gall bladder and c.o.p.d.

[stephne]

Hi There,I went to see consultant about gall bladder removal and was told I could not have the op because my breathing is not good if I had to have the big op I would not survive the anaesthetic,I was in shock to say the least,so now if have a flare up I have to get the endescope to fish them out, can't get my head round it yet,is there anyone else had news like this?thank stephne

[cofdrop-UK]

Oh stephne how upsetting and dissapointing. Did he refer you to an anaesthetist at all? Just wondering if you have thought about a second opinion. Are you anywhere near Yorkshire because a nurse told me docs come for surgery or members of their families to the surgeon who did my gall bladder surgery. He wouldn't do it until I had seen an anaesthetist in out patients and had his approval. He also liaised with my resp cons. If another cons comes to the same decision because of your lung isssues, then I can appreciate just how hard that must be to come to terms with.

Love cx

[stephne in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Hi cofdrop,he told me no anaesthetist would do it,he explained thing very well,thank god my sister was with me,will go and see my own doc this week for a bit of back up.love Stephne. x

[Jeanjt]

I am due to have this as well I have 2 appointments next week to see if my lungs will be ok as I too have copd

[stephne in reply to Jeanjt]

good luck,let us know how you get on.Love Stephne.x

[Jeanjt in reply to stephne]

Got the go ahead for op but have got to stop smoking have e cig but finding it hard

[Bevvy]

Am very surprised at this.

Can I ask how severe you are? I had to have a hysterectomy a couple of years ago and no question that couldn't have surgery. Was warned that if problems might be taken to ICU but all went fine.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Bevvy]

Hi Bevvy there are other consideration to be taken into account with removal of gall bladder. I appreciate you probably had a GA but there is always the option of a spinal block with hysterectomy. With gall bladder removal there is not - it is GA only. Not only that if they are doing a lap chole (keyhole) they have to pump in a lot of gas, which in itself can compromise our lungs and if it does then they have to then change to open surgery. So there is a lot to be taken into account when someone has lung issues.

My cons registrar was scared stiff and basically wanted me to go away until the pain became unbearable. It was already unbearable and I asked to see the consultant. His attitude was totally different and as I said he liaised with anaesthetist (leaving the GA decision to him) and resp con. There was a bed booked on HDU but luckily I didn't need it.

cx

[Bevvy in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Am just concerned for this lady who likely to be in lots of pain.

Also what might happen for any of us with lung conditions if need surgery with GA ....

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Bevvy]

Yes I appreciate your concerns Bevvy - gs pain is hurrendous.

Although they shy away from GA if they can help it with lung issues, they do often go ahead and would do it in an emergency situation. I have had lots of GAs in my lifetime, one on the lung itself aged 15. In fact they used to give GAs to kids in the 50s for bronchoscopies.

Forgot to say I am pleased for you your hysterectomy went well.

cx

[etch45 in reply to Bevvy]

January 15 I had an operation, granted they went through all the things that could go wrong but as Bevvy said if problems arose ICU was there.

I did go to a private clinic ( wanted a tummy tuck ) right away they said no as no ICU was available.

etch45

[Mooskie]

Hi stephe...I have been told I could not go under anesthesia because of my lungs. So when docs recommend I get a colonoscopy or gynocology test, I always say "why". "If you find something, you can't fix it!" They always look at me with stunned expression and then the light bulb goes off and they say "right!" . I would ask if they could do the surgery using a spinal anesthesia. Good luck?

[stephne in reply to Mooskie]

Hi Mooskie,thanks for the advice.love stephne x

[Mooskie]

Maybe they could use a spinal anesthesia.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Mooskie]

They don't do a spinal block for this op as far as I know. One of the cuts is just below the breast.

cx

[Mooskie in reply to cofdrop-UK]

That is sad! Maybe someday in the future they can find a way to provide surgery to us who have severe/very severe COPD.

[pattylusk]

my Lung

Specialist said i coucould not have any procedures like a colonoscopy however my Primary care doctor said it would be Ok. Conclusion: try to getanother qualified opinion and let us know.

[Mooskie in reply to pattylusk]

I believe we can have a colonoscopy procedure because they just give a very weak dosage of anesthesia to put you into a bit of a twilight sone.

[stephne in reply to pattylusk]

Hi Pattylusk,thanks for the advice.love stephne x

[cofdrop-UK]

I have had 2 colonoscopys, one without anything and the next I had to have Entinox. Don't think they offer GA for this but as Mooskie says they do offer sedation.

cx

[stephne]

can I just say I am overwhelmed with all the replies ihad, thank you all for the support you gave me.love Stephne.x

[judydorney]

Hi Stephne. I had exactly the same experience a couple of years ago. No op because of the problem with the anaesthetic and my breathing. Had the endescope procedure to remove two large stones. Easy peasy no panic, sedative in my arm, no problem and only took a few minutes. A cup of tea and a couple of slices of toast after and home. So please don't worry. Regards Judy

[stephne in reply to judydorney]

Hijudydorney, I did the endescope a while ago and,touch wood, no further problems,at least it is an option.Love Stephne.x

[maximoe]

Hi Stephne, My husband has copd ( emphysema), & there wanted to remove his gallbladder too as he suffers with a lot of pain with it, but the doc told him it was up to the anesthetist, but he said the same, that he would not survive the op, it would be 50/50 chance of survival, so he has to just cope with the pain when it comes on. But your diet will help, may- be your doc will send you to see a dietsion . im so sorry your going through all this life is hard enough. Good luck hope you get on ok x.

[stephne in reply to maximoe]

I will see the doc asap,thanks for your reply maximoe. love stephne x

[Northern-soul]

Hi Stephne,

I also need to have my gall bladder removed but the surgeon also told me a couple of years ago that he was not happy to perform it because of my chest condition. I do not have COPD but severe asthma with fungal sensitivity (SAFS).

He did say that he would perform the surgery if I really wanted it but appeared very reluctant.

This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as three years down the line I have been diagnosed with tracheomalacia, which apparently takes years to develop. If I had a general anaesthetic there would have been major problem trying to remove the breathing tube at the time. So, here I am stuck with a low fat diet and my many, sizeable gallstones!

Hopefully, you will not have that dreaded severe epigastric pain again

[stephne in reply to Northern-soul]

sorry to hear that, the thought of a low fat diet forever! Iam good some days and BAD other days,so far so good.Stephne.

[pattylusk]

Stephne let us know how it goes. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good Luck