Hydro with epidural or anesthesia

[Lexi]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if they had a hydro with the epidural in the spine instead of going under anesthesia. I've had the one hydro 4 years ago with anesthesia and they refused to do the epidural. I have been with a different doctor and I want to do the pros and cons to a hydro with anesthesia and a hydro with an epidural. Also, if anyone had the epidural, could you do a play by play of what they did and how it went? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks,

Lexi

[DanaW]

Hi Lexi,
I had my hyro done last fall. They did a spinal on me. It was easy. They just have you change in the outpatient room. They put an IV in. Then in the operating room they gave me the shot in the back. (they numb it first) Then they asked me to lie down. Then they put something in my iv to make me drowsy. I don't remember a thing about the procedure. It was almost like I had been put out. Just remember waking up in recovery. It takes about an hour to hour and half for the numbness to wear off. Then they have you try to pee. If you go, then, you get to go home! I was able to go, thankfully. Just be prepared to have your symptoms worsen. Not that everyone does but, mine did. It took about a month for me to heal. (but, I also ended up with a few tears) Hope this helps....

[Shelka]

Hi Lexi,

I just had a hydro with a spinal on Tuesday March 2nd. I really didn't want general anesthetic. I have nothing to compare it to as it was my first hydro but personally I think it's got to be preferable in terms of the side-effects and safety . I didn't feel any of the procedure at all (I do have a sore back now though from where the needle was) -- will talk to my doc soon to see if that is normal. All in all, my procedure was very similar to Dana's above, although I wasn't that drowsy for it (they only gave me a little valium in the IV -- I could have had more if I had wanted it). If you want more info, just PM me and I'll be happy to blab away...

Best wishes,
Shelley

[tigger_gal]

I just had a hydro on the 4th of Feb under anesthesia. I also had an iv with medication in it to prevent infection and was giving levaquin for 3 days after.
Brat

[lotsofgirls]

Hi Lexi,
I had a spinal for my hydro/cysto and I like it because I was alert enough to see my bladder on the screen and my uro could tell me what he was seeing. Recovery was easier, no nausea to get over. The numbness wears off pretty quick, and then you go home.
Cath

[Shelka]

With regards to the spinal, I posted earlier but thought I would post again to ask if anyone else has had back pain with a spinal? I didn't get a chance to talk to my doctor and was wondering if this is normal? :confused:

Oh yeah, another thing I found out during the procedure is that my bladder capacity is 420cc. I read that between 350 -550 cc is 'normal bladder capacity' -- do any of you know what your bladder capacity is? I expected mine to be below normal so i'm a bit surprised.

Best,
Shelley :p

[DanaW]

Hi, I believe that I read that normal bladder capacity is actually above 850 cc...usually above 1000 cc. Mine was 650 cc. and that is considered below normal capacity. Also, I do believe that a backache is one of the possible side affects of a spinal. And headaches. How long has it been? Does it hurt where they put the shot in? I would still check with your Uro.

[Lexi]

Hi all,

Thanks for taking the time to tell your experiences. I really appreciate that. If anyone has had complications from a hydro or knows someone who has, I would love to hear about that as well. If anyone has time to go into greater detail about their epidural and hydro experience, feel free to email me with your story. I understand if no one chooses to do that these procedures are private things. Either way, I appreciate the help on this subject so thanks to everyone that replied and I wish you all the best!

Lexi

[tigger_gal]

another thing to consider is a spinal headache.. I asked around to family memeber who has had a spinal and my mom said never agin she had a spinal headache so bad when she lifted her head she vomited,
Brat

[KIM W]

Hello All, I Came Form The Uro Today And She Wants To Do A Hydro. She Said She Would Put Me To Sleep And It Would Take About 10 Minutes For The Procedure. Can Anyone Give Me Advise. How Long Are You Down Afterwards? How Is The Pain Related To This Procedure? Does The Family Need To Be There. Extended Like Parents. Of Course My Husband Will Be There.
She Also Said Today She May Move Me Interstim From The Right Side To The Left Anyone Experience This?
Thanks So Much For All Of You. I Promise To Post More Often Now. I Cam See Where All Of You Help Eachother. Please Do Not Let Me Offend Anyone By Typing In Caps But My Shifter Is Messed Up...
Thanks Kim

[Prissie]

Hi Kim, when I had my hydro I was under general. I was not allowed to drive home but I also had stents put in at the same time. I did have several bladder spasms for the next few days. Hope everything goes well for you.

[ICNDonna]

I choose spinal anesthesia for hydrodistentions. I have had almost forty now. Just once I did have leg pain following the spinal, but it went away fairly quickly.

Donna

[KIM W]

Thanks So Much For The Info. She Said I Should Be Off A Couple Days Afterwards. I Am Off Now For 2 Days Because They Reset My Interstim Today And Put Me On Different Pain Meds. I Am Considering Disability, The Only Thing Is I Have Excellandt Insurance Right Now. Do Any Of You Get Disability?
Thanks For All Your Help
God Bless
Kim

[Dianne]

Spinal with plain lidocaine only and nothing else for me. The best part is every time I have a spinal/epidural/intrathecal I get a 3 day remission. Too bad there's no variation of that for long-term.

[ups1986]

I am scheduled for a hydro Sept. 13th, I've been considering doing a spinal rather than general but I have a history of migraines...any ideas. This board is so nice, a lot of good information from patients!! Who better to ask!

Thanks!
Linda

[ICPrincess]

I really lucked out when I had mine done in April. I did not want to do general because it is dangerous and I do always throw up. I defintely did not wish to do a spinal. I asked if Twilight Sleep would work because it worked very well for me when I had breast cancer and had to have the lumpectomies. The anesthesiologist was an excellent one. He told me that he was very sure that he could make me quite confortable with the Twilight sleep and that general was not necessary. He said that if they were doing any real cutting or stuff like that, he would opt for general but that was not the case.

He was totally right. He said the only thing I may feel is when they stick the tube in my urethra and that would only be the sensation that something went up there...not pain. He was dead on the money. That is the only thing I was aware of and that was only for a second. I felt like I was sleeping but I was in that Twilight Sleep. I was suddenly aware of something put up there but then I was back in lala land without anything. When it was over, I even said thats it....it's over...you already did it? That's how good that Twilight Sleep really is. I felt no pain at all and did not throw up and my recovery was quicker because of it (was able to go home sooner too).

What was not so good is that the Hydrodistention itself did absolutely nothing for me! I got no remission let alone even a vacation from symptoms. Nothing! I am so dissapointed, I was so hopeful. I don't get why some women get remission and others like myself get no relief at all. This did nothing for me and peeing brought tears to my eyes. I honestly could not pee without clenching up because I felt myself ready to scream from the pian. The thing that saved my life for the next two days was peeing into the little sitsbath we bought. That thing was a lifesaver! It fits around your toilet seat and only costs about $15.00 or so. You fill it with warm water and sit in it, the water starts to rush up your urethra and bathe it gently so that when the pee comes out, it doesn't have the same sting. Also make sure they give you an antibiotic because I know many get a urinary infection from it. Its a small measure to take that could save you a lot of pain as well. I just took a few days of Cipro.