Re: Epidural...Please Explain

[Guest guest]

An epidural refers to a space that surrounds your spinal column. That

space is reached with a needle placed between two vertebrae into

which a very small tube is placed. The needle is taken out while the

tube remains. Medication is then given through the tube for a variety

of reasons. Some people having surgery in the lower body may have

this as their anesthestic (like c/sections, knee surgery, etc.) so

that they can't feel the operation. Other patients, like cancer

patients may use it for pain relief. Some back pain patients use it

that way as well. In the case of abdominal surgeries like the DS,

some docs use them for pain relief after the surgery so that you

don't take so many narcotics that leave you feeling drugged and out

of it (some people react this way to the epidural for pain relief as

well)

The BIG difference between all these uses is the type and amount of

drugs they use. In labor, most women don't want to move around or

feel much of anything from the waist down so certain drugs are used.

In the DS patients the drugs that are used still allow you to move

your legs and to get up out of bed.

There can be many side effects depending on what it is being used

for, what drugs are used and how it is given. It can be a very

effective pain control tool.

Open DS with Dr. Anthone 7/6/01

> Hi everyone,

> I hope everyone is doing well, and had a great Labor Day...

>

> I know this is going to sound stupid, but I have never had surgery

> and I have heard about Epidurals when someone has a baby, but I

never

> really knew what it was, I mean, I know it has to do with being a

> pain killer, but I don't exactly understand the whole thing...Can

> someone please explain exactly what an Epidural is and how it is

> given, and any side effects, etc....Thanks...

> Mia