PAC or epidural for post-op

[Saldcorn]

Just when I thought I didn’t have to make any more decisions…. I had my pre-op for the RC and neo yesterday – a long, but reassuring experience – and the anaesthetist said I had two choices for pain management after surgery. One was the morphine pump (or whatever opioids they use), and the other was an epidural (they insert a tube or some such gizmo) in or near the spine. She said the epidural would probably be more effective. I told her that I’d only ever seen the morphine pump being used by people after surgery.
Does anyone have any opinion on either of these? I know the morphine pump people always look incredibly blissed out after pushing that button, and bliss is something I haven’t experienced much of lately… Well, except when I finally got the surgery date.
Thanks,
Sue

[Gord]

Hi Sue. When I had my RC with Neo three years ago, I had an epidural, and it worked just fine, and was effective at pain relief. It was just one of several tubes coming out of me post surgery. They removed it after around three days, and I went to Tylenol 3’s if I remember correctly (which I may not as they blissed me out!). I stopped them when I went home on Day 7 and went to extra strength which worked well enough. Didn’t actually like being blissed out! My wife wondered with me practicing kegels pre-surgery and getting an epidural if I was really going to produce a baby at the end of it all! Yes, there are light moments during these stressful days. All the best.
Gord

[Saldcorn]

Thanks, Gord. I’ve been googling everything I could find, and had actually just decided to go with the anesthetist’s recommendation. She’s the one with M.D. after her name. Plus, her nostrils didn’t dilate when I mentioned that, being a veteran of a 60s/70s lifestyle (but not a heavy-duty veteran… More of an observer), I always wondered about exactly how much bliss the morphine pump provided.
She actually explained the options in detail and what she said made sense, so the epidural it shall be. Is this one more proof that with age comes wisdom?

Thanks again for your input (and the laugh)
Sue

[marysue]

Not having to remove my bladder, I’ve no experience as a BC patient in this area but did have a morphine pain pump after my emergency hysterectomy in 2002. All I can say for that, is that it wasn’t very effective for me. I still needed other meds. I had a 6 inch incision plus they did a bunch of removal – scar tissue from previous surgeries on top of removing my uterus and cervix.

I think if one can handle the idea of something being inserted in or near the spine it might make more sense for a major lower abdominal surgery. Keep that area numb post op rather than dope up the whole body.

I’d like to ask the question – for those that have had an epidural for an RC do you think your mind was clearer post up with the epidural versus the morphine pump?

This is just a curiosity question on my part. This is a good topic. ((((HUGS)))))

PS: Gord – Thanks for the laugh about you having a baby!

[SJay]

I think the morphine pump option is likely the same thing as having a rectus sheath, which is what I had for my RC. It is a method that puts analgesic directly into the wound area. I found the rectus sheath procedure to be very effective in stopping pain, but the post-op pump to be rather useless and not really necessary.

[Saldcorn]

I had a radical hysterectomy and when I woke up it felt like I was being stabbed in the stomach by red-hot razor blades. The surgeon had written that there was to be no morphine, no pump with anything for pain management. The nurses decided they could give one shot of Demerol and then it was just over the counter Advil.

I’ve decided to go with the epidural. The anesthetist’s said that it could be changed to the PAC post-op, but the PAC couldn’t be changed to the epidural. She was clearly surprised that there hadn’t been any pain meds after the hysterectomy.

I promise to post about the efficacy of the epidural after all this.
Sue

[Arn’s bladder]

Hi Sue, re: epidural or morphine pump. Arn had both ! An epidural during surgery, and a morphine pump when he woke up. He could use the pump every 6 minutes. They also gave him extra shots of hydromorphin when he asked. Eventually they got rid of the pump because it wasn’t doing much good, and the epidural. Went back to his original pain relievers, that worked ! The pain was finally under control. I think the epidural for Arn was a good choice because it was at the base of his spine and near the operation site. He didn’t have any bad effects from either.

Wednesday, Sept 21 – almost there. Arn says you can do it ! He just had an unfortunate pain problem complicated by his ongoing back pain. This week is totally different, you will be fine.

xxoo Arn & Kory

Good side effects – he’s lost 15 lbs, and I’ve lost 13 lbs just running after him, running to the store, etc. etc. Yeah !

[Saldcorn]

Tell Arn he is my role model… And I shall describe you (with maybe one or two slight exaggerations) as Saint Kory, a role model for my husband.

I obviously don’t know Arn, but I’m adopting his advice as my mantra, “If he can do it, I can do it… If he can do it, I can do it…”

So happy to hear he’s doing well, and I hope I can keep pace in the weight loss department.

Thanks for your support.
love, Sue

[Arn’s bladder]

Sometimes I don’t have very Saint-like thoughts, and my halo is on crooked…. ha ha ha. Your husband is going to be busy when you come home.

Arn had 1 small bowl of yellow jello (yuuucch), chicken consomme soup, and mushroom soup the first week after surgery. That was the last solid food he had. He had no appetite. So they gave him Boost to drink & an IV feed. Geez, I thought I could at least steal his lunch if he wasn’t going to eat it. From what I’ve read a lot of people lose 15 – 30 lbs or more during the first 3 months of recovery! You definitely will lose weight. Arn’s catheters should come out on Tuesday; then we can do some serious slow walking outside.

Do you know what time your surgery is? I’m going to do the same thing I did for Arn – I am going to will you through every half hour of your surgery. I kept thinking, okay, 1 hour done, 2 hours done, etc. And I stayed by the phone to wait for the surgeon to call. My best friend kept phoning me, and I jumped out of my skin every time the phone rang. ha ha ha. Thank goodness for call display.

You will do fine ! “if he can do it – I can do it”

Thinking of you,

love Arn & Kory

[Saldcorn]

Hi Kory,

I don’t find out until tomorrow what time I check in /start surgery on Wednesday. The nurse at the pre-op appt thought probably a 6 am check-in. So, who knows? We’re going to drive down to the city and stay at a hotel after The Big Purge tomorrow.
Thanks for your wonderful support, even while taking care of Arn.

love, Sue

[Arn’s bladder]

Oh my, The Big Purge. I’ve had 2. Just to do a colonoscopy check at age 55. Oprah – everyone should have one. Thanks a lot Oprah. I rescheduled the test twice out of fear. Then a second check-up 5 years later. No problems. I told my family doctor that it was his turn next. Ha ha ha. The specialist was really funny. I told him I was a chicken, he said “that’s okay we specialize in chickens”.

And some people do cleanses all the time ! Truthfully, I didn’t find it all that bad.

Hang in there !

love Arn & Kory

[Arn’s bladder]

Hi Sue, lots of prayers and hugs coming your way. Your role model Arn says “you can do it” and not to worry. I’ll be willing you through the operation. Will look forward to seeing your first post in a couple of weeks !

love Arn & Kory

[Saldcorn]

Dear Arn and Kory,

Thanks so much. Hope my role model Arn is continuing to make great gains! I’ll report in as soon as I can.

Love,
Sues

[Marie 1]

Sue, I too was thinking of you through out the day and saying a little prayer. Like Arn says “you can do it” and now you have.
You seem like a strong and positive women, so I am sure your recovery will go well.

I will look forward to seeing your post on your progress when you feel up to it.

God Bless
Marie

[Jack Moon]

Sue,Have you in my thoughts and prayers today for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.
All the best,
Jack

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