Pain blockers...describe it all to me

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Kahnartist
Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
edited October 2017 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Today I learned I will have pain blockers for the surgery on Thursday. All I heard was "gianormous needing coming at your back" and freaked. Can someone take me step by step through the process? It is in the back right? How long does it last? Does the needle stay in!? I'm freaking out.

First the hot lava nuclear appt and now this?! I can't take it.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited October 2017

    What kind of surgery are you having, where they stick a giant needle in your back? Yikes!!! I had general anesthesia for my lumpectomy, it was pretty easy actually. If they did any other pain control I wasn't aware of it.

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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited October 2017

    bmx and recin

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited October 2017

    So for a bmx it's got to be general anesthesia, even if they give you regional anesthesia injections they will have to put you under for a surgery of that scope. If you are going to be awake for that part tell them you are nervous and they will push meds through your iv to relax you. Come to think of it, I don't know if I got regional anesthesia, but if I did I was already knocked out. I was put under fairly quickly because I was whining about my iv hurting. Hmm...


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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2017

    I've had it twice, for my hip replacements, and I don't want to alarm you but you need to be aware of what's happening. The first time I didn't know what they were doing and why. An anesthesiologist came in to my pre-op room and said he had to insert this needle in my abdomen to reduce pain after surgery. The reason is so that you can self administer pain meds through a pump you control from your bed. Ok, sounded good, so I agreed. Anyway the insertion was horrible. Even though I was given a blocking pain med, it was not enough. I was practically screaming!

    Fast forward two months later to my second replacement. Docs came in and went through the same song and dance. But this time I said I would refuse unless they could guarantee I would be completely numbed. The head of anesthesiology came in and guaranteed that they would numb me enough that I would feel no pain. She was right. The second time was completely pain free. So, my advice is for you is to advocate for the same. I would have absolutely refused insertion of that line if I had not been given a guarantee. Even then I was skeptical and terrified of going through that hell again. It is a useful device and allows you to get relief from pain without having to wait for a nurse, so it is worth having. And once that line is in you don't feel it. Just have to juggle the line, along with your I.V., when you walk. Best wishes!

    Wanted to add that those lines can be inserted in the lower abdomen or back. I don't think it makes much of a difference. And yes it is a huge needle, but as I said, if you are numbed enough you won't feel it going in.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited October 2017

    sounds like an epidural or a nerve block. You basically feel very little to no pain from where it's inserted down

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2017

    I've had epidurals and this is different. They put the needle in and push it through, in my case, the abdomen. It's not a fast procedure. I think they push it into the flesh so it can't slip out.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    Kahnartist:

    I had -- I think -- what you are referring to. I had a nerve block, along with general anesthesia. I felt NOTHING. They sat me up and literally that is the last thing I recall. Yes, shot to the back but you won't feel it...I don't imagine.

    They do go through list of risks first -- but I believed it was very helpful for pain management and I also read something about lower recurrence rate when combined with general anesthesia. It's in some study somewhere. Sorry I have no idea where I read this now! But it was after they fact for me and I was like: okay, that's something good in all this.

    The nuclear injections worried me more, and I didn't feel those, either!

    HUGS.

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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited October 2017

    I soooo prefer the non- touching appoimtnets now.

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited October 2017

    I had a paravertebral block, or PVB,before each of my mastectomies (first one for cancer, second one prophylactic). There are threads on BCO that describe it. All I can say is that it reduced my pain during and after surgery so that I did not need any heavy narcitics, which helped immensely with recovery. I highly recommend it.

    The PVB is administered before they put you under but I had something to relax me prior to the injections. It's different from the epidural I think because you are not paralyzed, just don't feel anything. While they were administering the PVB, I felt some pricks, but really no pain. It sounds very scary, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

    If you want to read about my experience, look for the thread titled "No pain, no nausea" here

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/841954?page=2#post_4744720

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited October 2017

    The nerve block is AMAZING! It's also less risky and you recover faster from anesthesia. My anesthesiologist gave me one last dose at discharge and I did so much better than any prior surgeries.

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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited October 2017

    Molly50,

    Did it hurt so so bad?

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited October 2017

    Molly - I think you were the one who encouraged me to get the block :) Best advice ever!

    No, I don't remember any pain. Maybe some discomfort but they gave me a light seductive before they did anything. The procedure sounds way worse than the actual experience.

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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited October 2017

    Hi grandma3x!

    I am happy about the lack of pain and not needing too many pain meds, but SHOTS! I am not into all the poking cancer requires. I HATE THE POKES!

    HAHAHA!


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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited October 2017

    I'm with you on the shots! Good luck with your surgery

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    Kahn:

    Just tell the doctor that you're nervous -- but seriously -- you can't see what is happening (behind you) and I FELT NOTHING. Not even a little needle prick. I'm glad they are offering this to you.

    ;)

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  • Kahnartist
    Kahnartist Member Posts: 111
    edited October 2017

    thank you eastcoast. I am FREAKING out. Everything is setting me off today. I am on my way to the hospital for my nuclear shots. I am so unhappy. I can’t wait to Be put to sleep tomorrow. I need then rest. Hahaha

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited October 2017

    Good luck today Kharnartist!

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