Epidural questions

hi rainsandpours well you wont be up and about for at least 24 hours anyway.  they tried an epidural on me but something went wrong and they released some spinal fluid so i had to lie on the flat of my back for 24 hours but to honest i wasn't going anywhere anyway so it didn't bother me one bit...lol....the lady across from me had her kidney taken out by keyhome surgery and she was in the shower all by herself te next morning!!!  mine was open surgery so a bit different.  hope that helps...

eims x

Sandi45 said:

I have questions about why

I have questions about why they do epidurals for nephrectomies. Is it used in conjunction with typical anesthesia? Or is it only used for people who can't tolerate typical anesthesia? 

One more question I guess I should have asked my dr.

im not sure sandi45 but i think it has to do with limiting the pain afterwards.......easier to monitor and it works well for pain.  maybe someone has the medical knowledge to share the real reason.

eims x

rainsandpours said:

It's my understanding they

It's my understanding they use it for pain control.  Im all for having one if it saves me from moaning and excruciating pain.  I had a tough time in May with a gallbladder removal/hernia repair, and was in 9/10 pain for the first 4 days.  Not an experience I'm excited to repeat.  The surgeon said the anesthesiologist will discuss it with me at consult, and likely offer it- but they don't always. 

 

Thanks everyone for the replies.  It helped answer my question

Yes, I was asked about it before surgery, and in my case I turned it down.  I can not tell you I made the right decision or not.. just what I did.  I was (sort of) walking on day 2, but had a bunch of hoses and wires hooked up to me, as I was in the ICU for 10 days.   Over a few days things got better, first I got a wirelss unit for all the heart monitoring, then less hoses, then down to a single IV line.  Life was good.. very good indeed..!!  Which ever way you go, you will likely have some initial pain.  The Dr's will help you.. just push the call button, especially the first day. push the button at the FIRST sign of any pain, as it takes time for the drugs to kick in..  You can do it..!!  (If I can, anyone can.. )

Ron

LynninNC said:

Epidural

I had an epidural. I think it was in for 24 hours, Once it was out I could get up and walk around some and sit in the chair. It was much easier to get comfortable in bed also, rolling to the side etc. After the epidural I had a pump for pain killers and that was removed after another 24 hours. Once it was gone I was able to go to a regular room. 24 hours later I was discharged.  I remember having to wiggle my toes before being being moved to a room where I was able to hold my son after delivery. This one seemed much different!  L~

I had an epidural for my open nephrectomy. It was in for four of the six day hospital stay. I was able to walk less than 24 hours after surgery though I did have shakey legs the first few attempts (with help). It kept my mid section numb but still had feeling in my legs. I liked the epidural instead of all the pain meds. I wasn't asked if I wanted one, they just told me this is how we do it. 

They put it in before I was wheeled off to surgery. I was pretty drugged up when they did it due to having a raging migraine/vomiting the night before and my entire two hour trip to the hospital so I barely remember it. I do remember by the fourth day, my back was getting itchy and uncomfortable and I wanted it out. They removed the catheter and epidural on the same day. I just drug everything around with me when I walked or moved out of bed to a chair, etc. My pain levels were pretty minimal on it. God Bless