded into the space to the proper

depth and secured. then the doctor will choose which type of

anesthetic/pain meds are used through the catheter. For surgery he'll

choose something that completely numbs you up from the insertion point

down (but you'll be asleep by then, so you won't realize it. Then he

does the surgery, & the heavy pain block prevents you from feeling it.

The advantage of this is that yes, you are asleep- but usually they

can use a bit of IV valium instead of knocking you out to the point

that you must be intubated during surgery & recovery. Once surgery is

completed, either a different anesthetic is started, or the dosage of

the original is turned way down, & the pain agent is placed on a PCA

pump, with a button for you to hit if you start feeling pain. The

advantage of using an epidural is that, if your patient has severe

sleep apnea, the sedation used will not affect it as much. Once you

are out of recovery, the pain is controlled, but you are no longer

numb from about the bellybutton down. This is the reader's digest

condensed version as I understand it.. hope it's answered some

questions!

Hugs,

Liane

> In a message dated 5/21/01 8:36:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

elle@a...

> writes:

>

>

> > I would appreciate a succinct and eloquent dissertation on exactly

when

> > the epidural is put in place, who does is (usually) and how long

does it

> > stay?

> > I know there is bound to be a variety of answers as doctors have

their

> > own favorite ways but I would like to hear them all!

> > Brush off that keyboard and give us the whole story. Graphically

in 27

> > 8X10 color glossies with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the

back

> > thanks

> >

>

>

> Did anyone answer your request? Well I dont have the glossies...but

my

> understanding (I'm not post op yet.) is that before you go to

surgery they

> put in the epidural. Its in your back and is suppose to not be that

bad to

> have put in. It is not used then but after you wake up in recovery.

I'm

> sure some people that are experienced will give you more information

than I

> can...Do you know if your dr is going to use one on you?

>