Question:
So I got my date! Pseudo Tumor Cerbrii???
I got my surgery date, December 10th! And I am so excited, but I am also very nervous of the pain that is going to come with it. I don't know if I should get the epidural or not, I am really afraid of the headaches that might come with it after surgery. I have Pseudo Tumor Cerbrii and when I had to go and get a spinal tap I had the most awful migraine I have ever experienced (it was the worst pain I have ever been in, it was so bad I could not even stand up for almost a week, I was fine as long as I was laying flat.) and it lasted for an entire week, it was a side effect of the spinal tap. And I am afraid that if I get the epidural I might have the same thing happen all over again, which would make recovery very difficult. But then again I am also afraid of the pain w/o the epidural... so I am kind of torn on what to do. I know my condition is kind of uncommon, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone else has Pseudo Tumor, I would love to talk to you too. — [Deactivated Member] (posted on November 25, 2008)
November 25, 2008
Headaches like that are a risk of the procedure, so I would say if your
condition puts you at an increase risk of getting the headache, dont get an
epidural. Question though, what surgery are you getting that offers an
epidural. I had lap rny and it really wasnt all that painful. But I have
had other surgeries to compare it too.
— urbrat2
November 25, 2008
Congrats on your upcoming surgery date, We share the same date. I'm nervous
too and not sure which pain route to go, I'm meeting with the
anestheologist Monday the 8th, so i better decide soon. Keep me posted.
— michelle H.
November 25, 2008
Greetings Nicole: I can completely understand your fears on having another
spinal tap. Bottom line? Things have improved, stay flat, don't raise
your head,and you'll probably be fine. Now... I had my first spinal tap in
1958 to prepare my body for the delivery of my first born, a son. It
didn't work, and so I had another spinal something-or-other--can't remember
at the moment. It didn't work. With my new baby, it was most challenging.
I couldn't raise my head for an entire year! I crawled on the floor. I
had trouble nursing him because I couldn't raise my head. When I went to
the bathroom, I was in agony because the pain was so bad. That year was
excruciatingly and horribly painful!!! Fast forward to the 1980s. Again,
the doctors wanted to have me have a spinal tap when I had to have surgery
for something or other. I argued and argued against it. Yet, in the end,
I agreed. This time, I stayed flat. I didn't use a pillow. I didn't get
excited. I stayed flat. Really flat. I was OK and had no issues. Again
last year, when I had a liver failure due to eating a flesh-eating bacteria
which fed on my internal organs, causing my liver to fail and my pancreas
and all other organs to be fighting each other for basic survival, -- again
I was told I needed a spinal tap. Memories are long and again I did not
want to have it. Again, the doctors prevailed. Boy do they ever have
power! But, again, I kept my head flat, didn't use a pillow, didn't get
excited (well I was so close to death, I wasn't able to get excited at
all), and dreaded the thought of the pain if I raised my head. Again, no
issues. All that said, I'd still (in my opinion), seriously question those
doctors, do more research on the subject, and see if there is not something
else that can be given. Yet, two times out of 3, I did not have any
issues. Yet, I still remember 1958 and 1959. And, if I bend over at all
for any length of time, my back commences to have pain yet to this day: all
stemming from this spinal tap in 1958. I truly hope this information helps
you make good decisions. My health now? Vibrant! Energetic! Stupendous!
My prayers are with you. Christine Gibson, MS, MA, OH Coach and WLS
Support Group Leader.
— Christine Gibson
November 25, 2008
Nic, That;s great! I had my RNY on 11/13/08. I was the same way as you
are. But just take deep breaths. I was more nervous of having it done
laparscopic vs open because of a prior surgery. thank God to Dr. Enochs it
was done laparscopic. I had absolutely NO pain whatsoever, even in the
hospital. Boy those IV drug are miracles- so donot fret over the pain. If
you do experience any pain which should be minimum the beauty in that is
nothing worth having is not worth the temporary of a little discomfort.
You should not get an epidural unless that's the way they do it. Just
remember you must walk walk walk 2 hours after surgery. Best of Luck and
may God bless you on your journey.
