Epidural vs PCA

ac · November 2008

hi all,

I just completed my pre-operative radiation/chemotherapy and am now due for surgery in a couple of weeks.

I am now faced with the decision of having to choose between an Epidural or PCA (patient controlled analgesia) via IV and would like to hear your input if you had any experience with either of these. I heard that the epidural would be left in place for 2 to 3 days after surgery.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Andrew

msccolon · November 2008

welcome
Andrew, glad you are through the initial chemo and radiation; you have to be feeling good! One goal down; onward and upward! I had the epidural both times and would definitely recommend it! You don't feel a thing and I didn't have any problems with it.
mary

pamness · November 2008

I would vote for the epicural hands down
I had it and it worked really well. Unfortunately, I had to have it taken out a day early because by blood pressure dropped and they switched me to pain meds. The epidural worked far better.

Best of luck.

Pam

Betsydoglover · November 2008

Epidural vs IV PCA
I had a sigmoid colectomy in June 2005 and I had an epidural for pain control (it was also PCA in that I could push a button and give an extra jolt every so often if needed). It worked really well. I couldn't really walk until they pulled the epidural, however, but that was probably day 2 after surgery. As a comparison, 4 months ago I had my left hip replaced (not cancer related) and I had a PCA IV morphine pump. Much less fun - the morphine has systemic effects and made me a bit sick to my stomach, so I used it less than what was necessary to effectively control the pain. I think epidural is the way to go.

Good luck,
Betsy

cingin · November 2008

Epidural is the Way To Go!!
Hi Andrew,

My surgeon wasn't that hot on the idea of the epidural but I went for it anyway. And boy am I glad I did!! I was much more comfortable while I was on the epidural and the Pain Management Team called me their favorite patient. Now, you may itch yourself all over but it's kind of funny because it really doesn't bother you and the trade off is well worth it. Go for the epidural, you'll be happy you did.

Cindy

chynabear · November 2008

cingin said:
Epidural is the Way To Go!!
Hi Andrew,

My surgeon wasn't that hot on the idea of the epidural but I went for it anyway. And boy am I glad I did!! I was much more comfortable while I was on the epidural and the Pain Management Team called me their favorite patient. Now, you may itch yourself all over but it's kind of funny because it really doesn't bother you and the trade off is well worth it. Go for the epidural, you'll be happy you did.

Cindy

Epidural
I wasn't really given the option, my surgeon just said this is what we are going to do. I was young, and went with what she thought best. The only reason I would say not to get it is because in my experience, they did leave it in for 2 or 3 days and I've always been told to walk as soon as you can, and couldn't. In the end, it didn't slow down my healing process any or set me back in any way... so the benefit is far greater, in my opinion. I may not have been wanting or able to get up and walk those first couple of days anyway... who knows.

I was put on the patient management after they pulled the epidural, and at that point it worked just fine for pain.

Good luck in your surgery! My prayers are with you.

Tricia

SharonI · November 2008

Epidural vs. PCA
I had a right hemicolectomy on Oct 29. Pain control began with an epidural prior to surgery which worked well for 1-2 days. Unfortunately, an internal kink in the catheter forced a switch to morphine PCA. PCA made me vomit badly last time, so I was apprehensive. IV anti-nausea medication (Zofran, generic name: ondansetron) allowed me to use the PCA without a problem.

Although the epidural provided somewhat better pain relief, it also caused numbness in my thighs which made getting out of bed very tricky (knees went out from under me the first time). Removing it helped that go away.

Bottom line - the morphine relief WITH anti-nausea med was more practical, since I could walk sooner.

Sharon

Mike49 · November 2008

I did PCA and walked alot
I had a right Hemi-colectomy on 10-15-08 and faced the same decision. I chose to go with PCA morphine and the deciding factor was the ability to walk soon and often after surgery. I walked four times the day after surgery and each day kept expanding my range. It is a individual decision, and I was really torn. I also have some disc damage in my mid back and I really was a big chicken about the needle in the back thing (just being honest). I did not find the pain control to be a problem and would do PCA again, hopefully I won't have too.

I wish you the best and whatever choice you make will be the right one for you.

lisa42 · November 2008

epidural
Hi Andrew,

I had an epidural during my liver resection surgery. It definitely helped so I didn't feel pain, however, my second night I awoke in horrible pain in the middle of the night. The nurses couldn't figure it out at first, until one saw that my back was wet and it was realized that my epidural had come out of place in my back. The fact that it somehow dislodged was why I ended up in pain, so I then realized how much it had been helping when it was in place. I had to wait a while since it was the middle of the night for the nurses to find a doctor to approve IV pain meds. They just gave me something oral in the meantime and it definitely did not cut it. The next morning they gave me pain meds in my IV and I could push a button to control it.
I think the issue of it coming out is not something that usually happens, so I would still go with an epidural if I needed surgery again.

Best wishes to you-
Lisa

ac · November 2008

Thanks all for your input.
Thanks all for your input. I'm feeling that I'm drifting towards the epidural route. :>

Epidural vs PCA

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