Copd: Wed I am having cataract surgery... - Lung Conditions C...

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Copd

Pinky2017 profile image
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Wed I am having cataract surgery . its just the 1st surgery I've had in e yrs since being diagnosed with copd. I have a vital hernia that when it pops a little I learned how to push it back from a utube video. But have beem to emergency rooms many times causexwhem it really protrudes the pain is off the chart. The doctor in ER said this is now considered emergency surgery. My G.I. doctor is against surgery due to copd . my O2 has beem good but the pain is too much to deal with . has anyone had survery. With having copd? I also get episodes of waking with terrible l chills n shivers uncontrollably. Than fever and swears. I have had these episodes for 8 yrs. 40 x in the past 2 yrs. .my children don't get it . I was sick thanksgiving n my son came to borrow car

Tjey were at a hotel down the road a bit. Told me to take a Tylenol! How cold . I usually end up in the hospital with a pick line in me. Has anyone else experienced this. I feel so alone n helpless

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Pinky2017
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27 Replies
jackdup profile image
jackdup

I have cataract surgery on my right eye in September and left eye in October with no problem. There was no anesthetic required for the cataract surgery. I have also had a couple of other surgery's under a general anesthetic a few years ago when my COPD was better than what it is now and had no problems but suspect at a certain point they would no longer do surgery under a general anesthetic just have no idea where that point is.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

Thank u for the encouragement. Whatvi really Ned is my vital hernia repaired n doctors won't do it . I had 1 in 2012 n a 3 he procedure turned into 8 hrs. That's a long time to be under full anesthesia. The knee i can always get an epidural. But my big problem is the hernia. I am glad that your surgery went well n ty for writing me

jackdup profile image
jackdup in reply to Pinky2017

8 hours is definitely a long time to be under a general anesthetic. Do you know what your FEV1% is? I assume you are not on oxygen? It seems if you were under a general before you should be able to tolerate it now or has your COPD gotten quite a bit worse since that operation?

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

What is fev 1%? Never heard of that . learning something new. Knowledge is power ty

jackdup profile image
jackdup in reply to Pinky2017

Most people refer to it as their lung function so when someone says their lung function is 38% it is generally their FEV1% of predicted they are referring to.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

I am on oxygen 24/7

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

His do they do it without anesthesia? Doctor said I will be in twilight. Not feeling a thing n 20 min tops. I am never able to get an I.v.for more than 15 min cause my atm blows up n they end up doing a pick line. Enjoy your holiday

jackdup profile image
jackdup in reply to Pinky2017

There were several of us there to have our cataracts done and they gave us the option of having a sedative or not and I chose not to have a sedative. It is not IV just simply a pill to help you relax a bit. They freeze the eye and it went well without any kind of sedative but if you are a bit anxious the sedative may be the way to go for you.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

I am having laser n crystal lenses put in so I definitely want to be mildly sedated. Twilight they call it

jackdup profile image
jackdup in reply to Pinky2017

I don't recall the name of the lenses they put in mine.

Good luck.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

If something goes wrong it would encolce

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to jackdup

It is so weird cuz it's something can go wrong it will go wrong when I looked up cataract surgery they said it's an easy procedure 1 in 1000 will have a problem and guess what I was at one person in the thousand after the cataract surgery I went into afib never had a problem with my heart and they couldn't get it down I was up till like 180 185 and so they were going to Peddle me but they called the ambulance and I ended and an ambulance rushed to the hospital in AFib and they had to put a bag on my face and actually pump the oxygen and I had so I had three cardiograms ultrasound you name it but I was so scared because I've never had a problem I've had other issues but never my heart I had a hole in it that was closed and I had an aneurysm and they put a message that was two years ago but now the lazy the lizards went okay but it during the crystal lenses I felt the pain I don't know what happened but all of a sudden anesthesiologist was there and they couldn't believe my heart rate was going from 178 to 190 and it's usually 100 I'm trying to go to 55 sometimes it goes to 118 and today I felt blessed it was like a Christmas miracle cleaning and my oxygen stayed in a great place but now ever since I had the cataract surgery I can't see close up I can't read and I get such bad headaches at night that now that turn into migraines cuz I get up and I throw up and and the noise of light and driving I still see Halos does any has anyone ever ever experienced this I was scared and my youngest son called me the day before or the morning of the surgery and my oldest son and his wife didn't call me for 3 weeks until I sent them a Christmas centerpiece so they call to say thank you never ever asked how I was so talkative and I was totally alone I do everything myself I have a caregiver policy but I wanted to be left alone I didn't want anyone around but I can't believe that they said that it wouldn't wrong one in a thousand if I don't have bad luck I got no love you know what I cheated death like 6 times so there must be a reason I'm still here I pray and I thank you for all your prayers and all your well wishes and all your replies and I'm sorry I haven't been on in a while because I am using the microphone so if there's any typos blame the blame the microphone not me LOL I hope you all had a very happy holiday and you'll get have a very new year and I hope next year brings us all some joy and some relief and I don't have another doctor appointment January 9th so I don't know I'm sure there might be a doctor on call. But still hard to drive at night . but I'm sure it will get better .if not illget a guide dog ..lo hard enough to take care of myself.I don't even want a plant.

jackdup profile image
jackdup in reply to Pinky2017

That is awful. what a horrible experience and I sure feel bad you had to go through that. How long has it been since you had them done and did they do both eyes at the same time? I know for me I still require glasses and it improved my vision close up but not for distance so still require glasses for distance vision. Have you mentioned these problems to your doctor at a followup appointment especially the halo? I certainly hope that things improve for you. How is your heart now and have they done any additional tests on it?

