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Surgery concerns

Posted by kathyhg @kathyhg, Aug 24, 2020

I’m having unexpected surgery in September and the surgeon wants to use a general anesthetic. I’m not sure she knows much about Mac as she didn’t seem concerned when I asked her about it. I’m in the process of calling my respirologist to see if she has concerns but I want to be prepared for my conversations with her and with the surgeon.

I expect a number of people on this forum have had surgery while dealing with Mac and wonder if anyone has any suggestions re: concerns I should be sharing and sorting out with my doctors prior to having surgery.

Thanks so much.

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heathert | @heathert | Aug 26, 2020
In reply to @n4seth "Hi Heather.....I also have asthma which we confirmed by pulmonologist after my MAC diagnosis. I have..." + (show)
@n4seth

Hi Heather.....I also have asthma which we confirmed by pulmonologist after my MAC diagnosis. I have been treated for asthma for years, and he thought perhaps it was all MAC, but it is both.

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@n4seth interesting, maby if we have mild asthma MAC makes it alot worse.

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ginak | @ginak | Aug 28, 2020

@kathyhg Hi, I just had surgery on Tuesday for gallbladder. I had no problems during surgery. I informed the anesthesiologist of my lung issues before the surgery. What I’m finding the hardest is that I CAN’T cough because of the pain it causes. I usually do my Aerobika lung clearance 2x a day, 50 breaths each time, which I am not able to do. I did have extreme pain and tightness around my ribs the next day from the air they fill the stomach cavity with during the surgery. That is subsiding more each day. Today I used the nebulizer with 3% sodium chloride and just a few breaths with the Aerobika. Tomorrow I hope to do a few more. So if you’re not having any type of surgery that involves your abdomen, I think you’ll be ok as long as your anesthesiologist knows your situation and will be prepared.
Best of luck,
Gina

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kathyhg | @kathyhg | Aug 28, 2020

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m encouraged to see that you have done so well in just a few days.

Unfortunately I am having abdominal surgery and I fear that it will be painful and difficult to use my nebulizer because I cough so much when I use it. My respirologist has told me that I should start using my nebulizer and Aerobika as soon as I can so that I can keep my lungs clear. He has also sent a note to the surgeon so she knows more about Mac and concerns related to options for the anesthetic.

I am about as prepared as I can be and hope that everything goes well and I am back to my airway clearance within a few days too.

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1 reply
n4seth | @n4seth | Aug 29, 2020

Wishing you the very best! Nancy

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ginak | @ginak | Aug 29, 2020
In reply to @kathyhg "Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m encouraged to see that you have done so well in..." + (show)
@kathyhg

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m encouraged to see that you have done so well in just a few days.

Unfortunately I am having abdominal surgery and I fear that it will be painful and difficult to use my nebulizer because I cough so much when I use it. My respirologist has told me that I should start using my nebulizer and Aerobika as soon as I can so that I can keep my lungs clear. He has also sent a note to the surgeon so she knows more about Mac and concerns related to options for the anesthetic.

I am about as prepared as I can be and hope that everything goes well and I am back to my airway clearance within a few days too.

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Best of luck.

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