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Spinal vs. epidural

Posted , 9 users are following.

susie74530
susie74530

I am wondering what the difference is between the spinal block and the epidural, and why one is preferable over the other?

I have pretty much ruled out GA, but of course, that is prior to any sort of discussion with the anaesthetist.  Finding it all rather confusing, as I have memories of some form of sedation from my surgery in San Francisco back in the mid 80s, when I had days of recovery.  I think it may have been valium, intravaneously.

2 likes, 19 replies

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  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 susie74530

    Posted

    I had a spinal, or that what they called it, when I woke up I was connected up to a computer on a pole that was slowly dripping in a small dose of morphine, or so I was told, I was still semi-numb the following morning, but not numb enough to not be able to stand up with help, the spinal was just completely blocking any pain, and when the nurse said to give myself another dose through the self administered button, it made me sick, so thats the indication to me it was morphine. They took the sipnal out at about 24 hours after surgery.
  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK susie74530

    Posted

    I had mine on the NHS and when the anaesthetist came around I still wasn't convinced about the spinal. My surgeon came back up and told me that it was the 'gold standard' - have it.

    I remember having the slight scratch in my spine but unlike other anaesthetics I have no recollection of what happened next until I woke up in recovery.

    Susie, we all want what is best and try to do our research beforehand but when it comes to it our surgeons have their own methods. Mine was the best in the southwest (I researched!) so I trusted his call and besides, I had got to the stage that I was nearly gnawing my own leg off so really would have put up with anything!

    • susie74530
      susie74530 Kate53CornUK

      Posted

      Good Morning, Kate:

      We would be foolish indeed, not to conduct any form of research.  Not only does the surgeon require reearch to whatever extent is possible, but so do the varying methods that they use and along with the differing methods used to anaesethtize the patient.

      I have made it a point not to leave my own situation to the point where I would accept anything without question because I was in so much pain, that anything is better than nothing.

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