OSA and anesthesia - questions about your experiences

chrisg · Post by **chrisg** » Thu May 26, 2005 3:58 pm

Hi folks,

I've been reading your posts and see that some of you have had surgery with OSA.

I am having a shoulder spur removed (maybe cuff tear stitch or two) and may either have a nerve block or general anesthesia.

Reading about this subject on the web has almost lead me to think I should live with the pain of the torn cuff and spur...but was hoping some positive experiences could help me be more comfortable about this....

Any advice or accounts of first-hand expereinces would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

Niteair · Post by **Niteair** » Thu May 26, 2005 5:39 pm

Chris
I had a torn rotator cuff approximately 5 years ago, I'm sure that I probably had OSA at that time, but was not yet diagnosed. At the time I had Blue Care Network insurance, and they didn't okay having an MRI until my pain was really bad and I couldn't even lift my arm 6". The time was about 5 months until they finally agreed to the MRI, and the surgery followed. Because of the time interval, my surgeon said that a lot of calcium had built up in the joint, and he had to cut part of my collar bone, plus scrape all the build up. The point I am trying to make is, don't put the surgery off too long, it may only get worse. Yes, as I'm sure you already know, there is considerable pain post op, but I'm sure glad I had it done, and if I had to do it now, I would have my CPAP with me.
Good Luck, you will be fine

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Thu May 26, 2005 6:51 pm

I had what sounds like identical surgery. They removed a spur and part of the collar bone from my right shoulder and "cleaned out" the shoulder capsule. I had the nerve block and can HIGHLY recommend it. I had nearly full range of motion in 5 days! And very little pain. The nerve block lasts long enough for you to start taking pain killers and get built up in your bloodstream and take effect, so the transition isn't nearly as hard. I had OSA then, think I had been diagnosed but did not have my machine yet. At any rate, be sure and let your doctor know, and they will probably want you to bring your machine with you and your mask to.

chrisg · Post by **chrisg** » Thu May 26, 2005 7:48 pm

Janelle - thanks for relaying your experience, did you have impingement syndrome? Thanks for the positive news about your procedure. I really appreciate it!

Niteaire - damn those HMO's - sorry you had to go through that, all the more reason for me to do this now, while I'm still young.

Thanks All.

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