Darth Lady wrote:I can't comment on the medical/technical pros and cons, not being in that field. But when I had a colonoscopy (which in these parts generally involves propofol), they encouraged me to bring my equipment for my time in recovery. Unfortunately, the DME didn't deliver the equipment in time. Solution? No sedation (my preference anyway), which clearly wouldn't work for most surgeries, including the one I'm going to have to have on my leg. So I'm following this discussion with interest.
All I can say is, before I was diagnosed, the best sleep I had in years was in the hospital after I had a pulmonary embolism (which may well have been dear OSA's fault to begin with) - because I could crank the head of the bed up and they had me on oxygen . First thing I did when I got home was order the highest bed wedge (about 30 degrees) that I could find.
Sadly, even with that and xPAP, I feel like I'm underbreathing when asleep. So I'm having an oximetry study next week. When I finally have surgery, I don't know what is going to happen with my airway in recovery. I'm quite worried about it.
Darth Lady,
I totally understand your feelings. Like you, I definitely plan on having a colonoscopy without sedation. I would rather put up with discomfort than deal with med side effects which I am very susceptible to.
Unfortunately, GA is the one game in town for a septoplasty. Some ENTs will use TIA but for various reasons, I prefer GA although to be honest, I would answer none of the above.
By the way, I just tested positioning myself in a chair to simulate the half reclining position and I felt like I was breathing much better with the Fit Life Full Face Mask although I had to bump the pressure up from my normal 12/8 prescription to 14/10. I was concerned about the mask leaking but it sealed fine in that position.
Anyway, I find it very encouraging about being placed in the semi upright position after surgery if this is any indication as to how things will go. Regarding your concerns, can you ask to be placed all the way up after surgery if that seems to work best for you? I definitely hear your concerns.
Out of curiosity, I am going to try sleeping like this tonight to see what happens. If I don't sleep well, no harm, no foul since it isn't like that has been a regular occurrence for me.
Anyway, I think Oky Doky for mentioning the half reclining position because if she hadn't, it wouldn't have occurred to me to test this out.