Epidural for endo pain (18 years old)

[Ariyauna123]

i went to my first pain management appointment today and she wants to do an epidural to numb the nerves that are in my back and abdomen (they are all connected). i was wondering if anyone else has had an epidural for this? or even any epidural experience from anything such a labor? i’m not sure how long it’s supposed to last because it’s a different kind. i talk with her next week. i’m just scared of the big needle and i’m never scared of needles!

[Tillyfloss]

hi. That's a new one on me but it makes sense, do you have a lot of pelvic / hip pain? I was put on amitrytline for the nerve pain which worked quite well but I only used it between surgeries so not sure what it's like longer term.

do you have family / friends who you can discuss it with or someone you can take with you when you see them next? Its so hard working out what to do for the best and everyone is different with how the different options work.

if you go ahead with it, my only experience was with a spinal block for an emergency c-section, the staff were lovely and I was aware it was going in but it was as bad as having a canular put in my hand 🙉.I didn't see the needle and the staff talked me through it as they did it.

good luck. Xx

[judibuch in reply to Tillyfloss]

I have had several epidurals. It is not painful actually--as I had a local in my back ( for back pain) and the doctor found the right place to place the epidural injection. They usually ( for me) use a numbing agent like lidocaine and then steroids to keep the area pain free. It is different than an epidural that is used for delivery of a baby bc they place a small tube in your back and it is a long lasting --while in labor and delivery and then they take it out. It numbs the labor pain although you are awake and alert and can push . This is not your type of epidural.

Obviously, you need to speak to the doctor and ask him for specifics so you are knowledgeable about your own procedure as everyone is different. Mine was for chronic back and nerve pain in my thigh. Hence, everyone is different. Hope this helps a little.

[Ariyauna123 in reply to judibuch]

yes thank you so much!! i feel much better about it. does the tube you talked about stick outside your back or is it placed inside? i’m just curious

[judibuch in reply to Ariyauna123]

It is inserted into the epidural space and also remains outside--short tube so that the doctor can continue to administer the medication as labor and delivery can take several hours. totally different procedure but in the same epidural space

[cmbxm]

how does it work? Like can’t you keep moving etc??? X

[judibuch in reply to cmbxm]

Sorry it took so long to reply. You, depending on why you are having the epidural can or cannot move your legs. When it is an epidural shot for a surgery -you cannot move your legs as they are temporarily paralyzed. But no pain. Due to no nerve receptors. Having a baby you can move your legs. But less labor and delivery pain. For the shot in one’s back for pain you can move and will walk out of the surgery center.

It totally depends on why and what the procedure is for.