cpap after appendectomy

HumanBean · Post by **HumanBean** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:43 pm

I had a laproscopic appendectomy last weekend and am afraid to use my cpap. My surgeon didn't have much advice about returning to cpap use.

I'm having lots of pain from the bloating and from the carbon dioxide I was loaded with that just wont dissipate. I've been having a hard time getting deep breaths. I'm afraid the cpap is going to make this worse.

I'm not in terrible shape, so this really threw me after my appendectomy. I'm having such a hard time taking a deep breath and keep having these horrible uncontrollable spasms in my back that stop me from breathing and feel like someone is running an electric current through my sternum.

If anyone has had any experience with I would love to hear it. Last night I was breathing so shallowly I was afraid to sleep without my cpap, but I can't imagine having more air forced into my abdomen.

What a pain, everything was going so well before my appendix decided to revolt on me.

Thanks

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:40 pm

Bless your heart! That sounds rough! I had laproscopic gall bladder surgery when I was in college. I too had issues with the carbon dioxide giving me gas/bloating, but mine subsided after a day or so. Funny, the one bout with aerophalgia I have had felt a lot like that. I wasn't on xpap at the time I had it (the surgery) though. If you don't have aerophalgia normally with xpap you might be OK to try it. However, if those symptoms you're having persist a day or so more, I'd be getting back in touch with the doctor. It sounds painful!

Roadie · Post by **Roadie** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:19 pm

I had a laproscopic appendectomy almost exactly a year ago. I had no post surgery complications, and was on CPAP that night. Clearly I am not a doctor, heck, I don't even play one on TV, so if you have serious concerns you should talk to a real doctor soon.

I did of course make my entire surgical team aware of my Sleep Apnea before the operation. In my case the only hassle was the hospital made me sign a waiver about bringing in my own machine.

Get well soon, the scars are small and will heal soon. You will quickly be back to your regular routine. I was back at work (a physical job with lots of lifting) in less than a week, I just had to be careful and smart about what I could or could not do.

Roadie