surgery date

The surgery date is set for May 9th.Alot of you gave me good information on have the surgery by epidural. Just to refresh I have pulmonary hypertension and because of this they don't want to incubate me (I'm sure I spelled that wrong). Now they mention possible spinal block.Can any one tell me the difference. This will be a major surgery. They can't do it the easy way. Any help would be great.

[suzsen]

I had a spinal with the c-section when my son was born, and an epidural with my daughter's c-section.  I couldn't really tell you the difference!  Both blocked the pain.  Except that after my spinal they told me I should be very still so I wouldn't get a "spinal headache."  Not that I was going to move much anyway... sorry, wish I knew more!

[PPhelps]

If a spinal wears off they can't inject more meds. Where as the epidural they can. The epidural is like an IV. I've had both. One with each c-section. I liked the spinal better. I had pain in the spot they put the epidural for years after. The spinal I didn't even feel, and I'm a big baby when it comes to needles.

[md1johnson]

I know all about those spinal headaches. I was living in a small town many years ago and I had a headache and my neck hurt and was stiff. So, the ER Dr done a spinal tap and did not keep me and gave me two pain pills and sent me home. That night I was at work and started getting a really, really bad headache. Long story short the ambulance took me to a larger hospital and for eight days I thought I was dying. I shall pass this on to the the O.R. crew. Just the thought of one hour with a headache like that again is nerve racking. thanks for your help.