BiPAP Post Surgery Tonsilectomy

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:10 pm

Hey Everybody,

My ent, whome I really like, told me not to bring my BiPAP to the recovery room for after my tonsilectomy on Monday, which I thought was probably ok since there will be nurses there watching my stats.

I do remember the nurses standing there staring at the pulse ox info after my septoplasty/turbinate reduction/adenoidectomy and waking me to breath every so often. My sister is a nurse and she says this is normal especially after anesthesia and because my nasal airway was closed off with packing from the surgery.

However he thinks I won't be able to tolerate the BiPAP for a few days during my recovery at home. Since I don't sleep without my PAP, I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with this. I'm kind of afraid to sleep without it and I know I'll be sleeping 24/7 the first day or two.

Now I know what you will say: just try to sleep with it if you can. I know, I know.

I already use the humidifier on max and I think that could actually help the healing.

I'm planning on turning down the minimum pressure from 10 to 8, in hopes that a reduced pressure will be less troublesome. And maybe with the tonsils out of the way, that will work for me.

I'm trying not to be worried, but I am. I know that when I'm sleepy or drugged I don't make the best decisions, so I'm trying to prepare myself.

I have been putting off answering this question because I think it sounds kinda silly, because I have a feeling I know what you will say, but it keeps nagging at me that maybe someone will have an idea that I haven't thought of.

Trying not to be worried over something as silly and small as tonsils when there are so many more important things going on out there,

Jen

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:12 pm

I meant "asking" this question, not answering. Duh!

Jen

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:03 pm

I couldn't imagine having the air flowing on the back of my throat after a tonsillectomy. I had mine out at 20, and they were pretty sore for a whole week. I only drank codeine/tylenol mixed with Dr. Pepper for a whole week, and that's it. No food, nothing. I didn't want it. I lost 10 pounds that week.

TxDreamseeker · Post by **TxDreamseeker** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:09 pm

Glad to see you're doing ok. Hope you get back to normal quickly.

Can't help you on what to do after surgery, but it seems if you can tolerate the pressure on your airway, you should give it a try. But like Treesap says, it's probably not something you can count on.

The only thing I can think of is sleeping in a sitting position if you can't use the bipap.

Post surgery members will surely chime in with some good advice.

Hang in there Jen.

_________________

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socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:23 pm

Good point. I should have thought of that. I slept sitting up after my last surgery, I had just forgotten. That makes me feel better.

So, treesap, you didn't even feel like cold ice creamy stuff? And they didn't give you pills, they gave you liq to take? Wow! I didn't expect to hear that! I've made a bunch of sorbets and ice creams in my ice cream maker in preparation, but I just assumed that something cold and smooth would feel good.

Yikes!

Jen

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:38 pm

Jen.....

Why not experiment? It seems that all it would do is possibly cause a little more pain.....but, you won't know for sure unless you give it a try.

If you have a ramp feature, you might try starting really low.....and ramping up over a half hour or so.

If you sleep on a real comfy "recliner".....and throttle down the pressure on your machine.......I'm betting you'll do just fine.

I can't see how you could get excessive post-op bleeding by using your machine....with mild pressure.......and it seems to me that bleeding would be the only possible danger.

If you aren't on your machine.......and your O2 levels drop.....and your blood pressure increases....it looks to me like you'd be worse off without it.

So, if it was me, I'd try it. I wouldn't want to take a chance on increased blood pressure.

Gerald

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:59 pm

socknitster wrote:Good point. I should have thought of that. I slept sitting up after my last surgery, I had just forgotten. That makes me feel better.

So, treesap, you didn't even feel like cold ice creamy stuff? And they didn't give you pills, they gave you liq to take? Wow! I didn't expect to hear that! I've made a bunch of sorbets and ice creams in my ice cream maker in preparation, but I just assumed that something cold and smooth would feel good.

Yikes!

Jen

I was told dairy wasn't good for healing tonsils. Sorbets will probably be OK. I could have eaten popsicles, but I just didn't feel like it. It hurt to swallow. Hence that's the reason why I had liquid pain reliever instead of pills. I remember sleeping a lot. When the week was up, I felt good though. And it has been WONDERFUL to not have tonsilities ever again!! My ENT at the time told me I would probably get strep throat, but I never had it thank God.

