Epidural vs. Dilaudid?

[MssNurse2b]

Hi there,

I am a future nurse, but right now I am going to be a patient and need some advice from experienced nurses. I want to thank in advance to everyone who will share their opinions.

I will have a general surgery next week (distal pancreactomy and possibly splenectomy). The incision will be approximately 5-6 inches long. For pain management after surgery my doctor gave me two options - epidural or dilaudid with patient control. He was strongly suggesting the epidural, but I am just terrified of the idea of a needle in my spine. My biggest fear is paralysis (I know it is very rare, but it happens). I also heard that after epidural many women who gave birth started getting pain in their back from time to time as a side effect. The doctor told me that I will be able to walk with it and that it will only numb by abdomen, so I can be mobile straight after surgery. He also said that people who got it recover faster and don't experience as much pain as patients on regular pain killers. What do you think? Have you seen patients with epidural after general surgery? How did they recover? And how was the pain of those who decided to go with deluided? Will epidural really take all the pain away? I must say that it will be my first surgery ever, I've never been pregnant and I do have a low pain tolerance (I take pain killers even when I have my period). Which option do you think will work best in my situation?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm sorry, we cannot give medical advice. YOu would need to ask your physician/surgeon.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

This should be discussed between you and your surgeon. You can also discuss pain management with your anesthesiologist as well.

[MssNurse2b]

Girls, I was just asking for your own experience with both methods of pain managements for your patients. Of course I will be the one who makes this decision, just my doctor's suggestion is only one person's opinion and I want to know all the facts before I make a decision.

[BusyBee91]

Eeek...not giving you any advice, but I insisted on general anesthesia just to get my wisdom teeth out. I have zero interest in being aware of any surgery happening to me. If I were going under the knife, I personally would find a doctor who would put me under for it. Hope you find the answers you seek!

also, the idea of an epidural freaks me out too.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

As a labor and delivery nurse, I'm familiar with epidurals and see no reason to fear them but I won't advise you on which choice to make. However, you need more factual information.

You do need to talk more with your physician and maybe a CRNA, who does epidurals all the time. With an epidural, the needle isn't stuck in your "spine" but in the epidural space. Epidural means "around the spinal cord". It usually isn't painful because the area is numbed first with lidocaine. Of course, you'll feel a bit of a sting from that injection but it is not a big deal.

Big difference between "spinal" and "epidural" and the side effects are way different as well. You truly need to educate yourself beforehand.

Spinal and epidural anesthesia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Consult with anesthesiology (whether MD or CRNA) as most are also experts in pain management. We cannot advise you either way as that constitutes medical advice. My preference and personal experience is irrelevant as there are many factors to be considered and thus these questions should be directed to your surgeon and anesthesiology team prior to surgery. Patient education and informed consent is part of their obligation to you as a patient.

Good luck.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

As pointed out above, we cannot, per our Terms of Service, give you the advice you seek. You need to ask these questions when you speak to your Primary Healthcare Provider and/or Surgeon. They are the only ones who can properly advise you.

We hope your surgery is successful and have a smooth recovery.