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Epidural or pain pump?

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Posted 9/22/2014 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Had my pre-op today and they discussed an epidural for pain instead of a pain pump for the first few days.

Thoughts? Experiences? Good? Bad?

I hate needles so the insertion part is what is making me freak out.

Thanks,

K
Posted 9/23/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
      Before my surgery, the nurse came in and gave me a heparin shot.  The last thing I remember before I went out, was the surgeon saying..."Well I can't give her the epidural because you just gave her heparin."  The next thing I remember is a nurse waking me up in my room and saying something about a "pain pump" on the side of my bed and her placing something in my hand.  I vividly remember hitting the pain pump at 2pm and then waiting till 7 pm to hit it again.  The nurse taking vitals asked me how often I was hitting the pump and I said I was waiting five hour intervals...this was her reaction shocked .  LOL...I didn't know I couldn't OD on that pump.  I don't remember having much pain.  So, whatever your surgeon thinks is best, go for it.
Posted 9/23/2014 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
I went pain pump all 3 surgeries. Worked fine, I didn't see a need for the epidural.
Posted 9/23/2014 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
I had the epidural for my two big surgeries, can't recommend it highly enough. Insertion of the needle is really no big deal, and they'll give you a sedative first anyway. I had pain pump only for my takedown and it was fine but I was definitely less comfortable.
Posted 9/23/2014 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
My first op, the epidural came out, so they put me on PCA pump. The second op, I was promised they'd make sure the epidural stayed in, and that I'd be much more comfortable than on PCA. They were right, woke up from surgery with no pain at all. Got some during the first night, but they ramped up the flow to the epidural, and it was soon back under control. I would definitely recommend the epidural, and Liz is right, they will make sure it doesn't hurt going in. It's more strange than anything, feeling the pressure as the needles go into the spine, but definitely not painful. I actually got given a couple cc's of Propofol while they did it.
Posted 9/23/2014 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Go with the epidural. I found it controlled the pain better than the pain pump. As for the needle going in, make sure they give you Versed first. (That's good advice for any surgery no matter what they're doing.) You'll be in la-la land before the epidural goes in and you won't remember a thing. Beautiful stuff. Downside with an epidural is you'll need to be catheterized, but you probably will anyway.
Posted 9/23/2014 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had the pain pump and had absolutely zero issues with pain. The pump had Dilaudid (sp?) in it, and I used it less often than they thought I would need to. Nobody ever mentioned an epidural, so I guess each surgeon has their own way of doing things.
Posted 9/23/2014 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
You'll be less groggy if you chose the epidural since it is more localized and in smaller amounts. I had the epidural for the 1st and 2nd surgeries. My 3rd surgery I was given a pain pump and I really felt out of it for the 5 days that I was on the pain pump. The epidural was more affective in controlling my pain.

At first the epidural freaked me out too but after having it 2 times I am thankful for it.
Posted 9/23/2014 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
I had both. I had the epidural for 3 days, then they reduced it to the pump. Don't think I used the pump very much though. Thry then reduced it to fentanyl patches. Was supposed to keep them on for two weeks after I left hospital but I think I took them off after a day.
Posted 9/24/2014 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
I had a reaction to diluadid so will never have it again.

I am sold on the epidural I think......but I want the drugs first.....and lots of them! I think they said they can leave the epidural in for up to five days but I can't see having it that long....I want to be doing laps by then.

I so appreciate all of your insights. This is a big surgery and I think in order to control the pain, the epidural is probably the best way to go. I will be cut from where my ribs join all the way down, stoma resited to other side, hernia repair and butt sewn up so I think the least amount of pain I feel in the first few days, the better.

Thanks again. It's been an emotional couple of days. Monday can't come and go soon enough....I want this over with.

Kelly
Posted 9/24/2014 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
You CAN and will do laps while the epidural is in. An epidural for abdominal surgery is not the same as an epidural used during childbirth -- your legs will work just fine.
Posted 9/24/2014 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't have one for birth so I guess that's what makes me the most nervous....not sure what to expect. All I heard was the complications....and none of the benefits......I tuned out because the fear took over when they started talking the "could happen".

Thanks Pluot. Appreciate your advice.
Posted 9/24/2014 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
They had me out of bed with the epidural in. My legs had some numbness but I was still able to move them and stand on them. The epidural is not something you need to worry about, all things considered. Its benefits far outweigh any risks or worries. Just Versed up before they do it.
Posted 9/24/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I had a pain pump and it worked great once they switched me from Morphine to Dilaudid. Morphine did zip but the Dilaudid worked great. But if you can't have that then maybe the epidural is for you. Now that I think about it, I wasn't even asked/told about an epidural.(Maybe I just don't remember?) I probably would have declined it.....I declined it when I was in labor with my boys. But, I have a really high pain tolerance.
Posted 9/24/2014 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Dang, all I got was PCA. Never got offered an epidural. It had morphine and there was definitely still pain. All it ever did was make me feel a little tired for a bit after each dose. Once the anesthesia wore off didn't really affect me a whole lot. I imagine an epidural would be pretty fantastic. They did try to do a nerve block in my abdominal area but it didn't really work that well. One of the residents was surprised when I reacted to her poking at one of my incisions. Not really sure what they'll do for step 2.
Posted 9/25/2014 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Axis that's what I remember the most from the morphine was the fog and feeling doped up. I am hoping to avoid that this time with the epidural. Fingers crossed it works well.
Posted 9/25/2014 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I had both at the same time for my two surgeries and the epidural worked so well that I hardly ever used the pain pump. I know for sure that without the epidural for my second surgery, which was rectum removal and anal closure, I would have been in excruciating pain because when they took it out to send me home, I was in terrible shape and in horrible pain for days. I shudder to think what the first 3 days would have been like without the epidural. We are all different though. Best of luck.
Posted 9/25/2014 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
They decided last minute to give me epidural. I had had one for a previous surgery and was all about it. You really won't remember when they put it in- you'll be pre-medicated and will be able to take instruction and move (you have to sit up for the insertion) but you won't really feel anything and you won't remember it later. I woke up with the epi and a pain pump. Eventually they decreased the epi and removed it and I was left with the pump. It was really helpful for me.
Posted 9/25/2014 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
They decided last minute to give me epidural. I had had one for a previous surgery and was all about it. You really won't remember when they put it in- you'll be pre-medicated and will be able to take instruction and move (you have to sit up for the insertion) but you won't really feel anything and you won't remember it later. I woke up with the epi and a pain pump. Eventually they decreased the epi and removed it and I was left with the pump. It was really helpful for me.
Posted 9/25/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks EP and Not Creative. All of your insights have helped with this decision. I just want Monday to come and be over with. Trying everything I know to remain calm, meditation, massage, reiki. Hoping something helps.....

Thanks agAIN.

Kelly
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