— bre25
November 25, 2008
Hi Nicole!! You have a right to be concerned with your history, but that
said, Dr. Myers is moving away from the epi..he is now doing something
called Qpump or something like that. It attaches to your chest and drips
pain meds right into the incisions. I have heard that there is no pain with
it..you just have to remove it yourself at home after a few days...Susie
will go over all that with you on your pre-op appointment. I am so happy
for you and on your engagement...nice ring...Hahahahah
— Paula K.
November 25, 2008
as a post op and retired surgeon, i can tell you, an epi is not possible
for this surgery. its standard NOT to do an epi with rny. question the
surgeon, be pro active and call other wls surgeons, discover the concensis.
good luck cindi g md -230#
— DollyDoodles
November 25, 2008
I am in Denver, and I have never HEARD of having an epi with an RNY or ANY
surgery that involves the body above the waist! If I had to undergo an
epi, I would never agree to the surgery.... and the surgery is of paramount
importance to me, as I can no longer live with this quality of life....
— Erica Alikchihoo
November 25, 2008
Hello,
I have suedo tumor cerebri, and had LAP. RNY surgery, Sept. 25, 08. I came
thru the surgery just fine. Surgery was Thursday, went home Sat. and went
for a walk when I got home. I don't have headaches anymore, pressure on my
back is gone and my vision is a lot better. Heck fire, I can even walk more
than a mile and no leg pains either.
So good luck on your surgery, and you will find out your dear old tumor
will disappear real soon after surgery. As for the pain, it is such a small
amount. I am a sissy when it comes to pain, and I did just fine.
Keep me posted on how you do.
God Bless and welcome to the
""LOSERS"" bench
Debi
— daizi55
November 25, 2008
I asked my dr about an epidural when I had my surgery and was told that was
not an option. Do some research about it. It is my understanding that any
wls has to be under general anesthesia. With that being said, I had a pain
pump while I was in the hospital and liquid pain meds when I got to go
home. I was never in pain, just mild dicomfort. Good luck.
— maria09elena
November 25, 2008
What type of surgery are you having? I had my surgery on 8/5/2002 and I
also have pseudo turmor cerbri. The only thing they had to watch was my
tubing connected to my shunt that runs down my spine. I did have my gastric
sergeon contact my neurlogist before the surgery. I guess I am blessed, I
did not have a headache after my surgery I had lap ryn. Hope you a great
surgery, please let us know how things are going for you. Just an added
note I have not had a headache for almost 2 years now, still have my shunt
and it is still working so with the combination of close to 200 lb weight
lose and the shunt I am so happy. Good Luck
Hugs
Char
— Charlene T.
November 25, 2008
Congrats on the surgery date. You will do just fine I am sure. I am 5
months out myself and I had open with a hernia repair too. I would love to
say there was not pain but that would not be truthful and you are too smart
to swallow that lie. I will tell you that pain managment has come very
far. I too have had psueudo t. and 9 spinal taps to treat. The headache
came because whoever did yours took off too much fluid thus the side effect
of the headache. I just can not imagine any surgeion doing an epid. for RNY
surgeyr. Now a days the Q Ball is the bomb. I had it and it is great. It
is a small ball about the size of a pool table ball. It is hooked right
into the incision through a couple of lines and it delivers the pain
medication right into the incision site. It really works. Ask for it.
Also, you can take liquid pain meds and IV pain meds. Both are easily
found and your rights as a patient to ask for them are there. Remember to
have distractions available too. Make a couple of 'recovery' CDs to play
in your room. Soothing music takes your mind away from what hurts. I know
the unknown is awlful but you are going to do fine. If I were you I thinkg
I would reconsider my pain management and explore other options before even
attempting an epi. good luck and I will think of you on the 10th.
Cee
— ceecee127
November 25, 2008
Nicole, I wanted to tell you that an epidural is NOT the same thing as a
spinal tap!! Yes, an epidural does hurt, but you have to remember to stay
absolutely still. I have had several epidurals to relieve severe back pain.
Once you get used to it, it is not really a problem, I got to the point
that I could do a crossword puzzle during the procedure! I can be prone to
headaches, but this was not really a problem. As long as you relax and go
with it and listen to the doctor, you will be fine, I promise! I found that
the best way to be in the right position was to put a pillow in front of
me, against my stomach and hang my arms over the top of it, your back has
to be kind of curved so they can get between the discs in your spine. I
have heard that a spinal tap is VERY painful, an epidural is tolerable.