I don't remember being in a whole lot of pain. I just felt like I needed the rest to heal.

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:27 am

[quote="socknitster"]Hey Everybody,

My ent, whome I really like, told me not to bring my BiPAP to the recovery room for after my tonsilectomy on Monday, which I thought was probably ok since there will be nurses there watching my stats.

I do remember the nurses standing there staring at the pulse ox info after my septoplasty/turbinate reduction/adenoidectomy and waking me to breath every so often. My sister is a nurse and she says this is normal especially after anesthesia and because my nasal airway was closed off with packing from the surgery.

However he thinks I won't be able to tolerate the BiPAP for a few days during my recovery at home. Since I don't sleep without my PAP, I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with this. I'm kind of afraid to sleep without it and I know I'll be sleeping 24/7 the first day or two.

Now I know what you will say: just try to sleep with it if you can. I know, I know.

I already use the humidifier on max and I think that could actually help the healing.

I'm planning on turning down the minimum pressure from 10 to 8, in hopes that a reduced pressure will be less troublesome. And maybe with the tonsils out of the way, that will work for me.

I'm trying not to be worried, but I am. I know that when I'm sleepy or drugged I don't make the best decisions, so I'm trying to prepare myself.

I have been putting off answering this question because I think it sounds kinda silly, because I have a feeling I know what you will say, but it keeps nagging at me that maybe someone will have an idea that I haven't thought of.

Trying not to be worried over something as silly and small as tonsils when there are so many more important things going on out there,

Jen

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:49 am

[quote="Gerald"]Jen.....

Why not experiment? It seems that all it would do is possibly cause a little more pain.....but, you won't know for sure unless you give it a try.

If you have a ramp feature, you might try starting really low.....and ramping up over a half hour or so.

If you sleep on a real comfy "recliner".....and throttle down the pressure on your machine.......I'm betting you'll do just fine.

I can't see how you could get excessive post-op bleeding by using your machine....with mild pressure.......and it seems to me that bleeding would be the only possible danger.

If you aren't on your machine.......and your O2 levels drop.....and your blood pressure increases....it looks to me like you'd be worse off without it.

So, if it was me, I'd try it. I wouldn't want to take a chance on increased blood pressure.

Gerald

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:14 pm

Anybody know if there is some kind of pulse ox monitor available that can alarm to wake you if your oxygen levels go too low?

That would really put my mind at ease about my recovery if I could request something like that.

I'm going to DEMAND IT. During my talk with the surgeon pre-op tomorrow morning. I hope something like this is available.

I sure wish I had allowed myself to think about some of these things b4 now, but that is my coping mechanism. Keep busy, try not to think about things until you HAVE to.

jen

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:33 pm

They do have things like that Jen. This is just an example of one I found. It can be set to go off at different O2 levels or by pulse.

http://www.semedicalsupply.com/model_5340.htm

I am sure if they feel inclined they can get one rented for you from a DME or something. Just wanted to let you know that they do exist....now just a matter of making sure one gets home with you.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:55 pm

THANK YOU, Jennmary! Now I know exactly what to ask for and I can RELAX!!!!!!!!

I should sleep better tonight knowing this!

Jen

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:17 pm

Best wishes for a speedy and noneventful recovery! If you do get the oxygen monitor and see you have issues, just a thought...I have a friend who was unable to use her cpap and the doctor put her temporarily on just regular oxygen thru a nasal cannula. Since she mostly had hypops, that addition was enough to keep her levels up. When you feel up to it, let us know how you are coming along.
Kathy

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:59 pm

I'm on my third day and I'm still alive and kicking! The surgery itself went well and I didn't have any immediate post op issues like last time--ie my blood pressure remained in normal range without needing any help from pharmaceuticals.

Because swallowing is so painful they give you liquids for meds--tylenol w/codeine and antibiotic. I'm not one who ever vomits, so I was surprised to have terrible problems with that the first 24 hours (Since the age of 14, I've probably only vomited 1 or 2 times--not even when I had morning sickness!). They ended up prescribing a suppository to help with the nausea and a diff pain pill. I wish they had given me that right off the bat. As gross as a suppository sounds, vomiting stomach acid up over a surgical site was insanely unpleasant and I kept thinking (at the time) that I wish there was a suppository for everything!

