Posted by BreathingEZ on August 25, 2010 at 03:12:20:I just had a 3-day hospital stay which included four hour of surgery using general anesthesia. Here are some observations that might help sleep apnea sufferers who find themselves facing surgery:
1. When the hospital surgical "navigator" calls and says you can leave your CPAP machine home and just bring your mask, don't believe them. I did that, only to find their machine noisy and way too powerful compared to mine at the same 10 cm setting. I would have been much more comfortable with my own machine.
2. If you're going to be intubated during surgery, be prepared for a very sore and swollen throat and a restricted airway. Be sure to have a heated humidifier to help deal with this condition, even if you never use one at home. Hospital rooms are "dry," and your throat will only get worse.
3. Don't expect the inhalation therapists to be very knowledgeable about apnea. Expect even less from the doctors.
4. Once you tell them you need the machine set at 10 cm, you're stuck. It takes the form of an "order" from the doctor (even though you supplied the number) and they won't change it, even if the machine they provide is pumping air that you know is 15 or 18 cm. Another good reason to take your own machine.
5. Watch out for housekeping personnel when you're released. They not only took back their machine, but also my mask, and it took an extra 45 minutes to have it found and returned.
6. One common after-effect of surgery is painful abdominal gas and distension. If you are provided a high-powered machine as I was, the unneeded pressure can add air that you definitely don't need to an already painful condition. The therapist's take on this was that I wasn't breathing correctly, or the air would not have gotten into my stomach.
7. I usually take the use of my CPAP device in stride, but in a hospital setting, with a strange machine, it was a noticeable distraction during my recovery. Being prepared for the differences would have made it less so. When the therapist on the second day asked me why I hadn't brought my own machine, I could only reply, "Because your hospital's surgical guidance team told me not to." I say, question everything and try to set it up the way that will make you the most comfortable.
Better yet, I hope you never need surgery.
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