Have you used a CPAP in the hospital?

[quietmorning]

I had oxygen as well in recovery and not my cpap mask - and I was fine as long as the oxygen was not removed. The recovery nurse removed my oxygen as soon as my eyes fluttered open - and of course they shut just as quickly as I was just beginning to wake up and dozed for quite a bit after that. I was too fresh from the anesthesia to know or care what was going on. He eventually rushed back in and told me that my oxygen took just minutes to drop to 80 - (!!) and "Wow, you must really have severe apnea!" Instead of helping me to put it back on, he put the tubing into my hand and said, "here" then promptly left. I was still too dopey to try to figure out how to put the thing back on. . .so I tried my best to just stay awake.

Make sure they don't remove your oxygen until they are SURE you are ALERT and are being wheeled out of the recovery room - then put your cpap on (you may need some help) as soon as you get to your room - whether you feel sleepy or not. Chances are, you're going to doze a lot the first twenty four hours after surgery, at least.

I'm not sure how to get this taken care of BEFORE you go into surgery. I never saw the recovery nurse, and I was far too doped to be able to fend for myself. . . talk to the anesthesiologist, maybe . . . and tell them your oxygen needs to stay on until you are leaving for your room, awake or not.

[CPAPhope]

Thanks to all responders. Someone asked what surgery I am having. Well, I had my routine mammogram about 2 weeks ago, and they found a spot. Biopsy showed a Stage 0 (thank you, Lord) DCIS. Ordinarily, they would do a lumpectomy followed by radiation, but since I already had a DCIS on that side, and they can't do radiation again, I am probably going to have a mastectomy. Then, to prevent the risk of a ca showing up on the other side, I will most likely do a prophylactic mastectomy on that side. I am still debating about having reconstruction. I meet with the plastic surgeon on Tuesday. (If any of you gals have any input on that, please pm me. If I do have reconstruction, it will be a DIEP flap.)
I very much appreciate all of the suggestions I got. Esp. the reminder to label everything. You guys are the greatest!

PS - All you ladies, PLEASE get your mammograms done routinely. If they catch a cancer early, it has the best outcome.

[allen476]

I was the one that asked what surgery you are having.

I am sorry that you are going through that again. My mom went through that and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. As far as reconstruction goes, it is going to depend on what the plastic surgeon is left to work with.

I wish you well. Let us know how you make out.

[torontoCPAPguy]

Looks like I'll be having some pretty major surgery that will require me to be in the hospital for up to 4 nights . If anyone has used their CPAP in that environment, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks.

Absolutely! You will likely have a pre-entry meeting with them. Make it clear that you will be bringing in your CPAP/APAP equipment (LEAVE THE HUMIDIFIER AT HOME). And show them the copy of your Rx if you have one. Bring as little gear as possible and get yourself one of those wire hose controllers that stick underneath the mattress and hold your hose up in the air so you don't get tangled in it. Be sure to bring some odourless cleaning wipes too in case your mask drops onto the floor. NB!

No reason that you should not have CPAP in hospital I assure you. And if you need O2, it's right there and they might even provide the connecting hose and gizmos. Just infuse it into the line and remember that it is being diluted by airflow from your CPAP.

Prepare early. Get a copy of that Rx ready and put it into your binder to take with to the first meeting at the hospital.

Good luck. Speedy recovery.

P.S. If the operation is likely to produce post surgery pain - discuss pain management BEFORE SURGERY. And make sure they make notes.

[chunkyfrog]

I made my appointment for my mammo, today.
I go every year, because "leftie" has never been especially photogenic--
--she has little bits of calcium all over, making the doc work harder to read the pictures.
Scared the "custard" out of me one year, until the ultrasound showed what it really was.
Now I insist on digital mammography, and hang out in case they need more images.
Everybody has some risk--even men. The test is so easy.

[torontoCPAPguy]

For emphasis...........make sure that the anesthesiologist understands, without question, that you have OSA. Simply having O2 running will help, but you want to make sure that they get that XPAP on you as soon as possible, especially if you are on a morphine drip, which I was.

If possible, you should have an advocate present with a power of attorney for you (establishing authority) who will insist on XPAP as soon as you are off pure O2. If your SpO2 is not above 90% they will want you on O2.... see if they will infuse that O2 into your XPAP airline. They will have to infuse slightly more than they actually want therapeutically as the airflow is going to dilute the O2.

The anesthesiologist will be familiar with all of this as long as you tell him/her you are OSA and have your XPAP with you.