Epidural Anaesthesia

[mazzywoo]

Hi
My granddaughter, who is 20 had a bowel reconstruction operation on Friday. She was given a general anaesthetic and also an epidural (I think this was to help with post-op pain).
This morning she still has numbness and pins and needles in her legs and found it very difficult to walk.
Does anyone have any experience of epidurals? Is this a normal side-effect? The doctor is going to be seeng her on the ward later so hopefully she will get some answers then but in the meantime we would be grateful of any advice.
Many thanks
Maz x

[bednobs]

hiya, was it an epidural or a spinal anaesthetic?

[Sqad]

Operation on Friday.......2 days later.......still numbness and difficulty in walking.

Some cause for concern.

[mazzywoo]

Thank you both for your answers.
Bednobs-it was a spinal anaesthetic.
We will see what the docs say later. Will let you know what happens.
Thanks again
Maz

[bednobs]

i think with a spinal, it's a bit more worrying than with an epidural. Now after such major surgery, it's unsurprising she's finding it difficult to walk - i wonder how much of the difficulty is due to her legs, and how much is due to the fact she's had major abdo surgery. Also the fact that she's been in bed since friday (is that true) could also have something to do with numbness etc

[dotty.]

it's 32 years since i had an epidural, i have never had any side effects or problems apart from if i sit in a hard backed chair and just happen to catch the exact point the needle went into my back i really feel it.

[mazzywoo]

Hi all
Have just been to see Charlotte in hospital. One of the anaesthetists came to see her and did lots of neurological tests, the results of which were all unremarkable. Apparently, because she was in theatre for nearly 7 hours, the symptoms could have been caused by her being in one position for a long time. She is also wearing compression socks and when she took them off, the pins and needles and numbness diminished a bit.
So thank goodness-although the symptoms were a bit scary for Charlotte, it's nothing too serious! They are going to keep an eye on things over the next few days.
Thanks again for your replies.
Maz x

[Sqad]

Panic over..........
Thanks for the feedback.