Take Care and Merry Christmas.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hello Pinky2017 .

I feel for you and am sorry to hear you may fave surgery. The only surgery I have had since being diagnosed with lung disease is a Septoplasty. It is a surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum , displacement of the bone and cartilage that divides your two nostrils. The septum is straightened and repositioned in the middle of the nose. The surgeon cut and remove parts of your nasal septum. I did it because it was causing me to have bad sinusitis and in order to get on the transplant list I had to. It was part of the list of conditions. They would not put me under general anaesthetic so did the whole procedure under local. The reason they gave was my FEV1 was too low (about 30%) and so there was a risk that I would stop breathing on my own or not regain consciousness. I think it depends on your condition. They have told me the only other time I can be under a general anaesthetic is when I get a lung transplant.

I hope you can discuss all the risks with your doctor's and find the best solution for you. I'm sorry you are going through this rough patch.

Sending best wishes.

Cas xx 🌿

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to Caspiana

I understand exactly how u Felton what its like to go thru. When i moved in to help my mom when she was going blind I had gotten up to go to the bathroom a round 3 am n fainted flat on my face n had to have 7 surgeries on my nose. They said my pressure was low n I got up too fast. Very scary a week in the hospital . 7 more visits every other month . good luck k n hope u are doing great now. I have lost all sense of smell in the past year but that is from copd. But not being able to breath sucks!!! Keep me informed ...pinky

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to Pinky2017

Do u live in London or the u.s.?

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Pinky2017

I live in Japan. 😃

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to Caspiana

Cool this. Site is all over the world . wish everyone. Could comme together n unite as comrades

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Hi Pinky, you do have a predicament with your hernia. Can you discuss a way round it as as the op needs doing? The cataract surgery should be ok for you as usually straightforward.

Pete has had 4 back ops under local anaesthetic and sedation. He has sarcoidosis and COPD so cant be put under general anaesthetic.

Many people, including families, don’t understand chronic illness. They just think you can pop a pill and all’s well.....it isn’t. You’re not alone though so please come on HU and chat, we’re here for you.

Take care xxxxx

Grayjay profile image
Grayjay

I had a hernia repair with an epidural and didn't feel a thing. Hope your doctor would consider this.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to Grayjay

I will ask surgeon . its a I've my belly button n I think an epidural is helpful from the waist down . they know how bad the pain is why haven't they suggested that? I will do some research thank u

Dmactds profile image
Dmactds

I have emphysema with a FEV1 of 20; I had cataract surgery a couple of months back, no problem...., piece of cake.

I don't know what your doctor's concern is exactly but the ophthalmologist and his anesthesiologist will be sure to make an evaluation of your case beforehand.

Go with the flow.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to Dmactds

Thank u so much for your kind thoughts n words

joyce74 profile image
joyce74

Cataract surgery is nothing to worry about. I had a mastectomy in June under local anesthetic due to COPD for a rare tumour ,adenoid cystic carcinoma which was done after a team of specialist reviewed my condition. Hope a solution can be found for you to get you much needed pain relief. Joyce

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to joyce74

That is what I thought but out of no where I went into a fib. My heart rate was 175 and wouldn't go down. So they had me go by ambulance to my local hospital. My mom had Afib n never had to be paddled except during her colonoscopy. I have never had a. Heart issue except 3 yrs ago my pulmonologist sent me to heart doctor. I had a hole in my heart. Born with it n never knew. Now they are closing them up when babies are born. But it was a blessi,g in disguise. They found an anurizim n put in a mesh. Surgeon said I would have had a stroke within 4 yrs. I have thankfully cheated death many times . in lucky n unlucky at the same time. Do many medical problems the last 24 yrs my sons offer no help. They just look at it as well moms in the hospital again.breaks my heart. They saw what a dedicated daughter I was n they show no emotion. My youngest is better ..still single. My older son married to a control type A. .and he didn't even call before surgery ro wish me luck. My youngest did many times. I think my other son n wife conveniently forgot. He said he text me in hospital at 10 pm I was asleep by 7. Told him I m done with his selfish behavior n haven't replied to him. N no more monetary support. That's why he's trying to connect. Told him he is cut off. My aunt said today to take care of me n not to stress over Matthew my 44 yr old son who is a lawyer but his wife is spoiled. God bless my grandchildren . its all for them . love n health to all of u

susieanna profile image
susieanna

Hi Pinky, do you get decent pain relief medication for the hernia?? Im not trying to put you off the surgery; but it sounds like its not a good idea to have it done re hernia; its tough as you have been told its needed but they wont do it; but my partner was very recently operated on when he shouldnt have been; and he had copd; the operation was maybe only one/two hours for removal of a stage 1A, cancerous nodule in lung; but he ended up dying a few days later AT ONLY AGED 58; so you need to think long and hard about surgery; if you can have epidural re eyes, then i wouldnt have thought that would be an issue there; im slowly reading through your messages on here; sorry to hear of your story and problems; warmest wishes sent your way from London xxxx

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to susieanna

U are right its a long n rough surgery that I don't want to do. I wear n wrap that is used mostly for back but I turn it around n make it tight when i feel hernia. Coming out. I have a few pain pills when it gets really bad . but I try not to use them unless I can't get to the emergency room

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