Epidural

Well I had my epidural today for my herniated disc and tear in my back. It definitely was NOT as bad as what everyone was telling me.. but then again I told them to please sedate me as much as they could haha. The doctor even told the nurse, "this one needs more juice." hahaha. I was so drugged up, I don't even remember the doctor really doing anything. I just remember him commenting about my Gumby tattoo on my back "we aren't going to hurt Gumby" and then the next thing I know, I'm told I was done. Anethesia rocks is all I can say. Whoever invented this fine medicine is a pure genious. I didn't even have to be hooked up to a monitor, tubing, or drips or anything when they put the IV in (like regular surgery). All they did was put the open IV in my arm and then bandaged it down with medical tape. The nurse then came in and injected me with the anethesia directly from a syringe into the IV. In about 2 seconds I felt like I was walking on clouds. No pain whatsoever. And I feel tons better already. I am so glad I went and kept my appointment. I am a total needle phobe and pass out a lot from shots, so I actually canceled my original appointment out of pure terror. But, when my back pain kept nagging at me and hurting I finally got brave and begged for my appointment back. It was well worth it.

So the moral of this story? When people grimmace at you and tell you "it's gonna f*cking hurt" or say comments to you about how large the needle is, just ask the doctor to sedate you as much as possible. What needle? I didn't see anything. What pain? It didn't hurt at all. Thanks, Dr. Kahn!!! :)

For more information about epidurals: http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1177.html