Re:epidural/smoking/2 part DS

[Guest guest]

Dear Carole,

Congrats on quitting smoking! It can only help you during and

after surgery. I don't know much about the two part DS except some

people have had it done, but keep asking and I'm sure you'll hear

from a few of them.

>> I cannot IMAGINE getting an eipdural during surgery and being

>> " awake " for surgery!!!!

When my first child was born I had an epidural during the labor

and was awake for the C-section. I remember no pain during the

epidural placement except for a strong tingle running down my back

and down the inside of my left leg. No one told me to expect that,

so it was a real surprise, at first I thought it meant that something

had gone wrong. But all was OK and I felt no pain, just vague

sensations of internal movement during the surgery. I also could not

move a muscle from the neck down.

My surgeon told me that the epidural I got for the C-section was

different from the epidural given for post-operative pain

management. I guess the pain management kind is given higher up in

the spine, and probably different meds are used. The epidural I got

for my DS was tougher to get going, but once everything was in place

and working, the pain control was great.

But anyway, the way I understood it, general anesthetic is used

during the actual surgery, and the epidural catheter is used to

control pain after the surgery. The advantages to this were that I

had full movement (pretty much) with very little pain. On top of

that, I had a pain pump that I could use to administer additional

meds as needed. I was actually asking to be allowed up within a few

hours after surgery, although I was asked to wait until the following

morning. We all know of the advantages of getting up and about as

soon as possible after surgery, and the epidural made that possible.

If you're really nervous about the epidural placement, ask about

getting 'twilight sleep' for the placement. Some people don't even

have the epidural, they go with the morphine pump for pain control.

Just research your pain management options just like you did the

surgery, ask questions, set limits (I gave my surgeon a whole list of

do's and don'ts whenever there may be options, with the understanding

that if he really felt something was necessary, to follow his own

instincts). It's your surgery, do what's best for you.

Hugs,

Shelly

[Guest guest]

You will be under general anesthesia for surgery. The epidural will

be used for pain control after surgery.

, Seattle

> Epidural:

> When I met with Dr. Oakley for my consult, he said they have found

the

> epidural to be a wonderful pain management tool, because it cuts

down on

> pain, but you can walk right away, cutting down on blood clots, etc.

> I know it is given for pain management after surgey.

> I cannot IMAGINE getting an eipdural during surgery and

being " awake " for

> surgery!!!!

> God forbid! I'm scared enough to be wheeled into the operating

room awake

> and will be more than willing to be knocked out!!

>