Parastomal hernia repair

Hi Laura, I have had a Epidural for pain relief during a small procedure and I didn’t feel a thing. I was very nervous as I had never had one in the past. Please don’t worry you will be in good hands I’m sure everything will be ok.

take care x. 

Hello Laura

I had an epidural before surgery and the only thing that made me really jump was the cold disinfecting spray they used prior!  Otherwise I didn't feel a thing.  Good luck with the repair, please let us know how you get on.

Irene xx

Hi MLS, thanks for your reply,

 yeah I’m a little nervous just don’t understand why the are giving an Epidural when they are giving me a General anaesthetic, never had it when they did my stoma!!  

kind regards 

Laura x

Hi Irene thanks for replying 

Did you have a hernia repair? Just wondering also how long it took people to recover, as I have quite an active job so I won’t be rushing back to soon I really don’t want it happening again, I had my stoma in the December and stayed off work started my cancer treatment in the February and finished in the April went back to work in May by the July I had a parastomal hernia, it really has affected me mentally as well as physically. 
will let you know how I’m doing thanks Irene x x 

Laura x x

Hello Laura

No, I had an epidural as well as a GA when I had my stoma formed.  I think it must have been for pain relief.  And it worked, the only pain I had afterwards was in my shoulder from the air they pump in to enable them to move the bowel around.

I was told never to do heavy lifting again, that a parastomal hernia can happen at any time (not just after the op) and I have been very very careful.

I am sure you will be so relieved to have this operated on, then you just have to resist the temptation to lift or overdo it in any way.

I'll be thinking of you, Laura

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Irene, 

Strange I never had the Epidural when I had my stoma formed, just had Oramorph. 
can you tell how long the Epidural lasted and did you have to have a catheter? 
Laura x x

Hello Dizzy,

I've had an epidural and it was fine, as I'm sure yours will be. I did have a catheter but expect it's because we haven't any bladder control whilst epidural is affecting us.

Please don't worry, you'll be in really good hands and once it wears off you'll never know you had it.

Hi Laura

By the time I came too and was with it I wasn't aware of the epidural at all, although I did have a catheter for a short time.  But as the emphasis is always getting the patient up and moving and I think it was removed I think on the second day as I could manage quite well getting to the ward loo by myself.

I know a parastomal is slightly more complex so you might have the catheter a wee bit longer but they'll soon have you up and about.

Irene xx