Lewy Body Dementia and anesthesia

Posted by mjensen24 @mjensen24, Mar 6 8:35am

Hello.

I have Lewy Body Dementia and will be having a C5-C6 spinal fusion for severe stenosis and pressure on spinal cord. I’m concerned about worsening LBD symptoms post-op due to general anesthesia. Does anyone have experience with this?

Thank you.

Mike

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merrychristmas | @merrychristmas | Mar 7 7:46am

Yes anesthesia with LBD can worsen the symptoms , it can be temporary or permanent

teacher502 | @teacher502 | Mar 8 2:19pm

Hello Mike....a lot depends on what stage of the LBD you are in. Talk with your neurosurgeon and the anesthesiologist well in advance, so they can come up with the best plan for you. I had that exact same surgery about 12 years ago, and it was well worth it. I pray you get some relief and can enjoy many pain-free days. Also, you are a hero!

raebaby | @raebaby | Mar 8 2:30pm

My husband wth Parkinson's dementia woke up flailing around and trying to get off the bed after a hernia surgery. It seemed to shock everyone in the recovery room .It wasn't permanent.

pictureofhealth | @pictureofhealth | May 20 10:06am

How is Lewy Body Dementia diagnosed?

mjensen24 | @mjensen24 | May 20 11:44am

In reply to @pictureofhealth "How is Lewy Body Dementia diagnosed?" + (show)

@pictureofhealth
Diagnosis is mostly clinical but there are some markers that can help define a LBD diagnosis. I’ve had REM behavioral Sleep Disorder for about 12 years. This was clinically confirmed with a Polysomnogram sleep test. REM sleep disorder had a very high correlation to fitter development of LBD. I also had Syn-One skin biopsies that showed formation of misfolded alpha synuclein proteins, that are indicative of LBD, Parkinson’s and multiple system atrophy. I also had two full neuropsychological evaluations that showed significant decline in executive functioning, processing and visual spacial. Other typical symptoms of LBD are autonomic dysfunction and movement disorders.

pictureofhealth | @pictureofhealth | May 20 3:06pm

What safeguards or alternative anesthesia are there for surgery to correct "abdominal aorta blockage with shockwaves and stents including femoral endarterectomy" in patients with LBD? Thank you in advance!

mjensen24 | @mjensen24 | May 20 4:55pm

In reply to @pictureofhealth "What safeguards or alternative anesthesia are there for surgery to correct "abdominal aorta blockage with shockwaves..." + (show)

@pictureofhealth
I had general anesthesia. 1.5 hour surgery with no alternatives available. My anesthesiologist said this is an area that surprising has very little research, and has seen various results post operatively. He said if there is a cognitive decline due to anesthesia, it can be short term and return to previous base line or possibly not return to previous baseline. Some people with LBD have no post op anesthesia decline at all. I’m two months post op feel I have a new slightly lower cognitive baseline.

pictureofhealth | @pictureofhealth | May 21 2:56pm

Thank you. This helps. Unfortunately my surgery is going to be 3-4 hours. I hope to find an alternative. Best of everything to you!

mjensen24 | @mjensen24 | May 21 5:13pm

In reply to @pictureofhealth "Thank you. This helps. Unfortunately my surgery is going to be 3-4 hours. I hope to..." + (show)

@pictureofhealth
I hope your surgery goes well!
Mike

ichbindck | @ichbindck | May 22 8:19am

I had bracket installed between C4-C5. Had serious spinal stenosis due to bone spur pushing into spine. I have Parkinsons and hoped it would relieve constant dizziness and fine motor skills. Surgery went well but did not help with above but was definitely necessary. I am 82 year old male.