Question:
Were you told you would be receiving both of these?

I was just at the hospital getting all my pre-op tests done and the nurse told me that I would be using one of those pump contolled pain medicine things, that I could manage myself....but then I had a conversation with the anesthesiologist and he told me I would be having an epidural. I didn't think of asking him at the time...but does this mean that I'm going to be taken off the epidural a bit after surgery and then placed with the pump or what?! Does anyone else know what I should expect here? Thanx a bunch! :)    — Jennifer M. (posted on January 31, 2002)

January 31, 2002
My anethesiologist wanted to give me both an epidural and the morphine pump. She said that the epidural would num my whole belly better, and the pump would be an added boost if I were in pain. In my case, she couldn't get the epidural in correctly, so she decided just to put me on the pump with the little button I could push for a shot of mophine when I needed it (it knows how much you can have total, so you can't OD).
   — Angela B.

January 31, 2002
An epidural is still a patient controlled pump. It's just that it is a thin catheter that is inserted into the epidural space in your spinal column. The other type is a pump that is piggybacked into your regular IV site in your arm or wherever your IV is. Both can be controlled by the patient for pain control. Usually the epidural uses Demerol or Fentanyl for the narcotic and the PCA uses either Demerol or Morphine usually.
   — Billie H.

February 2, 2002
I was confused about anesthesia too. My sugery is scheduled Feb. 12. The anesthesiologist will put in an epidural before the surgery then I will be completly asleep under general anesthesia during the surgery. Once the surgery is over and I am awake I will be able to control my pain medication through the epidural. That leaves you clear headed and awake so you can move around and walk yet relieves the pain.
   — Melissa W.