Anesthesia

[golden girl]

I have diverticulosis/itis and have been in hospital 4x in past year for 3-5 days with IV antibiotics. Okay I was going to do elective surgery this past Aug but after reading about surgery with someone who has autonomic disorders I chose not to so I cancelled it.

I googled it and read that anesthesia is risky for people with autonomic disorders and can cause a lot of problems such as respiration/BP/hyperreflexia/heart attack/death etc... I am so scared of having any kind of surgery especially taking out a foot or so of my intestines. Is there anyone who has had major surgery and can tell me that I am worrying about nothing. PLEASE someone who has had surgery tell me what to expect. I cry all the time thinking that surgery is NOT an option for people like me.

[Sallysblooms]

I just had surgery again three days ago. I did fine. I went "under" six months ago also. I was very i'll with POTS back then and did great.

I used to worry too. The doctors watch you carefully and talk to you before going under.

I hope you will get better soon. That is painful isn't it? I had it but I got well at home thankfully. Best of luck.

[dsdmom]

Ask the anesthesiologist about using Dexmedetomidine. My doc says she has had dys patients have to have surgery and relapse w/ normal anesthesia but do great with Dexmedetomidine. It's newer though and some docs may not be experienced with it.

Another option is to check this link:

http://www.masscfids.org/treatment/surgery-a-anesthesia/6

It's recommendations for patients with CFS (and dys) who are getting surgery.

[Sarah4444]

If this helps at all, I have had a cesarian with full blown POTS that was not diagnosed at the time so no special precautions were taken, and I'm still here.

[coloredblood]

I had open heard surgery a year ago. I was under for 6 hours. My bp dropped to 2o BPm and the doc hit me with some Atropine and I came right back. Besides that It all went smoothly. Make sure you tell your anesthesiologist and your doc. I think all will be well.

<3 Nancy

[sue1234]

I had my thyroid removed two years ago in the midst of my POTS. I actually felt BETTER post-surgery for a few days. I remember walking around outside our hotel afterwards, and making myself go in and sit down because I SHOULD have needed to sit, but I didn't feel the need. My guess was all the extra fluids.

[golden girl]

Thanks everyone for the quick reply. I appreciate it.

I have POTS but I also have hypereflexia which is a increase in BP with any stimulant. If I have ingrown toenail,sunburn,medicines including anesthesia,constipation,UTI,any injuries can trigger a RAPID increase of BP almost to a dangerous situation.

I have a cervical injury and this condition creates the hyperreflexia but otherwise my BP is 90/70 the spinal cord is triggered with the ANS and can cause a raise in BP until the problem is found (UTI,constipation) I have had it once when my bladder was over full and it was scarey BP went from 90/70 to 158/100 for about an hr.

Does anyone else have this with POTS

[iheartcats]

Just tell your doctor/surgeon/etc. Print out information about POTS, if necessary. The more they know up front, the better prepared everyone will be.

I wish you the best!