Sleep Doc Gives Warning re: Anaesthetics

Oh 2 breathe · Post by **Oh 2 breathe** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:22 am

I went for my first time to a sleep disorders specialist. When she reviewed my chart she said she was very surprised because I did not fit the usual profile for severe sleep apnea (average of 47 apneas per hour). I am in the fairly average weight range of 150 lbs at 5'4". She said people with my severity are usually over 300 pounds and she rarely sees anyone like me.

She warned me that if I ever need an anesthetic (i.e. for surgery) to tell the doctor I have sleep apnea because they might not think of assessing for that by looking at me. She said it is important to ensure I am hooked up to a CPAP machine while under the anasthetic to avoid the risk of stopping breathing.

I thought I should pass this on in case it could help someone else who doesn't fit the profile.

~ OTB

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:06 am

OTB,
Good Information!!! Diagnosed with OSA in May 05, I probably wouldn't fit profile either, although most of my excess weight is around my middle (the worst place to be). At 48, I will have my 2nd colonoscopy Nov 10th. 1st one last year, 2 polyps-removed 1 lrg precancerous 1 small (I AM VERY LUCKY, I had symtoms, most people don't. Dr said I was in alot of pain
(don't remember a thing) so he wants to put me completely out!!! They will have an anethesiologist on hand who knows I have OSA. Piece of mind.
Thanks
CD

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:16 pm

Most surgery will involve the patient being intubated. No worries about OSA then.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:46 pm

Most surgery will involve the patient being intubated. No worries about OSA then

True, no worries during the surgery, but after the surgery is over, and the tube removed, the patient is still well sedated. During this phase in the recovery room, the risk of breathing problems from OSA is huge. These patients need to be put on bi-pap or cpap immediately after extubation.

So, the posters caution that we should tell the Dr. well before surgery of OSA is critical. I'm going for some surgery on 17 Nov. and have had my pre-surgery consult with the anethetist in the pre-admit clinic already. He was VERY concerned when I told him about the OSA, thanked me for telling him and told me about the recovery phase issues.

Those of us with OSA are protected during surgery by the intubation, but not during recovery unless CPAP or Bi-PAP is attached.

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:57 pm

Good point...what is interesting is that when I had my Achilles surgery, I specifically told anyone that would listen about my OSA...no one seemed to give a rip!!

Oh 2 breathe · Post by **Oh 2 breathe** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:00 pm

You're absolutely right, it's the post surgery phase that the doctor identified as the critical issue.

~ OTB

Ms Piggy · Post by **Ms Piggy** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:01 pm

I understood that we are supposed to stay overnight in hospital after surgery, perhaps in the intensive care unit. Is this so?
I think I would prefer intensive care to being in the other section as last time I had an op, pre diagnosis of my O.S.A. they didn't even notice that my drip tube failed to work serveral times.

Marie · Post by **Marie** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:56 pm

I just had a colonoscopy done,(screening) and was put slightly(demerol and something else) under. I had asked the doctor what do they do for OSA patients, and he said, "nothing". So, before they gave me the meds, I told the nurse to please not let me choke.My attempt at levity, no one laughed. They really weren't concerned at all. That worried me, because even if one is "slightly under" , one is still asleep, right?

Everything came out ok.

Marie

Ms Piggy · Post by **Ms Piggy** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:15 pm

You would think so.
I was told not to take anti- inflamatories as they are a relaxant. I'm pretty new at this, there is still a lot to learn. Read as much as I can, pity I don't have a better memory though! thanks for your original posting.

Ms Piggy · Post by **Ms Piggy** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:30 pm

which I've just re-read. I don't fit the profile either, at 5.7' 135lbs. my apneas were 39.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:37 pm

This is the real problem no one will listen to us about any of our medical conditions.

Regardless of what they are.

Twinsanity · Post by **Twinsanity** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:31 pm

It's not just post op that's a problem. The reason my husband was originally scheduled for a sleep study (which I mentioned he was forced to cancel) was because of a problem when he had some minor surgery. They gave him Versed pre-surgery. Lucky I was in the curtained area with him because he was flat on his back and I watched the pulse oximeter as he fell asleep. The alarm must not have been set because the numbers were dropping, reaching 80 as I tried to get the head of the gurney up while pressing the call button.

Very scary.

And thank you for this reminder because I have some surgery needed. I never would have thought to tell them I have OSA.

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:12 pm

You know its funny you should post this... My sleep doc has never seemed to have been bothered about if/when I have to have my surgery she just said to tell them before hand (haha I know my hosp and they could prob care less some of them might not even know what OSA is ) BUT my pulmonologist is very involved with anything/everything, as well as surgery related. I am supposed to have some surgery, female related, as soon as I get brave enough to face the recovery, but I will be laid flat on my back afterwards if I am not mistaken cause I will have staples in my belly and I was very concerned about this. My Pulmonologist treats my asthma and keeps updated about my OSA. He says if/when I have ANY surgery I BEST call him and let him know so he can schedule to be there with me, that I am NOT to be put under unless he is there. He is awesome! He said even if I have to hunt him down in the ER or have him paged at home...I trust this man more than my sleep doc and am glad to know that some doctors really do care...

Ms Piggy · Post by **Ms Piggy** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:50 pm

Understand your reluctance, but don't bank on lying back relaxing. In my experience, with a 5 ins scar to show for it in the same area, they had me up and galloping along the corridors every day - well sort of hobbling & dragging myself really. Only kidding, it wasn't too bad.. winters a good time to have it done, it saves spoiling time in the good weather. Lucky you having a good Doc.

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:40 am

To All,
I had Tonsilectomy/Uvulectomy in Feb 05, not for OSA, but it was after surgery that I really struggled. Oxygen kept dropping, monitor kept beeping, so they put me on oxygen, pushed more morphine and shut the monitor off!!! I told ENT in previous visit, I thought I had OSA. OSA was confirmed that night in the hospital. This is before I had Sleep Study scheduled & got CPAP. Great Posts!!!
CD

Sleep Doc Gives Warning re: Anaesthetics

Sleep Doc Gives Warning re: Anaesthetics

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