General anaesthetic

[Misscrisps]

Hi, I am having a small operation in May, as a day case, but with a general anaesthetic. I've never had a general anesthetic before. Will they take any additional precautions due to my asthma? (Fairly well controlled since I switched to Symbicort 200/6 in January). Just a bit anxious. Thanks.

[fraid]

Make sure they know about your asthma and keep your inhaler handy. You're in a hospital they have everything there for you. Hope all goes well, sure it will.🤗

[guineapignot]

hi . I can understand your apprehension having just undergone surgery with a general anaesthetic myself recently and having some underlaying respiratory issues . The pre op Assesment was superb and both the surgeon and anaesthetist were fully aware of this condition. They discussed this fully right the thro until just pre surgery I was kept fully informed. All went extremely well with no issues . All the best to you !

[LittleMissFaffALot]

I've had 6 general anaesthetics and had a variety of outcomes in terms of my asthma. For the first one, like you I was very scared, especially as I didn't know it was happening until the day I went in (semi-emergency 😮).

You should be told to take you reliever inhaler to the operating theatre with you and a couple of times I've been told you have a couple of puffs just before we went in.

The last surgery I had was in December last year and as they brought me round my breathing was really tight so I asked for my inhaler (it was in a container at the end of my bed) and a few puffs sorted me out.

For me, the worst thing is that my body doesn't like GA and I'm almost always sick afterwards ☹️ They give me anti-sickness meds, sometimes they work sometimes they don't 🤷 In December I was last on the list so didn't end up going to theatre until after 4 and my surgery was 2 hours long so by the time i got to the ward it was after 7 (you're in recovery for a period of time after surgery). I was supposed to be a day case but because of the timing and because I felt so sick I ended up being kept in overnight. It was fine though and I was allowed to go home about 8.30 the next morning.

[Cat33]

They will give you a full pre op assessment and everything will be discussed The anaesthetist should also come and see you on the day too Try not to worry you will be very well monitored and looked after

All the very best with your op

[Blue-Breeze]

I too was worried. I took my morning meds, as I was told too and was first on the list. I re mentioned my uncontrolled asthma and the anaesthetist was so reassuring. Asked what I had taken, when my last bad attack had been needing intervention.

He said "don't worry I will give you medication to protect your lungs"

On waking, all good breathing. I did have oxygen longer than others, till next day.

Lungs behaved.

I didn't take my inhaler to theatre as others have. However all my meds were in my bag which travelled to recover waiting for me.

Good luck.

[Misscrisps]

Thanks all. I think the key will be to discuss my concerns fully at the pre op and to have my inhaler close by. I'm having biopsies (and polyp removal) for suspected endometrial cancer so I'm stressed on many fronts at the moment which isn't helping!

[GintyFerguson]

Depends what you are having the operation for but I've had two spinals for ops on my feet. Numb from waist down. Weird feeling!

[peege]

Hi, I can only say that I've had two since being dx with asthma in adulthood. Both for for day admissions. One nasal op and one for a smear test, both times had oxymetre on my finger during recovery which set off an alarm every time O2 dropped. They all knew I had asthma which was mild at the time.

[hilary39]

I have severe often uncontrolled asthma and for my last surgery, they had me do a few puffs of ventolin before the anasthesia and all was a-ok. Good luck! Keep us posted.

[Gymbearo]

I’ve had several operations in the last 5 years and each one has been slightly different. The first 2 i got really horrible chest infections shortly after, I’m not sure if it was something I breathed in during the operation or the being immobile afterwards. The two I’ve had since, I’ve been given prednisolone just before (I also suffer with pressure urticaria), which I think has made a big difference afterwards. My sats tend to drop afterwards and I’ve been kept in overnight until they’ve improved a couple of times but then been ok. The few days after each op, my chest tends to feel very twitchy and ‘raw’ if you know what I mean but then sorts itself out.