Question:
Which provides more pain relief post op, Epidural or PCA pump?

I hope AMOS posts this question this time, I have looked all over the library and message board, although I see comments on both none say which is probably better.    — Marla B. (posted on April 18, 2002)

April 18, 2002
I am 7 days post op, and I had a pca pump. However my pain was so low that I only had to use it 2 times the first night and that was it. Good luck to you :)
   — Jeannette P.

April 18, 2002
Personally, I had wanted an epidural for post op pain, and they said no, because I had a central line going in it was easier for them to put me on PCA.. -shrug- Dr. Logic.. but as soon as they let me drink waters I asked for liquid pain meds to reduce the "withdrawl" from morphine. But the PCA allowed em easier access to my legs, and I was out of bed sooner with that then with the epidural I had to have previously (different procedure)because I could feel my legs. Good luck to you! Just remember, the time in the hospital is minimal and either way, you will get pain relief! :) Everyone is different
   — Elizabeth D.

April 18, 2002
I doubt that either one is inherently better. It's like a lot of things. Better for you might not be better for me and vice versa. It's probably something you should ask your doctor about. As one poster said, they may not want to do the epidural at all. It could also depend on what's in the PCA pump since there are several different pain killers that can be used in them.
   — garw

April 18, 2002
I am th eorginal poster on thsi question. I wanted to add that i have been on pain meds for many years for a back injury and am pretty tolerant of them.
   — Marla B.

September 26, 2002
I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago and had an epidural for pain control. It was very very effective and I wanted to have one for my WLS but this surgeon uses an IV with a pain control pump. He doesn't use an epidural because he gives heparin to prevent blood clots and it would be risky to do an epidural while being given heparin.
   — Linda L.

September 29, 2002
I had an epi (I'm 2 weeks post-op)and it did NOT help at ALL! I guess they had it in the wrong spot! It was my first and hopefully last epi, I had natural childbirth twice, and this pain was worse! They put me on oral pain control the next day and it helped much better.
   — Tammy .