Sleep Apnea and General Anesthesia

I have severe sleep apnea, and I made sure I mentioned it to the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, and it wasn't a problem.  You'll be intubated, so the apnea shouldn't come into play during the surgery.

However, the tube can leave your airway sore and swollen, which can cause extra problems for apnea sufferers after surgery. 

Try to arrange with the hospital to take your own CPAP machine to he hospital.  The machine they gave me from the inhalation dept. was horrible.  It seemed to be overpowered, even though I told them the pressure setting I wanted.  Then, when I asked them to lower the pressure for the third night of my stay, they said they couldn't do that without a doctor's order....this in spite of the fact that I was the one who told them the pressure setting in the first place.

Their machine was also very loud, whereas mine is perfectly quiet.  I don't use a humidifier, but had them add one to their hospital machine to help with the swollen airway.

Be sure to take  your own mask.

I think those are the biggest considerations.  If I think of anything else, I'll try to add them later.  Good luck.

 

I have central and obstructive sleep apnea - I just told the docs the situation, so they had an extra person watching my breathing levels during surgery
-I had no problems with breathing or tubes or pain due to that - and I brought my own machine for use in my hospital room - it was not an issue at all.
-all the best
BRONSON

The anesthesiologist is a key man in the operation room, he is the boss actually.. You should have a little talk with him in pre-op..The breathing tube they shove down your throat (you will be unconscious) can cause side-effects all it's own..I talked like Donald Duck for a month after surgery....

The best of luck to you!

What does the anesthesiologist do during the surgery?

In short, the anesthesiologist is responsible for your comfort and your safety. In addition to giving you the medications needed for the anesthesia, the anesthesiologist monitors your vital signs (such things as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen content, body temperature, breathing...) and alters them as necessary. He or she is also in charge of fluids that you might receive and, if necessary, blood transfusions. Lastly, any other medical conditions that you might have (diabetes, asthma, hypertension, heart problems) will be treated by the anesthesiologist while you are in their care.

Going for B,

That is great news.  I'm glad to hear you are doing so well.  Did they suggest that you go for follow up radiation (IGRT)?

Hi Fairwind, - I don't disagree with the contents of your latest Post above, nor even most of your previous post. Here is the statement you made in your initial Post.

"The anesthesiologist is a key man in the operation room, HE IS THE BOSS ACTUALLY." (emphasis mine!)

I heartily agree with the portion of the sentence aappearing in regular print and DISAGREE with the portion, I have emphasized with CAPITALIZATION, and I previously explained why. But, you are certainly entitled to believe as you wish.

My clarification was more intended for other readers, who I wish not to be misinformed, and they will each have to judge for themselves which of us is correct.

I don't generally publish my medical history or my professional background, because I try to provide reliable, unbiased, scientifically based information and my anecdotal results, or anyone elses, are not really pertinent to others choices and decisions. Much more reliable, are the collective results of peer- reviewed, published results from the medical literature, that eventually result in consensus "best practice" Standards.

However, anyone who would feel better in briefly knowing my professional background and medical history, can send me an E-mail request and I will be happy to reply by forwarding it to you. - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaks

hmmmmmm. From where the anesthesiologist is sitting - can he see that a major artery we nicked and a ton of blood is pouring out? I guess he'd know that blood presure is dropping.... but I'd want the surgical team to insist an bag of blood is needed and to fix the boo boo..

Sorry

It happens from time to time...