trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
I am having my 4th surgery in 4 months on wednesday and both the doc and I would like for me to be "awake" this time.
I have never had epidural anesthesia and I just read that the contra-indications are
"unexplained neurological symptoms" and "active neurological disease"
I have both having Neuroboreolis however you spell it.
anyone have an epidural while actively treating and having symptoms?
any positive stories to share?
I dont think i can handle scary stories right now. I have been through a really rough bit and I need to try to stay positive. If you strongly believe I should NOT have this epidural but should have general instead, please say so without details of things gone wrong. I must have this surgery there is no way to avoid it. For those who are unaware of my situation, I have had major complications to an oopherectomy that have lasted all summer so far.
Dont mean to offend, just trying to meet my needs.
hope everyone is doing as well as possible, trails
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
I've never had surgery with an epidural, but I loved the epidural I had when giving birth to both my children. It worked great! No scary story, but the only difficulty I had was trying to be still DURING a contraction while they placed the needle. Apparently I hurt the nurse's hand because I was squeezing pretty hard to avoid moving! Assuming you won't be in labor, it should be much easier to hold still!!
Karen
Posts: 154 | From Medford, NJ | Registered: Jun 2006
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
thanks kp! were you infected with lyme then?
anyone else have active case of lyme and epidural anesthesia?
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
My 2 rules of thumb:
I wouldn't allow steroids to be used in an epidural injection.
While not mandatory at most hospitals, I also wouldn't have another spinal tap or any spinal proceedure without fluoroscopy. Just me being careful.
Good luck w/your surgery.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Epidural Anesthesia and Epidural Steroid Injections are very risky and dangerous, particularly for those with some pre-existing conditions mentioned as contraindications.
I had a back surgery (fusion of L5-S1) in 1991, which apparently "compromised" the epidural space, which is right next to a very delicate subarachnoid space in which CSF runs.
I had Epidural Anesthesia for each of my three pregnancies, basically because I didn't quite understand how much at risk I was.
I now have Adhesive Arachnoiditis, inflammation of subarachnoid space leading to clumping up of many nerve roots.
Luckily mine is mild, but I know so many others with this condition who are in severe, intractible pain 24/7, disabled.
If you ask them, they would tell you to never let anyone put any chemical in your spine.
shizuko
Posts: 110 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
OK Trails,
I gotta tell ya. I have had active lyme thru two knee replacements.
My epideral did'nt work the first one so they knocked me out... I developed rediculating pain in my right hip soooo severe I let them do a caudal block...
My llmd at the time told me it would'nt work...but it did...man what a relief.
My second knee replacement the epideral worked...but the damn thing kept comming disconnected post surgery...great pain.
I know you did'nt want to hear any horror stories... I have none really to report....in relation to the steroids stuck into my spine either time...
However...you may not want to risk this....
Why bother taking the chance it may exacerbate your neuroboreliosis...
What the heck is a oopherectomy?...sorry if it's a sensitive part that's being yanked...
I just never heard of it before....zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
No I wasn't infected at the time of my epidurals. I believe I was infected about this time last year...though we still don't really know what I was infected with!! LOL All I know is that the meds are working and I feel so much better!
Karen
Posts: 154 | From Medford, NJ | Registered: Jun 2006
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
Thanks so much everyone!
Oopherectomy is an ovary removal tony, so yeah, sensitive for sure.
I am NOT aware that they use any steroids in epidural anesthesia. I will call them back and ask. I got to talk with an anasthesiologist earlier today about stuff...it made me feel somehat better, but i think I will just go to sleep. I tolorate general anasthesia very well.
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Ok Trails..I am here to make you laugh..I had an epidural too late for my first c-section..Oh wait that is not funny..sorry..
For my 19 year old I had one. I was sitting on the bed..My ob/gyn stood in front of me to hold me still, and the radiologist was at my back doing his thing..I had a knee jerk reaction..And almost sent my male gyn thru the roof..Well, guess that may not have been funny to him...
He forgave me and did my hysterectomy a few years ago..But I have some good stories for that if you are ever bored and need some laughs..
But I loved it when it worked. THe epidural, that is.. HOwever,I do not think I had or have lyme so you have some important things to consider..
Please get well...lmt.
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
WOW OW!
Lymemomtooo, You had a 19 year old! No wonder you needed a c=section... I would have kicked the gyno REALLY hard....
LOL Zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
thanks for the laughs you two!
I continue to lean toward gneral as I know i tolerate it well. there are too many unknowns with epidural.
more opinions are welcome.
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
LMT- did you know exagerated knee jerk reactions are a symptom of Lyme Disease ?-you are in denial-get yourself tested-it's called hyper reflex reaction.
I had an epidural done for Carolyn's birth- I went from wanting to die from the pain to asking if I could order pizza during delivery.
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Assuming you won't be in labor, it should be much easier to hold still!!![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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