Question:
Is the Epidural extremely painful when being put in body?

I am going to be having surgery and Dr. said he highly suggests an epidural. I read most of the postings about them saying how beneficial they are, but other than that I don't know much about them except that they are used on the spine. Does it hurt when it is put in? Where exactly do they put it? I shoulda asked Dr. these Q's, but I have so many everytime I see him I can get a little disorganized. :P Thanks All!!!    — Jennifer F. (posted on August 16, 2002)

August 16, 2002
I had an epidural when I gave birth to my daughter. You have to sit very still and hunch over so that they can get the needle in the correct spot. It was a little painful going in but not unbearable. You soon forget when the meds kick in because then you go numb.
   — Maria A. M.

August 16, 2002
Jennifer, it isn't too painful. I did feel a bit of an electric shock that was unexpected, but not really painful. Once the medicine starts going in, you won't feel it at all. Just try to relax and not get to tight while they are putting it in.
   — Amber L.

August 16, 2002
I was terrified of getting the epidural. They give you something in your IV to calm you and then do the epidural. It really wasn't bad at all. I am SO GLAD I had one.
   — jojo63

August 16, 2002
THE EPIDURAL IS YOUR FRIEND!! ;) Trust me...exactly like others have said, you hunch over, and the anesthesiologist does his/her thing. I never even felt it when I had mine (childbirth)...it's very soothing...don't sweat it!
   — Lynda L.

August 16, 2002
Just do what my doctor suggested when I had my daughter...Take a deep breath and hold it! Before you are ready to exhale the entire thing will be over. Concentrate on your breathing and it will be over before you know it. On a pain scale of 1 to 10 I give it a 2....stop worrying!! Ive said it a million times....the MOST painful part of this surgery is waiting!! Hang in there!! All the best to you!! =) Tonya
   — Tonya H.

August 16, 2002
I have debated about whether to answer this questions or not. But I decided that this website it about getting accurate information. Good or bad.<br> I had epidurals for the birth of both of my children. The needle did not hurt - maybe a little pinch, but not real pain. However, I had "hot spots". The doctor said it was areas in the spine where the anestic was not able to "bath" the nerve to block the pain. The first one I had, I felt everything on my right side. The second time, I felt the pain in my right hip only. Both times, the doctor re-administered the anestic. And it did help, but the pain never completely went away.<br> My husband and I have decided not to have any more children, but if we did, I would still have an epidural. In my opinion, some pain it better that all of the pain. Best wishes on your journey - Joy
   — Sue J.

August 16, 2002
Apparently I'm in the minority but my experience with it was pretty bad. I started at over 400 lbs and they had problems finding the right place for the needle so they spent about 15 minutes moving it.... it hurt but not excruciating pain. Finally they gave up and I didn't have one. I didn't have much pain after surgery so I guess I was fine without it. Best of luck to you!
   — Karen Q.

August 16, 2002
From my experience it matters WHO puts it in. Yes it can be painfull, but not always. The more fat we have the harder it is to find the right spot. Yet I prefer to have one when given a choice.
   — Danmark

August 16, 2002
Hi! Just wanted to add ... I was given a local shot, to numb the area where the epidural went in. I think the worst part for me, personally, was the fear of the epidural, not the actual epidural itself!
   — Dawn M.

August 16, 2002
I have had four epidurals, and two really really hurt...and two didn't bother me at all. I really think a lot of it has to do with the skill of the person doing it. Being really overweight, can make it harder for them to get the needle in at the right place. With one of my epidurals, they hit a nerve and it felt like an electrical shock going through my body. It only lasted about 5 seconds, but it was really terrible. I don't want to scare you...but they can hurt. If they get it in just right and know what they are doing, it shouldn't feel any worse than a bee sting. Good Luck!
   — Shawnie S.

August 16, 2002
I have had 2, and have had no severe pain with either. You are asked to sit up and lean forward with your back arched outward. Your back is cleansed with a Betadine solution to remove any disease-causing bacteria. The anesthesiologist gives a couple of small shots in the back to numb up the area. They are barely felt, VERY small stings. Next a cathether is threaded into the dural space OUTSIDE the spinal cord. This DOES NOT enter the spine. You may feel a little aching in your hips as it is being put into place. They will talk you through it, and to me the worst part is staying leaned over. Good Luck, you'll be fine.
   — Tina B.

August 16, 2002
I had an epidural when I had my daughter. I also had those electric shock-type feelings, but I found them kind of neat in a strange way... I guess just about anything that takes our minds off of labour pains is a positive thing! But don't worry about the epidural, it's not usually painful to get one.
   — Patricia E.

August 16, 2002
I forgot to mention, if you get an epidural, get someone with experience. Don't let someone learning do it! "Especially with us being overweight". (It is so much more difficult). This one guy put me through a living hell of trying and retrying for what seemed like ages. Finally he did something and my left leg went nuts. It kicked out and shook as if it was having a seisure and it burned like it was on fire. That scared me bad. (This was a teaching hospital in Portland Oregon). From now on, I insist on someone who has lots of experience. I know they have to get experience somewhere, but I've been experimented on to much over the years and I've done my time. Enough is enough.
   — Danmark

August 16, 2002
I had an epidural for my daughter's birth. It wasn't that bad, compared to the other pains I had been experiencing up to that point! The hardest thing for me was the hunching over. I have fibromyalgia and it was very uncomfortable for me to hunch so far over for so long while they were looking for the right spot. It took them a couple different trys before they got it and those stung a little, but once the medication took affect, it was a beautiful thing! :) <br><br> Don't worry about it...it's not too bad at all!
   — Heidi W.

August 16, 2002
I had an epidural when I was pregnant. The man that did it was very friendly and kept my mind off things. He explained as he went along, had me lean over, rubbed something on my back, Said you will feel a small prick, I did and then he said hold very still and he did the rest. There was a sharp quick pain and uncomfortable feeling for a moment but nothing too bad. The best part though was when the epidural kicked in, and I forgot about them even putting it in and everything else. Unfortunately they gave it to me pretty early, then when heavy labor hit, It had stopped working, the nurses were pushing the increaser on it like crazy. lol Anyways, I agree with the others it depends on the skill level of the person performing it as well as your pain tolerance levels. It wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be and I was glad to have it at that point.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 20, 2002
Thank you for all of your answers! I appreciate you taking the time to steer me in the smart direction.
   — Jennifer F.

November 5, 2002
I know you posted this some time ago, but I felt I needed to add my comments since you haven't had surgery yet. My epidural didn't WORK! They had a hard time getting it in, and it didn't help with ANY of the pain after surgery. I had to take oral medication for the pain. I weighed 325 lbs. when I had my surgery. Hope this helps.
   — Tammy .

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