Each day I feel better/stronger. Today I have been able to talk a little bit. I'm mainly eating small amounts of macaroni w/margerine and salt on it and some of the sorbets I made pre-surgery. Lots and lots of ice water. Even though it hurts to swallow, they really emphasize how critical it is to stay hydrated. I'm doing my best to do that.

Right now I'm at about the level of pain of strep throat. So, not too bad. And mostly the first 48 hours I slept thru, so it isn't that bad.

The esophogoscopy showed that there is some damage there from GERD, so my doc was right and he said I must continue with the prilosec or whatever because it isn't completely healed. No open sores or anything, I guess. This is second-hand from my husband. I'll find out more info from the doc at my follow up in about a week and a half.

I've tried using my bipap several times and it just can't be done yet. I took the pressure way down and it was too low. Took it up some and it was too much. I've been trying to use the hans rudolph but at lower pressures it is doing some weird thing with the anti-asphxia valve.

I've been sleeping sitting up in my recliner. Mitch says I am snoring reallly bad. He slept on the couch the first 2 nights and we set timers etc for my meds. I dose off all the time. These meds are strong. BEcause I couln't tolerate the first med, I'm now on darvicet pills which I spray with cooking oil so they will slip right down my throat. I thought that was pretty smart!

They didn't give me a pulse ox. They thought I was overreacting. (My ent was very cool about it, not condescending or anything) I'm still alive, so maybe I was. I just feel like it is better safe than sorry.

Ok, well I'm getting light headed so I better go.

Thanks for the well-wishes. I should be back to my old self sometime in the next few days.

jen

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:19 pm

[quote="socknitster"]I'm on my third day and I'm still alive and kicking! The surgery itself went well and I didn't have any immediate post op issues like last time--ie my blood pressure remained in normal range without needing any help from pharmaceuticals.

Because swallowing is so painful they give you liquids for meds--tylenol w/codeine and antibiotic. I'm not one who ever vomits, so I was surprised to have terrible problems with that the first 24 hours (Since the age of 14, I've probably only vomited 1 or 2 times--not even when I had morning sickness!). They ended up prescribing a suppository to help with the nausea and a diff pain pill. I wish they had given me that right off the bat. As gross as a suppository sounds, vomiting stomach acid up over a surgical site was insanely unpleasant and I kept thinking (at the time) that I wish there was a suppository for everything!

Each day I feel better/stronger. Today I have been able to talk a little bit. I'm mainly eating small amounts of macaroni w/margerine and salt on it and some of the sorbets I made pre-surgery. Lots and lots of ice water. Even though it hurts to swallow, they really emphasize how critical it is to stay hydrated. I'm doing my best to do that.

Right now I'm at about the level of pain of strep throat. So, not too bad. And mostly the first 48 hours I slept thru, so it isn't that bad.

The esophogoscopy showed that there is some damage there from GERD, so my doc was right and he said I must continue with the prilosec or whatever because it isn't completely healed. No open sores or anything, I guess. This is second-hand from my husband. I'll find out more info from the doc at my follow up in about a week and a half.

I've tried using my bipap several times and it just can't be done yet. I took the pressure way down and it was too low. Took it up some and it was too much. I've been trying to use the hans rudolph but at lower pressures it is doing some weird thing with the anti-asphxia valve.

I've been sleeping sitting up in my recliner. Mitch says I am snoring reallly bad. He slept on the couch the first 2 nights and we set timers etc for my meds. I dose off all the time. These meds are strong. BEcause I couln't tolerate the first med, I'm now on darvicet pills which I spray with cooking oil so they will slip right down my throat. I thought that was pretty smart!

They didn't give me a pulse ox. They thought I was overreacting. (My ent was very cool about it, not condescending or anything) I'm still alive, so maybe I was. I just feel like it is better safe than sorry.

Ok, well I'm getting light headed so I better go.

Thanks for the well-wishes. I should be back to my old self sometime in the next few days.

jen

BiPAP Post Surgery Tonsilectomy

BiPAP Post Surgery Tonsilectomy

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