The epidural DOES block the pain! I think that I would be more afraid of
the pain without the epidural than the pain of the epidural itself. I have
noted December 10th to pray for you. Good luck!
— anitak
November 25, 2008
An epidural is not the same as a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia-- it goes
into the epidural space which is different then the spinal tap- which is
actually in the spinal fluid. headaches are very rare with the epidural. i
have had a spinal tap and an epidural. no comparrison. i had a spinal tap
done when the doctors were concerned about menningitits. and an epidural
with my second child. spinal tap left me with a terrible headache too,
epidural- NO HEADACHE. Of course everyone is different, but the epidural
is much easier then the spinal. but to to assist in preventing a
headache, stay laying down flat for several hours after the procedure- but
you know that,, but you should do fine with the epidural it really is not
known for causing the headaches like the spinal tap does, best of luck to
you. will pray that all goes well for you. Cora Shrum, RN
— jnclshrum
November 25, 2008
Alright folks! The epidural is not for the surgery. The epidural is for
the pseudo tumor condition. Nicole, my sister has pseudo tumor and she
would get the spinal taps to remove fluid that hadd built up so high it was
crushing her brain and causing flashes in her eyes and facial numbness and
tingling. It also wreaks havoc with your hormones. The spinal taps were
just too much to handle so they put a shunt in her head. This may be an
option you should look into with your doctor. I would do it before the WLS
if this option is something you decide to do. It has really improved the
quality of my sister's life. She doesn't have to sufffer the spinal taps
any more and no longer has the facial numbness or tingling, no flashes in
her eyes, etc. She also had the gastric bypass after the shunt placement.
Before the WLS and shunt, they told her she would need a hysterectomy for
various reasons. BUT she had WLS and now she no longer needs a
hysterectomy. It was the pseudo tumor messing with her hormones. She also
has PCOS that did not subside with the weight loss because of the pseudo
tumor. I did have PCOS but it subsided after my weight loss. After WLS
you will need an IUD to prevent pregnancy because pseudo tumor prevents you
from taking any hormones.
— ImanAbdulaziz
November 26, 2008
The epidural may be done w/ general anesthesia to help manage post-op
pain... not sure what you are having for tho. I would suggest talking to
your surgeon and your neurologist (or whoever treats you for pseudo tumor)
about how likely it is that you will end up with the same type of
headache--there may be a high risk, but it might also be low (an epidural
is not the same as a spinal tap) also, you might want to ask if it would be
possible to have an epidural blood patch done if you do develop a headache
(post-dural puncture headache). You can read about it here...
http://emergency-medicine.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2001/1004/1
Good luck!
— mrsidknee
November 27, 2008
Just wanted to add encouragement and information that may be helpful in
making your decision. I do not have Pseudo Tumor Cerbrii so the question
regarding the effects of the epidural needs to be answer between your
neurologist and bariactric surgeon. Remember you have the final say.
I have had numerous epidurals for severe spinal pain as a result of
compressed fractures. They worked wonderfully. I started getting them in
1995. The procedure was an inpatient OR procedure and your recovery time
was 24 hours. By 2002 it was outpatient and the total procedure and
recovery was 4 hours. They still were wonderful.
I am 5 months post-op and was told that I had an epidural for pain while in
recovery. I went into surgery with a migraine and came out with a booming
migraine. I do not attribute this to the epidural. I had absolutely no
abdomenal pain and my back pain was gone. However, the surgeon refused to
listen to me regarding treatment of the migraine and ended up overdosing me
on dilantut. I coded and ended up in the hospital for a week. I had no
one there for support or monitoring. I kept my head packed in ice and my
eyes covered. When the nurses came in to check on me they would ask about
the head pain. Of course, the dilantut was not working so I would tell
them and they would give me another dose. I was getting dilantut every two
hours for at least 12 t0 24 hours I don't really remember. It was awful.
So two suggestions. One discuss your particular situation with your
healthcare providers. Two have a support person that is committed to
seeing you through your hospital stay.
Your quality of life sure does improve with the weight loss but there are
risks when going to a hospital. I am 60 years old and I can remember the
day when going to the hospital meant good consistant care. This is not the
current situation and a good friend or family member is an absolute must
for the first 48 hours.
As everyone has said, or most everyone, epidurals are not spinal taps. So
weigh the choices and good luck.
— redpetal_14
Click Here to Return