Hello, I was diagnosed with very severe COPD some years ago and I really need more than one operation requiring a general anasetic.
I have to decide now if I should go ahead with the operation to remove a pouch in my esophagus which seems to be getting bigger each year.
My GP says I may survive the general anasetic but could be left with the consequences of a stroke and a worse condition than I have now and it may not be possible to take me off the breathing machine.
I would be interested to hear about the experiences of anyone else with COPD who has had a general anasetic
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anoldone
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I am afraid nobody on here can safely guide you on Anesthesia,we are all uniquely individual with our conditions.i have very severe emphysema and after a recent consultation with my thoracic surgeon regarding a planned procedure i was advised that the potential to either not survive the anesthesia or have to be mechanically ventilated could be as high as 10 %.
Interestingly i also have a swallowing problem which may require a similar type of surgery to yourself but fortunately i am not at the stage you are at,have you considered asking your surgeon if there is anything they can do with your esophagus under deep sedation?
Coming back to the anesthesia,you would need to discuss all the issues with the anesthetist who would be attendant in your procedure as a lot will depend on your present gas transfer values with your lung condition.
Your GP may be right about the risks but as Ski's said you would need to discuss details personal to you with the anaesthetist working with the surgeon. It is normally the anaesthetist who decides on an individual's suitability to have a general anaesthetic. Best wishes to you.
Just a quick intervention fellow non candidate for thermal ablation from a resident occupant of non effective valves.how is life treating you or how are you treating life.you must post an update we would all be interested,
Nothing much to post about, Ski's. I was not a candidate for valves either and prior to discharge from his clinic Dr B said LVRS was major surgery while shaking his head as if to say I wouldn't survive it, not that it appealed anyway. FEV 1 is 24%, I struggle with severe breathlessness but am not on oxygen. Life gets weary and tedious but I KBO.
I'm sorry that you have the swallowing difficulty added to your problems. I hope that you get some ease from that before long.
Well i think we are in the same club Carole.i hope you have or will consider access to ambulatory O2,it really does help to get those daily chores done.still perplexed as to what KBO stands for?
No one has suggested that I be assessed for O2. My sats are usually mid 90's if I'm sat although I know they drop to low 80's at times when I'm walking about. Certainly Dr B wasn't concerned. My GP practice employs 2 former Respiratory Nurses who are responsible for reviewing patients with COPD and they don't seem too concerned either because the drop soon rises again on resting. I could ask for an assessment but haven't done as yet.
As for the abbreviation - keep buggering on! Night night x
I had to have my caroted artery cleaned because it was 90 percent blocked so really didn't have a choice but I had a stroke right before. I didn't have to have a breathing tube I was fine I am Leary about any surgery anymore. They didn't tell me things that could happen.
anoldone I have had ongoing surgeries (about 14) since 2002 for my idiopathic subglottic stenosis which is scaring in the trachea. My last one was a tracheotomy in December last year. I have severe bronchiectasis. Talk to an anesthetist or surgeon about your situation. I do hope that you can find some answers for your situation.
Everyone is different .I had lung volume reduction surgery on 8 th oct. 2018 and was under for approx 4.5 hours .. I also had severe COPD but I came through with no problem.i wish you the very best of luck and I'm sure the surgeons wouldn't operate if it was detrimental to your health .
I have always been denied anaesthetic before my lung transplant because of those exact reasons you stated. No anesthesiologist would want to ever risk their career by advising you to undergo a procedure if they thought you would not survive. But your doctor is stating facts of what MAY happen. Us with low lung function are at risk. No one here can tell you if this is the right move for you, or predict the outcome but we all wish you the very best and hope you will update us when you are able.
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