Re:epidural

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/2/01 3:44:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

duodenalswitch writes:

<< Shirley.....you will be asleep LOL I guarantee you wont feel anything,

especially if you get an epidural >>

Why is it that some people have such pain - is it that they give epidurals

for open but not lap? Or is it just up to the surgeon? Can they give an

epidural after they knock you out?

I want one, but it scares me because I got something like that in my spine

when I was 9 years old and I don't know if they didn't know what they were

doing or what, but it hurt going in and then the nurse made me walk before I

really could and I had pains from that for about 15 years after that from

time to time. Carole

[Guest guest]

>

> i didn't have an epidural...nor did I want one...the

> thought of something in my spine just freaks me

> out...way more than the surgery did...

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Dee,

Well you let me know when your surgery is, and I will go hold your

hand! Also, with the epidural, they give you some twighlight sleep

stuff....(its lovely, really!) that knocks you out. So actually you

are asleep for the hole thing, only difference is you wake up feeling

so much better.

I have my initial consult on Sept 14th....(its been moved twice) then

waiting for Camille to process the insurance stuff...lets say another

month or so...i figure the earliest surgery date I will get is

somewhere around thanksgiving! As for panic attacks, I hear you. I

had them for 2 weeks prior to my knee replacement, and I didin't even

think I was nervous about it! Laughing....i know I will be a basket

case for the DS!

Hang in there, remember, misery or nerves love company!

Hugs,

Theresa

> Theresa, I wish I could handle an epidural because it

> sounds like a good way to go but I get panic/anxiety

> attacks and I'm going to be FREAKING anyway when I'm

> at the hospital. No, I need to be put WAY out - LOL.

>

> And I would LOVE to be switch sisters!!!

>

> dee

>

> *********************

> Dee,

>

> I asked Dr. Rabkin if he does epidurals, and he

> clearly said no. However, he said if you insist on

> it, he would not stop it. I just had total knee

> replacement and insisted on an epidural. I will assure

>

> you that you feel a thousand times better post

> surgically, because you are not having to wear off a

> general anesthesia...(which takes weeks and

> immediately after surgery can make you nauseas as

> hell) but also, you wake up from surgery numb, which

> you really wanna be!

>

> Hope you and I become switch sisters...crossing my

> fingers.

>

> Theresa

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Please don't get confused about the use of an epidural for the

anesthesia portion of the surgery. You can't give an epidural for a

lap surgery because the gas that is pumped into your abdomen that

allows them to visualize your stomach and intestines makes it

impossible for you to breathe on your own. You HAVE to have a general

anesthetic. Dr's such as Hess and Anthone use epidurals for pain

relief after the surgery, not for anything during the surgery.

Open DS with Dr. Anthone 7/6/01 - 261 lbs.

9/2/01 - 226 lbs.

> Dee,

>

> Well you let me know when your surgery is, and I will go hold your

> hand! Also, with the epidural, they give you some twighlight sleep

> stuff....(its lovely, really!) that knocks you out. So actually

you

> are asleep for the hole thing, only difference is you wake up

feeling

> so much better.