Sleep apnea and general anesthesia - I'm scared!

[SweetJoy]

I am having surgery tomorrow and have been doing a lot of research online. During my pre-surgical testing, the nurse asked me some questions that have gotten me to thinking I may have undiagnosed sleep apnea. I snore loudly, always have - and my husband says that there are times that it appears I have stopped breathing in my sleep. I also have periods during the day where my breathing is shallow, followed by large breaths or sighs. I am considerably overweight as well.

I am going to talk to the anesthesiologist about it in the morning, but in the meantime I am scared to death! Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

 

[golfgal]

You will be so hooked up to wires, monitors, oxygen, etc. that I wouldn't really worry about it. They are trained professionals and know what to watch for. Good luck with your surgery.

 

[gracie1]

I agree with golfgal. Both my parents have sleep apnea and have to use a mask at night and have been through multiple heart surgeries, etc. Your actually better off being under the anesthesia because your body doesn't work as hard to breathe and they have oxygen there!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Sleep apnea should never be taken lightly. My FIL did not take it seriously, and died three days after knee surgery. He was not on a CPAP in the hospital, and wouldn't use it at home. It was found in his bedroom closet. Very sad and unnecessary...

 

[kchughes]

During surgery it will not be an issue, because you are having general anesthesia. You will have a tube in your throat to protect your airway. When you talk with the anesthesiologist, express your concerns that you may have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Then they can monitor you appropriately in the recovery room and before you go home. Or admit you, if this was supposed to be outpatient surgery and if you are not maintaining your airway. my Dh has sleep apnea and uses CPAP. He had surgery and we brought his machine as instructed. the staff, including respiratory therapy told him he did not need to use it while he was in the hospital! So even people with sleep apnea don't always use their CPAP in the hospital. I hope all goes well with your surgery.

 

[SweetJoy]

During surgery it will not be an issue, because you are having general anesthesia. You will have a tube in your throat to protect your airway. When you talk with the anesthesiologist, express your concerns that you may have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Then they can monitor you appropriately in the recovery room and before you go home. Or admit you, if this was supposed to be outpatient surgery and if you are not maintaining your airway. my Dh has sleep apnea and uses CPAP. He had surgery and we brought his machine as instructed. the staff, including respiratory therapy told him he did not need to use it while he was in the hospital! So even people with sleep apnea don't always use their CPAP in the hospital. I hope all goes well with your surgery.

Thank you so much! I have been driving myself crazy with worry over this. I am having a hysterectomy, so I will be admitted. I have never had surgery before, so all of this worries me, and I have asthma as well. The thought of not being able to breathe after surgery is frightening. I will be sure to talk to the anesthesiologist at length before I go under.

 

[scottishduffy]

Hello! Nurse anesthetist here.... The majority of the people whom we put "sleep apnea" on their chart are actually undiagnosed. They met certain criteria on our screening, or have a certain weight, or a certain shape to their face. Is it something we like to know about? Yes. Is it a huge deal? No. We get TONS of people with sleep apnea. It is just one of those common conditions we see daily... kinda like hypertension or diabetes. We deal with them a lot.

Depending upon your body habitus we may have one or two extra pieces of equipment in the room. You will be hooked up to EKG, BP monitor, and pulse ox before you are even asleep. We will give you 100% oxygen to breathe before we make you sleepy so you will have plenty of oxygen in your lungs. If you snore when we wake you up, then perhaps you may wake up with a little piece of rubber in your nose, or piece of plastic in your mouth to keep your airway a bit more open so you can breathe better on your own without snoring. Not that you would remember that piece! The second you look somewhat awake they take it out (it is a small piece, doesn't really bug you too much). Even on normal patients we sometimes put that piece in. You will not be allowed to go to the recovery area until we are darn sure you can breathe safely on your own.

Hope that helps, try to relax a bit! You will be well taken care of. Our entire profession is based around keeping you breathing and safe and I promise we are pretty darn good at it.

 

[SweetJoy]

Hello! Nurse anesthetist here.... The majority of the people whom we put "sleep apnea" on their chart are actually undiagnosed. They met certain criteria on our screening, or have a certain weight, or a certain shape to their face. Is it something we like to know about? Yes. Is it a huge deal? No. We get TONS of people with sleep apnea. It is just one of those common conditions we see daily... kinda like hypertension or diabetes. We deal with them a lot.

Depending upon your body habitus we may have one or two extra pieces of equipment in the room. You will be hooked up to EKG, BP monitor, and pulse ox before you are even asleep. We will give you 100% oxygen to breathe before we make you sleepy so you will have plenty of oxygen in your lungs. If you snore when we wake you up, then perhaps you may wake up with a little piece of rubber in your nose, or piece of plastic in your mouth to keep your airway a bit more open so you can breathe better on your own without snoring. Not that you would remember that piece! The second you look somewhat awake they take it out (it is a small piece, doesn't really bug you too much). Even on normal patients we sometimes put that piece in. You will not be allowed to go to the recovery area until we are darn sure you can breathe safely on your own.

Hope that helps, try to relax a bit! You will be well taken care of. Our entire profession is based around keeping you breathing and safe and I promise we are pretty darn good at it.

Thank you so much Scottishduffy! You have really eased my mind a lot. I needed to hear (or was hoping to hear) everything you just said. I was worried that I wouldn't wake up - or would wake up hyperventilating from fear. Thanks again!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Thank you so much Scottishduffy! You have really eased my mind a lot. I needed to hear (or was hoping to hear) everything you just said. I was worried that I wouldn't wake up - or would wake up hyperventilating from fear. Thanks again!

You are monitored, very closely, while in OR and recovery. Always, discuss any concerns with your doctors BEFORE surgery.

BTW, wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[SweetJoy]

You are monitored, very closely, while in OR and recovery. Always, discuss any concerns with your doctors BEFORE surgery.

BTW, wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thank you! I will be so glad when I am settled in my room tomorrow night and that part is behind me.

 

[pigletgirl]

My uncle had a knee replacement last year and he has sleep apnea. The biggest issue for him was the pain meds given after surgery, and it actually decreased his respiratory drive. He ended up in the ICU for a night to monitor him on the BiPAP.

But anyways, you may want to ask for a nocturnal sleep study while you are admitted. It definitely wouldn't hurt and sleep apnea isn't something to play around with.

GL!

 

[TLSnell1981]

My uncle had a knee replacement last year and he has sleep apnea. The biggest issue for him was the pain meds given after surgery, and it actually decreased his respiratory drive. He ended up in the ICU for a night to monitor him on the BiPAP.


But anyways, you may want to ask for a nocturnal sleep study while you are admitted. It definitely wouldn't hurt and sleep apnea isn't something to play around with.

GL!

This was the problem my FIL had. He was on a PCA pump, also on oral pain meds.....he stopped breathing, and was resuscitated. Unfortunately, it was too late.