Re: Epidural - vs - Anesthesia ??????

[Guest guest]

Mia,

I am preop, so please understand that all my comments and experience

relates to other surgeries. I just had a total knee replacement in

August. It was a rather long and complicated surgery. I hate

general anesthesia, and elected to have an epidural. Basically, it

numbed me from the waist down, then they gave me some twilight sleep

so that I wasn't awake for the surgery. The damn anesthesiologist did

NOT know what he was doing, and the epidural was very painful. It is

the third epidural I have had for surgery, and this was the only one

that hurt. I am thrilled to know that you can request a fluroscope

or twilight sleep prior to them administering the epidural now!

I did talk to Dr. Rabkin about an epidural for the Ds. He said that

although he doesn't use them as a rule, it could be done. There are

a number of folks...Judie Hensel is one, that had epidurals for pain

relief, post surgically. I believe her experience was extremely

positive and she felt that it aided her in being able to walk so much

right after surgery because her pain was being well managed. I hope

I am quoting that correctly!

So, I believe its possible to have a during and post surgical

epidural. How's that?

Hugs,

t

> > > I have a question, I hope that someone can help...

> > > I know this is going to sound crazy, and I am so embarrassed

> about

> > > asking this...but I need to know...

> > > I have been a smoker for many years, usually 1 - 1 1/2 pack a

> day...

> > > I started to quit about 2 months ago...I have really tried so

> > hard...

> > > but it seems like something always happens and I go back...This

> has

> > > been such a horrible and strenuous time for me (i.e. -

> > Sept.11....my

> > > husband worked at the WTC...he got out and he is fine, thank

God,

> > but

> > > we lost so many friends...there are still 72 people missing

from

> > his

> > > company...all friends he has worked with for 18 years...the

last

> > > month has been filled with going to funerals and memorials),

the

> > > smoking has been so hard to stay away from...I do not smoke as

> much

> > > as I used to...but still smoke from 4 - 5 cigarettes a day...

> > > I am so upset because my surgery is in 2 1/2 weeks!!...I just

> can't

> > > seem to control it...the more I worry, the more I want to

smoke...

> > > Now, I am worried that I will have a pulmonary embolism or die

on

> > the

> > > table...

> > > I am so afraid...Should I tell my doctor all this?...I am

afraid

> > that

> > > if I do he won't operate....I am going for my pulmonary

clearance

> > on

> > > Tuesday...should I wait to hear what they tell me then?...I

just

> > > don't know what to do...

> > > Does anyone know if anyone has had this surgery while they were

> > still

> > > a smoker, and if so, did they survive...

> > > Is the only reason for not smoking because of the anesthesia

> > > issue...I had back surgery years ago and did not quit, and I

came

> > out

> > > of it alright...

> > > is there another specific reason for not smoking with this

> surgery?

> > > Any feed back on this would be so appreciated... thank you...

> > > Mia

[Guest guest]

Theresa,

You are right!

Mia, I had the epidural at OHSU in Oregon and had a great experience with

it. I had it done in the surgical suite prior to surgery with the

floroscope and all it felt like was like a tiny bee sting (lidocaine or

something like that to numb the skin) and then a tiny amount of

pressure....that was it!! then they flipped me over on my back and put me

out......

When I woke up I had NO pain! I think my pain level over all for 4 days

post opt was less than 2 and allowed me to get up and walk without hurting.

This was a piece of cake for me after I had morphine injections with my gall

bladder removal 11 yrs ago......I woke up in the elevator in terrible pain

and then when they made me get up and walk a few hours later I thought they

were trying to kill me! Now, I m a nice lady but that really put me over

the edge and Im sure my room mate thought I was dying.....I dont think Ive

ever sworn at a nurse before that! So.........having the epidural was

wonderful after remembering the hell I went thru without it with my gall

bladder removal! The OHSU staff was wonderful to me and very gentle.

Judie