Any sleep apnea ladies out there?

I am scheduled for TAH/BSO on 11/18. I also have sleep apnea and was told to bring my CPAP to the hospital (by my pulmonologist) and they would use it when I get to recovery. Any advice from others that have "been there, done that" as far as compliance from hospital staff helping with this contraption? Hopefully, I can get it all set up and on my face myself, but what if I can't? I know this sounds silly, but I am so nervous about them NOT using my CPAP.

TIA!
Sherry Ann

My surgery was on 10-6-04 and was told to bring my cpap. I dont remember using it in recovery, but my hubby was there to set it up for me when I got into my room and I used it all the time then. I cant sleep without it.

I also have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. I took it to the hospital with me, had it in pre-op, and the anesthesiologist made a point of making sure I would have it in post-op to use, saying it would be very important to have after surgery when your throat is more likely to close up after being relaxed by all the drugs they give you.

When I was waking up in post-op, I knew I needed it, but when I asked for it, the nurse said I was "just fine" and didn't need it. I was kind of mad later...I didn't get to use it until I was in my room and my husband fixed it for me to use. I didn't do well in post-op and was there for a long time, because they said I kept panicking...well gee whiz...I wonder why...maybe because I couldn't breathe???? (I'd also lost a lot of blood and it took a while to stabilize me...but I wonder if I'd had the CPAP if I would have rested easier?? )

I'm kind of wondering now if he (the nurse) didn't know how to hook it up and use it, and it was just easier to ignore it rather than figure it out? I found that several nurses didn't know a thing about them and were grateful that I was able to use it independently after it was set up initially next to my bed.

Good luck...I hope you have better luck in post-op than I did using the machine!!!

Cathi

LAVH/RSO/TVT Bladder Sling -- 9/13/04

I, too, suffer from sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, and never sleep without it. I posted about it before my surgery, but didn't get much response. I took with me a position statement from AWAKE, a support group for those with sleep disorders, and made sure that the nurses, my anesthesiologist, etc. had copies before my surgery. Some hospitals require that the machines are tested ahead of time before they can be used in the hospital. You can call ahead of time to make sure this is done if needed. Have your DH or SO put it together and on your face at home before the day of surgery, just to make sure that someone knows how to do it. I was not allowed to use it during recovery, but since I was only in the recovery room a short time, this probably was not too detrimental. My DH made sure I had it on as soon as I got to my room, and I used it whenever I was resting in the hospital. Because of my sleep apnea, I wore an oximeter on my finger to continually measure my O2 levels.
One other thing, that you might want to discuss with your pulmonologist ahead of time is that sometimes after anesthesia, we need a higher pressure on our machines to maintain our open airways. Mine was NOT adjusted to a higher pressure and I still had apnea episodes while sleeping during the night, causing my oxygen levels to dip, and setting off my monitor alarm. (Once I woke up with a nurse shining a flashlight in my face, and loudly telling me to "breathe". I still think my CPAP will need to be set higher, since I am waking up so frequently during the night, but now my doctors want me to wait to see if things go back to the way they were as I recover. Hope this isn't too much info. Carol
You can send me a private message if you want more info on the support group for sleep disorders.

HI
MY SLEEP APNEA WAS DIAGNOSED AFTER MY SURG. IT HAS SLOWED DOWN MY RECOVERY--I AM AT ALMOST 10 WEEKS AND STILL SPEND LOTS OF TIME IN NAPLAND. I AM STILL AWAITING THE SLEEP APNEA MACHINE. I HOPE IT HELPS MY ENERGY LEVELS WHICH ARE NOW AT BEST INCONSISTENT AND OFTEN NEGLIGIBLE.
ANYONE ELSE NEWLY DIAGNOSED?
RAYZEL

Hello
I have sleep apnea too, and have told the surgeon and the "hospitalist" whose job it is to monitor patients after surgery. I tolk them that I want someone to make sure that I am using my CPAP, but the messages earlier in this thread have made me rather nervous. I will have a friend with me when I go into surgery, but don't have a SO to watch over me or to take care of me...just the hospital staff. Besides, I have to use a heated humidifier with my CPAP--do you think I can count on the staff to put in the distilled water? What else do I need to do about this? I'm eager to hear advice from people who have been able to use their CPCP machines successfully and as needed in the hospital.

thanks and happy sleeping

kirinphoebe

Hi sisters,
Hope your recovery is and will be going smoothly.
Rayzel, if you're anything like most of us apnea patients, the CPAP machine should help you get a quality of sleep that you haven't experienced in quite some time. I've had my machine for 3 years, and I have only slept about 5 nights without it in all that time. I hope it works well for you.

Kirinphoebe, you can checkwith your doctor and your hospital to see if you can use your machine during the recovery phase. If not, ask if you will be going to your hospital room before surgery. If so, you should have time to set up the machine ahead of time, making sure to put in your distilled water, etc. Otherwise, maybe you can talk with one of the nurses ahead of time to make sure everything is set for you. I will be praying for the details to go smoothly for you. Carol <><

I have a mild case of sleep apnea. I do not use a CPAP machine, but I do sleep with an air purifier running all night long. If I don't, I will not get a good night's rest. What has been the experiences of those who do not use a CPAP machine? Did you have difficulty breathing as you woke up from surgery?

A FEW DAYS AFTER SURG, I WAS FOUND BY A CASTLE ATTENDANT--BLUE IN MY BED. SURPRISE!
RAYZEL

Dear Sisters...In the hospital setting, sterile water is used in the humidifiers. If you come across nursing staff that aren't comfortable setting up your CPAP machines, please ask for them to get a Respiratory Therapist to come assist you. The meds given during surgery and surgery itself can make your symptoms temporarily seem worse until the anesthesia is out of your system. The morphine is also a respiratory depressant, so can also worsen your symptoms. Therapists are 24 hour hospital personnel. Just ask for them and they will come running! I always instruct patients to bring their machines with them anywhere they plan on sleeping. Yes the machines need to be checked out by the Respiratory Department to make sure the electrical grounds are good and they are putting out the correct pressures. Might help to make mention of your sleep disorders at the preop so proper arrangements can be made in advance. Takes 5 minutes minimum to check out the machine.