copd and general anaesthetic

[Scottie22]

hi I have had copd for nearly 4 years I have Reinkes oedema and am due to have a microlaryngoscopy next week under general anaesthetic. Has anyone had a general anaesthetic who has copd and how were you after the op worried about complications was only given 2 weeks notice of op so quitting smoking is very hard

[Patk1]

But perhaps the push u need! How come yr having a ga for laryngoscosy?

[Scottie22 in reply to Patk1]

I am having a microlaryngoscopy for Reinkes oedema which they said I need to have a general anaesthetic

[Alberta56]

Can't help with your query, but sending best wishes for a successful procedure and very good luck with quitting smoking.

[beech]

I had a GA for an operation a few months ago, and I was more worried about the GA than the op itself! Obviously the anaesthetist was aware of my various lung diagnoses, plus my meds for those, which aren’t ideal when having an intrusive op.

However, he didn’t seem the least bit worried which gave me a bit more confidence, and I was got up to walk around pretty soon afterwards. I was encouraged to move quite often to get my lungs having to work again.

(I’d suggest using this as your push to stay off the cigs one day at a time to get you through the op, and then use all that detox time with cessation support to try to stay off full time - easier to say than do, I know, but you will be the one to benefit of course.)

Plus try to do some exercise every day leading up to the procedure to get your body and lungs into a healthier state for the challenge to your body of all meds etc.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

[Bevvy]

I recently had emergency spinal surgery. No issues re anaesthetic. Doctor was far more concerned that I have ME (due to something about pain levels) than COPD. Have also had other general anaesthetics with no issues.

All the best.

[Scottie22 in reply to Bevvy]

can I ask what stage of copd have you got and are or were you a smoker

[Bevvy in reply to Scottie22]

Not had tests for years now so no idea what stage any more. But am a non smoker. Please look at all other comments from people for reassurance about having general anaesthetic. If doctors were concerned they wouldn’t be giving you a GA.

[Scottie22 in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you

[Karenanne61]

I was diagnosed following respiratory failure resulting in a coma on life support. I then had three major abdominal surgeries in quick succesion, all with general anesthetic. The anesthatists were all very thorough, spent quite a bit of time with me at my pre op, running tests and chatting, and insisted on an intensive care bed being on standby. (Cancellations occured because of this) only once did I wake up in intensive care but I don't think I really needed intensive care. Recovery was little unpleasant cuz coughing really hurt the wounds but each time i was made a 'coughing cushion'. Trust your anesthatist.

[Caspiana]

Hello Scottie. Although there are risks with general anesthesia for people with lung disease, the anesthesiologist would not risk it if they thought you could not come back from it. If you are worried please discuss your concerns with the doctor. They will be able to reassure you. Just to make you feel a bit better about it, I was put under general anesthesia for my lung transplant and I did fine. Wishing you the best of luck. xx 🍀

[Jaybird19]

had emergency abdo op in sept and forgot about GA not being advised . no problem as far as i know as you do not get the info about ops these days . nmonths late had some of same problem caused by adhesions but had not been warned about theis happeneing either so had another trip to hospital and adhesions cleared themselves luckily after no food or drink for whole week

no problems from the GA and when i asked for info how to avoid further problems i was told to ask GP when i got home !

[jackdup]

Do you know what stage of COPD you are? Obviously if you are very severe it would be more concerning than if you are mild or moderate. Quitting smoking would probably be the number one suggestion of the anesthesiologist. I had surgery in Dec under a GA and the anesthesiologist that discussed things with me prior to surgery asked a number of questions. Can you walk two blocks without stopping and like questions. I asked him about risks with having COPD and he said there is but we know how to deal with them so that was reassuring. Anyway the surgery went fine, but due to other factors ended up with mild pneumonia for a short period, but woke up from the GA with no issues.