Severe asthma and general anaesthetic

[Titch1908]

I was due to have an op about 2 weeks ago (ended up having a severe asthma attack and spent 2 weeks in hosp) but didn't have it and they changed their minds and said it was too risky with my asthma being so severe.

Well they've phoned today and booked it in for thr 19th April, it's a removal of cysts and endometriosis and looking into my womb. I'm slightly concerned about the risk of a severe attack as they said the general anaesthetic can be risky when you have uncontrolled asthma. Especially given it would have been a month from a severe attack. I'm glad they're doing the op as I'm in constant pain etc but slightly worried about the risks.

Any advice?

[Bevvy]

You just have to trust they know what they are doing. If they felt that anaesthetic too dangerous they would look into alternatives and options.What I DO know is (& yes easier said then done I know) but the more you stress/get worked up the more likely to have an asthma attack.

They do ops every day / week with people who for a variety of reasons are classed “risky” but most pull through with no issues. And that includes myself!

[Titch1908 in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks for your reply. I think it's because initially they wouldn't do it because of my asthma though i know one of the cysts has really grown quite large and they want biopsies too so maybe that's why they changed their mind. I just don't want to spend 2 weeks in hospital again. I'm a single parent and it's really hard on my kids when this happens. I've had 7 or 8 severe attacks that have required week or more long hospital stays since sept.

[looneyno1]

Hi,I have severe eosinophilic asthma and I had a operation for endometriosis and a coil fitted last July.

They were also extremely concerned about anaesthetic but I had a really good pre op team. We made sure everyone knew my history, the hospital had a ICU bed spare in case, they worked WITH me and my GP/Asthma team.

My advice would be to speak to both the pre op and your asthma team so you are comfortable. It’s part of the job to answer your questions and ease your your mind.

Plus as we all are aware asthma especially severe asthma is unique and different to to each person and they won’t know how to help you unless you speak up, never be afraid to voice your needs and ask for help.

Hope this helps,

Good Luck and I hope you feel better

[Titch1908 in reply to looneyno1]

Thank you for this, my respiratory consultant was very much against it, I'm on high dose long term pred and several other medications. She wanted me to wait until I started biologics and we knew if they were working but gynae are pushing for the op. I'm speaking with thr asthma nurse Wednesday and GP on Thursday. They think I have endo on my bladder and the cysts are getting bigger 1 in particular alot bigger and my ovaries are completely different sizes I'm constantly bleeding and in agony so much so morphine doesn't stop the pain some days so the op is def needed. Thank you for your reply I'm def doing to see if i can get in touch with my respiratory consultant and speak with her! Xxx

[Poobah in reply to Titch1908]

I take it that they're not doing this by keyhole? That would definitely help your situation, but it depends on the surgeon plus what they find once the op is underway. Having been through this I fully understand your concerns but there are risks posed by not having surgery and the cysts etc removed. The continuing growth of the endo may not wait until your asthma is controlled so I get the urgency expressed by the gyne team.My op lasted seven hours and the anesthesia didn't affect my severe asthma at all. But post op I had three specific of antibiotics by IV to deal with infection - my surgeon was acutely careful about the ongoing risks posed by infection. If possible, talk to the anesthetist now as they will be the one looking after your health throughout the op. You won't be their first asthma patient and they will be able to explain how they'll take care of you, given your current challenges.

[twinkly29]

I've been told (by resp consultant and consultant anaesthetist jointly) no way to GA unless it's an unavoidable one or an emergency, and then they would have ITU on standby etc. Even with a non-GA eye operation they had an anaesthetist watching me the whole time (apparently I'm unpredictable 😆).

So....if they're going ahead I'm sure they will have had the discussions and will have contingency plans for you. Of course it doesn't hurt to ask the questions directly to those coordinating things. And it's ok to say I need to speak to......to clarify their position on.....

[Titch1908 in reply to twinkly29]

Yeah well initially they booked it in and then phoned me the next day and said no way. Had another ultrasound and they rebooked it at the big main hospital I'm guessing incase of something going wrong. I need the op because they want to take biopsies and I'm in agony and don't even have the use of my bladder anymore have to use a catheter. Thank you for your reply! Xx

[twinkly29 in reply to Titch1908]

Just tell them you understand the need for it etc but, given you've been previously told no GAs, you'd like to know what their plans are to take account of your asthma needs.

[Titch1908 in reply to twinkly29]

Definitely I've emailed my respiratory consultant this morning so hopefully she will get back to me!

[twinkly29 in reply to Titch1908]

Ah good stuff!

[Yatzy]

I don’t know whether this would be a possibility for you, but I was transferred from a general anaesthetic to a spinal anaesthetic, due to problems with a previous operation. I was apprehensive but the hospital dealt carefully with my concerns and the operation went ahead very successfully. The only problem was waiting for the use of my legs to come back.....about four hours, and control of my bladder embarrassingly took time too. But all in all it was a good solution to my problem. I’d certainly choose that next time.

Hope all goes well for you, but take care, seems odd that you’re being put forward for another GA when the last caused problems.